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Sari Staver

Mission Dolores Park shooting victim Jeffrey Kelton, center, talked to San Francisco Police Commander Dan Perea at Monday’s community meeting.

Dolores Park shooting prompts meeting

by Sari Staver

A

panel of city officials promised neighborhood residents they would seek permanent solutions to crime problems in and around Mission Dolores Park at an August 21 community meeting convened by gay District 8 Supervisor Jeff Sheehy.

More than 100 people packed Dolores Park Church to discuss potential solutions with representatives from the police department, district attorney’s office, recreation and park department, and public works.

The ongoing safety problems came to a head August 3, when three people were shot during broad daylight and the park was filled with people. One of the victims remains hospitalized in very critical condition. Several other violent crimes have taken place nearby in recent months, as well, people at the meeting said.

Another victim, Jeffrey Kelton, attended the meeting and spoke to officials.

Sheehy kicked off the 90-minute session with a laundry list of problems, including violence, drug dealing, auto burglaries, homelessness, and vandalism. While the current concerns about the park came about after this month’s shooting, the problems are not new, said Sheehy, “and we need to establish a process for dialogue with the community,” to come up with permanent solutions.

“We have a beautiful park but we need to change the course of activity there,” he added.

San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said the shooting is believed to be gang related but that no suspects have been taken into custody.

“We are putting everything we have” into identifying the perpetrators, said Scott.

See page 18 >>

Vol. 47 • No. 34 • August 24-30, 2017

LGBT chamber eyes transit agency contracts

by Matthew S. Bajko

I Jane Philomen Cleland

Contra Costa LGBT center expands

T

he Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County opened its new West Contra Costa offices Saturday, August 12 and held a ribbon-cutting that was attended by board President Ken Carlson, left, El Cerrito Mayor Janet Abelson, RCC Executive Director Ben-David Barr, El Cerrito City Councilman and mayor pro tem Gabriel Quinto, and Sister Yeshe Did of the San Diego chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The new

space, located at 6491 Portola Drive in El Cerrito, will be used for counseling services and social and support groups. The center’s Under the Rainbow thrift store has also moved to the new location. “We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our services in West County,” Barr said in a news release.

RCC’s Concord location is at 2118 Willow Pass Road, Suite 500. For more information, visit www.rainbowcc.org.

n a bid to open up new revenue streams for LGBT-owned businesses, the Bay Area’s LGBT chamber of commerce is eying the purchasing power of local transit agencies.

The Golden Gate Business Association last year successfully petitioned the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to include certified LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs) in its competitive bidding procurement programs. The agency is overseeing a $7 billion expansion of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system into the heart of Silicon Valley as well as other multimillion dollar projects.

Next month, BART’s board of directors is expected to follow suit, allowing LGBT-owned firms to compete for contracts with the regional transit agency as it embarks on a $3.5 billion modernization of its system due to voter approval of a bond measure last fall.

See page 7 >>

Parties, parade set for S. Bay Pride

by Heather Cassell

There has been a tremendous “groundswell of interest in Pride this ilicon Valley will be filled with year,” Campbell, a gay man, told the Pride this weekend with events B.A.R. celebrating the South Bay’s LGBT The party kicks off with Saturday’s community.

Night Festival featuring five DJs Saturday, August 26 will kick off spinning from 6 to 11 p.m. at Cesar with the third annual Proud of My Chavez Park in the heart of San Jose.

Family event at the Discovery Chil“We expect a bigger turnout this dren’s Museum of San Jose and the year from last year,” said Campbell 42nd Silicon Valley Pride’s second anabout the nighttime event. “It’s nual Night Festival. steadily growing and interest is cerSunday will be a festive day with the tainly picking up.”

Pride parade and celebration.

He pointed out that the Pride “The annual Silicon Valley Pride board listened to the community event provides a great opportunity for and incorporated suggestions, such Jo-Lynn Otto the entire community to come togethas cutting the entrance in half to $5. er to show our love and support for our San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, who recently announced he Partiers 21 and over can hang LGBTQ friends, family members, and is running for re-election, draped a rainbow flag over his out in the adult beverage area; the neighbors,” San Jose Mayor Sam Licca- shoulders at last year’s Silicon Valley Pride. special section was a hit last year, rdo said in a statement to the Bay Area Campbell said.

Reporter.

The celebration will continue Liccardo talked about the importance of Under Liccardo’s leadership, San Jose sup- supporting the South Bay’s LGBT community Sunday, August 27, when Pridegoers pour into ported a ban on city employee travel to states in the face of “abhorrent acts of hate in other Plaza de Cesar Chavez following the parade for that enact discriminatory laws, installed a rain- parts of the country,” and vowed “continued the festivities that start around noon. bow crosswalk near the Billy DeFrank LGBT commitment to the values of inclusion and Festival headliner musicians include Cazwell, Community Center, converted single stall rerespect that we hold so dear here in Silicon Kym Sims, and Thea Austin of Snap. Logo TV’s strooms at City Hall into gender-neutral bath- Valley.”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” stars Chi Chi DeVayne rooms and installed appropriate signage, joined (Season 8) and Milk (Season 6) will entertain the the Mayors Against LGBT Discrimination crowd that is anticipated to be up to 5,000, said Silicon Valley Pride organization, designated Khanh Russo as the Campbell.

Thaddeus Campbell, CEO and president of mayor’s LGBTQ liaison, and Liccardo attended Silicon Valley Pride, is excited about the South “When I’m in the throes of a party or some many LGBT events.

Bay’s celebration.

See page 18 >>

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<< Community News

2 • Bay Area Reporter • August 24-30, 2017

VALENCIA CYCLERY VALENCIA CYCLERY

Castro loses 3 eateries

t

by Sari Staver

T

hree restaurants closed in the Castro this month, adding to the glut of empty storefronts in the neighborhood.

After more than a year on the market, Mekong Kitchen, a 2-yearold Vietnamese restaurant at 4039 Spring 18th Street, closed its doors in We’ve got m early August, with a note on the ready to ride door thanking customers for their Many on business. The space has reportedly been sold to a Singaporean restaurant but the owners could not be reached for comment. Mekong Kitchen had been listed on Hybrid/City Hybrid/City Kid’s LoopNet for $375,000.

Zapata Mexican Grill also called Sari Staver it quits, citing its inability to get a The former Mekong Kitchen in the Castro has closed. long-term lease from landlord Les Natali. Natali also owns the Patio road eateries, at least a dozen other comIn the coming months, thouCafe, the storefront at 531 Castro mercial properties are available for sands of additional square feet will that has been closed for 15 years.

Now Op lease, including the 10,000-squarebecome available in the ground Last HAPPY month, the San Francisco Enfoot CVS Ever Pharmacy at Market near floor commercial spaces of the y Thurs tertainment Commission voted take 20% OFF a road Mountain Noe Street, which closed in March. mixed use developments along the unanimously to approve a permit In potential business openings, Market Street corridor, from Noe that clears the way for Hamburger More bikes in stock & ready the papered windows on the storeto Church, including 2175 Market, Mary’s to open at that location but Now Open Thursday to 7pm! to ride than any shop in SF! front at 544 Castro, formerly Dante’s Venn on Market, and the Duboce.

Natali did not return calls for a ’16 SPECIALIZED VITA HYBRID* Inferno Italian Cafe, will soon be the Developers recently broke ground comment on his plans.

• Road • Kids Every Thursday inCLOSEOUT April between 4 &$549 7pm 95! home of a restaurant operated by on the project where Home ResOrginally $750 And the House of Chen, the • Hybrid/City • Mountain take 20% OFF all parts, accessories & clothing.* FinnTown’s Rick Hamer. In an email taurant had been located, at Mar*SALE LIMITED TO STOCK ON HAND 28-year-old family-owned Chinese & 1065 1077 Vale SALES 415-550to the B.A.R., Hamer said the “conket and Church streets.

The former restaurant at 335 Noe Street (near Spring We Carry: *Sales limited to stock on hand.

Mon.1 cept is being finalized” and the new Sullivan’sSat. Funeral Home is also Market) announced it was closing We’ve got m valenci restaurant should be open by fall. slated for redevelopment.

August 14, when the owners deready ride And to a new Indian restaurant, “Businesses and property owncided to retire, according to a note Deccan Spice, is remodeling the ers need to really work together,” on the front door. storefront at 468 Castro Street, Daniel Bergerac, president of CasAlso for sale is Wasabi Bistro, a where A.G. Ferrari closed in 2015. tro Merchants wrote in an email.

Japanese restaurant and sushi bar at Owner Guru Murari, who owns “At some point, property owners 524 Castro (between 18th and 19th 1065 & 1077 Valencia ( Btwn 21st & 22nd St. ) • SF several other Indian restaurants, did are going to have to accept that streets).

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Report: Sedative a factor in gay man’s death road

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backboard, they gave him a 5-milliliter intramuscular injection of he sedative that paramedics midazolam, which is also known gave to a gay San Francisco as Versed. As they continued seman who’d had a violent outburst curing Marquez, “he suddenly at a Castro district bar was partly to went limp, pulseless,” and stopped blame for his death, the San Franbreathing, the report says. An elec1065 & 1077 Vale cisco Medical Examiner’s office has trocardiogram showed that he was SALES 415-550 determined. in cardiac arrest.

Mon.Sat. Paramedics responding to Hecho Paramedics “immediately” began valenc Cantina, at 2200 Market Street, on resuscitation, and they continued March 11 gave Abel Marquez, 36, their efforts on their way to Zuckthe sedative midazolam to calm erberg San Francisco General Hoshim. Marquez, who’d reportedly pital. Marquez “was successfully been using methamphetamine, resuscitated and stabilized” shortly Courtesy David Monroe soon fell into a coma and died alafter they got there just after 9, but most two weeks later, according he remained comatose.

Abel Marquez to the medical examiner’s report, Almost two weeks later, Marquez which was made available last week. was pronounced dead at 12:11 a.m. that he believed mixing the sedative The report, which calls the death March 24 in the Intensive Care Unit. with other substances in Marquez’s an “accident,” lists the cause as Max Szabo, a spokesman for the body had endangered his life. “complications of anoxic ischemic San Francisco District Attorney’s In an interview last week, Monencephalopathy,” or brain injury office, said Marquez’s case “is being roe, who’d called Marquez “one of stemming from a lack of oxygen, investigated as an in-custody death the most loving, caring guys you’ll “due to probable methamphetby our independent investigations ever meet,” said the family isn’t puramine exposure with midazolam bureau.” suing a lawsuit “at this time.” sedation.”

The medical examiner’s report “The whole thing’s a nightmare,” The filing says that police resays that Marquez, who was also he said. “... We lost our only son.” sponded to Hecho, which has since known as Abel Florentino, was Monroe said that an attorney told closed, at about 8:30 p.m. after “obese” and had a history of meth him the family doesn’t have a legal someone called 911 saying that and alcohol use. case because it takes “much longer” Marquez was “behaving violently Methamphetamine, amphetfor midazolam “to take effect” than and allegedly breaking windows.” amine, and evidence of midazolam what the medical examiner’s office Paramedics with the San Franwere found in urine samples taken indicated. cisco Fire Department noted when from Marquez about two days after “I probably could look into it they arrived that police were rehe arrived at the hospital. further, but I haven’t, really. It’s not straining a “combative” Marquez, Dr. Amy Hart, who performed something you want to think about the report says. the autopsy, wrote in notes includall the time, to tell you the truth, and “The subject’s hands had been ed with the report that she viewed I just can’t put my wife through any handcuffed behind his back and he body camera recordings from ofmore of this,” said Monroe, who dewas being held prone on the floor by ficers who responded to Hecho clined to share the name of the law the officers,” according to the report. and “blurry” surveillance footage firm he’d consulted with.

“Paramedics noted the smell of alfrom the bar, and the images didn’t Lieutenant Jonathan Baxter, a cohol on the subject,” and there was change her opinion about the cause fire department spokesman, didn’t also a cut on his left wrist. and manner of death. She also rerespond to an interview request for Paramedics reported that Marviewed reports from police and this story. quez’s “aggressive behavior made paramedics about the incident.

Marquez’s husband didn’t reassessment and treatment difficult.”

David Monroe, Marquez’s stepfaspond to a message sent through As they secured him to a ther, said just before Marquez died Facebook.t

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4 • Bay Area Reporter • August 24-30, 2017

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Tech CEO works to create change, one chip at a time

by Heather Cassell

S

everal years ago, Jayna Sheats came across an idea to create a powerful microchip that was extremely thin and could be reduced to something as small as a grain of rice.

In 2015, Sheats, a transgender woman, seized her opportunity to create the chip and launch Terecircuits Corp.

Two years later, she has a prototype of a microchip that is as thin as paper, but it could be made even thinner and smaller, said Sheats, who is CEO of the startup chip company.

Sheats, 69, showed the Bay Area Reporter the microchip, comparing it to the type of processor that is currently used in cellphones and fitness trackers, during an interview on the Peninsula earlier this month.

The chip is the type of technology the average tech consumer doesn’t think about, but it is the engine that makes nearly everything that operates on a “smart” platform run daily.

The difference is that Sheats’ chip functions at a fraction of the energy, memory, and space of current chip technology, while at the same time it is more powerful and flexible.

It’s perfect for a growing wearable tech world, which is her current target market, but the technology can easily be adapted to other devices, she said.

Sheats, who is currently the company’s only full-time employee, works with two other team members and a special adviser for technology applications.

The company is on the verge of finding investors to fund the startup.

Sheats has more than 30 years of experience as an industrial research and development and technical business development expert in Silicon Valley. She holds more than 50

patents and has authored or co-authored 60 journal articles, according to her biography on the company’s website.

Prior to founding Terecircuits Corp., Sheats co-founded startup companies Intelleflex, Terepac Corp., and Nanosolar after nearly 20 years working for Hewlett-Packard Laboratories. She worked in research on microlithography, superconductivity, and organic electroluminescence at Hewlett-Packard and founded the company’s World eInclusion program, which focused on profitable, environmentally and socially sustainable business in the developing world, according to her biography.

“I left Hewlett-Packard to try being an entrepreneur because then you’re in a small organization, you have a big effect on it,” said Sheats, who hopes that the chip will have an impact on the world. “The imagination is limitless.”

Diversity in tech

Sheats is unique in the technology world.

While technology is innovative and progressive, the people behind the apps, gadgets, and programs haven’t progressed culturally as quickly as the technology they build.

Silicon Valley has a diversity problem, particularly among women and LGBT people. An internal Google document about women in engineering made headlines recently; the author, a 28-year-old man, was fired as the company scrambled to address the fallout.

The problem has been in the headlines regularly for the past two years, signaling that product innovation doesn’t equal cultural progress. That lack of diversity gave rise to organizations such as Lesbians Who Tech, Project Include, and more recently,

Jo-Lynn Otto

Jayna Sheats, CEO of Terecircuits Corporation, shows off a prototype of her microchip, left, compared to today’s chip, right.

TransH4CK and TransTech.

Workplaces in general haven’t been friendly to transgender people.

A 2011 survey conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality and National LGBTQ Task Force showed that 90 percent of transgender people reported experiencing discrimination in the workplace and 26 percent reported having lost their jobs due to bias.

The technology industry isn’t any different. Recent surveys targeting LGBT tech workers found disparities.

An online survey of 600 transgender tech workers across the United States showed that the average salary was $96,370. However, more than half (57.2 percent) reported making less than $76,000 and 22 percent made less than $20,000 annually, reported TransH4CK, a San Francisco-based organization, which published its findings last year.

“Tech Leavers Study: A first-ofits-kind analysis of why people voluntarily left jobs in tech,” published in April, found that 37 percent of LGBT employees said they left a job

“due to unfairness.” It was the same rate as non-LGBT identified employees, however, LGBT employees reported experiencing bullying (20 percent) and public humiliation or harassment (24 percent) within their job, which was higher than the other groups. Even more important, the survey found that LGBT individuals equated bullying with unfairness. The queer employees also reported that bullying was the strongest predictor of them leaving a company, with 64 percent who were bullied saying the experience contributed to their decision to leave.

The national online survey conducted by the Kapor Center for Social Impact and Harris Poll received 2,006 adult respondents, 8 percent who identified as LGBT, who left a job in a technology-related industry within the last three years.

Role model

Transgender techies looking at the industry need to see that there are others like them in the profession. It was being able to see herself

that made Sheats take the final leap.

She only hopes that she can serve that same purpose for other trans techies.

A decade ago, Sheats decided to transition. Her inspiration was a fellow trans microelectronics pioneer.

“The one woman who made, by far, the most impression, ... [is] Lynn Conway,” said Sheats. “I was just so impressed with her.”

Conway lost her job at IBM when she transitioned in 1968 but went on to continue breaking ground in transformational technology. Seeing Conway’s experience and relating to her, Sheats found her own courage to transition.

She can’t speak enough about how important it was to have “that kind of role model who you can relate to professionally and emotionally.”

Sheats also credited trans celebrities who actively support the community.

“Laverne Cox is absolutely fabulous. I’m not an actress, so it’s not as easy to relate to her,” said Sheats, referring to the television star and advocate.

Sheats was born in Los Angeles, but moved with her family to a remote ranch in Colorado when she was a year old. After high school, she entered the army for three years where she lived in Germany and South Korea. It was in the army that she started discovering the feelings she had about her gender. She read books written by leading sex researchers and the pieces fell into place. Yet, she still didn’t have the determination to make the transition, she said.

“Things have changed so much and you still have all this controversy,” said Sheats, who admires the younger generation for its boldness. “Many See page 19 >>

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International News>>

August 24-30, 2017 • Bay Area Reporter • 5

Taiwanese marriage equality politico visits SF

by Heather Cassell

J

ason Hsu, a senator in Taiwan’s legislature, the Legislative Yuan, who is a co-sponsor of Taiwan’s proposed same-sex marriage legislation, spoke before a small group of attorneys and friends in San Francisco earlier this month.

Hsu is an ally and TEDxTaipei founder who was in San Francisco with an eight-member delegation meeting with tech companies.

He took an evening to discuss his historic work for marriage equality in Taiwan with Taiwanese LGBT rights activists and digital media expert Jay Lin. About 30 members of Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom, an LGBT bar association, and the Asian American Bar Association of San Francisco gathered at a private house in San Francisco to listen to the two men speak August 13.

Both men were born and raised in Kaohsiung, Taiwan and spent time in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Hsu, 39, traveled to Central America and South American before living and working in San Francisco for three years during the early 2000s. He returned to Taiwan, where he founded several tech companies, including TEDxTaipei, before he was selected to become an at-large Member of Parliament.

Lin, a 40-something gay man, moved to the Bay Area when he was 10 years old and attended UC Berkeley and UC Hastings College of the Law before returning to Taiwan more than 13 years ago to launch his own digital media company, Portico Media.

During the past four years, he

founded and is director of the Asian Pacific Queer Film Festival Alliance and co-founded the Taiwan International Queer Film Festival. Last year, he founded the Queermosa Awards, a ceremony to honor LGBT and ally media professionals for creating LGBT content, similar to the GLAAD Media Awards.

Through his media company and organizations, he has been able to generate positive media campaigns for same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage in Taiwan

On May 24, the 15-member Council of the Grand Justices at the Constitutional Court of Taiwan ruled that denying same-sex couples the right to marry was unconstitutional. The court gave Taiwanese legislators two years to pass legislation legalizing marriage equality or the court’s ruling would automatically go into effect.

The court decision paved the way for Taiwan to become the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.

Lin spoke about the catalyst that brought to light the plight of samesex couples and the need for marriage equality in Taiwan: the suicide of gay French literature professor Jacques Picoux.

Picoux fell into a severe depression for a year following the death of his life partner of 35 years, Lee Yenjong, after not being able to legally make medical decisions for him.

“It was actually the first time that the general public actually understood the need for marriage equality to be legal in Taiwan,” Lin said.

The timing was also politically

right for marriage persuade the legislaequality in Taiwan, he tors to go on the side of said. actually amending the “Finally, for the first civil code so it’s comtime in the Taiwanese plete equality.

Legislature, there were “We are still very proponents of maroptimistic that we will riage equality across be able to make some parties to put their headway in this and minds together,” said hopefully celebrate Lin. and make Taiwan the Rick Gerharter That, and the pofirst country in Asia to litical possibility, ex- Jason Hsu, a enact marriage equalcited him and Taiwan’s senator in Taiwan’s ity once and for all,” he LGBT community, he legislature, the added.

Legislative Yuan, said.

Hsu described him“We saw the oppor- spoke with an attendee self as an “outlier” in tunity, the possibility at a recent reception in his conservative politiof pushing this forward his honor. cal party, the Kuominfor the first time in a tang (Chinese Navery long time,” said Lin, who came tionalist Party), which has opposed together with five other organizations same-sex marriage, and he’s critical – the Awakening Foundation, LGBT of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, Family Organization, Pridewatch, who is a member of the Democratic Queermosa Awards, and Tongzhi Progressive Party but has yet to fulHotline Association – to create the fill her campaign promise to legalize Marriage Equality Coalition. same-sex marriage.

The coalition raised $500,000 “She did not act on it when she within two days and held a huge got elected,” said Hsu, who believes rally, attracting upward of 250,000 Tsai is weakened due to pressure people, to support Hsu and other from both political parties. “I wish lawmakers supporting same-sex she could have been more determarriage legislation, Lin told the mined and courageous and stating audience. her belief.”

However, the debate about sameHsu became a legislator-at-large sex marriage continues in Taiwan’s in July 2016 after he was nominated legislature, where there is talk about for a non-constituency legislator amending current civil codes or position in 2015. At the beginning creating separate statutes addressof his political career, he was asing marriage equality issues. Hsu signed to be in the committee of believes that lawmakers will come standing law and justice. to some sort of agreement someHe seized the moment, pledging time in the middle of 2018, he told that he would do his best to legalize the Bay Area Reporter. same-sex marriage, he told the at“The work hasn’t ended,” said tendees. He said that gay friends he Lin, who supports Hsu’s efforts to grew up with inspired him. A friend amend the civil code and was enand former employee of one of his couraged by the court’s decision in companies educated him about May. “It will only rejuvenate us to what it was like to be LGBT in Taimake sure that we can effectively wan, he said.

“I’d never really sensed their plight until one day ... I had a very personal chat with her and I was introduced to the kind of struggle the community has to go through,” said Hsu. Going against his political party’s anti-same-sex marriage platform, Hsu, who believes the issue’s opposition is more generational than religious, took a progressive approach and proposed changes to the civil code along with his Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Yu Mei-nu.

He faced criticism and requests for expulsion earlier this year from within his own party, the KMT, and by the Central Standing Committee for supporting same-sex marriage, according to media reports.

KMT lawmakers are against amending the civil code and are more in favor of drafting special legislation to address same-sex marriage issues.

“I faced a lot of pressure, both internally through my party, and externally from the religious groups and civil society in other opposition groups,” Hsu told the audience.

“I’ve never questioned one minute that I’ve stood up for same-sex marriage,” he continued, praising Lin and the Taiwanese LGBT community’s support. “I think it’s a very important bill to pass, even though my party is not 100 percent aligned with this value.”

Hsu isn’t concerned about the personal attacks he received but more about breaking down barriers and educating people about the LGBT community.

Hsu sees nothing but positives for Taiwan taking the lead in Asia for same-sex marriage.

As the gateway for other Asian countries, he hopes other countries’ parliaments will follow Taiwan in

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<< Open Forum

6 • Bay Area Reporter • August 24-30, 2017

Volume 47, Number 34 August 24-30, 2017 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 Michael Nugent • Paul Parish • Sean Piverger Lois Pearlman Tim Pfaff • Jim Piechota Bob Roehr •Donna Sachet • Adam Sandel Khaled Sayed • Jason Serinus • Gregg Shapiro Gwendolyn Smith • Sari Staver • Jim Stewart Sean Timberlake • Andre Torrez • Ronn Vigh Charlie Wagner • Ed Walsh Cornelius Washington • Sura Wood ART DIRECTION Max Leger PRODUCTION/DESIGN Ernesto Sopprani PHOTOGRAPHERS Jane Philomen Cleland • FBFE Rick Gerharter • Gareth Gooch Jose Guzman-Colon • Rudy K. Lawidjaja Georg Lester • Dan Lloyd • Jo-Lynn Otto Rich Stadtmiller • Steven Underhil Dallis Willard • Bill Wilson ILLUSTRATORS & CARTOONISTS Paul Berge • Christine Smith ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATION Colleen Small Bogitini VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVERTISING Scott Wazlowski – 415.829.8937 NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media – 212.242.6863

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Trump needs to look in the mirror A

fter days of unrelenting negative media coverage, President Donald Trump attempted to use his first nationally televised address Monday evening to turn the page on his disastrous comments about the recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. But, as with so many things the president says, his comments should be taken with a grain of salt.

His TV address was ostensibly to speak to the nation about his “new” strategy for the war in Afghanistan. But before that, he talked about the shared values of the military in an allusion to Charlottesville while surrounded by service members in the Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall in Virginia.

“The soldier understands what we as a nation too often forget, that a wound inflicted upon a single member of our community is a wound inflicted upon us all. When one part of America hurts, we all hurt,” Trump said.

“And when one citizen suffers an injustice, we all suffer together.

Loyalty to our nation demands loyalty to one another. Love for America requires love for all of its people.

“When we open our hearts to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice, no place for bigotry and no tolerance for hate,” Trump said.

“The young men and women we send to fight our wars abroad deserve to return to a country that is not at war with itself at home. We cannot remain a force for peace in the world if we are not at peace with each other.”

In the context of Trump’s other words and

actions, his comments ring hollow. Just last Tuesday, he doubled down on his original Charlottesville statement, saying that “both” the neo-Nazis and counterprotesters were to blame for the violence that left one woman dead. He’s trying very hard to normalize hate groups, which represent much of his base, by his refusal to condemn white supremacists.

There’s nothing acceptable about chanting “The Jews will not replace us,” or mowing down a crowd.

The poll numbers on Trump are in the toilet. According to a Washington Post-ABC News survey, “twice as many Americans disapprove than approve of President Trump’s response to the deadly Charlottesville protests,” the Post reported, citing figures of 56 percent disapproval versus 26 percent approval among U.S. adults.

Democrats and independents were overwhelmingly opposed; Republicans, not surprisingly, were more supportive, with only 19 percent disapproving. But Trump won with a big assist from independent voters, and if the president keeps it up, they may start abandoning him.

Immediately following the speech, some commentators were quick to praise the “new Trump.” Don’t be fooled. There is no new Trump, just the same old Trump. This is a fact that he demonstrated a day later when he gave an angry, rambling speech at a campaign-style rally in Phoenix. If he really cared about service members working as a team, he wouldn’t

even consider banning transgender troops from serving, at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars. If he really means “a wound inflicted upon a single member of our community is a wound inflicted upon us all,” he would have immediately called out the bigots who marched in Charlottesville for who they are: white supremacists.

The president needs to look no further than a mirror to know why the country is so divided. And he deserves no credit for being “more presidential” after one speech. He’s given absolutely no indication that he cares about anyone but himself and his business interests.

Trump is all about Trump.t

Courtesy AP

President Donald Trump briefly looked at Monday’s eclipse without wearing protective glasses.

Creating a pipeline for gay AAPI electeds

by Michael Nguyen, Thai Lee, and John Nguyen

C

alifornians have led the charge in creating a world of inclusion in political representation. Michael A. Gin became the first openly gay Asian-American mayor in the country in 2005 when he was elected in Redondo Beach.

Four years later, Evan Low became the youngest gay Asian-American mayor elected in the country. Today, Low serves as a state Assemblyman for the 28th District, which includes Campbell and other South Bay cities. On the national level, Mark Takano (D-Riverside) became the first openly gay Asian-American and Pacific Islander congressman when elected

by California’s 41st District. These public servants demonstrate that being AAPI and LGBTQ are no longer barriers to serving in an elected office.

Imagine a world where elected officials in all facets of the political spectrum better reflect our community. What would that look and feel like for our community, AAPIs, LGBTQ folks, and our senior citizens? How would it affect our families?

We propose that the world would be more inclusive, collaborative, and creative at generating solutions to tackle the tough issues that face our society. Immigration reform would look differently from first- or second-generation immigrants at the table with monolingual parents and grandparents at home. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the five largest California cities by population include Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, and Fresno. Just one of those regions is represented by an LGBTQ AAPI elected official, Low. What if we LGBTQ Asian Pacific Islanders stepped away from that tech job that brought us to the Bay Area and put in our bids for elected office? As it stands, no Bay Area LGBTQ AAPI organization is dedicating resources to creating a pipeline to ensure more direct representation of our interests. Until now.

The Gay Asian Pacific Alliance is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit social welfare organization founded in 1988 whose mission is to further the interests of LGBTQ Asian and Pacific Islanders.

When several members of the Asian Gay Men’s Support Group at Berkeley’s Pacific Center for Human Growth met in July 1987, they saw a need to organize and present a positive identity for our community. Many nationally recognized programs trace their roots to GAPA, including GAPA Community Health Project,

or engage with GAPA programming. Our events and programs showcase LGBTQ AAPI and volunteers who empower folks to make substantive contributions to building community. Can’t spare the time? Contribute today with a tax-deductible donation to the foundation by visiting www.gapafoundation.org.

Join the conversation. Practice your advocacy skills with our monthly discussion series.

Engage powerfully in current events via social media. Organize an event on your own and link your group of friends to GAPA. Advocacy does not only involve engaging with elected officials. Be vocal in your support for folks in our community who commit to Michael Nguyen furthering our interests through endorsements and fundraising, Michael Nguyen, left, Dr. Thai Lee, and John Nguyen especially as the 2018 election season arises. By telling stories through song, theater, and even which later evolved into API Wellness Center; running to become the next Miss or Mister GAPA Men’s Chorus, and GAPA Foundation, GAPA, anytime we talk about the issues that a 501(c)(3) charity that started in 2010 from matter to us as a community, we are being ada Horizons Foundation grant. In 2016, GAPA vocates for GAPA. Foundation awarded over $40,000 in comShare your ideas on how you can be an advomunity grants to 15 organizations around the cate for GAPA in person at our VIP reception country and scholarships to deserving high Saturday, August 26 at Runway 29: Slayyyvatar. school and college students nationwide. LookFor information, visit http://GAPAvip.eventing at our rich history of achievements, we brite.com. Low, one of our celebrity judges, know that though the past 30 years will be at the VIP reception before and during have been amazingly productive intermission. Runway is happening 7 p.m. at in this work, we can and must do the beautifully renovated Herbst Theater, 401 more.

Van Ness Avenue. Tickets are available at www.

The vision of queer AAPI people cityboxoffice.com. being well represented in posiWe are always stronger when we work totions of political power must gether. For more information on how to get inbecome a reality with greater volved with GAPA, please go to our website at urgency to counter the forces of http://www.GAPA.org or send us a message on white supremacy. Volunteering Facebook at www.facebook.com/GAPASF.t time and funds are vital to the success of this vision. A seat at the table is imperaMichael Nguyen, GAPA chair and the tive to take part in conversations that affect real reigning Miss GAPA 2016, is a spokesperlives and real communities. Most importantly, son for GAPA Foundation and is a patent we must all mobilize and actively participate attorney at Wong & Rees, specializing in in the neighborhoods where we live across the protecting the assets of technology compastate. Advocating for GAPA is a meaningful step nies, large and small. toward achieving these goals.

Dr. Thai Lee, GAPA vice chair, is a physiWe are here to personally invite anyone cian specialist at the San Francisco who is committed to furthering the interests Department of Public Health and is a of LGBTQ AAPI, regardless of how you idenmaster’s in public health candidate at UC tify, to join us in building something fabulous.

Berkeley.

Only then can we get more direct representaJohn Nguyen, GAPA PAC chair, is an imtion in government that more accurately remigration attorney with six-plus years of flects our community. experience securing work authorization GAPA advocates can take everyday actions for high-skilled foreign born workers.

t <<

From the Cover>>

LGBT chamber

From page 1

BART’s finance committee voted unanimously at its August 15 meeting to include LGBTBEs in the agency’s competitive bidding procurement programs. The full BART board is expected to approve the proposal when it meets September 14.

“This is sure to have a positive, national impact with transportation agencies throughout the United States” predicted GGBA President Dawn Ackerman.

BART’s Office of Civil Rights for years has sought to award contracts to LGBT-owned businesses through the agency’s Small Business Opportunity Plan. That program, however, imposes a cap on how much a business makes in a year at $14 million or less. For LGBTBEs bidding on contracts, there will be no cap on how much a business makes.

Once adopted, the GGBA, the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley, and the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce will take the lead on outreaching to businesses in their areas about applying for BART contracts. The transit agency will accept LGBTBE certifications from both the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and the California Public Utilities Commission.

To qualify as LGBT-owned, a business must be at least 51 percent owned by a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender person or persons and one or more of those individuals must control its management and daily operations.

“I think it is fantastic we are recognizing the talent and leadership that LGBT-owned businesses can provide in the transportation field,” said gay BART director Bevan Dufty, a former San Francisco supervisor who has worked with the GGBA on the contracting issue. “The only way to address the Bay Area’s traffic and congestion is by improving our transportation infrastructure,

August 24-30, 2017 • Bay Area Reporter • 7

and I think it is a great incentive for LGBT businesses to look at what they can offer to BART, VTA and other agencies.”

To help ensure BART is including LGBT-owned businesses in its programs and services, the agency this month appointed Sandra Escalante, a lesbian who is president and CEO of Richmond-based Laner Electric Supply Co. Inc., to its BART Business Advisory Council. Escalante, 50, who is Filipina, serves on both the GGBA board and on the Richmond Workforce Development Board.

“If they even allocate 20 to 30 percent of the bond money for women, minority, or LGBT businesses, that would be huge,” said Escalante, the only LGBT person on the council and the first to represent the GGBA. “I am hoping they keep the money in the Bay Area and the three counties that voted for the measure. I don’t want to see it go to companies that don’t have any impact in our community. I am very passionate about that.”

Escalante plans to seek BART contracts for her own company. Her serving on the advisory panel does not preclude her from doing so, she said, since it does not discuss specific contracts.

“Being that I am a woman, I am a minority, and I am LGBT, I am definitely disadvantaged, not only because of all of those factors but also financially. It does enable me to apply for multiple certifications and allows me to at least enter the door,” said Escalante, who bought a 51 percent stake in her company in 2015 after being recruited to work there four years ago by founder, and now co-owner, Jim Laner. “Being an independent distributor, I am competing with multibillion-dollar conglomerates. It is very difficult to survive.”

Escalante is currently in the process of being declared a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise from the federal Department of Transportation so she can bid for work at airports and certain rail projects, like Caltrain’s $1 billion Peninsula

a $12 million contract to important to have LGBT businesses furnish various materials for as part of Terminal 1,” Paul PendMuni’s Central Subway line ergast, the GGBA’s vice president in Chinatown and SOMA. for public policy, told the Bay Area “We are pushing a lot Reporter. “The competitive bidding of the doors and trying to process is complex and lengthy but break the glass ceiling. There we are committed to helping LGBTis a major glass ceiling in owned businesses (both contractors the construction arena for and retail/restaurants) be a part of women, for minorities, and the bidding process.” definitely the LGBT comA spokesman for SFO did not munity,” said Escalante. “I respond to a request for comment am 50, so in 10 more years this week.

I am going to be done with Pendergast himself has benefited this. I want to make sure from such programs. His eponyJane Philomen Cleland someone in the LGBT commously named Pendergast Consultmunity who wants to start ing Group was one of three disadLaner Electric Supply Co. Inc. President up their own construction vantaged business enterprises that Sandra Escalante has been named to a company doesn’t have to be received a portion of the $100 milBART business advisory panel. afraid or ashamed declaring lion spent on by the San Francisco the fact they are part of the County Transportation AuthorCorridor Electrification Project. She LGBT community.” ity on the Yerba Buena Island I-80 already received certification from GGBA leaders are currently in Westbound Ramps project. both the state of California and the discussion with San Francisco InHaving begun his career working national LGBT chamber for her ternational Airport officials about on transit issues in Congress in the firm, which employs 18 people, one ensuring LGBT-led businesses can 1970s, and then in the 1980s overpart-time. competitively bid for contracts and seeing federal affairs for the Los AnYet being approved for contracts vending opportunities at the airport geles County Transportation Comcan still be an arduous task, she said. as it works through a $4.1 billion mission, Dufty never imagined back Despite repeated efforts, she has yet capital improvement plan. As part then that transit agencies would one to win a contract from either PG&E of the project SFO is in the midst of day team with LGBT businesses. or EBMUD, the East Bay Municipal a years-long $2.4 billion remodel of “It is really rewarding to see how Utility District, which both have its Terminal 1, which is expected to enthusiastic BART leadership has small and minority business conbe named in honor of the late gay responded to the notion of includtracting programs.

Supervisor Harvey Milk. ing LGBT businesses in our small After two years of trying, and “If they go ahead and name Termibusiness incentive program,” he filling out reams of paperwork, nal 1 after Harvey Milk – it would be said.t Escalante last month landed a $109,000 order from Chevron for electrical materials at its refinery in Attorney at Law Richmond.

“For a small business to do business with Chevron, yes, it is a big deal,” said Escalante, who is married • Divorce w/emphasis on to Melissa Deocampo-Escalante.

Real Estate & Business Divisions She has also landed contracts to • Domestic Partnerships, Support & Custody supply materials to two mega transit • Probate and Wills projects in San Francisco. Her firm www.SchneiderLawSF.com landed a $2 million contract to supply light fixtures and cables to the Transbay Transit Center under construction South of Market. *Certified by the California State Bar Last summer the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency 400 Montgomery Street, Ste. 505, San Francisco, CA selected Laner Electric Supply for

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<< Community News

t Historic SF bars Gangway, Lucky 13 face changes 8 • Bay Area Reporter • August 24-30, 2017

by Seth Hemmelgarn

T

hough their fates aren’t certain, two historic San Francisco bars that have drawn LGBT customers over the decades are facing closure.

The Gangway, at 841 Larkin Street, one of the Tenderloin district’s last gay bars, is being sold, while the Castro district parcel that includes Lucky 13, at 2140 Market Street, is up for sale.

As the San Francisco Chronicle first reported, Sam Young, who owns the Kozy Kar bar at 1548 Polk Street, is in the process of purchasing the Gangway’s liquor license.

Young, who couldn’t be reached for comment, plans to open Young’s

Kung Fu Action Theatre and Laundry at the site, according to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Many say the Gangway is more than 100 years old. Last year, news emerged that the business, known for the ship’s prow perched above the front door, was being sold. That deal never became final, but owner Jung Lee, 65, told the Bay Area Reporter in May 2016 that he was still hoping to sell it.

“I’m trying to move closer to family,” who live in southern California, “and I need to retire,” he said.

Lee couldn’t be reached for comment for this story, but bartender Michael Anderson said the bar

would be in escrow for another month or two, and it’s not known when the business will close.

Business has been “good,” he said, but “people are upset, of course,” about the pending sale.

Anderson, who said, “The bar needs a lot of work,” including the plumbing, doesn’t know how much the bar’s being sold for.

Lucky 13

With its location in the Castro neighborhood, Lucky 13 has drawn gay and straight customers alike for decades. A mixed residential and commercial project has been approved for the site, and the property’s now on the market, but it’s

Rick Gerharter

The site of the Lucky 13 bar, long a hangout for gays and straights alike, is for sale.

unclear what will happen there.

In a building permit application filed in April, Ankrom Moisan Architects proposed demolishing the

existing building and constructing a five-story mixed-use development with commercial space on the ground floor and 27 residential units.

No one requested that the city’s Planning Commission do a discretionary review of the proposal after the application was filed, and the 30-day public notice expired May 31, according to planning department spokeswoman Gina Simi.

In early August, though, the real estate news site SocketSite reported that the 2140-2144 Market Street property is for sale for $9.75 million.

Lucky 13 owner Brian Spiers didn’t respond to an interview request, and a call to Ankrom Moisan wasn’t returned.t

San Francisco, Richmond ban Texas travel

by Matthew S. Bajko

D

espite the failure of Texas lawmakers to pass a transphobic law during their recently ended special session, the Lone Star State nonetheless will be added to the travel ban lists created by two Bay Area cities to punish states that enact anti-LGBT legislation.

San Francisco and the East Bay city of Richmond are both banning their employees from using taxpayer funds to travel to Texas for nonessential purposes. In San Francisco, city agencies and departments will also be banned from entering into contracts with businesses headquartered in the Gulf Coast state.

The inclusion of Texas on the two cities’ banned lists is due to Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott signing into law in June House Bill 3859, which allows child welfare organizations – including adoption and foster care agencies – to cite their religious beliefs as the basis

for not working with addition of Texas to LGBTQ couples and the list of states covother individuals. ered by San Francisco’s Abbott was also travel ban policy will pushing state lawmakbe effective as of Sepers to pass a policy tember 1, as that is the mandating transgendate that Texas’ homoder individuals use phobic adoption law public restrooms takes effect. based on their sex asIn her memo, Kelly signed at birth and also announced that had convened a special she had added to the session this summer to list Alabama, which in Texas Governor Greg force through the law.

May enacted an adopAbbott was unable to But opposition from get a trans bathroom tion policy similar business leaders and bill passed during a to the Texas law, and the LGBT community special session, but Kentucky, where a state helped kill the legisla- another anti-LGBT law allowing student tion this month when bill covering adoptions groups and organizathe state’s GOP House goes into effect next tions in K-12 schools leader adjourned the month. and colleges to discrimsession last week withinate against classmates out bringing it up for a based on sexual orienvote. tation or gender identity went into According to a June 30 memo effect on June 29. The city’s prohibifrom City Administrator Naomi tions on travel to and contracts with Kelly to city department heads, the companies based in those states went

into effect immediately, per Kelly’s memo.

The number of states on San Francisco’s banned list currently stands at eight, as Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee have been on it since March.

The city’s list now mirrors the one maintained by California, as Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced in late June his office had decided that four states, including Texas, were covered by the Golden State’s travel ban policy. The state law does not cover contracts and only covers the use of taxpayer funds for nonessential travel to states that have passed anti-LGBT legislation since June 26, 2015.

Santa Cruz County officials also banned nonessential travel by its employees to Texas in late June. Its policy now covers three states, as North Carolina and Mississippi had already been placed on its “no fly” list.

City employees in Richmond are now banned from using taxpayer

funds to travel for nonessential reasons to all eight of the states included on California’s banned list. The city council and mayor adopted the travel restriction policy July 18 at the behest of LGBT residents and advocates.

They did include several exemptions to allow employees to travel to the covered states, such as to meet contractual obligations incurred prior to January 1 of this year, to attend trainings needed to maintain a professional license, or to participate in pro-equality events relevant to their jobs. Richmond city officials will update the list of states covered anytime the state attorney general revises the state’s list.

More East Bay cities could soon enact travel ban policies similar to Richmond’s. The recently formed Lambda Democratic Club of Contra Costa County “will be working with other cities to follow suit,” said Cesar Zepeda, president of the political group as well as Richmond Rainbow Pride.t

t

Politics>>

August 24-30, 2017 • Bay Area Reporter • 9

Water polo player turned educator seeks education post

by Matthew S. Bajko

W

hile enrolled at San Diego State University, and after graduating with both a degree and a teaching credential in English, Nancy Magee excelled at water polo. She not only was one of just two women to coach a boys’ varsity team in San Diego, she married the coach of the men’s water polo team at UC San Diego.

“I was kind of a water polo leader, I would say, for 10 or 15 years or so,” said Magee, 58, who earned a master’s in library and information science through San Jose State University.

She and her ex-husband, whom she was married to for 11 years, had two sons. Their marriage ended after Magee came out of the closet in her 30s.

“I got divorced and started embracing my life as a single, lesbian mom,” recalled Magee, who grew up along California’s central coast in the small town of Santa Maria and now lives in Half Moon Bay. An award-winning English teacher in San Diego, Magee moved to the Bay Area in 2010 after being hired as the school library services coordinator at the San Mateo County Office of Education. Once there, she was twice promoted and now serves as the county education office’s associate superintendent for the student services division.

Her duties include overseeing direct educational services to students

who are in the juvenile Education overseeing justice system or who are instructional services enrolled in the county’s and programs. special education proFostering a safe gram. Also under her school environment for auspices are safe and all youth, whether they supportive schools initiaare LGBT or straight, is tives, including emergena top concern for both cy response and mental candidates. As the Bay health coordination, fosArea Reporter noted in ter youth, Safe Routes to a recent profile of WadSchool, Career Technical dell, his campaign sloEducation, and Special Nancy Magee gan is “Standing Up for Olympics.

Kids.”

She is now running to Similar to Waddell, succeed lesbian San Mateo County this is the first time Magee has been Superintendent of Schools Anne E. a candidate for public office. Her Campbell, who opted not to seek decision to enter the political arena re-election next year. After serving was motivated by the election of two four-year terms in the position, Donald Trump as president and Campbell will step down in early her participation in the Women’s January 2019.

March on Washington following “I know what my passion and Trump’s inauguration in February. experience are about, and that is “I was impacted by the November trying to provide the safest, most election and a feeling I need to do supportive learning ena lot more to help us walk the right vironments for kids,” path,” said Magee, adding that dursaid Magee about ing her trip to Washington, D.C. she why she entered the “really made a commitment to myrace. “I have a lot of self to step up and do more for kids experience as a teacher and the future that they are moving and instructional leader, into.” but I have also learned Despite the fact she is running in a enough to know that down-ballot race, Magee expects the if a school isn’t a place superintendent campaign will draw that is a positive comconsiderable attention, particularly munity for all students, since there hasn’t been a contested it makes it hard for all election for the position since 2002. students to excel.”

Plus, there being two out educators Magee is one of two out candiin the race also makes it unique. dates who have pulled papers for “The fact that two candidates are the race. Also running is gay Pacifica going out and asking for support resident Gary Waddell, Ph.D., 54, and engaging the community is and currently the deputy superintendent of itself a great thing; it raises more of the San Mateo County Office of of a spotlight on education,” she

Letters >> City College’s budget shenanagans

City College of San Francisco’s board of trustees must believe in fairies. Having received last-minute bailouts from the state Legislature in 2012 and 2016 to stabilize the college’s cash reserves, this Thursday (August 24), the trustees plans to rubber-stamp a $21 million deficit budget that ignores its staggering unfunded retiree medical benefit liability. By ignoring this ticking time bomb, the trustees find themselves in Neverland, smiling at the Crocodile while they vainly proclaim, “I won’t grow up.

Math is hard. Let’s go shopping.”

The college’s final draft budget removes pre-funding of lifetime health benefits for current staff, taking a holiday from this unfunded liability. Similar to California’s disastrous Senate Bill 400 retroactive pension giveaway, the college recklessly established a pay-as-you-go “5 at 50 plan,” where all employees (including part-time employees working 20 hours a week) qualify for full lifetime health benefits at age 50 as long as they had worked at the college for five years. Although a 2009 modification made lip-service reforms, this expense will continue to grow without pre-funding, exceeding the revenue generated by the “free” City College Program by 2020, at which point the state’s stabilization funding will dry up. This much-publicized program is all hype offset by declining enrollment. In fact, the college has not added a single staff position in its financial aid fund. Without significant changes, I estimate the college will run out of unrestricted cash by the end of 2019 and require bankruptcy protection by the end of 2020.

Meanwhile, the college has cut its facility maintenance budget to a skeleton crew in order to maintain the status quo. Overextended across too many nonproductive facilities, the college’s budget is insufficient to maintain the elevators or fix the plumbing. The budget ignores the findings of Moody’s Global Investors, the state’s Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, the college’s auditor, and the much-reviled accreditation commission that the college must replace capital through operations.

During the accreditation crisis, the city sued the accreditation commission. Oh, the cleverness – so many who doubt they can fly.

The college’s financial troubles are not for wont of support. Since 1993, it has been the only community college in the state to receive a dedicated local sales tax. Then there’s the lottery, a parcel tax, Proposition 98, the receipts from the dissolved San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, etc.

The state’s special trustee built up a $48 million operating reserve from nothing, and the trustees plan to blow through half of it in one year. What will the college do

when the economy goes bad, residents turn to it for job-retraining, and state support drops with lower state income tax receipts? Will the Legislature applaud with yet another trailer bill full of faith, trust, and pixie dust?

Reading the board minutes, the trustees spend most of their time on toothless resolutions regarding subjects described by San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer in a San Francisco Commonwealth Club speech last week as “outrage FOMO” – a fear of missing out on the latest controversy that will allow them to score political points on social media and TV. Trustee Alex Randolph discovered this the hard way upon taking a job at Uber. Trustee Rafael Mandelman acts more like a Wall Street CEO by supporting gifts to entrenched special interests to the institution’s long-term detriment when he’ll be long gone.

You can have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it.

Thomas Busse San Francisco

Rally falls on Women’s Equality Day

Yes, let’s gather our “counterprotest at some other venue ...” [“Don’t go to the SF ‘Patriot’ rally,” Editorial, August 17].

And let’s understand how Women’s Equality Day honors diverse suffragists, from 1848 to 1920 – brave citizens of at least two colors, at least two genders, and at least four sexual orientations.

Tortuga Bi Liberty San Francisco

Churches should open doors

Regarding the letter from Father Christian River Sims, Temenos Catholic Worker, who said that Proposition Q is wrong and who also stated, “I see people everyday who have nowhere to go, no housing, no shelter ...” [Mailstrom, August 17]. So do most San Franciscans. You are not alone in your compassion.

I have also gone to the Temenos website and appreciate the good work it does and is striving to do. I have one question for Sims: How many of the local churches (of any denomination) that Temenos works with, opens up their doors, nightly, to house the homeless?

If the answer is less than “all of them,” then maybe your organization can start to ask: “Why don’t they?”

I will never give up the hope that we can solve this problem.

Joe Mac San Francisco

said. “It gives us a great opportunity to get people talking about what they really care about and what their priorities are.”

The co-workers, so far, are the only candidates to pull papers for the 2018 race. If neither captures more than 50 percent of the vote on the June primary ballot next year, then they will both advance to the November general election ballot.

Should either win the race, Waddell or Magee would be the highest-ranking countywide LGBT official on the Peninsula. The county education office works with 23 school districts on the Peninsula with a total enrollment of nearly 94,000 students. It provides teacher training and staff development as well as fiscal oversight and legal services for the districts.

One area the county office has influence on is ensuring that LGBT history is being taught in local schools. Magee told the B.A.R. that she feels educators have not done enough to implement a state law known as the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act, which requires LGBT subjects to be taught by California’s public K-12 schools.

“For kids of all different sorts of perspectives, they should see themselves reflected in the curriculum.

They should see their identifies in the kinds of history we are teaching,” said Magee, who has overseen initiatives in San Mateo to bring attention to the issues faced by LGBT youth and students with disabilities.

Last week, a coalition of LGBT groups presented testimony to the California Instructional Quality Commission that raised objections about the lack of, and in some cases total absence of, LGBT subject matter in history and social studies instructional materials proposed to be used for kindergarten through eighth grade classes across the state as called for by the FAIR Education Act. When the commission meets at the end of September, the FAIR Education Act Implementation Coalition is calling on it to reject the proposed teaching materials.

The 11-member State Board of Education will then either approve or reject the advisory panel’s recommendation when it meets in November.

Asked about the coalition’s criticisms of the proposed curriculum, Magee and Waddell both urged the state oversight bodies to make sure teaching materials used in California include lessons on the LGBT community.

“LGBTQ+ individuals are a vital part of California’s and America’s history, and our contributions should be recorded and fairly represented in our instructional materials,” stressed Waddell. “The lives of these courageous trailblazers have had a profound impact and their stories have too long been silenced. Their absence has diminished us all.”

He noted that the FAIR Education Act “addresses this inequity by shining a light on our shared history – a history that includes the accomplishments of LGBTQ individuals.

At this critical time in our national discourse around equity and social justice, we must embrace, not retreat from, the strength of our diversity.”

As for Magee, she applauded the coalition of LGBT groups for its “strong voice” in support of seeing the intent of the FAIR Education Act be fulfilled.

“I believe speaking out at the hearing with a strong, unified voice does have an impact on the decisions reached by the commission,” she said. “The commission is comprised of a cross section of teachers, administrators, subject area experts, and representatives of the Legislature, and I am sure they do their best to ultimately approve curriculum resources and texts that best respond to the legislation.”

She noted that educators could already find materials on the California History Social Science Project blog – http://chssp.ucdavis.edu/ blog/FAIR – to incorporate LGBT lessons into their existing curriculums while the new textbook frameworks are reviewed.

“The real question is whether these materials are actually being used in classrooms and how do school principals, district superintendents and county offices of education provide the necessary training and support,” said Magee.

“Training and support are essential for success regardless of what texts ultimately get adopted.”t

<< Community News

10 • Bay Area Reporter • August 24-30, 2017

Events planned to counter ‘Patriot’ rallies compiled by Cynthia Laird

L

GBT activists and others have announced a series of counterdemonstrations to the planned “Patriot Prayer” free speech rally at Crissy Field Saturday, August 26 and a rally by the same group in Berkeley Sunday, August 27.

The National Park Service on Wednesday approved Patriot Prayer’s permit request for Crissy Field, which is part of the federal Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Last week the Bay Area Reporter editorialized against people going to the Crissy Field and Berkeley rallies, instead urging people to attend counterdemonstrations at other locations. The paper’s view is that those who are against the white supremacists and neo-Nazis shouldn’t give them attention by staging a counterprotest at the same location.

People are planning to gather August 26 at noon at Harvey Milk Plaza, Castro and Market streets, for “Come Together,” a peaceful rally.

Drag queen Juanita More! is one of the organizers, and will be joined by longtime gay activist Cleve Jones and others.

Those who attend can then march down to Civic Center Plaza, where former San Francisco Pride main stage producer and entertainment commissioner Audrey Joseph has organized “Peace, Music, Laughter” that will start between noon and 1 p.m. and end at 5. Joseph wrote on Facebook that the stage will include performers and there will be activities for kids.

Joseph announced additional speakers and performers, including DJ Brian Kent, drag queen BeBe Sweetbriar, Momma’s Boyz, and emcee Ronn Owens from KGO radio. National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell is also scheduled to speak.

Patriot Prayer’s Sunday rally is at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park in Berkeley. An ad hoc group is planning a rally against hate from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Crescent Lawn near the UC Berkeley campus at Addison and

Oxford streets downtown.

“We are an ad hoc working group composed of residents of the Bay Area – people of color, working class people, immigrants, queer, gay, bi, and trans people, Muslims, Jews, Christians, liberals, leftists, and others,” organizers Alex Schmaus and Shannon Malloy said in a news release. For more information, visit www.august27berkeley.com.

Gay San Francisco activist Michael Petrelis on Wednesday received a Park Service permit to hold a news conference at Crissy Field Friday, August 25 at noon, followed by a candlelight vigil and speak out that evening from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Additionally, Jones and Deb Stallings, vice president of development for the Horizons Foundation, said that they have launched a fundraising campaign for various nonprofits.

Dubbed the Hate Free SF Fund, the project will raise money for several organizations, including the Transgender Law Center, the San Francisco chapter of the NAACP, the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, NCLR, the National Immigration Law Center, the Jewish Community Center, La Raza

t

Benefit for Oakland LGBT center

Courtesy Juanita More!

Drag queen Juanita More! is one of the organizers of Saturday’s Come Together rally.

Community Resource Center, and the Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center. To donate, visit www. nohatesf.org.

Gay comedian Sampson McCormick will perform at a benefit show for the new Oakland LGBT Community Center Sunday, August 27 at 3 p.m. at the center, 3207 Lakeshore Avenue.

As the Bay Area Reporter noted in a recent article, the Oakland center is scheduled to open Thursday, September 7, just before the city’s Pride weekend festivities.

The Oakland center will provide counseling, mental health services, housing referrals, support the local arts community, and other services.

Community leaders Jeff Myers and Joe Hawkins worked to make the center a reality; Myers is board president and Hawkins is executive director.

“In times like these, and when bringing the community together, laughter is one of the best things that we can have,” said Sampson, who uses his first name professionally. “I am happy to be supporting the center and our community with the gift of laughter.”

The suggested donation for the show is $20, although no one will See page 18 >>

Stockton set for march, Pride festival

by Seth Hemmelgarn

L

GBTs and their allies in and around Stockton are preparing for a March for Equality and Pride festival as Nazism and white supremacy are gaining increased visibility around the country.

Staff at the San Joaquin Pride Center, which is organizing the Stockton events set for Saturday, August 26, are encouraging people to come in support of LGBTs, Muslims, immigrants, and other communities that have faced marginalization and violence.

“Our community and our nation is at its strongest when we embrace and champion our diversity,” Nicholas Hatten, the center’s executive director, said in a news release. “As recent incidents have shown, there are still those who want to divide us and turn some of us into secondclass citizens. ... We say enough is enough!”

Asked in an interview about the impact on the march of the recent

Seth Hemmelgarn

San Joaquin Pride Center Executive Director Nicholas Hatten

anti-Semitic, racist rallies in Charlottesville, Virginia, and President Donald Trump’s subsequent support of them, Hatten said, “We’ve always intended this to be about all equality, so we have a pretty diverse group of participants. I think what’s changed is just this sense of urgency, and this huge desire for people to share out and to speak out against what’s going on, so I hope that’s reflected in our turnout.”

He said he’s hoping to see 500 people at the march, which is “an opportunity to positively express our disagreement with our president.”

Hatten also said that he’s been excited to see people wanting to engage in person, rather than just interacting through social media.

Groups from around the Central Valley, including Planned Parenthood, Fathers and Families of San Joaquin, Central Labor Council of San Joaquin and Calaveras Counties, and others, will be joining the

Pride Center for the march, he said.

None of those organizations responded to requests for comment.

The march will start 10 a.m. at the Pride Center, 115 North Sutter Street, head south on Sutter to Weber Avenue, then west on Weber and north to El Dorado Street before concluding at Weber Point Events Center, 221 North Center Street, the site of the sixth annual Pride festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door. Proceeds go to support the Pride Center.

As far as violence goes, Hatten said, “There’s always that possibility,” but “we will have police presence, and I trust they will protect those that participate and peacefully demonstrate against the ugliness that is happening throughout this nation.”

Officer Joe Silva, a Stockton Police Department spokesman, said police would be monitoring the event. He wasn’t aware of any threats that have been made.

Stockton, which has almost 308,000 residents, is just over two hours east of San Francisco.

The Pride Center’s spending about $3,500 for the march and $23,000 for the Pride festival. It’s hoping to bring in approximately $47,500 from festival gate donations, sponsorships, and beverage sales to support its budget for the year, which is about $365,000.

The California Endowment has been “a huge supporter” of the march, said Hatten. The organization’s been providing funds to help pay for police and logistics, and also assisting the Pride Center with getting the word out.

Jonathan Tran, program manager for the California Endowment’s Healthy California project, said, “We really wanted to bring attention and resources to communities that historically either don’t have those types of events but still have huge populations of LGBT community members. ... We’re super excited to support their efforts.”t

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<< Queer Reading

12 • Bay Area Reporter • August 24-30, 2017

t

Jesuit priest wants to build bridges with LGBTs, Catholics

by Brian Bromberger

F

or Father James Martin, S.J., the June 2016 nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida that killed 49 people was a defining moment.

Although many church leaders expressed both sorrow and horror, only a handful of the more than 250 Catholic bishops did. Martin wrote, “Even in tragedy its members are invisible.”

When, a few months later, New Ways Ministry, a Maryland-based gay-positive group that ministers to, and advocates for, LGBT Catholics, gave Martin its Bridge Building Award, he decided that in his acceptance speech he would sketch out an idea for a “two-way bridge” that might help bring together more understanding and conversation between the institutional church and the LGBT community.

He would urge the church to treat the LGBT community with “respect, compassion, and sensitivity” (a phrase from the catechism of the Catholic Church), and ask the LGBT community to reciprocate in these three virtues in its own relationship with the institutional church, “even when their own church at times feels like an enemy, as this is part of being a Christian, as hard as it is,” he said.

Martin doesn’t deny the church shouldn’t be critiqued or challenged, but said that it should be done with “respect, compassion, and sensitivity, as good bridges take people in both directions.”

Martin’s new book, “Building A Bridge”, is that talk slightly expanded into a longer essay, as well as a second section on biblical passages that have proved helpful for LGBT Catholics and brief reflections on those passages.

Martin, 56, recently gave two Skype lectures on his book at Most Holy Redeemer and St. Ignatius Catholic Churches in San Francisco, and was recently interviewed by the Bay Area Reporter.

While Martin’s book has received critical praise in certain Catholic quarters, in other places he has been savagely attacked.

“Most of the vicious stuff has been from the far right. I think there are five reasons for this: 1) fear of the LGBT person as the ‘other,’ 2) hatred of LGBT people, 3) visceral disgust at same-sex relations, 4) theological opposition to welcoming LGBT people because that means church teaching might be changed, which is terrifying to them, and 5) most importantly is discomfort with their own sexuality, especially because a few of the critics from the far right are self-professed former gays,” Martin said.

“Also,” he added.

“I’m a priest in good standing saying all these things, which drives some people to near hysteria, although 99 percent of people who respond to me are very grateful the topic is being raised.”

Martin said his Jesuit superiors approved the book.

“Subsequent to the book’s publication, Cardinal Blase Cupich (of Chicago) came out in support of one of the main proposals of my book, which is the church using words like ‘gay’ and ‘LGBT,’ because that is what they are asking to be called and people have a right to name themselves,” Martin said, rather than phrases like same-sex attraction or homosexual persons used by bishops.

One of Martin’s contentions is that few bishops know LGBTs. When asked if their priests coming out to them could facilitate this

dialogue, Martin replied, “Yes, I do.”

“However, there are several factors that often prevent them from doing that,” he said. “First, bishops and religious order superiors ask them not to because often they are afraid that they will become a target or be misunderstood. Second, they themselves may not want to, as they are shy, afraid, or embarrassed. Third, some are conflicted about their own sexuality. I would estimate about 30 to 40 percent of priests are celibate, gay priests, a ballpark figure, and if they did come out, their parishioners would see how normal it is to be LGBT. It would also be an encouragement for lay LGBT Catholics themselves as they would have someone who understands what they have gone through, even if their life situations are different.”

He said that he prefers not to make public his own sexuality.

Martin was also asked about whether LGBT people should “out” bishops and priests who have attacked them or been hurtful.

“I don’t support outing, because you often don’t know for sure if the person in question is gay, but even if you had definite proof, I would still say no, as to me it seems violent. I don’t think anyone should be outed against their will,” he said.

Martin said that many bishops oppose same-sex marriage because they see it as a threat.

“I think the irony here is that the real threat to marriage – and I’m not casting any aspersions here – is divorce,” he said. “And if anything, you would expect the bishops to be more vocal about civil divorce and they are not. I think there may also be some lingering homophobia.”

Criticized from the left

Martin’s book has also been criticized from the left, especially for not dealing with the church changing its sexual ethics.

Father James Martin, S.J.

“The basic reason I did not address this issue is that the hierarchy and LGBT community are too far apart, with both sides clear on where they stand on sexual relations. I didn’t want to get into a long, complicated discussion as I would rather focus on areas of commonality,” Martin said. “If you want people to start to listen to each other, you don’t start at the place where they are farthest apart. What the church needs to do is listen to LGBT people rather than talking at them, telling them what to do, and condemning them.”

Martin agrees that his book is mild except for two proposals. One is updating the language about “intrinsically disordered” and calling LGBT people by the names they call themselves. Secondly, he calls for an end to the firing of LGBT men and women, “usually related to those employees who have entered into same-sex marriages, which is against church teaching, when one or the other partner has a public role in the church.”

“If adherence to church teaching is going to be a litmus test for employment, then dioceses and parishes need to be consistent. Do we fire a straight man or woman who gets divorced and then remarries

without an annulment?” Martin said. “Do we fire women who bear children out of wedlock, men who father children out of wedlock, or couples living together without being married? These actions are all against church teaching too, yet we don’t fire people for such things.

The problem is that this authority is applied in a highly selective way.”

When it comes to bridge building, Martin said that bishops could go a long way by simply asking their LGBT parishioners what their lives are like.

“That’s how basic it is at this point,” he said. “One of my closest friends is a gay man who left a religious order and has been with his partner for 20 years. Mark has cared for his partner, who has a serious illness. The question to the church and bishops is: What can they learn about love from Mark and his partner?”

Martin said that an encounter with a transgender woman gave him an idea for church leaders. The woman said she had been married to her wife, a cisgender woman, for 20 years.

“I looked at them and asked, how is that possible because same-sex marriage has been legal for only a few years? She said, ‘I married her when she was still a man.’ What’s so moving was the question that popped up in my mind, is: What can the church learn from them about fidelity? Here is a situation that, in church parlance, would be considered ‘irregular’ and yet they were faithful to each other,” he said. “Also, transgender issues are new even for the secular left, so I’m not surprised it’s taking the church a long time to reflect on this subject and grapple with it.”

The key, Martin said, “is to listen to people’s experiences and in the absence of that, what we need is compassion, especially here when the stories are so heartbreaking.”t

Two new hep C meds approved

by Liz Highleyman

T

he Food and Drug Administration recently approved two new once-daily combination pills to treat all types of hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Gilead Sciences’ Vosevi and AbbVie’s Mavyret both can cure more than 95 percent of treated people in two or three months.

AbbVie surprised advocates by

pricing its combo substantially below existing hepatitis C therapies, which should make it easier for more people to get treatment.

“This is very good news for people living with HCV in the United States,” said Tim Horn of the Treatment Action Group and Fair Pricing Coalition. “The favorable U.S. launch price set by AbbVie should also be good news to public and

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private payors, resulting in fewer access barriers, a substantial increase in the number of cures, and significant progress toward HCV elimination.”

The development of direct-acting antiviral drugs has made hepatitis C treatment shorter, easier, and much more effective than the old interferon-based therapy, which caused severe side effects and only worked about half the time.

Current hepatitis C treatment guidelines recommended that everyone living with hepatitis C should be eligible for treatment, and many people have been successfully treated since the first direct-acting antivirals were approved in late 2013. But many others have been unable to access treatment due to the high cost of the new drugs.

Vosevi, approved July 18, contains the drugs sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir. It is taken as one pill, once daily, for 12 weeks.

It was approved as “salvage therapy” for people with HCV genotypes 1 through 6 who were not previously cured with certain other direct-acting antivirals.

Vosevi demonstrated high, sustained viral suppression rates in clinical trials. A 12-week course cured around 96 percent of people with all HCV genotypes who were previously treated with direct-acting antivirals. An eight-week course cured 95 percent of those who had not used direct-acting antivirals before. But this did not match the 98 percent response rate for people treated with Gilead’s earlier two-drug combo pill, Epclusa, and the FDA did not

Courtesy Tim Horn

Treatment Action Group deputy director Tim Horn

approve this shorter regimen. However, Vosevi taken for either eight or 12 weeks cured 96 percent of people with HCV genotype 3 and liver cirrhosis, considered one of the most difficult groups to treat.

Mavyret, approved August 3, contains the drugs glecaprevir and pibrentasvir. Treatment involves three combination pills taken together once daily. Mavyret is for previously untreated people with all HCV genotypes, and for people with genotype 1 who were previously treated with certain other medications. First-time treatment lasts eight weeks for people without cirrhosis and 12 weeks for those with cirrhosis. This is the first FDAapproved eight-week hepatitis C regimen.

Mavyret, too, produced high cure rates in clinical trials. The combination pill taken for eight or 12 weeks cured 98 to 100 percent of previously treated and untreated people with

HCV genotypes 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 who did not have cirrhosis, as well as 95 percent of people with difficult-totreat genotype 3 and cirrhosis. It also worked well for patients with serious kidney disease.

Vosevi and Mavyret were generally safe and well tolerated in clinical studies, with far fewer side effects than interferon-based therapy. The drugs in both coformulations can interact with some other medications, which could reduce effectiveness or worsen side effects. Both contain an HCV protease inhibitor, and in general these should not be used with HIV protease inhibitors.

AbbVie set the price for Mavyret at $26,400 for an eight-week course, considerably undercutting Gilead’s coformulations and Merck’s Zepatier. Gilead kept Vosevi at the same price as Epclusa – $74,760 for a 12-week course – even though it includes an extra drug.

Advocates hope this lower price, which is expected to fall further through negotiated discounts for high-volume providers, will enable more people to access treatment.

Medicaid programs and prison systems stand to benefit as they cover a large number of people with hepatitis C. “The company did the right thing in launching with a [wholesale] price that is, we believe, within the bounds of what the U.S. market can reasonably bear,” said Emalie Huriaux of Project Inform and the Fair Pricing Coalition. “With Mavyret’s significant price differential, the issue of unencumbered access is now in payors’ hands.”t

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<< Commentary

14 • Bay Area Reporter • August 24-30, 2017

Charlottesville and everything after

by Christina A. DiEdoardo

T

his column is going to be different than others you have read here. Then again, in the aftermath of James Alex Fields Jr., a Donald Trump supporter and reported neo-Nazi who’s charged with murder after driving his car into a crowd and killing anti-Fascist protester Heather Heyer, not to be different would seem like an obscenity.

Prior to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, no Fascist had killed anyone at a demonstration in America since the start of the Trump regime. Fields changed all that, which means our response must also evolve.

Sadly, as shown below, some Bay Area activists have yet to take that message in.

When vigils get hijacked

On the second day of the Charlottesville fiasco, a friend asked me what events were taking place in the Bay Area in support of the activists there. Since there were none at that point, I created a Facebook announcement of a vigil in front of San Francisco City Hall for the

next day, Sunday, August 13. It was designed to be simple – there were no sponsoring organizations and no permits, just an invitation for people to come that was promoted through ItsGoingDown.org, IndyBay and Indivisible, among others.

At the event, I told the 200-250 people (who were overwhelmingly white and cisgender) in attendance that I’d talk about some heroes of Charlottesville besides Heyer, like Deandre Harris, an African-American man who survived being beaten by several white racists with poles in a parking garage, and Emily Gorcenski, a non-binary data scientist who had been maced by Nazis that Friday night (after the Charlottesville police withdrew and let the Fascists attack counterdemonstrators without interference) and who was standing 15 feet away from Heyer when Fields plowed into the crowd that Saturday.

I could have stopped there, but I didn’t. I also pointed out how the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, through its choice to represent the organizers of the “Unite the Right” rally and its choice to persuade a federal judge to move the rally to an unpermitted location made it

Christina A. DiEdoardo

Paul Liem of Hella Organized Bay Area Koreans calls for a freeze in tensions with North Korea at an August 15 protest.

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August 9 at the Powell Street turnaround. There’s also video making the rounds of Indivisible members shouting down an African-American woman at a rally in North Carolina the weekend of Charlottesville for not being sufficiently “positive,” so what happened in San Francisco would be consistent with what is appearing to be a pattern for some members of that organization.

Whatever the cause, it’s terrible optics for white and cis people to shout down progressive queer and people of color voices as their members did across the country. Indeed, it reaffirms the suspicions of many that “centrists” are no better than the Deplorables.

No war with North Korea responsible for Heyer’s death too.

At the first criticism of the ACLU of Virginia, several factions in the crowd began an organized effort to disrupt the event. Given we were at a vigil for a woman who had been killed by a Nazi, it was shocking to hear cries from so-called progressives that “Nazis have free speech rights too!” “Why are you bashing the ACLU?,” “Why is this so divisive?,” and, the most ironic given the context, “Be more positive!”

A man then came up behind me and yelled that the crowd should move to another part of the park and continue without me. He then turned to me and angrily demanded, “Who the hell are you?,” a strange question to ask an event organizer. Ultimately, the disruptors

got the crowd to move and regroup some distance away.

I’ve been to a lot of protests in San Francisco and elsewhere over the last 25 years. While I don’t always agree with a speaker, so long as they’re generally on my side I’ve managed to stand quietly or – at worst – leave.

I’ve never seen this kind of intentional hijacking of an event by friendlies before – and neither had a veteran queer activist I spoke to afterward who watched it all go down.

In his view, the trouble had been caused by members of Indivisible who were in attendance. I’ve seen members appear at events organized by other groups and then loudly beef with the organizers, as happened at the Refuse Fascism action against war with North Korea on

On August 15, the ANSWER Coalition, Hella Organized Bay Area Koreans, and several other groups drew 150-200 people to the Powell Street turnaround to protest an escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Addressing his remarks to members of the U.S. military, Paul Liem of HOBAK said, “Think before you act. Don’t push that button.”

Liem had recently returned from a trip to North Korea and told the crowd that North Korea was offering a “freeze for freeze,” where it would suspend its nuclear program in exchange for a freeze on American military exercises.t

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moves to undermine Taiwan’s position in the world.

generation. He hoped guests at the event understood that Hsu and other progressive politicians were a part of a movement that should be supported.

“We have to make sure all of our brothers and sisters are able to love who they want to love and be with the people that they want to be with,” said Choi.

David Tsai, a gay TaiwaneseAmerican attorney who hosted the event, agreed.

“It’s important to let them know that there is support here in the United States and that there is support in the Asian-American community and the Taiwanese-American community,” he said.t

THIS IS THE

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Out in the World

From page 5

legalizing same-sex marriage, he said.

He also foresees the economic benefits and autonomy for Taiwan as a destination for same-sex weddings and for entrepreneurs.

Hsu pointed out that due to the court’s ruling Taiwan, which hosts Asia’s biggest Pride event, anticipates an estimated 100,000 Pridegoers at Taiwan Pride in October.

“I think Taiwan can always have a unique place in the world,” added Hsu, hoping that speaking about Taiwan to Americans – gay, straight, Asian and non-Asian, “it will make Taiwan irreplaceable and it will make Taiwan unattackable for China.”

According to recent media reports, China has made political

Impact

Guests and the organizers at the gathering agreed with Hsu. “It’s really great to have this and bring it here and to make people more aware of things that are going on abroad,” said Dwight Tran, a 33year old queer man who is of Chinese and Vietnamese descent. “The struggles are the same or similar.”

Mario Choi, 38, a gay man who co-organized the event, predicted Taiwan would be “the first country to legalize same-sex marriage [in Asia] and it’s really a question of whether or not Asia will catch up,” He said that the Asian-American community and Asians remain somewhat conservative, but that change is coming with a new

Got a tip? Email me at christina@ diedoardolaw.com.

Got international LGBT news tips? Call or send them to Heather Cassell at Skype: heather.cassell or oitwnews@gmail.com.

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hrist the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in San Jose held its August 20 worship service, where it marked its 30th anniversary as a Reconciled in Christ (welcoming and affirming to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities) congregation. The church was a pioneer in the reconciling movement. “The people of CGSLC followed in the footsteps of the ancient prophets when they spoke of God’s love for all people at the risk

of making those with power and privilege uncomfortable,” pastor Manda Truchinski said in a news release, adding that the celebration, which included a public festival the day before, was an opportunity “to encourage one another to grow in our welcome of people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other expression of the gift that is sexuality.” For more information about the church, visit www.cgslc.org.

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<< Sports

16 • Bay Area Reporter • August 24-30, 2017

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Florida still may prosecute Miami Outgames

by Roger Brigham

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he city of Miami Beach says it will not file criminal charges in the wake of the last-minute cancellation of the World Outgames in May, but the state of Florida may not be so ready to let organizers off the hook, meaning criminal charges remain a real possibility.

“Our investigation is still ongoing,” Ed Griffith, spokesman for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, told the Bay Area Reporter Monday. “Because our investigation remains open, our files are not a matter of public record.”

The weekslong audit conducted by Miami Beach presented to city commissioners last week is a public record. Daniel Oates, the city’s police chief, told the city manager that detectives had determined from the audit that “there was no evidence found to proceed with a criminal prosecution.”

Police spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez explained that Miami Beach auditors had focused on mismanagement of funds. State prosecutors,

Tobacco 1.pdf 1 6/6/2016 1:16:09 PM

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he said, are focused on potential victims.

“They now have more information,” Rodriguez told the B.A.R. this week. “Now they are exploring for victims.”

Even in the early days of the audit and criminal investigations, many of the 2,000-plus registrants had been posting on social media that they were determined to file civil lawsuits for the organizers’ fiscal mismanagement, inadequate accountability, and communications that were misleading if they ever were made at all.

What the audit indicates to me is that those far-flung frustrated registrants should organize through social media (how about starting a Facebook page called “Miami Sports Failure”), get an attorney, and start a class action lawsuit.

Now. The city audit does not use phrases such as “incompetent mismanagement,” “fantastically unrealistic projections and expectations,” or “stupendously inadequate oversight.”

It makes no recommendations. It

uses sparse, legalistic language. But those dry words sure have a way of capturing the unchecked incompetence that was the Miami World Outgames, R.I.P. The auditors wrote, “Bank withdrawals totaling $394,542 of $1,442,032 (27.4 percent) were identified as strictly related to staging the sporting, cultural, and human rights events, which includes payments for facilities rental; venue insurance; lodging for sport officials, human rights presenters and speakers; and outside organizations hired to organize and manage individual sporting events. If expenditures on canceled venues and/or event planning are not considered, the total disbursement amount for staging these events would be $224,342 or 15.6 percent of total disbursements.

One would believe that this figure is low considering that the sporting, cultural and human rights events are the underlying reason as to why the participants and their families come to the World Outgames.”

The rubble of records the organizers left for auditors, investigators, journalists, and athletes to pore over reveals: • The Miami Outgames organization, Miami Beach-Miami LGBT

An audit of the canceled Miami World Outgames found numerous issues.

Sports & Cultural League, has never filed tax returns.

• Miami organizers initially said in 2013 they would hold 37 sporting events, then added a 38th. By April 2017 they had dropped 14 of them (cycling, rowing, netball, martial arts, wrestling, flag football, darts, dominos, bridge, rugby, poker, chess, cheerleading, and billiards), dropped a handful more (marathon, half marathon, ballroom dancing, 5- and 10-kilometer runs and the triathlon) on May 24, then canceled

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14 more as well as the closing and opening ceremonies, leaving just aquatics, soccer, and country western dancing to go on as scheduled.

As those cancellations were happening in the weeks leading up to the final decision to end the Outgames, organizers either assured inquiring registrants that all was well, or did not respond to their inquiries at all. They were also refusing city offers for free or cheaper venues.

At the time, none of that was publicized.

•The organizers apparently abused and misrepresented nonprofit tax status.

Through the years, the league was represented in commission committee meetings as a nonprofit organization and routinely told supporters that federal tax-exempt laws would apply to their donations.

But the league never applied for taxexempt status, it incorrectly used the tax-exempt status of the local gay chamber of commerce, and it apparently violated state statutes in its misuse of the liquor licenses of two other nonprofit organizations for fundraisers.

The Outgames organization and “its donors realized the benefits afforded to section 501(c)3 organizations despite not actually receiving this designation,” the audit said, adding that the chamber’s fiscal agent relationship was “used for more than the agreed upon grant reimbursement purpose.”

The audit continued to say that the convention bureau’s exempt status was only to be used to allow “for reimbursement grants only.

(Outgames) was never authorized to use this arrangement in any other manner.”

But use it they did, apparently without interference.

• The league’s board of directors apparently had recommended to the staff that they apply for 501(c)3 status, but as was often the case with Outgames affairs, the directors did little to compel action. The tax-status application was never made: the board seemed content to let CEO Ivan Cano and COO Keith Hart try to run operations unfettered.

The audit said board meetings were infrequent and the state was not notified in a timely fashion of resignations or replacements.

After the debacle, a city commission candidate, who had served on the Outgames board, said he had had financial concerns at the time.

But again, he took no effective action to alert registrants or government officials.

• Rather than having paid employees, the league said it used “independent contractors.” Contractors such as Cano. Instead of getting W-2 income tax forms like most working stiffs, those contractors are supposed to have income reported through 1099 forms – and report income if they fail to receive such a form. The audit indicated that Cano did not receive a form for the $14,292 he received in 2014 and another contractor did not receive a form for another $22,500 in 2016.

Auditors found no accounting of how many hours contractors actually worked.

• Hart, who was not paid contractor fees, told auditors he had to use his personal American Express card for many operating expenses because the league could not obtain its own business card. In a twoyear span, he ran up $94,006.35 in personal AmEx charges and is still owed more than $30,000.

Noting that they were able to find little documentation on the charges beyond Hart’s notes of their general purposes, auditors wrote, “The comingling of business and personal See page 19 >>

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<< Community News

18 • Bay Area Reporter • August 24-30, 2017

<<

Dolores Park

From page 1

Since the shooting, police officers are in the park seven days a week, rather than just on weekends, a staffing pattern that will continue, said Mission Station Captain Bill Griffin.

The pedestrian bridge near Church and 19th streets, where the shooting took place, has been a longtime trouble spot in the park, Griffin acknowledged, but he pointed out that it’s also a “great spot” for visitors to see the city skyline.

The city needs a plan to address issues at the bridge, said Griffin, suggesting the possibility of sponsoring events with entertainment or vendors located on the bridge as a means of transforming the park from a place that now often attracts a “criminal element.” As happens every summer, there is an uptick in calls to police regarding Dolores Park as the daylight hours get longer.

Recreation and Park general manager Phil Ginsburg said that since the police have begun their daily presence in the park, there has been a “dramatic reduction” in theft, graffiti, and gang activity. He said that the park is “only” losing two to three irrigation heads per week, compared to 20-25 before.

“Homeless encampments remain a challenge,” said Ginsburg.

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South Bay Pride

From page 1

sort of event it always brings it right in the forefront,” said Sims, referring to witnessing the tremendous changes since the 1990s when she first performed at Silicon Valley Pride, then known as San Jose Pride. “It just makes it feel grateful to be a part of it.

“I’ve been very, very lucky to be embraced by the LGBTQ community,” added Sims, who is an ally.

She plans to perform her newer singles, “Turn It Up” and “Deep in the City,” along with 1990s dance hits “Take My Advice” and “Too Blind To See It.” Campbell said that there would also be entertainment for kids and families at the Pride celebration.

“We are going to have lots of entertainment for the kids and for the family,” said Campbell, who didn’t express concern about the Proud of My Family event at the Discovery Children’s Museum.

“I think the population can support both events,” said Campbell.

“I’m not too worried about the two competing events.”

Campbell anticipated that this year’s Pride parade will have more than 800 marchers. It kicks off at 10 a.m., Sunday at St. John Street and will wind its way into the celebration at Plaza de Cesar Chavez.

Silicon Valley Pride has also attracted MillerCoors as a sponsor, which partnered with Equality California with its Tap Into Change program. MillerCoors will donate proceeds from every Coors Light or Miller Lite sold to EQCA. Before Coors Brewing Company

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News Briefs

From page 10

be turned away for lack of funds.

The center is on the second floor of a building that houses T-Mobile on the ground floor. The entrance is on the Rand Street side of the building.

The center has an elevator and is wheelchair accessible.

For more information on the center, visit www.oaklandlgbtqcenter.org/.

Berkeley LGBT center raises new flag

The Pacific Center for Human Growth in Berkeley has added a rainbow flag that includes black and brown stripes in an effort to signal

Sari Staver

District 8 Supervisor Jeff Sheehy, center, makes a point during Monday’s community meeting about safety at Mission Dolores Park.

He is flanked by police Chief William Scott, left, and Recreation and Park general manager Phil Ginsburg.

Ginsburg said that the park closes at 10 p.m., and said, “We need to do a more rigorous job” to get that message out.

Assistant District Attorney Justine Cephus said it was “inspiring” to see so many community residents turn out for a safety meeting.

“If I had this many people come forward as witnesses or jurors,” the criminal justice system would be more effective, she said. “We rely on people like you” to come forward as witnesses when a violent crime takes place.

Shooting victim speaks

Audience members described their recent experiences and offered suggestions for improvement.

Among the first to speak was

Kelton, one of the August 3 shooting victims. He suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and now walks with a cane. Kelton thanked the police and first responders for their rapid response that afternoon, noting that they “saved my life.”

Kelton said that police “could not possibly have the manpower” to prevent all crime but wondered if a staggered schedule of police presence might be more effective in deterring crime.

“It’s not just the park, but the surrounding neighborhood as well,” he said.

Kelton’s partner, Henrietta Weiner, who manages an apartment building at 19th and Church streets, adjacent to the park, said the

was acquired by SAB Miller several years ago, it was the target of a boycott by LGBTs, dating back to the 1960s, largely over its anti-union and anti-LGBT stance. For some, that boycott continues today even though the company has scored a perfect 100 points on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for the past two years.

EQCA will be among the 100 community organization booths at SVP. The festival is one of 17 Pride events across California the organization chose to participate in this year. It hopes to engage with South Bay LGBT and ally community members to “promote love and to resist hate, racism, and bigotry,” according to EQCA deputy director Tony Hoang.

“Our participation in Silicon Valley Pride is a statement that despite the hateful rhetoric we are seeing at the national level, we will stand together to support social justice for every person, despite their race, sexual orientation, gender identity or religious faith,” wrote Hoang in an email, adding that EQCA plans to mobilize the South Bay’s Pridegoers around its legislative priorities and other actions.

Michael Nordman, a gay man who is the community affairs manager of MillerCoors, said that it is important to support community organizations, such as EQCA, doing the work on the ground.

“For us to be able to have a program where you can try beer and where you can give back is a great opportunity,” said Nordman. “It’s important that you’re visible, out and enjoy Pride.”

The budget for Silicon Valley Pride’s festival and parade hasn’t changed since 2015, and is an estimated $168,000, Campbell told the B.A.R. However, for the second year in a row, Campbell didn’t deliver on his promise to confirm SVP’s annual operating budget to the B.A.R. after multiple attempts.

progress toward greater inclusivity.

Leslie Ewing, executive director, said in a statement that the Pacific Center decided to add the More Color More Pride flag “to encourage us to act now if we truly believe ‘it gets better’ for us all.”

The new rainbow flag was first unveiled in June in Philadelphia.

It was created by the Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs’ More Color More Pride campaign and flown at City Hall.

“Since then, other cities and organizations like Pacific Center have added More Color More Pride flags,” Ewing stated. “There have been mixed reactions and the change is not embraced by everyone. To Pacific Center, the response reminds us that

progress toward greater inclusivity requires us to offer more than mere symbols, like flags. This is just a symbol of a great opportunity to embrace and value our diversity.”

Ewing said that the traditional rainbow flag and transgender pride flag also fly outside the center. The rainbow flag, created by the late Gilbert Baker in 1978, has flown outside the Pacific Center, 2712 Telegraph Avenue, since it opened that same year.

“We know that walking up our stairs past that flag can sometimes be hard for a first time visitor,” Ewing said, referring to the traditional flag.

“We also know how effective the flag is in sending a message to everyone who passes by that we aren’t going

“no alcohol” signage at the park “is a joke.”

Many people in the park “are drinking,” but “I’ve never seen anyone ticketed for it,” she said.

Most of the “disrespect” in the neighborhood comes from people who are “highly educated,” said Weiner. While people from all walks of life enjoy the park, Weiner said in the eight years she has lived next to the park she has observed people who appear to have “very high incomes” to be the ones most likely to be leaving their garbage on the ground and using doorways for bathrooms.

In response to Weiner’s suggestion that residents meet their neighbors, Sheehy suggested that people set up SF Safe neighborhood watch groups, which his office has helped several groups do.

In response to an audience question about police department policy about people who use, but don’t sell, drugs, Scott said that they are cited for misdemeanors and are typically issued tickets, not arrested and prosecuted.

“That is the will of the people” of San Francisco, he explained.

“There is a lot of research that shows that treatment for addiction is a better use of money” than incarceration, he said, adding that the city recently adopted a diversion program to help direct more addicts into treatment.

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Cephus said that if there were “drug-free zones” established within the park, prosecutors could seek an enhanced penalty for any drug sales in those areas.

A homeowner on Hancock Street, who identified himself only as Dan, said there is a group of 15-20 homeless people “shooting up all day long” on the hill in the park, with police walking right by them and waving.

“I’m not trying to say all homeless people are bad, but these people are living in the park” and harassing passersby, he said.

Ginsburg said that while homeless people have the “same rights and responsibilities to enjoy the park,” people are not allowed to have “structures,” cook in the park, or be there after 10 p.m.

“We need to do a better job” with enforcement of those rules, he added.

Following the community meeting, a new organization, the Dolores Park Ambassadors, led a mobile community meeting on a walk through the park. The group, which can be found at www.facebook.com/doloresparkambassadors, meets every Monday at 8 p.m. to walk though the park and discuss solutions to grievances and identify ways to keep the community safe and clean. For more information, contact Nick Estrada at DoloresParkAmbassadors@gmail. com.t

with other events throughout the weekend.

“All of these families are connected by love and that’s what’s important for us to remind everybody about,” said Jenni Martin, director of education and strategic initiatives at the Children’s Discovery Museum, who oversees Proud of My Family.

Martin, a 53-year-old lesbian, is especially proud about the museum’s leadership showing Museum event other museums how to welProud of My Family at come LGBT families, and its the Children’s Discovery larger purpose of welcoming all Museum will hold a variety families. of events for kids and their “The Children’s Discovery families throughout the Museum really wants to be weekend from 11 a.m. to 5 about being a reflection of our p.m. community and being a great New this year are two resource and a great opportuperformances by the Rainnity for all children and all famiJo-Lynn Otto bow Women’s Chorus at 1 lies,” said Martin. and 2 p.m. Saturday and the Benjamin and Jaason Englesmith, of Los The museum anticipates Crochet Jam with Ramekon Gatos, with their 7-month-old daughter, welcoming 3,000 people over O’Arwisters in the Art Loft Katella, stopped by the Children’s Discovery the weekend, said Cecilia Clark, Museum and put on rainbow pins during last both days. public relations manager of the “We hope they enjoy the year’s Silicon Valley Pride weekend.

Children’s Discovery Museum. songs and possibly the mesProud of My Family is a part and liberation.” sage that the songs have and of the museum’s annual Cul“They just crochet and whatever that we sound really good,” said Eitural Celebration series, she added. happens, whatever form they creleen Hamper, a 77-year-old lesbian Tickets for the Silicon Valley Pride ate, whatever shape they make, their who has sung with the chorus since celebration are $5 per day cash, $6 job is to just accept it as it is,” said 1998. per day via credit card, and free for O’Arwisters.

O’Arwisters, 57, hopes to teach children under 12 years of age.

The kids will be able to pick the kids – and their parents – how to Children’s Discovery Museum colors, fabric, and patterns they have fun crocheting. entrance to Proud of My Family is want to crochet and take what they “I’m very excited about it,” said $15 per person. create home with them.

O’Arwisters, who is celebrating For more information about Kids and their families will also be Crochet Jam’s fifth anniversary. “It’s Silicon Valley Pride, visit http:// able to dance at the Rainbow Dance kind of revolutionary.” www.svpride.com.

For inforParty, participate in the popular O’Arwisters, a queer man, said mation on Proud of My Fam“Rainbow Reflections” installation crocheting is a public art that “fosily, visit http://www.cdm.org/event/ and make friendship bracelets, along ters social interaction, creativity, proud-of-my-family.t anywhere and deserve respect.”

Ewing said that she encourages other LGBTQ organizations and community centers to join the Pacific Center in adding the new More Color More Pride flag.

For more information on the Pacific Center, visit www.pacificcenter.org.

Jones to speak at LGBT Catholic event

Cleve Jones will speak at Dignity San Francisco’s Fourth Sunday event August 27 at 3:30 p.m. at Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1329 Seventh Avenue (near Irving).

Dignity/San Francisco is a selfgoverning faith community of LGBT Catholics and their families and friends. It is a local chapter of

the national Dignity/USA. Jones, a longtime AIDS survivor and gay activist, was mentored by the late Harvey Milk in the 1970s.

In 1983 he co-founded the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and, five years later, founded the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.

Last November, his new memoir, “When We Rise,” was published and it served as a partial inspiration for the TV miniseries of the same name that aired in late February.

According to a news release, Jones will speak about how his Quaker background and upbringing shaped his approach to activism. He will also discuss why activism is essential and where it is going in the Trump era.

The event is free.t

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Community News>>

Tech CEO

From page 4

people in the country are still in the Dark Ages as far as gender identity is concerned, but not as dark as it was in 1965, 1960, or 1955.”

Many transgender kids express themselves freely today.

“They dressed up in their mom’s clothes and say, ‘I’m a girl.’ I would have thought I would be killed instantly,” said Sheats, whose other fear was being disowned by her family.

“I didn’t have the abrasiveness or the courage or the, ‘I don’t care,’ attitude,” she said. “I was too willing to please other people.”

When she returned to the United States, she went to Colorado State University where she graduated with degrees in chemistry and physical sciences. She returned to California to attend Stanford University, where she earned a doctorate in physical chemistry and began her career.

She married and had two children. Her wife died six years ago.

Sheats, who is single, doesn’t identify as queer, but as heterosexual, she said.

Sheats added that she has a good relationship with her children, a son who is 19 and a daughter who is 26.

Because she transitioned late in her career and began working for startup companies around the same

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Jock Talk

From page 16

purchases is not considered a business best practice and has complicated the (accounts) reconciliation process.” In total, auditors said they found 81 transactions such as checks and ATM withdrawals amounting to $149,981.13 in expenditures for which there was no apparent documentation.

• As late as October 2016, organizers’ “best case” budget indicated they still expected 15,000 registrants and $11. 7 million in revenues (including $4 million in sponsorships) and would operate at a profit. This despite no previous World Outgames ever having approached those sponsorship or registration numbers, and their reliance on figures given to them by the seller of the license rather than market studies of interest. Or, that they had not met any of their fundraising goals.

Or, that the registrations were falling miles short of their projections.

“There was a lack of oversight from the board of directors as staging the World Outgames became the responsibility primarily of a handful of individuals who appeared to struggle with staging such a large event,” the audit stated.

Again, the public was left in the dark.

• The license fee for the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association was $175,000, payable in five installments, with $1,500 charged per week for late payments. Miami paid $19,144. The final installments were paid and Miami Outgames still owes $81,541.79.

And yet GLISA did not alert the public to say something might be amiss, and said it was being assured throughout by organizers that all was well. Indeed, just two months before the cancellation, an Outgames spokesman told this reporter that everything was on track.

• Outgames held six big fundraising galas but did little to evaluate their effectiveness or temper their expenses. Those “fundraisers” lost a net total of $1,387.06, spending $38,473.97 while bringing in just $37,086.91. Organizers still have not repaid another $200,000 owed to the Florida Sports Foundation, nor paid nearly $300,000 owed to four hotels for empty reserved rooms. Meanwhile, registrants who booked through the official Outgames website said they paid

time, Sheats doesn’t know if she’s been discriminated against or not during the last 10 years.

“You never get anything overt,” she said. “Do I see an effect on my career and how I’m viewed or how my company is viewed? It’s almost as much being a woman as it is being transgender.”

However, Sheats sees a future in technology for transgender people.

“It is a place where merit counts.

If you show you can do your job you can do it,” she said.

She advises aspiring trans tech leaders to be confident, live authentically, not care about what others think, and don’t try to please everyone. All are lessons she said she’s only recently learned.

“I lived through an era where in one sense a large fraction of my life was taken from me,” Sheats said. “I can’t complain about my life. It’s been wonderful in many ways, but that was taken and you know it was not choice. It was so frightening I couldn’t imagine it.

“It would be nice if we reached a point where, whoever we are, whether it’s another race, sex, sexual identity or whatever, that you don’t feel limited by these things,” she added. “That your professional horizon is whatever you make it.”t For more information, visit terecircuits.com.

for rooms, but Outgames had not forwarded the money and guests were charged again by the hotels.

Two crowdfunding campaigns that were supposed to raise hundreds of thousands raised less than 5 percent of their goal.

Yet all was well, the Outgames continued to assure one and all.

On the bright side, the full color glossy Outgames program was a thing of beauty, listing all those events that were not held and the names of all those competitors who did not get to compete.

May they be the last ones honored with the title, “Outgames registrant.”

In the hours that athletes were flying to Florida to compete, bodybuilder Diego Lopez was still at home in Spain when he heard the Outgames were canceled. The announcement saved him a long flight but caused him major angst.

He posted a poignant YouTube video expressing his frustration and vowed to sue the organizers.

The announcement last week that the city would not press criminal charges brought forth another bitter vow from Lopez.

He messaged me on Facebook, “’No criminal intent’ – so that’s it.

I’m done with U.S. justice. You can quote me: I will never be returning to the USA for any event, sporting or other.”

So, with angry registrants having declared they wanted to sue to get back their money spent on flights, hotels, and registrations (and having also lost whatever vacation time they spent on a needless trip), why hasn’t anyone sued yet?

Because nobody has stepped forward to lead the charge and help organize the suit or identify an attorney.

In 2003, I told directors of the Gay Games when they had trouble handling years of dysfunctional negotiations with Montreal, which seemed hell bent on establishing a very different kind of festival than previous Gay Games, that they should remember they are athletes – and athletes don’t avoid difficult choices or inconvenient actions.

Time for athletes to remember who they are.t A copy of the Miami Beach audit is available at: http://docmgmt. miamibeachfl.gov/WebLink/0/ doc/161930/Page1.aspx. Type in “Outgames audit.”

August 24-30, 2017 • Bay Area Reporter • 19

Legal Notices>> FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037683600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: YUPPIE PUNKS, 210 POST ST #1112, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ASHLEY BERMAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/07/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/17/17.

AUGUST 03, 10, 17, 24, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037685900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: OUTSIDE THE 18, 2108 HAYES ST #4, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JORDAN HUGHES. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/17/17.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/18/17.

AUGUST 03, 10, 17, 24, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037688700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PERCHO’S CONSTRUCTION, 7 CHANSLOR CIRCLE, RICHMOND, CA 94801. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed PABLO RAMIREZPEREZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/19/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/19/17.

AUGUST 03, 10, 17, 24, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037690200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: IMMERSIVE PERSPECTIVES, 1510 EDDY ST #1507, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MEGAN O’CONNOR. 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 07/20/17.

AUGUST 03, 10, 17, 24, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037697500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ON SHORE CONSTRUCTION PLUMBING & BOILERS, 343 MORAGA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MARK JOSEPH LINARES. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/31/83. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/25/17.

AUGUST 03, 10, 17, 24, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037699300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FLEUR DE SEL, 308 KEARNY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MAHER BAZLAMIT. 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 07/25/17.

AUGUST 03, 10, 17, 24, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037668600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SF CHURCH, 906 LAKE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed U DREAM CENTER INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/05/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/05/17.

AUGUST 03, 10, 17, 24, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037695800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE RETAIL CANNABIS ASSOCIATION, 345 FRANKLIN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is COALITION FOR COMMON SENSE REGULATION INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/24/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/24/17.

AUGUST 03, 10, 17, 24, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037701200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PACIFIC UNION COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE, 1699 VAN NESS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed PACIFIC UNION INTERNATIONAL, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/03/09. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/27/17.

AUGUST 03, 10, 17, 24, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037701300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PARTNERS TRUST GROUP, 1699 VAN NESS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed PACIFIC UNION INTERNATIONAL, 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 07/27/17.

AUGUST 03, 10, 17, 24, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037700200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CALIFORNIA MOVERS LOCAL AND LONG DISTANCE MOVING COMPANY, 1888 GENEVA AVE #504, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed EMPIRE MOVERS USA INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/20/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/26/17.

AUGUST 03, 10, 17, 24, 2017

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037692100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PARTIES THAT COOK, 271 FRANCISCO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed I MORRISON, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/02/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/21/17.

AUGUST 03, 10, 17, 24, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037703400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TALES OF THE DRAGON; LOOKING GLASS COLLAGE; YE OLD STAINED GLASS & CURIOSITY SHOP, 1661 TENNESSEE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a married couple, and is signed STEVEN C. WILSON & S. GAIL MITCHELL WILSON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/22/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/28/17.

AUGUST 03, 10, 17, 24, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037688300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LIGNE ROSET, 111 RHODE ISLAND, SUITE E, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed CEMA LRSF, LLC (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 07/19/17.

AUGUST 03, 10, 17, 24, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037696300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MANNY’S, 1305 1/2 CASTRO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed MANNY’S (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/24/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/24/17.

AUGUST 03, 10, 17, 24, 2017 NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF ELLA LOUISE MORGAN, AKA ELLA L. MORGAN, ELLA MORGAN IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-17-301101

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of ESTATE OF ELLA LOUISE MORGAN, AKA ELLA L. MORGAN, ELLA MORGAN. A Petition for Probate has been filed by KIM LEWIS-DAVIS in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that KIM LEWISDAVIS be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. 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: August 28, 2017, 9:00 A.M., 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 later 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: Roger D. Wintle, Esq. and Marialorena Relos, Esq., The Heritage Law Group, a P.C., 152 North Third St, Suite 550, San Jose, CA 95112; Ph. (408) 925-0144; 408-925-0146.

AUGUST 10, 17, 24, 2017 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-17-553227 In the matter of the application of: RENALDO POULIN, 524 TARAVAL ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner RENALDO POULIN, is requesting that the name RENALDO POULIN, be changed to RENALDO JOSEPH PAULIN. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 12th of September 2017 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

AUGUST 10, 17, 24, 31, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037713700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ASIAN PACIFIC TRAVEL, 833 MARKET ST #307, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ALFRED NATIVIDAD. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/23/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/07/17.

AUGUST 10, 17, 24, 31, 2017

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037704100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: YOGA MAYU, 4159 B. 24TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed GIZELLA DONALD. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/05/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/31/17.

AUGUST 10, 17, 24, 31, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037702400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FUZION WORKSHOP, 751 WEBSTER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed RICARDO GONZALEZ RUIZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/20/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/28/17.

AUGUST 10, 17, 24, 31, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037709900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LEVEL UP BOOKS, 28 STEINER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JAMES DONALD LENZEN. 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 08/03/17.

AUGUST 10, 17, 24, 31, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037709800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: 4TH LEVEL INDIE, LLC, 28 STEINER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed 4TH LEVEL INDIE LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/07/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/03/17.

AUGUST 10, 17, 24, 31, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037681700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: NUESTRA ESPERANZA CLEANING SERVICE, 211 BRAZIL AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed ANA PATRICIA ALFARO NOLASCO & BEATRIZ GARDUNO FLORES. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/07/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/14/17.

AUGUST 10, 17, 24, 31, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037682900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HAN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, 1530 NORIEGA ST, FL 1, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed JAMES K. HAN, D.D.S. INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/01/16. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/17/17.

AUGUST 10, 17, 24, 31, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037694500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TABOR CLEANING SERVICES, 2945 THIRD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed BCG CLEANING INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/21/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/21/17.

AUGUST 10, 17, 24, 31, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037704700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DASCO SECURITIES, 2945 THIRD ST, SUITE C, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed DASCO SECURITIES INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/01/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/31/17.

AUGUST 10, 17, 24, 31, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037702000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DENTAL IMPLANT AND ORAL SURGERY OF SAN FRANCISCO, 2001 UNION ST, SUITE 280, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed SONG DENTAL PRACTICE, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/24/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/28/17.

AUGUST 10, 17, 24, 31, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037707800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: L AND O BAGEL, 325 MASON ST #10, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed L AND O BAGELS LLC (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 08/02/17.

AUGUST 10, 17, 24, 31, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037705700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HTL 587, 587 EDDY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed 587 EDDY ST. LLC. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/01/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/01/17.

AUGUST 10, 17, 24, 31, 2017

<< Classifieds

20 • Bay Area Reporter • August 24-30, 2017

Legal Notices>> SUMMONS SAN FRANCISCO SUPERIOR COURT NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: PATRICIA RAMPE (AKA TRICIA RAMPE), AN INDIVIDUAL; MICHAEL BAKER, AN INDIVIDUAL; GETARTUP, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; AND DOES 1 THROUGH 20, INCLUSIVE. YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: JENNIFER ODELL, AN INDIVIDUAL. CASE NO. CGC-15-546031 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 Street, San Francisco, CA 94102-4515.

The name, address, and telephone number of the plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: Andy I. Chen, 2310 homestead road, Suite C1 #429, Los Altos, CA 94024-7302; (650) 735 -2436.

Date: May 28, 2015; Clerk, by DE LA VEGANAVARRO, ROSEALY, Deputy.

AUG 17, 24, 31, SEPT 07, 2017 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-17-553225 In the matter of the application of: CHAYNE LOWELL LYNSKEY, 2306 MARKET ST #408, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner CHAYNE LOWELL LYNSKEY, is requesting that the name CHAYNE LOWELL LYNSKEY, be changed to PIPER ANGELIQUE LIND. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 26th of September 2017 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

AUG 17, 24, 31, SEPT 07, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037720700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SILENT JAMES, 1688 PINE ST, UNIT E101, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JAMES LAKE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/10/17.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/11/17.

AUG 17, 24, 31, SEPT 07, 2017

ADMINISTER ESTATE OF JOHN B. GARDINER, IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-17-301116

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of JOHN B. GARDINER, A Petition for Probate has been filed by CHARLES C. GARDINER in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that CHARLES C. GARDINER be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. 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: September 06, 2017, 9:00 A.M., 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 later 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: Margaret M. Farley (113118), Farley Law Offices, 165 No. Redwood Drive, Ste 285, San Rafael, CA 94903; Ph. (415) 492-8690.

AUG 17, 24, 31, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037719900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DENISE BRADLEY CONSULTING, 355 1ST ST, SUITE S2702, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DENISE BRADLEY. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/10/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/10/17.

AUG 17, 24, 31, SEPT 07, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037720300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CARPE VINO NAPA, 627 PERALTA AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JOSE FELIX SANDOVAL JR. 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 08/11/17.

AUG 17, 24, 31, SEPT 07, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037707200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RDC ENTERPRISES; DINGO DUDS; ELITE LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES, 1222 HARRISON ST, APT 2219, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed RONALD HERMENAU. 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 08/01/17.

AUG 17, 24, 31, SEPT 07, 2017 NOTICE OF PETITION TO

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT FILE A-037710700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: WELL BEINGS NUTRITION, 2400 GREENWICH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed HALEY K. MANNIX. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/15/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/04/17.

AUG 17, 24, 31, SEPT 07, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037713900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BRANDON PRUETT DESIGN, 265 S. VAN NESS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed BRANDON TODD PRUETT. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/07/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/07/17.

AUG 17, 24, 31, SEPT 07, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037710200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: YLS.2P CLEANING SERVICE, 2895 SAN BRUNO AVE, #3A, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed YULISSA ASTRID PEREZ Y PEREZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/03/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/03/17.

AUG 17, 24, 31, SEPT 07, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037715800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PINK FACET, 501 41ST AVE #1, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed BONNIE CHEUNG SARKISSIAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/08/17.

AUG 17, 24, 31, SEPT 07, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037718200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: KEY AND QUILL, 3225 FOLSOM ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed EDI BERTON & JENNIFER KANOUSE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/01/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/10/17.

AUG 17, 24, 31, SEPT 07, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037720800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: 452 BARTLETT APTS, 452 BARTLETT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed RODNEY CHINN, KWM TRUST TRUSTEE & KONG WONG MING. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/01/68. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/11/17.

AUG 17, 24, 31, SEPT 07, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037692600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BAY AREA DENTAL CARE, 2460 MISSION ST #215, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed YANG DDS, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/19/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/21/17.

AUG 17, 24, 31, SEPT 07, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037718700

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AUG 17, 24, 31, SEPT 07, 2017 AMENDED SUMMONS – SERVICE BY PUBLICATION [CCP § 751.05] - 20 ROMOLO 17, LP, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, PLAINTIFF, V. ALL PERSONS CLAIMING ANY LEGAL OF EQUITABLE RIGHT, TITLE, ESTATE, LIEN OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 20 ROMOLO PLACE, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT ADVERSE TO PLAINTIFF’S TITLE OR ANY CLOUD ON PLAINTIFF’S TITLE THERETO; AND DOES 1 THROUGH 20, DEFENDANTS. FILE CGC-17-560709

AUG 24, 31, SEPT 07, 14, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037731300

The people of the State of California, to all persons claiming any interest in, or lien upon, the real property herein described, or any part thereof, defendants, greeting: You are hereby required to appear and answer the complaint of 20 ROMOLO 17, L.P, A Delaware limited partnership, plaintiff, filed with the clerk of the above-entitled court and county, within three months after the first publication of this summons, and to set forth what interest or lien, if any, you have in or upon that certain real property or any part thereof, situated in the City and County of San Francisco, State of California, particularly described as follows: THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE POINT OF INTERSECTION OF THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF FRESNO STREET AND THE EASTERLY LINE OF ROMOLO PLACE, RUNNING THENCE EASTERLY AND ALONG SAID LINE OF FRESNO STREET 71 FEET 6 INCHES; THENCE AT A RIGHT ANGLE SOUTHERLY 57 FEET 6 INCHES; THENCE AT A RIGHT ANGLE WESTERLY 71 FEET 6 INCHES TO THE EASTERLY LINE OF ROMOLO PLACE; THENCE ATA RIGHT ANGLE NORTHERLY ALONG SAID LINE OF ROMOLO PLACE 57 FEET 6 INCHES TO THE POINT OF COMMENCEMENT. BEING PART OF 50 VARA BLOCK 86.

APN/Parcel ID(s): Lot 023, Block 0145 And you are hereby notified that, unless you so appear and answer, the plaintiff will apply to the court for the relief demanded in the complaint, to wit: quiet title to the Property consistent with the legal description above, against all adverse claims of all claimants, known and unknown, as of the date the Complaint in this case was filed.

Witness my hand and the seal of said court, Date: Aug 16, 2017, Clerk, by Anna L. Torres, Clerk Of The Court.

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AUG 24, 31, SEPT 07, 14, 21, 28, OCT 05, 12, 2017 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-17-553272 In the matter of the application of: WILLIAM JIMMY PURCELL, 76 FRANCIS ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner WILLIAM JIMMY PURCELL, is requesting that the name WILLIAM JIMMY PURCELL, be changed to WILLIAM JAYMES JACKSON-WYATT. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 24th of October 2017 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

AUG 24, 31, SEPT 07, 14, 2017

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AUG 24, 31, SEPT 07, 14, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037728500

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AUG 24, 31, SEPT 07, 14, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037723800

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AUG 24, 31, SEPT 07, 14, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037728400

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AUG 24, 31, SEPT 07, 14, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037727700

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AUG 24, 31, SEPT 07, 14, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037705500

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The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/01/17.

AUG 24, 31, SEPT 07, 14, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037724900

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AUG 24, 31, SEPT 07, 14, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037725000

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AUG 24, 31, SEPT 07, 14, 2017 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-037721300

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AUG 17, 24, 31, SEPT 07, 2017

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24

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Whitney's world

Vol. 47 • No. 34 • August 24-30, 2017

www.ebar.com/arts

The poetry in Patti Cake$’ raps

by David Lamble

T

he first thing you should know about Ms. Patti Cake$ – aspiring white rapper Patricia Dombrowski, a.k.a. Killa P – is that she’s a Jersey girl. And whether or not you like or dislike New Jersey native writer-director Geremy Jasper’s Sundanceworkshopped film “Patti Cake$,” you will remember one of this still-young film year’s breakout performances, from Aussie native Danielle Macdonald as the title talent.

See page 28 >>

Vishnu as Vishvarupa: Vishnu Vishvarupa (approx. 1800-20), opaque watercolor and gold on paper by Bulaki.

Mezzo-soprano Susanne Mentzer as Gertrude, and baritone Edward Nelson as Hamlet, in West Edge Opera’s take on Ambroise Thomas’ “Hamlet.”

That’s a wrap

!

(of the summer season)

by Philip Campbell

L

ooking back over the summer and remembering the rich season of classical music and opera performances in San Francisco and the Bay Area, critics and audiences alike should agree on at least one thing.

Music has the power to guide us through crazy times. It can provoke, divert, inspire and console. Ready access to a vital community of local artists is essential, and there have been many shining examples to prove it.

See page 23 >>

{ SECOND OF THREE SECTIONS }

<< Fine Art

22 • Bay Area Reporter • August 24-30, 2017

t

Getting to know Gay Berlin

by Emma Krasov

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n the 1982 Hollywood classic “Victor, Victoria,” Henry Mancini’s song states the obvious: “Around the Rue des Beaux-Arts, where all the cabarets are, you’ll agree with what they mean when they say, ‘Gay Paree!’” But Gay Berlin surely holds its own. It actually mocks “Paree” in its Pariser Platz, named after the battle of Paris in 1814 that defeated Napoleon. This is also the location of the iconic Brandenburg Gate, which became the symbol of German reunification after the Wall fell in 1989.

A walk along the historic Unter den Linden under the fragrantly blossoming linden trees will grant views of classical sculptures next to new construction cranes, and take you to major sites like Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island. The best way to see Berlin’s monuments and architectural wonders is from a hop-on, hop-off City Circle sightseeing bus.

The Berlin Victory Column, designed by Heinrich Strack in the mid-1800s to commemorate the Prussian victory in the DanishPrussian War, acquired additional meaning after Prussia defeated Austria and its German allies in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. These victories were reflected in the addition of the 27-ft. sculpture of Victoria designed by Friedrich Drake.

The Rotes Rathaus (Red City Hall) is the red-brick town hall of Berlin, built in 1869 in Italian Renaissance style by Hermann Friedrich Waesemann. It’s located in the Mitte district, where I stayed in the comfy and cozy Mercure Hotel Berlin Mitte, recognizable from afar by its wall-size mural, “Berlin’s largest,” on a side of the building.

Checkpoint Charlie, the name given by the Allies to the bestknown Berlin Wall crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War of 1947-91, can also be seen from a City Circle bus. Or take U-Bahn, the fast and efficient subway, to the legendary Friedrichstrasse (very much comparable to Rue des Beaux-Arts), with its world-famous revue theatre Friedrichstadt-Palast, or to Charlottenburg district, home to Deutsche Oper Berlin. You’ll know you’re heading in the right direction by the composers’ names written on

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Gay-themed ad in a U-Bahn station.

U-Bahn station tiled walls. Walk through the tree-lined Schlossstrasse to Charlottenburg Palace, with an exquisite Baroque interior and impressive collection of art, surrounded by serene park grounds.

Friedrichstadt-Palast, where I saw the over-the-top glamorous “The One” grand show, offers a statement signed by Berndt Schmidt, General Director: “Respect each other. As a theatre owned by the city of Berlin, the Palast has the utmost respect for all legitimate views and lifestyles. In light of its past, the Palast consciously advocates diversity, freedom and democracy. Our history shows that freedom is often lost again, more quickly than one would think. It must be asserted every single day.”

The building was seized in 1934.

Its spectacular vaulted dome was considered “degenerate architecture” and removed. Nazi propaganda shows were staged until 1945, when the theatre was damaged in a WWII bombing. Rebuilt in 1984, it became the flagship theatre of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) until 1990. After the fall of the Wall, the Palast established itself as the first address in reunified Germany for spectacular entertainment, its biggest and most modern show palace.

Jewish, homosexual, and modernist, the original theatre creators, Max Reinhardt, Hans Poelzig, and Erik Charell, suffered under the Nazi regime. They were memorialized in 2015, when the Palast unveiled a sculpture dedicated to their achievements, depicting a stage spotlight, and placed next to the new building on Friedrichstrasse 107.

“Colors of Respect,” a poster designed by Zhoi Hy, became a symbol for the Palast, inspired by the colors of the rainbow flag, designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978, a symbol of the LGBT international community.

Rainbow colors spilled onstage in the current Palast show, “The One,” set to run until mid-2018. Directed

by Roland Welke, with 500 costumes by star fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier, lighting by Emmy Award winner Peter Morse, choreography

by Brian Friedman, Craig Revel Horwood, and Marguerite Donlon, the show features Roman Lob and Brigitte Oelke as solo artists, and more than 100 colleagues from 26 nations.

“I have dreamed of working on a revue ever since I was a little boy, when I saw the premiere of Folies Bergère on TV at my grandmother’s,” said Gaultier. “The following day, I got into trouble at school for drawing girls with feathers and fishnet stockings. Now more than a dream is coming true for me: the first revue where I have designed costumes takes place in Berlin. This city defined the cabaret of the 1920s, and the Palast is a place with a rich history, having reinvented itself more than once. I am honored to be a part of this production.”

“Only in dreams, on stage, and in movies, everything is possible,” said Welke. “That’s why I want to combine the 3-D images of theatre, the cross-fade and slow-motion effects used in film, and the endless possibilities of dreams. A rushing stream of images, where nothing stays the same.”

Gay Berlin was on my mind while I was traveling on the U-Bahn with my trusty Berlin Welcome Card. On the U-5 line construction site, there was a depiction of a train car with passengers of different races, ages, genders, and sexual identities, sending a clear message of inclusivity.

CSD Berlin (Christopher Street Day, a.k.a. Berlin Pride) was coming up in July. The first CSD took place in 1979, and the LGBT city festival has been celebrated since 1993. These days, 750,000 people celebrate, with more than 50 floats moving toward the Brandenburg Gate.

Many Americans remember Berlin’s mayor, Klaus Wowereit (in office 2001-14), the first openly gay German politician, who famously proclaimed, “I am gay, and that is also a good thing.”

Berlin was considered the gay capital back in the 1920s. A vibrant scene of bars, clubs, and cabarets existed in numbers still unrivalled today. According to some historical accounts, there were about 400 venues for gays, ranging from the famous cabaret Eldorado (closed down by the Nazis in 1932) and the ladies’ dance hall Zur Manuela to the large balls organized by gay associations.

As early as 1897, Magnus Hirschfeld, a German Jewish physician and sexologist, founded the Wissenschaftlich-Humanitäre Komitee (Scientific-Humanitarian Committee) in Berlin as the firstever gay human rights organization.

From 1919, he ran the legendary Institut für Sexualwissenschaft (Institute for Sexual Science), which made an important contribution to the emancipation of gays and lesbians all over the world.

After the suppression of the gay and lesbian community by the Nazis, it wasn’t until 1971 that the homosexual scene recovered again, when the gay movement Homosexuelle Aktion Westberlin (Homosexual Action West Berlin) was founded. Today, Berlin is one of the most open cities in the world. Gay bars, clubs and parties, as well as wide-ranging cinema programs and the Gay Museum, are well-attended.

VisitBerlin website provides practical information for LGBT people.

LGBT-friendly hotels in Berlin are listed in Pink Pillow Berlin Collection. Participating hotels promise to treat all guests with the same courtesy, dignity and respect; to contribute to social LGBT projects; to create a work environment of respect; and to offer guests information about the LGBT scene. Go to: visitberlin.de/en.t

t <<

Music>>

Season wrap

From page 21

Last week, West Edge Opera’s 2017 Festival took on Ambroise Thomas’ French version of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” to inaugurate the company’s new digs at Pacific Pipe Oakland. Aria Umezawa’s bold direction, Jonathan Khuner’s urgent conducting and set designer Jean-Francois Revon’s striking use of the industrial space made a terrific showcase for an often-snubbed opera.

Barihunk Edward Nelson, rising fast since his participation in the Merola Opera and Adler Fellow Programs and roles at San Francisco Opera, made his self-absorbed enactment of the title role feel totally current. Expressive singing belied his numbed physical attitude.

Damn the consequences; Nelson’s melancholy prince spoke truth to power.

Out and proud soprano Emma McNairy returned to West Edge after praised performances in past festivals to create a glam goth Ophélie that was reason enough to revive the work. Her mind-blowing coloratura in the famous Mad Scene ranged from purest precision to strangulated gulps for air.

West Edge is trailblazing new ways to stage opera; Northern California’s beloved Lamplighters Music Theatre upholds a tradition of performing Gilbert & Sullivan with historical accuracy and contemporary flair. Their 65th season opened in August with a lovingly crafted “The Yeomen of the Guard” that proved there are still signs of vibrant life in an old operetta. The troupe’s high professional standards continue to delight. We can always use a hearty laugh and a well-sung song.

The Merola Opera Program’s 2017 Summer Festival offered several chances to meet the promising new members of the 60th anniversary class. A trio of one-act operas at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music demonstrated everything the program is valued for. Hearing infrequently performed works with full orchestra and fresh young singers in clever productions at affordable prices makes the Festival an irresistible annual treat.

The San Francisco Opera’s summer season was, understandably, a bit more careful with programming, but all the operas were still on everybody’s Top 10 lists. Casting for Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” added luster to the revival of a mediocre production, re-booted with new technical gimmickry. Visual distractions were unnecessary when the stars took the spotlight. Bass-baritone Ildebrando D’Arcangelo was magnetic as the Dirty Don, and Erwin Schrott made a memorable SFO debut as his long-suffering servant. Texan

August 24-30, 2017 • Bay Area Reporter • 23

soprano Ana Maria Martinez was another standout as Donna Elvira.

She added depth and humor to a part that is often one-dimensional.

Verdi’s “Rigoletto” was notable for the star-making opportunity offered to New Zealander and Samoan-born tenor Pene Pati (Merola 2013; second-year SFO Adler Fellow). His assignment as the dissolute Duke should open new doors. Quinn Kelsey (Merola 2002) brought effortlessly fresh voice to the tormented title role.

The rapid return of Puccini’s “La Boheme” couldn’t match the initial impact of the SFO 2014 production

by English director John Caird and designer David Farley, but American soprano Ellie Dehn was an appealing Musetta, and the intimate staging is still a keeper.

Opera Theater Unlimited’s world premiere of an original opera at Exit Theatre in San Francisco’s Tenderloin was one of the summer’s biggest surprises. “Hunter,” with a libretto by San Francisco-based Caitlin Mullan and music by Joseph M. Colombo, was a powerful fable about a closeted lesbian in the military. The libretto will probably be edited, but the commitment of the premiere cast struck deep, and the stage direction by OTU founder Sarah Young and a stunning portrayal by soprano Katie Nix of the title role still resonate in memory.

The 35th Annual San Francisco Jazz Festival devoted week three of “Summer Sessions” to the music of Pulitzer Prize- and Grammywinning composer John Luther Adams. The SFJAZZ Center may seem an unlikely place for a spiritual retreat, but after intense absorption in the nature-inspired composer’s string quartets, featuring the U.S. premiere of “Everything That Rises,” we’re looking at the venue with new appreciation. Adams was celebrated at other SF sites, including Grace Cathedral and Sutro Baths, but their visual majesty was complemented by the intimacy of the Miner Auditorium. The composer’s unique soundscapes felt right at home.

Bringing the San Francisco Symphony’s immersive SoundBox experience to the big house (Davies Symphony Hall) after the summer solstice was an adventurous move that paid off. It also signaled some intriguing advances for an organization that looks to the future. Led

by Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas, the concert included the West Coast premiere of his own setting of Carl Sandburg’s “Four Preludes on Playthings of the Wind.” George Antheil’s “A Jazz Symphony” was energetically staged too, with dancers Kiva Dawson and Erin Moore, joined by pianist Peter Dugan, rousing the audience and fellow artists to high party mode.t

Cory Weaver

Baritone Edward Nelson as Hamlet in West Edge Opera’s take on Ambroise Thomas’ “Hamlet.”

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24 • Bay Area Reporter • August 24-30, 2017

Fall preview: Where is LGBT TV?

by Victoria A. Brownworth

A

ll the rules of everything in America changed Jan. 20, so it’s no surprise that the traditional fall preview season, which used to begin the third week in September in a rush of new programming, now begins at the end of August.

Which is fine, because we need TV now more than ever.

That said, where is the LGBT TV? Since 2015, 50 – yes, 50 – lesbian characters have been brought into scripted TV series only to be killed off. We’ve complained about this killing of lesbian and bisexual women characters repeatedly, but GLAAD went to the TV Critics Association summer press tour that wrapped two weeks ago and laid it out. 50.

Look what happened on “The Mist.” The drama seemed to be addressing anti-gay bullying in a really deep way. Then last week there was a reveal about Adrian that made us want to smash our TV. We had also sobbed along with Laverne Cox in real time a couple weekends ago on Twitter as ABC ran episodes of “Doubt,” the groundbreaking legal drama starring the trans actress that we told you wouldn’t last three episodes (it lasted two) before the network pulled it. The series is cancelled, but ABC was sticking the un-seen episodes into the TV dead-zone of Saturday night, and Cox fans were so there for it.

HBO’s “Looking” ended in July 2016 after two seasons. Anything else starring gay men on the horizon? Anything?

TV starring trans characters, scripted as well as reality, have flourished, but there’s still a dearth of lesbian and gay programming, and there certainly could be more trans TV. Bisexuals are tossed around as sexy, we’ll-have-sexwith-anyone stereotypes. Bisexual women are used as stand-ins for lesbians, while bisexual men barely exist. Do better, New Golden Age of Television.

There are existing LGBTthemed shows returning for new seasons, “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Empire,” “Star,” “This is Us,” “Blindspot,” “One Mississippi” and “Riverdale” among them. Don’t stop watching those. And ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” is supposed to be adding a gay character.

But among the new shows: not so much, although Fox will be doing another live musical, this time “Rent.” There are over two dozen new TV shows beginning in the next couple of weeks. Some are worthy (see below), some are controversial (ABC’s “The Good Doctor,” featuring a savant with autism, has angered people with autism and those who love them), some should never have left the what-were-they-thinking planning meeting (yes, HBO, it’s time to scrap “Confederate,” we don’t want to fuel more murders like that of Heather Heyer).

In addition to the missing LGBT characters, there are the usual problems of not enough women or people of color in lead roles. CBS does not have a single new show with a female lead. Fox elided some female programming, cancelling “Pitch” after only one season, and removing Geena Davis’ female lead from “The Exorcist” (at least the gay priest is still in, and to be fair, Davis was wildly miscast). If you want women leads, ABC is the network, with NBC a close second.

The CW can always be counted on for gender parity, and of course, prettiness. Everyone female, male, alien being is pretty on The CW.

Saying Grace

<< Television

t

clunky title for what portends The gayest new show (thus to be a superb mystery-thriller.

“We lie to ourselves every day,” far) is the re-boot of “Will says Jane Sadler as we view & Grace.” The reincarnation scenes from her life clearly at of the once-groundbreaking odds with each other. “But sitcom debuts Sept. 25 on what happens when you are no NBC, 19 years after it first longer safe in your own story?” premiered. The quartet Kyra Sedgwick, who was of two gay men, a straight stellar in TNT’s “The Closer” woman and a (true, actual, for seven seasons, is perfect for has an affinity for both men the role of Jane Sadler, a hyperand women, though leans stressed Hollywood scriptwrittoward men) bi/pansexual er single mother with an angry portends to be as frolicsome ex and a lot of secrets. It looks as it was for eight seasons and like a must-watch for Sundays. more than 200 episodes in its The ABC series, created by first genesis. The hilarious “DeGrassi: The Next Generatrailer, with a Broadway mution” showrunner Tassie Camsical parody, is awesome. Go eron and executive produced watch it on YouTube, but be

by Cameron and Sedgwick, forewarned: it’s a damnably also stars Adewale Akinnuoyecatchy tune with perfect lyrAgbaje, Kick Gurry, Erika ics.

Christensen, Felix Solis, Josh Eric McCormack, Debra Randall, Malcolm-Jamal WarMessing, Sean Hayes and Courtesy NBC-TV ner, Abigail Pniowsky, and Megan Mullally reprise their “Will & Grace” returns 19 years after it first premiered.

Francois Battiste. roles as Will, Grace, Jack and Did anyone straight watch Karen. Messing has been the obverse of Lorre’s CBS sitcom “Dynasty” in the 80s? Possible, sex worker who turns to the nowteasing the series on Twit“Mom,” about folks in recovery but not likely. The re-boot of the legal emerging porn industry.” In ter and Instagram for months (yes, from addiction. Your tolerance for prime time soap and camp classic the lead roles, the series stars James she follows us) and making us itch “Disjointed” will depend on how comes to The CW this fall, because Franco as the twins, and Oscar- and to see it. It will be like a high school many tokes over the line you are. where else do the pretty people go?

Emmy-nominated and Golden reunion, except really fun and really Streams Aug. 25.

Grant Show stars in the Blake CarGlobe-winning actress Maggie Gylgay. Set the DVR, as “W&G” will be We tend more toward cable than rington role, Nathalie Kelley is Crislenhaal as Eileen “Candy” Merrell. in NBC’s fabulous Thursday-night network for our faves, outside tal Flores, Elizabeth Gilles is Fallon Guaranteed to be must-see. Trailers comedy line-up in the prime 9 p.m.

Shonda Rhimes’ TGIT lineup, but Carrington, James Mackay is Steven are available on YouTube. slot, and that means it will be oppoDick Wolf is adding another layer Carrington. It’s as you remembered We have been keen for the return site ABC’s “Scandal.” to his NYC and Chicago franchises, it: over-the-top campy and gay as of Fox’s “The Exorcist” since the The most anticipated new fall and his “Law & Order” series are a can be, sans big hair and shoulder first season ended. Despite the seseries (by us) for both gay and polongtime guilty pleasure of ours. pads. Watch for Auld Lang Syne. ries opening by killing off a lesbian litical appeal is season seven of Ryan Wolf ’s latest is “Law & Order True We’re not keen on military shows, character, we found it compelling, Murphy and Brad Falchuck’s EmCrime: The Menendez Brothers,” particularly with the current junta with good scares, a gay priest, and my-laden “American Horror Story” which debuts on NBC Sept. 26. The in power, but “Valor” is The CW’s a subplot that melded politics and series. This season tackles the 2016 new scripted series stars Emmytake on the genre. It puts a female religion in the way that unnerves election in the context in which it laden Edie Falco, whom we’d watch spin on things with Christina Ochoa those of us who fear theocracies. belongs: horror. Murphy teased the reading the phone book every week. as Officer Nora Madani, “an intense In season 2, which debuts Sept. new name, “Cult,” on Twitter with Also in the cast: Anthony Edwards, and driven junior Army pilot who 29, the priests are back, but the suggestions of what it would not Lolita Davidovich, Gus Halper, is a member of the Night Raiders locale and the original storyline, be, including “It’s not Ann Coulter,” Miles Gaston Villanueva and Julispecial ops unit.” which spun off the William Peter referencing the notorious neo-con anne Nicholson.

“Valor” is slated after “Supergirl” Blatty bestseller and William Friedpundit turned 50something Trump The eight-episode series is a draon Mondays, so it’s female superkin’s film, is over (which means ancheerleader. matization of the 1996 hero night on The CW. The new other lesbian character is off the TV “Cult” will star two murders of Kitty and NBC drama “The Brave” is the same landscape). Gone is Geena Davis, of Murphy’s fave actors José Menendez by their show, but with all men, and follows and in her stead is John Cho, a foster who have been with us sons, Lyle and Erik. it in the next time slot, if you’re in a father of four with issues. The subthrough every season: The series, created by military mode. “The Brave” is more plot is now a main plot, the setting Evan Peters and EmmyWolf, will be directed by suspense, in line with the network’s has moved from Chicago to Seattle, winner Sarah Paulson, Lesli Linka Glatter. We other shows that combine military and it’s six months after what hapone of our fave lesbians. are certain this will be and intelligence communities in pened to the Rance family. Father There’s no more adorworth watching. It foldisturbingly realistic scenarios.

Tomas (Alphonso Herrera) and Faable romance than lows the stellar “This Is “The Brave” stars Mike Vogel and ther Marcus (Ben Daniels) are now hers with the soignée Us,” the best new show Anne Heche. It was originally titled full-time exorcists. Marcus has been Holland Taylor, who is of last season.

“For God and Country,” but apdefrocked for bad behavior. Tomas a butch from Ye Olde “L&O: Special Victims Unit,” parently NBC wanted an audience, is having visions. Terror ensues.

School of send-her-flowers-andthe longest-running non-animated not a boycott, so they changed it to Of the changes in locale and castlove-notes, which are posted on prime time series on TV, returns for something innocuous. “The Brave” ing, showrunner Jeremy Slater told Twitter and Instagram. its 19th season on Sept. 27, starring also toys with the evil Muslim sceThe Hollywood Reporter last week, Murphy has added “Girls” alum Emmy winner Mariska Hargitay. nario that we saw repeatedly in play “The DNA of our show is always Lena Dunham and Billie Lourd, This show consistently features last season, most egregiously on “24: going to be priests vs. demons. I daughter of the late Carrie Fisher stories relevant to the LGBT comLegacy.” We’re sure there are roles don’t think we’ll ever become a and Billy Eichner. Also in this seamunity, and is less exploitative of for Middle Eastern-presenting acmonster-of-the-week show. I also son’s cast, the fabulous Frances violence against women than most tors on TV that aren’t terrorists (see believe in stories that have a beginConroy, who just starred in Spike’s police procedurals.

Aziz Ansari’s “Master of None”). ning, middle and end. I think it’s “The Mist,” Emma Roberts, Colton David Simon has a new series on Someone should tell the networks. always better to leave people wantHaynes and Chaz Bono.

HBO, and there are few TV show ABC’s “black-ish” proved to ing, as opposed to being the last per“Cult” will run for 11 episodes, creators-writers whose work interwhite people they could love a comson at the party after they turn the takes place in Michigan, has a ests us more. To date there has still edy with not one redeeming white lights on.” As for Marcus’ gay side plethora of clowns, and debuts on never been a better series than “The character. We’re certain ABC’s new that we saw tantalizing glimpses of FX Sept. 5. Murphy told The HolWire.” What always gave “The Wire” sitcom “The Mayor” will again have last season, Slater says those will be lywood Reporter his series is about and “Treme,” verisimilitude was white people checking their priviexplored. “illuminating and highlighting Simon’s writing. A former police relege while laughing. What happens “That’s absolutely part of the plan people who don’t have a voice in porter at The Baltimore Sun, Simon when a young rapper, Courtney this year,” Slater said. “I think part of our culture, people who are ignored knows crime, knows streets, knows Rose, decides to run for mayor to the thing that makes him an interby the current administration, and layers. His new series “The Deuce,” jump-start his music career? What esting character is that here’s a guy who are afraid and feel terrorized.” which premieres on HBO Sept. 10, happens when he wins and has to who has lived his entire life ascribed So it’s a paean to the 66 million of reflects all of that. deal with his hubris and help fix his to these vows of chastity, celibacy, us who didn’t vote to enable a danSet in New York City in and broken city? poverty and everything else. Those gerous clown. Clowns and Trump? around Times Square, the show is The trailer for “The Mayor” is hirules no longer apply. He no longer What could be more terrifying? about the rise of the porn industry larious and poignant, as all the best has the church saying, ‘You’re not If you need comedic relief, we after porn was legalized in the 1970s. sitcoms have a moral to them. “The allowed to do this.’ For the first have the 420 on Murphy alum The eight-episode first season (you Mayor” is created by Jeremy Brontime, all these options are open to Kathy Bates (she has an Oscar and know there will be more) also delves son and stars newcomer Brandon him. This is a guy who truly believes an Emmy). Bates stars in the new into the drug pandemic and the Michael Hall, Yvette Nicole Brown, that if you pledge to be an exorcist, Netflix comedy “Disjointed,” crebeginning of the HIV epidemic.

Lea Michelle, Bernard David Jones sooner or later, you’re going to die ated by comedy genius Chuck Lorre HBO gives this squib: “In New York, and David Spade. Watch that trailer. by one of these demons. What hapand “The Daily Show” alum David the number of those with HIV is You’ll want to see this. It’s the anpens when he’s confronted by someJaverbaum. After years of yearnrising, and the violence of the drug tithesis of – well, you know. one who tells him that doesn’t have ing for legalization, Ruth finally epidemic is worsening. Twin brothSo for the return of the fab four, to be how it ends? That’s a really gets to open her own LA cannabis ers, Vincent and Frankie Martino, high camp and the great David rich area to explore, and it’s a side shop. Stoned hilarity ensues. The become fronts for the Mob while Simon, not to mention the Nightof Ben [Daniels] we didn’t get to see trailer is fun, and Bates is always operating out of Times Square, mare on Pennsylvania Avenue, you last year.” worth watching. With Aaron Moten which is also the home of Candy, a know you really must stay tuned.t “Ten Days in the Valley” is a and Tone Bell. “Disjointed” is like

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Theatre>>

August 24-30, 2017 • Bay Area Reporter • 25

When things were rotten

by Richard Dodds

W

hen an Elizabethan playwriting team threatens to split up because of a woman, a fortuneteller blurts out, “Yoko!” Conversations cease as all eyes turn to the prognosticator. He looks befuddled too.

“I have no idea what that means,” admits Thomas Nostradamus, nephew of the more famous soothsayer, who does have powers even if they often arrive in confusing bursts open to misinterpretation.

One thing he does get right is that musicals will be the next big thing in theater – well, not exactly the very next big thing inasmuch as a few centuries will have to pass before his song-and-dance predictions will take the form he envisions. This is the turn of the 16th century, after all, as we are reminded at the start of the slaphappy musical “Something Rotten!” now at the Orpheum Theatre.

In the jaunty opening number “Welcome to the Renaissance,” the lyrics tell us of “merry minstrels who stroll the streets of London strummin’ their lutes in puffy pants and pointy leather boots.” As the song then gathers a throbbing rock beat, the townsfolk sing of their greatest star, the “freakin’ awesome Shakespeare.” And there’s the rub for the Bottom brothers, secondtier writers unable to compete with

Shakespeare’s rock-star success. It pushes Nick Bottom to seek out someone who can peer into the future, and he winds up gifted with a mash-up of theatrical tropes that baffle all concerned.

“Something Rotten!” opened unheralded on Broadway in 2015, and became something of a people’s hit as audiences enjoyed the “name that showtune” games being played, the ebullient anachronisms, and both the celebration and mockery of musicals and Shakespeare. There’s enough of a storyline to keep matters from becoming a succession of “Forbidden Broadway” numbers; an early song titled simply “A Musical” references and/or mocks so much of its eponymous form that it’s almost like an entire edition of “Forbidden Broadway” in under eight minutes.

Brothers Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick, the former with Hollywood writing credits and the latter a Nashville-based producer and songwriter, spent years playing around with the show’s basic concept when English author John O’Farrell was brought in to help bring it all together. But probably the savviest hire was Casey Nicholaw to direct and choreograph a show that is very much in his wheelhouse. His past hits “Spamalot,” “The Drowsy Chaperone,” and “The Book of Mormon” all play with the musical-comedy formula, and

Jeremy Daniel

Rob McClure, left, plays a struggling Elizabethan writer who thinks he’s discovered the secret to competing with Shakespeare (Adam Pascal) in “Something Rotten!” at the Orpheum Theater.

he’s an expert at bang-for-your-buck showmanship.

Three of the touring production’s lead actors played their respective characters on Broadway, replacing the original performers during the show’s two-year run, and all bring savvy assurance to their roles. Rob McClure plays Nick Bottom (named after a Shakespeare character) with

an agreeable combination of an upstart’s ambition and a nice-guy persona. Josh Grisetti is delightfully meek as his brother Nigel, who believes in artistic purity and blooms when he meets a woman who shares his passions. As Shakespeare, Adam Pascal has no problem fully inhabiting the preening, egotistical, and superstar-costumed Bard.

Although new to the show for the tour, Blake Hammond is a wonderful Thomas Nostradamus, a jolly seer who seems surprised when he can actually get bulletins from the future. As the foppish puritanical Brother Jeremiah, who wants to see all theaters shut down, Scott Cote is expert at delivering and trying to recover from the unintended double entendres that always seem to ensnare him. (They’re not easy to avoid when your antagonist is a Bottom.)

Women do get short shrift in the tale, but the two main female characters are renegades for their times. Maggie Lakis offers nonstop pluck as Nick Bottom’s wife who’s always fighting to have the same opportunities as men, while Autumn Hulbert, as Brother Jeremiah’s daughter, offers sunny determination as she falls in love with Nigel Bottom.

The musical is not reluctant to be silly or puerile or obvious. In fact, it wears these traits proudly. If “Something Rotten!” sometimes slips off even these forgiving rails, its not too, too solid flesh proves strong enough to keep up the good cheer until the final curtain.t “Something Rotten!” will run through Sept. 10 at the Orpheum Theatre. Tickets are $45-$214. Call (888) 746-1799 or go to shnsf.com.

Estonian swordplay

by David Lamble

“T

he Fencer” is an absorbing docudrama based on a sport most Americans probably associate with musty European history. A simple Estonian teacher, who has literally crossed swords with the Stalinist regime that rules his tiny country in the early 1950s, attempts to show a mixed-gender class of orphans how mastering swordplay can free their bodies and minds.

The film from Finnish director Klaus Härö (opening Friday at Landmark Theatres) begins as a slim, sandy-haired young man, Endel Nelis (a quietly powerful Märt Avandi), hops off a train in Haapsalu, Estonia. We quickly learn that Endel is fleeing his past, a horrific moment during WWII when Nazi troops invaded his homeland (just south of Finland, northeast of Poland). Gradually we discover that this proud man has left Leningrad just ahead of Stalin’s secret police.

Seeking work as a teacher, Endel finds himself in an impoverished public school run by a Stalinist toady who orders him to start an afterschool sports club.

Endel develops a real affection for his young charges, many of whom have been orphaned by the Russian occupation. Lacking any materials, the teacher fashions tiny swords out of branches of dead trees. He’s surprised how quickly both the boys and girls take to this ancient

sport, which turns into a form of self-expression as well as a means of passing the time in a tiny community cut off from the outside world. Their isolation is symbolized by the lack of textbooks, and by the portraits of Stalin hanging in every classroom.

Endel’s concern for his kids turns him into a kind of father figure, but also arouses the ire and jealousy of the school’s Stalinist toady principal, who orders a police check into the teacher’s past.

The results turn up the fact that Endel was drafted into the occupying German army, although there is no evidence of war crimes on his part.

His students’ rapid proficiency at fencing makes them eligible for a trip to a national competition in Leningrad, where Endel realizes he may be questioned by Russian secret police suspicious of his military service. So for Endel, letting his kids win their medals may mean a oneway trip to Siberia and a Stalinist work camp.

Based on the real life story of Estonia’s legendary fencing master, a 2016 Golden Globe nominee for Best Foreign Language Film as well as shortlisted for a Best Foreign Language Oscar nod, Finland’s, “The Fencer” joins a distinguished list of European films that demonstrate the cruel choices faced during WWII, between Nazi atrocities and Russian suppression of free expression and democracy.

Director Klaus Härö, whose work has received many international awards, painstakingly demonstrates the joys and perils of teaching fencing to a culturally starved group of pre-adolescents.

Notably, Endel gives the girls the same access to this seemingly masculine sport as the boys.

For LGBTQ audiences especially, “The Fencer” celebrates the importance of being true to your real inner self, an aspect of the drama that is reinforced by the skill of the young fencing students. During the Leningrad competition, one of the young girls must test her mettle against a much larger Russian male. There’s also a moving moment where the

students’ parents have to stand up against Stalinist thugs at a public meeting to support the teacher and their kids. A great demonstration of freedom’s slippery slope.

Härö’s previous four feature films “Elina” (2003), “Mother of Mine” (2005), “The New Man” (2007),

and “Letters to Father Jacob” (2009) have received acclaim at festivals such as the Berlin International.

The only quibble I had with “The Fencer” was its extremely deliberate pacing, which at times made me impatient to get on with the main story, especially during Endel’s ex-

tended kissing his girlfriend at the train station. But overall this film beautifully celebrates the virtues of freedom, a valuable addition to the cultural menu at a time when tyrants once more appear both here and abroad. (In Finnish & Russian, with English subtitles.)t

HAIR IN CONCERT

LISA VROMAN

JIM CARUSO’S CAST PARTY

August 25 – 26

September 15 – 16

September 22 – 23

For tickets: feinsteinsatthenikko.com Feinstein’s | Hotel Nikko San Francisco 222 Mason Street | 855-322-2738

<< DVD

26 • Bay Area Reporter • August 24-30, 2017

Sock it to us!

by Brian Bromberger

I

f you grew up in the late 1960s or early 70s, you will remember these catchphrases that became part of the national conversation: Sock It to Me! You bet your sweet bippy! Beautiful Downtown Burbank! Here Come da Judge! All were derived from the groundbreaking variety show “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” (1968-73), named by TV Guide as one of the “50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.” To commemorate the 50th anniversary, Time Life is offering the complete series, a deluxe 38-disc collector’s set featuring all 140 original broadcast episodes plus the pilot, with hours of specially-produced extras, interviews, and featurettes. (Season one is being made available on its own.) “Laugh-In” originally aired as a one-time special on Sept. 9, 1967, and was such a critical success it was brought back as a series in Jan. 1968.

It soon became must-see television and a pop-culture phenomenon. It would capture 31 Emmy nominations and 6 Emmy awards, including Outstanding Variety Series.

While very much a product of its time, at its best moments the show could transcend them through its vaudeville/burlesque roots. The title was a play on the be-ins of hippie culture that began in SF’s Haight district

as off-shoots of sit-in protests for civil rights and against the Vietnam War. Created by producer George Schlatter, allowed to develop the show without NBC interference as a reward for producing the Grammy Awards, it was a “fast-moving barrage of rapidfire one-liners, on-going sketches, musical numbers,” with hilarious social satire “chock-full of sexual innuendo and politically charged content,” set amidst psychedelic-themed sets, fashions, and hairstyles.

The show slowly built an audience. On the fifth episode, when Sammy Davis Jr. appeared in a Here Comes Da Judge skit wearing a blonde wig, “Laugh-In” became a sensation. The next morning as the US Supreme Court Justices entered the courtroom, somebody in the back of the room said, “Here comes the judge,” and the whole courtroom broke up. From then on, the show became the personification of hip. Everyone in Hollywood and Washington wanted to be a guest on it, from Billy Graham to Liberace. The most

famous example was presidential candidate Richard Nixon appearing in the second season deadpanning “Sock it to me,” which some historians say humanized him and made possible his election. (“I’ve had to live with that,” says Schlatter hilariously in a terrific interview, an extra.)

“Laugh-In” made stars of Goldie Hawn, lesbian comedienne and actress Lily Tomlin (snorting Ernestine the Telephone Operator and five-yearold Edith Ann), Tiny Tim (who sang his signature song “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” here first), Artie Johnson (“Verrry interesting!” becoming a tagline for his German soldier Wolfgang), and Ruth Buzzi, who played Gladys Ormphby, sitting on a park bench with Johnson’s Tyrone F. Horneigh, and would hit him with her purse when he said anything slightly risque.

The show was anchored by comedian duo straight man Dan Rowan to the wisecracking Dick Martin, who would banter about different subjects in non sequitur fashion.

“Laugh-In” featured the character Uncle Al the Kiddie’s Pal (“I don’t know whether to go to a topless or bottomless bar. Maybe I’ll just flip a coin: heads or tails”) played by Alan Sues that everyone knew was gay, even though he was never identified as such and it was decades later that Sues came out publicly. His work was the only gay man you could see on TV at the time. There are funny extra interviews with Tomlin and Sues.

Schlatter was always trying to outwit the NBC censors, so since you couldn’t say “You bet your ass” on TV, they came up with “You bet your bippy,” an invented word. The script for each hour often came in at 200 pages, mostly with one-liners.

Skits or bits never lasted more than a few minutes. Because there was so much material, the censors couldn’t keep up. They would fixate on one joke, but then miss two or three others. The Cocktail Party was music and dancing where they could easily pop in one-liners, as was the Joke Wall that rolled under the credits.

Gags could be posted, with cameo appearances by visiting stars. The jokes could be corny (“One of the greatest problems in the world today is apathy. But then, who cares?”), insightful (“I understand that Congress has taken the first step in the fight against air pollution. Limiting

the speeches to five minutes”), or advocacy (“Frankly, I think anyone who doesn’t vote for a stronger gun control law ought to be shot.”). Even 50 years ago some of the jokes didn’t work, and today anyone under 40 will miss most of the topical names and issues. But there were so many one-liners that even if some bombed, there were enough clever ones.

Schlatter notes that “Laugh-In” couldn’t be made today because much of the material would be considered too controversial or politically incorrect for broadcast TV. But it lives on in its offspring, “Saturday Night Live.” Its “Weekend Update” was given birth by “Laugh-In Looks at the News.” By the fifth season, Pres. Nixon didn’t want the show on the air anymore and pressured NBC. Schlatter was told they not only could no longer air political humor, but they wouldn’t even be allowed to tape it. He left in March 1973, and the series went off the air. Schlatter remarks, “The show reflected the outrage of the era. Everything we did as a joke then has now become a fact: gun control, gay rights, drugs, election returns.” With another unpopular President in office, perhaps it may again be the right moment again to “Sock It” to the audience.

“Laugh-In” is a national treasure worth re-exploring.t

overcome by its “depth,” and can’t get off it.

If it’s a genuinely funny book about death you’re after, there’s Mary Roach’s “Stiff,” a lively non-fiction look at cadavers and their frolics.

McCartney’s book comes to feel less death-obsessed than self-obsessed, self-adoring in its selfdeprecating way. From seeds it plants early on, I wondered as I read on whether its real motivation isn’t survivor’s guilt.

The book is gay enough, if parsimonious in actually putting out, but to me at least it nods to AIDS under another name then looks away. In one of the first of many sub-stories about people in the narrator’s acquaintance that are the book’s stock-in-trade, the narrator remembers Mike Hazelwood, an older, single gay man who curates a Floor of Death, a warren of Keith Haring-style outlines on an actual floor in which the names of the gay departed have been written. The narrator’s relationship to the Floor of Death (FoD) is ambivalent at best, which gets your attention in a book that locks in on every other facet and token of death that comes its way.

McCartney doesn’t imply that the Floor of Death stands for the AIDS quilt, and I’m not calling it metaphor.

Nor am I saying that a responsible gay novel should be an AIDS novel, although there’s ample evidence that Representing the “best of the best” in LGBT media, with the subgenre is no more dead than the novel is. But in a book that flinchover a million readers weekly in print and online. es at nothing disintegratative, the FoD stands out as sinister, something 212-242-6863 from which the narrator uncharacRepresenting the “best of the best” in LGBT media, with teristically turns away. That the FoD over a millioninfo@nationallgbtmediaassociation.com readers weekly in print and online. is the work of someone the narrator www.nationallgbtmediaassociation.com becomes interested only after the 212-242-6863 older man’s mysterious death in Florinfo@nationallgbtmediaassociation.com ence leaves behind it that acrid taste www.nationallgbtmediaassociation.com of espresso drunk on a mouth coated with citrus gelato.

The narrator leads, in the book’s first sentence, with “I know nothing about death. Absolutely nothing. I’m almost forty and I don’t know anyone who has died.” Gauntlet thrown. But as death – or as McCartney is wont to call it, d***h – takes center stage, the mounting irony, the repeated distancing, become off-putting. If you want

to go all smarty-pants on the Grim Reaper, “Stiff” is more honest, and Paul Beatty’s “The Sellout” might serve as a better model. “The Disintegrations” doesn’t flaunt the banality of evil, but rather the evil of banality, the lapsed Catholic’s aversion to venturing faith in anything.

You can feel the sexand-death stuff coming from a mile off, so when it arrives with the twerpiness of a Woody Allen skit, it’s just this side of a groaner. It’s hardly that McCartney has nothing original to say about the matter.

A couple of the book’s strongest pages tell of the narrator’s reluctant attendance at an open-casket viewing of a dancer acquaintance.

This time his reliable infidelity to his long-suffering boyfriend Tim is with another dancer in attendance, with whom he locks eyes. In no time they’re in the men’s room having sex so intense that the dancer briefly blacks out as his head strikes the toilet stall’s marble door. The incident is a wholly believable rendering of the real-life mingling of sex and death, and for those few pages the writing is electrifying rather than expert.

The author’s other main redoubt is the world of dreams, mostly his, and as they piled up I was reminded that writer Michael Chabon, the champion of virtually all genres, calls dreams “the sea monkeys of consciousness,” and forbids the telling of them at the family breakfast table.

Easily the most interesting character in “The Disintegrations” is a phantom skinny goth kid the narrator meets in Culver City’s Holy Cross Cemetery. After getting righteously stoned, he passes on the punk’s invitation to spend the night in the cemetery, after caddishly first accepting it. The kid is a terrific character, a real emissary from the beyond, and when he resurfaces in one of the narrator’s dreams, it’s supernaturally a wet dream.

That’s finally what “The Disintegrations” seems to me. For a writer of McCartney’s manifest talents, this book is a feint.t

Dream merchant How do you speak to the LGBT community?

by Tim Pfaff

M

y ear tends to stick on current parlance, those “that feeling when” formulations that elbow their way into our informal discourse. The one that crept up on me while reading Alistair McCartney’s new novel “The Disinte-

grations” (University of Wisconsin Press) was the story-ending “Too soon?” – that dodge made when the speaker knows an off-color remark comes too soon after an event to be funny.

The book’s subject is death, or anyway an obsession with death on the part of its narrator, who may or

may not be a stand-in for his creator, the out gay novelist. Its tone sounds a modish mordant yet detached humor that never quite transcends its juvenile, prankster roots. The experience mirrors that of listening to the adolescent who’s read William Cullen Bryant’s poem “Thanatopsis” or its modern digital equivalent, is

Through the publications they know and trust.

How do you speak to the LGBT community?

Through the publications they know and trust.

Atlanta | Boston | Chicago | Dallas/ Ft Worth | Detroit | Los Angeles | Miami/ Ft Lauderdale | New York | Orlando/Tampa Bay | Philadelphia | San Francisco | Washington DC

Atlanta | Boston | Chicago | Dallas/ Ft Worth | Detroit | Los Angeles | Miami/ Ft Lauderdale | New York | Orlando/Tampa Bay | Philadelphia | San Francisco | Washington DC Untitled-3 1

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6/6/17 2:19 PM

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DVD>>

August 24-30, 2017 • Bay Area Reporter • 27

Gifted youth

by David-Elijah Nahmod

Kiki (director: Sara Jordeno; IFC Films)

T

wenty-five years ago Jennie Livingston’s “Paris Is Burning” captured the imagination of queer moviegoers. A feature-length documentary, the film chronicled drag balls in New York City’s African American LGBT community.

Now filmmaker Sara Jordeno offers what could be considered a prequel to Livingston’s film. ‘Kiki’ is a documentary about the ball culture among New York’s LGBTQ youth of color. “Paris Is Burning” focused on drag elders.

The balls are often held in storefronts, small church auditoriums or wherever else the promoters are able to find space. Contestants get to show off their impressive, flamboyant skills in costuming, voguing, and their fierce attitudes. For many of New York’s queer youth of color, these competitions, called Kiki Balls, are the only opportunity they have to shine, to achieve some validation. The costuming and athletic dance moves that viewers get to see aren’t just impressive, they’re jawdropping. These kids are gifted.

Much of the film focuses on their lives and backgrounds. Growing up in ghetto communities, many of the film’s interviewees are poor and marginalized in neighborhoods

where being LGBTQ is considered a taboo. Throughout the film we hear stories of their lives.

They share chilling and heartbreaking tales of family rejection, police harassment, addiction, mental illness, violence, suicide, and having opportunities to better their lot in life. In one heartbreaking sequence Jordeno takes viewers to an impromptu memorial service for Travis, a young Kiki dancer for whom life proved too difficult. Travis chose to end his life.

There are positive moments as well. Early on, Ryan, a leader of

the Kiki scene, drives to his Virginia hometown with his boyfriend. They meet with Ryan’s conservative, churchgoing mother, who accepts and embraces them.

Mom says that she could never not love her own child. She believes that it’s possible to be gay and to come to Christ.

Towards the end of the film, Ryan and his boyfriend visit the White House and participate in President Barack Obama’s LGBT Youth Summit of 2015, which took place while LGBTQ Americans were awaiting the US Supreme Court to rule on the legality of marriage equality. Back in New York, various Kiki participants point out that the marriage battle was won because white gay men fought for it.

People of color and trans people, they note, remain in the shadows with little hope of achieving the status that gay white men take for granted.

While the dancing and costuming in “Kiki” are impressive, it’s the stories these kids share that will stay with viewers.

Haunting and heartbreaking, the Kiki dancers remind us that we have a long way to go until true equality is achieved for all.

Baby Steps (director: Barney Cheng; Gravitas Ventures Films) Barney Cheng’s “Baby Steps” will draw comparisons to Ang Lee’s “The Wedding Banquet,” a charming 1993 film about a Taiwanese mom trying to find the right girl for her son, who’s already found the right guy.

“Baby Steps” takes this concept one step further. This time, Mom must not only accept her son’s boyfriend, she has to deal with their decision to have a child via a surrogate mom. Ironically, the Mom in both films is played by Asian actress Ya-Lei

Kuei, even though there’s no connection between the two characters.

While “Baby Steps” has its humorous moments, the film is far more serious in tone than “The Wedding Banquet.” Danny (Cheng) and Tate (Michael Adam Hamilton) are an upscale gay couple in Los Angeles. Danny is under enormous pressure from his mom in Taiwan to marry and give her a grandchild.

Danny wants to do both of those things, albeit with Tate, who’s cute, blonde and very American.

With a little bit of humor, a lot of heart, and with serious insight into Taiwanese culture, “Baby Steps” tells two different stories in tandem.

On one side viewers follow Danny and Tate in their search for the egg donor and the surrogate who will make them the dads they want to be. On the other side we get to know the long-widowed Mrs. Lee, an oldschool Asian lady who must confront her homophobia if she wants her son to remain in her life, and if she wants to get to know her grandchild.

A character-driven tale, “Baby Steps” emerges as a bittersweet but ultimately uplifting fable about familial love. And the guys are adorable together!

According to the film’s press release, “Baby Steps”’ theatrical run in Taiwan started a conversation on LGBT rights and helped to propel the Asian nation’s recent decision to legalize same-sex marriage.t

Brucknerian roll call

by Tim Pfaff

T

here are so many versions of Anton Bruckner’s Third Symphony that the experts can’t agree on how many. It was a disaster when Bruckner conducted its 1878 premiere, and he stopped composing for a year before recomposing it, over and over. Wagner liked the score; Bruckner dedicated it to him; the rest is a very messy history.

It says a lot about what’s going in in Bruckner recordings these days that in recent months there have been at least three new Threes, one (Barenboim) opting for the first, “original” version, two for the “final” version of 1898/99 (Thielemann, Nelsons), and an imminent release of another by Hans Knappertsbusch, with fillers of Wagner with Kirsten Flagstad. Lest you think the Third is a Bruckner symphony you’ll never hear in the house, all of the recordings are live.

The bristly Barenboim Third comes from the newly released complete symphony cycle (Barenboim’s third), this time with his lovingly curated Staatskapelle Berlin (DG). The performances all predate their acclaimed live Carnegie Hall complete cycle, its first ever, earlier this year. Barenboim’s Bruckner has only gotten craggier and less picturesque over the years, and his sheer fearlessness with the original version of the Third’s flogging repetitions is something to hear.

Barenboim hits his stride where it matters, in the last three symphonies, which have the combination of gravitas and keen tempo relationships that are the sine qua non of great Bruckner conducting, and usually acquired only through long experience. To hear that proved by its opposite, Yannick Nezet-Seguin’s Bruckner, trudging toward a complete cycle and already including a Third, exhibits the deadly motionlessness that has lent the composer a bad name.

That’s hardly a disparagement of historical Bruckner recordings, as two re-releases of the Fourth and the Ninth under Wilhelm

Furtwaengler (Praga) bear out. His style would not be countenanced today, but Furtwaengler’s Bruckner loses none of its alchemical power – elemental yet transformationbound. His Fourth, with the Vienna Philharmonic (live, 1951), is for me the revelation of these new releases.

His wartime Ninth (Berlin Philharmonic, 1942) is sui generis.

If, like me, you found your Bruckner ideal in the late Claudio Abbado – immaculate, almost Italianate sound with focused yet unfettered emotional impact – Andris is a kindred spirit. He’s begun a projected Bruckner cycle with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, whose distinguished Bruckner tradition includes the premiere of the Seventh, with a radiant Third.

True confession: Nelsons’ marks the first time I’ve cared about the piece, its achievement rather than its promise. The lines are lean, the sonorities clear, the momentum ideally gauged. You hear the piece leaning into the more disciplined, moving Fourth, while catching the motive pulse and energy intrinsic in every phrase of the now-finished work. Tellingly, Nelsons fills out the disc with a taut, almost chaste Overture to Wagner’s Tannhaeuser, with which Bruckner’s symphony is almost undisguisedly obsessed, reaching a perfectly proportioned climax.

Like Barenboim, Christian Thielemann has had to grow into a great Brucknerian, but he manifestly has.

His now nearly complete live cycle with his ace Staatskapelle Dresden, yet another orchestra with Bruckner in its DNA, has as its latest installment a resplendent, “take-that” Third (final version) that shows the set’s signal strengths and limited, promiscuous-camera weaknesses.

Although recorded in different venues, the performances are all in whistle-clean videos (C Major DVD and Blu-Ray) that yield useful guides to the proceedings when they don’t overreach.

There’s something pre-authoritative about Thielemann’s that you either submit to or go elsewhere quietly, but submission not infrequently has its considerable rewards.

Thielemann’s full-throttle Bruckner Third all but spits in the eye of the historical performance influences that have sneaked in the Bruckner back door by way of Roger Norrington, Nicholas Harnoncourt and Simon Rattle, who have changed for the better how we hear this music.

But on its own terms, driving but stopping to sniff the high Alpine flora, it supplies any conviction about the Third you may lack.

The two other most recent releases, of the Fourth and the oncerarely-heard Sixth, now elbowing its succinct, streamlined, uplifting way

into central-repertory status, brook no comparisons, take no prisoners and deliver the goods, including the requisite emotional-spiritual wallop. In them Thielemann lives up to his, pardon, Christian name with readings that, while deftly avoiding the religious, keep no other gods before them but Bruckner, and of course Thielemann. All that said,

if you deny yourself Thielemann’s towering Eighth, you’re not being superior, you’re just hurting yourself.

Bruckner’s less than a staple in the Mahler-besotted San Francisco diet; unwittingly, that only reinforces the idea that the two composers are an either/or. Any of these new recordings will convince you otherwise.t

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28 • Bay Area Reporter • August 24-30, 2017

Whitney Houston, we have a problem!

by Gregg Shapiro

A

nyone who is old enough to remember the shock and sadness caused by the deaths of music icons Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison in the early 1970s is well aware of the history of substance abuse and its connection to rock and roll. Still, that didn’t make the passing of Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse or Prince, years later, any less difficult to bear.

This is especially true when it comes to Whitney Houston, whose history of drug addiction, including overdoses and denials, was public knowledge. Her 2012 death at age 48, which some might say was not unexpected, left an unfillable gap in the world of popular music. The documentary “Whitney: Can I Be Me” (Showtime), co-directed by Nick Broomfield and Rudi Dolezal, combines interviews with archival

Courtesy Showtime

Scene from the documentary “Whitney: Can I Be Me,” co-directed by Nick Broomfield and Rudi Dolezal.

personal and performance footage to flesh out Houston’s life story, warts and all.

“Can I be me” was said to be Whitney’s favorite phrase, but according to the doc, she unfortunately never got to be herself. Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1963, and raised in Newark and E. Orange, Whitney sang in church under the direction of mother Cissy, who was also a gifted performer. But if there was ever an example of religion as a drug, the opiate of the masses, it was exemplified in Cissy’s “fierce religion.” Right under her nose, her children, including Whitney’s brothers Gary and Michael, were getting high from an early age. As it turns out, drug abuse was tolerated, but homosexuality wasn’t.

“Whitney: Can I Be Me” diverges from anything which preceded it by not sugar-coating the issue of Houston’s sexuality. Houston, who met Robyn Crawford in 1979, considered

her to be her “closest confidant,” and Robyn became instrumental in her career decisions. The pair were roommates for a time, which led to rumors. One interview subject states that lesbians are not talked about in the black community, while another says that if Houston were an emerging artist today, being queer wouldn’t have been an issue. When Robyn was forced out of the picture during Houston’s tumultuous marriage to Bobby Brown, drugs became a crutch for Whitney. Even Brown thought that Whitney would still be alive if Robyn had been accepted into the Houston family. As one interviewee boldly claims, Houston “died from a broken heart,” not drugs.

“Whitney: Can I Be Me” also focuses on her meteoric rise. Malleable Whitney was a perfect vehicle for record exec Clive Davis’ “foolproof vision” to create a pop icon. She didn’t disappoint, begin-

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ning with the massive sales of her debut album, which won several awards, launching her career into the stratosphere. The film focuses on Whitney’s last successful world tour in 1999, which would become a turning point for her as we watched her slow and painful decline.

Interview subjects include Houston’s mother and brothers, childhood friends, her bodyguard, musical director, band members, backing vocalists, modeling agent, drug counselor and several Arista Records staff members. As music docs go, “Whitney: Can I Be Me” is from the same family tree as Oscar-winner “Amy.” It’s a welcome distraction from the dismal stage musical adaptation of “The Bodyguard” currently making the rounds in theaters across the country.t “Whitney: Can I Be Me” airs on Showtime on Fri., Aug. 25.

Unromantic comedy

by Erin Blackwell

M

aybe you simply want to forget Trump, the Ku Klux Klan, Stonewall Jackson, Mark Zuckerberg, and all the other pariahs impinging on your consciousness.

Who can blame you for turning to mindless entertainment in a time of vanishing outposts of civil society? The Roxie Theater, commonly considered a bastion of edgy independent film, is making the daring move of presenting an innocuous rom-com whose proper platform would be the boob tube were it not for its excessive length. “Unleashed,” an aggressively bland feature shot in a Disneyfied San Francisco for the financially oblivious, opens Friday.

“Unleashed” could be a sci-fi thriller about a mutant virus escaping the confines of an unscrupulous biotech firm to endanger the residents of Mission Bay, or an ecological disaster movie starring a giant hippopotamus shipped around the Horn from heretofore inviolable depths of Equatorial Africa to terrorize visitors at the Zoo, or even a social-issue drama about the effect of herds of heterosexual daytrippers on the queer culture of the Castro District, but no. “Unleashed” is about a single straight woman approaching 40 whose wish comes true one full moon, when her dog and cat assume human form and compete for her love.

Kate Micucci, a TV actress fa-

miliar to fans of “Scrubs,” cago Tribune review said used to play the ukulele the film showed “some onscreen, but now is mostof the signs of unchained ly known for voice work. ambition.” What would he She’s an odd choice for say of “Unleashed?” The the leading lady of a rom59-year-old Oakland nacom, with her goggle eyes, tive’s ambition now seems beak nose, and chinlessfocused on selling a pop ness, but charisma could vision of a San Francisco overcome that. She seems unmoored from its boheself-conscious in front of mian rebel past, sold out the camera, and some of to the stupidest software that translates as the charsycophants, a sunny city acter’s angst at still being of postcard-perfect landunattached at her age, but marks set to a hyperactive, as a vein for humor, it’s feel-good soundtrack. thin and swiftly runs dry.

I left out a character: Luckily, she has a femalethe pot-bellied, grayingcoworker foil (Hana Mae at-the-temples boyfriend Lee) at her high-paying Scene from director Finn Taylor’s “Unleashed.” wannabe in the backjob at a silly tech start-up ground (Sean Astin) who a metaphorical layer to the unatdevoted to conceiving the literally enters the picture tached heroine’s choice in men and world’s greatest astrological app, cue when he mentions he’s renovather inability to hook the proverbial laugh track. ing a building for residential lofts. husband. There’s simple pleasure to The film’s heart and its humor The main character’s lust for be had watching Howey hump the come from the two male actors who living-quarters is unleashed and office photocopy machine when his play the transformed household she hugs him, and he’s hooked. It’s inner dog gets the best of him. pets. Steve Howey as Sam, the exa housing-crisis joke, but it makes Director Finn Taylor was born dog, and Justin Chatwin as Diego, her a heartless user from the get-go. in Oakland, and perhaps that’s why the ex-cat, are highly watchable, Micucci never overcomes this first the Roxie is showing this film. This able TV performers from “Shameimpression of her character as an is Taylor’s fourth outing as writerless,” who seem to enjoy embodying anti-romantic looking out for #1 director since his double-threat the wish-fulfillment of lonely adult who doesn’t deserve the dog-like debut, “Dream with the Fishes,” 20 pet-owners the world over. They devotion lavished on her by the only years ago. Roger Ebert in his Chiboth read as gay guys, which adds non-metrosexual in the movie.t

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Patti Cake$

can happen for us. All we need is a producer, like a fiery beast. Once the buzz starts we’re on the highway to greener pastures, baby!”

Now it may seem like stretching the point to compare a 2017 sassy white rapper flick to a 1980 boxing masterpiece full of spit and blood, but like “Raging Bull,” “Patti Cake$” is a full-throated East Coast immigrant war cry. It hits some of the same disconcerting notes as that other shit-stirring Sundance breakout, “Beach Rats,” opening here later this summer. (Coverage follows.)

Patti, for much of the film, lives

in two worlds: one where’s she viewed as an overweight waitron/ busgirl; the other, where she’s a rebel warrior. Her raps burst like Fighting an unlikely quest for boxer Jake LaMotta’s fists. Like the glory in her downtrodden Jersey fights in “Raging Bull,” Patti’s raps hometown where her life is falltake up a tiny portion of the film’s ing apart, Patti tries to reach the running time, but there’s a poetry to big time in the hip-hop scene her punches that you’ll remember. with original and affecting music.

“Patti Cake$” showcases hip-hop’s Cheered on by her grandmother – a ability to invigorate Anglo-Saxon funny-grumpy comeback turn from lowdown-dirty language, to proCathy Moriarty (“Raging Bull”) – duce a primal scream for our time. and only friends, Jheri (Siddharth Watching “Patti Cake$” at San Dhananjay) and Basterd (MamouFrancisco’s Metreon with a respondou Athie), Patti also shoulders her sive crowd took me back to a 1994 mother’s (Bridget Everett) heartpress screening of anaches and misfortunes. other pushy Jersey-shore “Patti Cake$” takes off flick: the in-your-face inside one of those awful hilarious convenience/ florescent-lit pharmacy/ videostore insurrection variety stores that dot the comedy “Clerks,” where Jersey strip-mall landscape the witty, foul-mouthed like canker sores. We hear Randal (Jeff Anderson) Jheri (on the store mike) spits in Quikstop cusgreeting Patti’s (late) artomers’ faces and tells his rival for work: “Miss Patti timid clerk buddy (Brian Cake$ is in the building!”

O’Halloran), “You know – whereupon a sour-faced I’m your hero!” “Patti supervisor steps in. “This is Cake$” updates the sass not Showtime at the Apollo. and the pouty-mouthed Please make believe on your humor, and lets even lunch break.”

Courtesy Fox Searchlight rebel grrls join in on Jheri attempts to raise a 21st-century cry for Patti’s spirits with an en- Scene from director Geremy Jasper’s “Patti Cake$.” freedom.t couraging sally: “This shit

From page 21

32

33

Honoring traditions

35

Arts event

Shining Stars Vol. 47 • No. 34 • August 24-30, 2017

www.ebar.com ✶ www.bartabsf.com

Jack Vidra brings ginger spice to the Nob Hill Theatre

by Cornelius Washington

E

RSH Photography

very once in a while, we discover a stud who knows what he wants, goes out and gets it and takes no prisoners along the way. The Nob Hill Theatre regularly brings interesting, provocative talent, but there’s something special about Jack Vidra.

Versatile in and out of the sheets, masculine, sexy, powerful, and unique, in the world of porn.

If you are looking for a man to perform for you in a live setting, where there’s no holding back, go to the theatre this weekend. See Mr. Vidra and his stunning costar, Dylan Strokes (himself, no stranger to the provocative), do what they love to do for you.

See page 30 >>

New downtown burlesque show at Sir Francis Drake

by Jim Gladstone

Starlight Room

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n the last Thursday night of each month, 21 floors above Union Square, grassroots meet the Gilded Age. A new series of cabaret-style variety shows at the Starlight Room of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel is celebrating esoteric contemporary performers in a traditional San Franciscan setting. The next show is September 28 at 8:45 p.m.

See page 31 >>

Contortionist Hunny Bunny performs at the new variety show at The Starlight Room.

{ THIRD OF THREE SECTIONS }

@LGBTSF

@eBARnews @eBARnews

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

30 • Bay area reporter • August 24-30, 2017

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Big Red

From page 29

Congratulations on your Nob Hill Theatre debut! What are most looking forward to in your performances?

This type of venue is new for me, and I’m excited to be in a space where the patrons can participate and be a part of the action. I am good friends with a few performers who have been here, and they had a great time.

Where did you grow up? How did your upbringing affect how you embraced your sexuality?

I grew up on a large farm on the East Coast. We had horses and cows and chickens; grew crops and had a beautiful garden. I had a fairly conservative upbringing, but I don’t feel like my sexuality was a rebellion. I have three sisters and all of us are very sexual people. My parents are still together and always seemed to have a good physical relationship.

Your various careers require tremendous focus. To what do you owe your sense of direction?

An explanation of this might make for even more questions… I have always been very driven, and self-motivated. In high school, I was nearly the top of my class, and excelled at sports. I did a few semesters of PreMed in college, before deciding to join the US Marines. After the military, I worked in insurance claims and then law, before deciding to reinvent myself as a chef. I guess I have always been given the good example of hard work being rewarded, and I’ve always been stubborn and self-sufficient.

I love your Twitter food porn.

At which restaurant(s) do you create your culinary masterpieces? What are your specialties?

Thank you! I have worked in many high-end restaurants in Chicago, but now I work for a specialized catering company for highprofile clients. I guess my specialty is healthier food, done simply and very well. I love mixing a rustic

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farm-to-table style with expert technique and presentation.

How do your coworkers, customers and catering clients respond to your porn career?

I treat it like it isn’t an issue, so they occasionally have questions about it, but nobody seems to care or be offended. Usually, people think it’s cool.

When, how and why did you decide to become a porn model?

I think everyone wants to, on some level. It was never about needing the money or vanity for me. I ended a relationship where I was very repressed sexually, and I thought it was time to be proud and confident in my sexuality. Bruno Bond from Falcon Studios found me years prior, and asked if I’d be Jack Vidra interested, but I wasn’t ready at the time. We became friends, and visited a few times, when he and Steve Cruz came to Chicago. I had an openended offer, and when I decided I was ready, I quickly had a date scheduled.

How has your porn career evolved your private sexuality?

Being involved in porn has definitely changed the way I view sex, in the sense that I am more relaxed about it. I feel validated to do whatever I feel, and make no apologies for it, but also in the sense that I can wait for a good thing. It has also definitely made me value sensuality and mental connection.

Many of our recent porn star interview subjects are versatile, to varying degrees, as are you in your work. What do you love most about being able to “change it up” sexually?

I think anyone would want to be more versatile, just to be able to experience everything. I have a lot of confidence bottoming, clearly.

But I have bit of a fetish for making an alpha top love getting his ass pleased. I love to make a man feel comfortable and connected enough to make him lust after me and want to be fucked.

ness would appreciate being able to cook more for themselves.

Oh, and somebody gets to break something during the show, unannounced. I just giggle thinking of Chi Chi Larue whipping a wine glass against the wall, while my mom is trying to make a salad.

How do you tan so beautifully, when so many other ginger men just… don’t?

(Laughs) Well, I guess it’s because of the Hungarian side of my family. Hence, why I came up with the name ‘Vidra’. It is the Hungarian word for ‘otter,’ and my grandmother called me that, because I was always playing in the water. I have a beautiful redheaded sister who can’t tan at all, and two sisters with dark hair and dark eyes.

You rock jock straps as if you and they have a deep, spiritual connection. What is it about that garment that does it for you?

I’ve always had a big butt and big legs, and I’d rather keep my cock and balls from moving, while letting my ass breathe, so, I wear them all the time; under my chef

uniform, in jeans, in a suit, almost everywhere. I guess they just agree with me.

What are the parallels between food and sex, and how do you get both right?

One of the positives to being in food and porn is that everybody likes food, and everybody likes sex.

One of the negatives is that both are industries where everybody seems to think what you do is free.

No, you can’t have the recipe.

Oh, and thank you for not asking me: “What’s your favorite thing to make?” Chefs hate that (Laughs). But, the answer is: “I haven’t made it yet.”

Read much more with Jack Vidra online at www.ebar.com/ bartab.t Jack Vidra performs solo (8pm) and duo sex shows with local stud Dylan Strokes (10pm) at the famed strip club, the Nob Hill Theatre. $25. Aug. 25 & 26.

729 Bush St. at Powell. 397-6758. www.thenobhilltheatre.com Jack’s Twitter: twitter.com/JackVidra

You are one of the few ginger men in the porn industry. Has that led to you being fetishized by studios and fans? If so, how does that make you feel?

I appreciate it. I think other redheads are hot, too. We’re all here to support some sort of fantasy. I was actually in the same Titan movie with [redhead] Bennett Anthony, but we never got to meet.

What are your ultimate porn and culinary career goals?

I am trying to determine if there is a way to bring them together. I have no desire to make porn with food. And I won’t be making any videos where I cum in the cake batter or anything (Laughs). I fantasize about having a show or setting where I cook with porn stars, directors, etc., and bring it all to the table; mix it up with regular people from our walks of life, and have them find common ground. Even entertainers need to learn how to entertain.

I also have a passion for nutrition and being able to satiate cravings. Most actors who have to adhere to strict diets for their fit-

Jack Vidra

Raging Stallion

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Read more online at www.ebar.com

Star light, star bright

From page 29

Fan dancers, sword swallowers, smooth crooners and ribald comics are amongst the grittyorigined acts making like George and Weezy Jefferson and moving on up to a deluxe venue in the sky.

While the Sir Francis Drake, which opened in 1928, was once a local roosting place for visitors from Hollywood –including Paul Lynde (whose consort plummeted to his death from an eight floor window in 1965), Barbara Stanwyck, Dolores del Rio, and the kiddie cast of The Little Rascals– the rascally performers in the new cabaret series come from the streets, and saloons, of San Francisco.

August 24-30, 2017 • Bay Area Reporter • 31

One evening late last year, Linh Thanh Pham and his wife –recently relocated to San Francisco from Chicago– were enjoying cocktails at 16th Street’s Skylark Bar when burlesque broke out.

They’d stumbled upon the No Cover Cabaret, a homespun performance art variety show presented at the bar each Friday, under the auspices of impresaria Hunny Bunny, a run-of-the-mill San Francisco contortionist/ ballerina/ecdysiast.

Among the performers that evening were Bunny’s friend and sometime collaborator, Vixi Vale, a pixiesque dancer with a wry sense of humor and a penchant for flapper fashion that dovetails beautifully with the Starlight Room’s glamorous early 20th-

Jim Gladstone

Maggie Motorboat performs her ‘Chicken Lady’ act.

Starlight Room

Vixi Vale performs at The starlight Room’s new variety show.

century décor.

“When we first moved here, we spent every spare moment exploring different neighborhoods,” says Pham, who had been hired as the Director of Food and Beverage at the Sir Francis Drake (His wife, Brenda, works in human resources at the Four Seasons).

“We came across Bunny and Vixi’s show totally inadvertently.

I’ve seen burlesque in the past, but this was obviously done with a lot of love and passion.”

“My wife is really my litmus test when I start new projects. I saw her looking at Vixi, taking in her style and her costume and before I knew it, Brenda had struck up a conversation and was introducing me.

“Before I got into the hospitality business,” Pham explains, “I was involved in theatrical production. In Chicago, I worked with Steppenwolf and other companies. More recently, I’ve worked at hotels that had nightclubs with DJs and live music, but I was itching to get back into something more theatrical.

“The old-time aspects of Bunny and Vixi’s style of burlesque, which is as much about variety acts as classy striptease felt like an ideal match for this classic hotel.

I like the idea of connecting the building with its history, and connecting the hotel with the local arts community.”

While the Starlight Room has played host to the weekly Sunday’s A Drag brunch for over a decade, Pham says mounting a new midweek event series represented “a big risk,” especially taking place only once a month.

But from the first show, in June, sizable audiences have turned out for The Starlight Cabaret, including repeat attendees, who look forward to the surprising specialty acts that Bunny and Vixi curate.

“We’ve been performing in burlesque, circus, and immersive theater for years,” explains Bunny, “and we have a large network of talent, nationally and internationally.”

The pair are sticklers for detail and quality. They leave handwritten notes and sparkly little gifts for patrons on the cocktail tables and employ a trio of Roaring Twenties’ costumed showgirls – Drake’s Gems– to act as hostesses when not backing the featured performers on the room’s small platform stage.

“Its very special to be able to work in the Starlight Room,” says Vixi. “We want to blend the classic and the cutting edge to create a sort of timelessness. It should feel like a treasure trove for people to dig into once a month.”t The Starlight Room at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, 450 Powell Street. www.starlightroomsf.com

Jim Gladstone

Drake’s Gems in between acts.

Playmates or soul mates, you’ll find them on MegaMates Always FREE to listen and reply to ads!

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32 • Bay Area Reporter • August 24-30, 2017

Honoring traditions

by Donna Sachet

I

n a rare show of unabashed unity, the Imperial Court of San Francisco gathered last Saturday at St. Francis Lutheran Church to remember and honor Lawrence Kim, aka Absolute Empress XIX Remy Martin, who died this month.

Our loyal readers will know that we often describe the annual Imperial Coronation in February as the Imperial Court at its best, a spectacle of glittering costumes, sparkling jewelry, and rich pageantry; this Imperial State Funeral was a much more restrained, but equally breath-taking ceremony.

In keeping with traditions that go back more than 50 years, the living monarchs of San Francisco, Emperors in formal-wear and Empresses crowned and draped in funeral veils, entered the church in a formal processional and rose ceremony, led by the Reverend Don Fox of the Night Ministry. Various prayers, scriptural readings, and lovely Hawaiian music, in keeping with Remy’s Pacific Island heritage, set a reflective and somber tone, as friends and associates from all the chapters of Remy’s life filled the pews.

Queen Mother of the Americas Nicole Murray-Ramirez, representing the International Court System, shared personal memories from her years of their friendship.

Absolute Empress XXXIV Sheba and Absolute Empress XLII Chika sang beautifully with powerful voices and emotional restraint.

Emperor XXVIII, After Norton, John Carrillo, current Chair of the Imperial Council, spoke from the heart about his friend, striking the perfect balance of wrenching remembrances and charming, sometimes irreverent stories. Their deep friendship and John’s dedication to her care and comfort inspired us all.

As the recessional commenced, there was no shortage of tears, but more importantly, we sensed a genuine spirit of renewed connections and unquestionable respect and admiration for a life well lived. A brief reception followed at Churchill’s bar down the street.

Funerals, memorials, and celebrations of life are all too familiar to our community, a rare moment when we hit the brakes on our busy lives and hectic schedules. At the risk of sounding preachy, we

should reflect both on the legacy of an individual life now ended and on those living loved ones who are too often overlooked or unappreciated.

At this funeral, we witnessed old wounds repaired, dormant friendships revived, and commitments to common goals rejuvenated. In honor of Remy Martin, may we not lose sight of those important renewals and vow to be more attentive, more appreciative, and more expressive of our gratitude.

Coincidentally, High Tea at Twin Peaks, honoring the Founder of the Imperial Court System, Absolute Empress I of San Francisco, Jose Sarria, was scheduled for the same day at 6PM. Many of the members of the Imperial Court had changed into cooler and more colorful outfits, complete with the requisite hats so beloved by Jose Sarria, lending a very different air to this annual event. Be assured that when Empresses wear hats they are neither small nor understated!

Absolute Empress XLI Galilea led the short program and clearly demonstrated that the memory of Jose Sarria who died four years ago is indeed alive and well. The Honorable Mark Leno shared a few words and cheers echoed all the way up Market and down Castro Street.

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Gooch

The Imperial Court of San Francisco gathered last Saturday at St. Francis Lutheran Church to remember and honor Lawrence Kim, aka Absolute Empress XIX Remy Martin.

Glitz and glamour

Our very full weekend ended with Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation’s Help is on the Way XXIII: Puttin’ on the Glitz Sunday night at Herbst Theatre, benefiting Positive Resource Center and Meals on Wheels San Francisco. No San Francisco event tops this one for pure entertainment value, genuine heart-felt dedication, and audience enthusiasm!

We started on the arm of the dashing Richard Sablatura at the reception in the Green Room of the War Memorial Building, bustling with VIP guests, including Dan Joraanstad & Bob Hermann, Sherri Burke, Michael Reeves, Ken Hamai & Jack Henyon, Lawrence Wong, Orkut Buyukkokten, Cassandra Cass, Bob Dockendorff, Matt Buchanan, Tommy Taylor & Jerome Goldstein, Lynn Luckow, Milton Mosk & Tom Foutch, State Senator Scott Weiner, and Reigning Emperor Nic Hunter and Reigning Empress Mercedez Munro. Downstairs in the main lobby an extensive silent auction saw brisk bidding.

Gooch

Queen Mother of the Americas Nicole Murray-Ramirez speaks at the memorial for Absolute Empress XIX Remy Martin at St. Francis Lutheran Church.

We then entered Herbst Theatre and discovered to our delight that our seats were in one of balcony boxes, which we shared with Gary Virginia and Sister Roma. Before the main event, Executive Producers Ken Henderson & Joe Seiler announced a special award to the evening’s chair Sophie Azouaou, introduced with a video presentation from Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom and presented by the Honorable Willie Brown. Sophie’s sweet acceptance remarks perfectly captured the spirit of this event and her generous heart.

Gooch

High Tea at Twin Peaks and the post-funeral gathering honoring Absolute Empress XIX Remy Martin.

As always, it was a star-studded show, directed by the amazing David Galligan with musical direction by Michael Orland. Our personal favorites were the mesmerizing Paula West, dazzling Leanne Borghesi, energy packed Salsamania, powerhouse Jason Brock, and show-stopping Levi Kreis.

We spent intermission mingling with the likes of Lewis Sykes & Jim Connor, Neil Figurelli, Simi Barjesteh, Lenny Broberg & Paul Maluchnik, Doug Waggener, and David Grabstald.

If the first half of the show was pure entertainment, the second half was all that and a more compelling, thoughtful presentation.

First, Liam Mayclem and Jessica Aguirre skillfully and hilariously auctioned off four attractive packages, yielding thousands of additional dollars for the cause.

Then we were immediately immersed in more musical delights, most notably from the lovely Lisa Vroman, smoothly rich Maureen McGovern, amazing Trent Harmon, and always side-splittingly funny and poignant Carole Cook.

And never forget the significant contributions of ASL interpreter John Maher. By the time the full cast had gathered on stage for the finale, Help is on the Way by David Friedman, the entire audience was on its feet applauding, having been thoroughly entertained while supporting wonderful causes!

After those splendid performances, we popped back into the Green Room where many of the stars joined the attendees for final cocktail and desserts. In addition to congratulating Board of Directors members Patrik Gallineaux,

Skye Paterson, Brent Marek, Kevin Shanahan, Beth Schnitzer, and Cameron Stiehl on a wildly successful night, we caught up with some of our favorite performers, including Jason Brock, Lisa Vroman, David Burnham, Leanne Borghesi, and the legendary and hilarious Carole Cook on the arm of her handsome husband Tom. Make plans now to attend the next REAF event Help is on the Way for the Holidays XVI, December 4, at Marines’ Memorial Theater.

Don’t miss another REAF concert!

(See photos on page 35.)

Upcoming events

How will you decide where to go this weekend with so many great events scheduled? Thursday, August 24, we’re excited to see Dan Nicoletta at Koret Auditorium in the Main Library for his book-signing, followed by a reception at the Green Room of the War Memorial Building hosted by Juanita MORE! Friday, August 25, we can’t wait for Drag Queens on Ice: Bedtime Stories at the Victoria Theatre with BeBe Sweetbriar, Mercedez Munro, Paju Munro, and Princess Christea.

On Saturday, August 26, alone, you have both GAPA Runway XXIX: Slayyy-vatar: The Legend of GAPA at Herbst Theater and New Conservatory Theatre Center’s All Decked Out Gala, honoring Founder and Artistic Director Ed Decker, at 25 Van Ness.

That afternoon, we’ll join those who have decided to ignore the rally at Crissy Field in favor of our own peaceful gathering at Civic Center. How does that phrase go?

No rest for the weary or for the wicked? Either way, we hope to see you on the town. t

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Read more online at www.ebar.com

August 24-30, 2017 • Bay area reporter • 33

@ Orpheum Theatre Bay Area premiere of the wacky musical comedy about Medieval artists who anachronistically create a musical comedy. thru Sept. 10. $45$214. (888) 746-1799. shnsf.com

Sat 26 Come Together/Laughter, Peace and Music @ Harvey Milk Plaza

Art Events Aug. 24-30

Sun 27

Sampson McCormick @ LGBT Center, Oakland

Coordinate your interests, timing, hats, whatever; just get out and see some of the lovely arts offerings this week here in the Bay Area.

Thu 24 Bitch Slap! @ Oasis World premiere of D’Arcy Drollinger’s comic drag parody of telenovelas and nightime soap operas, with plenty of big hair and shoulderpads, with Matthew Martin, Katya SmirnoffSkyy, Nancy French, Steven LeMay, Jef Valentine and other talents. $25-$35. Thu 8pm, Fri & Sat 7pm.

Thru Sept. 9. 298 11th St. sfoasis.com

Blues is a Woman @ Custom Made Theatre The acclaimed new musical tribute to women composers and singer (from Ma Rainey to Bonnie Raitt) returns in a theatre setting. $30-$50. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sun 3pm. Thru Aug. 27. 533 Sutter St. www.bluesisawoman.com www.custommade.org

Classic & New Films @ Castro Theatre Aug. 24: A Nightmare on Elm Street (7:30) and Phantasm (9:15). Aug. 25: The Spy Who Loved Me (2:15, 7pm) and Moonraker (4:35, 9:15).

Aug. 26: Fifty Shades Darker with Benson Movie Interruption comedy talkback (4:20pm). The West Wing Weekly (8pm, $25). Aug. 27: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1:30, 8:30) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (3:45), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (6pm). Aug. 28: Logan Noir (7pm) and The Mist (9:30) – black and white versions of the two films. Aug. 30: Dazed and Confused (7pm) & Everybody Wants Some (8:55). Aug 31-Sept 4: Lawrence of Arabia new 70mm print (Thu & Fri 7pm, Sat-Mon 2pm & 7pm). $10-$16. 429 Castro St. castrotheatre.com

Daniel Nicoletta @ Koret Auditorium The former SF-based photographer of historic and contemporary LGBT communities in the Bay Area discusses his new lavish largeformat retrospective book with a visual slideshow; also with poet Ruth Weiss, percussionist Hal Davis; ASL interpreted; 5:30pm. SF Public Library, lower level, 100 Larkin St. After-party hosted by Juanita MORE! with DJed grooves, at War Memorial Green Room, 7pm-10pm.

401 Van Ness Ave. www.sfpl.org

Each and Every Thing @ The Marsh Dan Hoyle’s acclaimed solo show about searching for community in a fractured world. $25-$100. Thu 8pm, Fri & Sat 8:30pm. Thru Aug. 26. 1062 Valencia St. themarsh.org

Ethos de Masquerade @ Strand Theater Communal spiritual dance-ritual performance and talk series presented by Campo Santos and Global Street Dance Masquerade, focusing on loss and love through racism, AIDS and other crises. $15-$25. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 3pm.

Thru Aug. 27. 1127 Market St. at 7th. www.ethosmasquerade. brownpapertickets.com

Faces of the Past

@ GLBT History Museum Exhibits: Faces of the Past: Queer Lives in Northern California Before 1930, featuring vintage tintypes, mugshots and historic documents of LGBT lives, curated by Paula Lichtenberg and Bill Lipsky; Picturing Kinship: Portraits of Our Community, an exhibit of Lenore Chinn’s portraits in painting and photography (thru Sept 18); Lavender-Tinted Glasses, a queer Summer of Love look curated

by Joey Cain. $5. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org

New Works Festival @ Potrero Stage 3Girls Theatre’s 6th annual festival of free performances, staged readings and discussions of feminist, lesbian and women-themed/written works.

Mostly Wed-Sun 7:30pm. Some afternoon events. Thru Aug. 27. 1695 18th St. www.3girlstheatre.org

Zenith @ A.C.T. Costume Shop SF Playhouse’s production of Kirsten Greenidge’s new play about the consequences of a life-shattering crime. $20-$40. Thu 7pm, Fri & Sat 8pm. Sat 3pm, Sun 2pm. Thru Sept.

10. 1117 Market St. sfplayhouse.org

Fri 25 La Cage Aux Folles @ SF Playhouse New local production of Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein’s award-winning musical based on the French play about a gay couple who run a nightclub, and the farce that takes place when their son’s conservative future in-laws visit. $30$125. Tue-Thu 7pm. Fri & Sat 8pm.

Sat 3pm, Sun 2pm. Thru Sept 16. 450 Post St. sfplayhouse.org

Keith Moon: The Real Me @ Marin Theatre Company Mick Berry’s solo show as the iconic drummer for The Who. $20-$35. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru Sept. 10. Lieberman Theatre, 397 Miller Ave., Mill Valley. keithmoontherealme.com

Night Light @ SOMArts Multimedia installation and performance festival with 100+ artists. $12-$20. 8:30pm-12:30am.

Also Aug. 26. 934 Brannan St. somarts.org

Older and Out @ North Berkeley Senior Center Weekly group discussion about problems for elders in the LGBT community. 3:15pm. 1901 Hearst Ave., Berkeley. pacificcenter.org

Roz Chast: Cartoon Memoirs @ Contemporary Jewish Museum Exhibit of the wry cartoons by the award-winning artist and author; thru Sept. 3. Lectures and gallery talks as well (Fridays 12:30pm). Free (members)-$12. Fri-Tue 11am-5pm, Thu 11am-8pm (closed Wed). 736 Mission St. 655-7800. thecjm.org

Something Rotten

Juanita More’s outdoor gathering to counter racist bigots “rally” for hate speech; just one of many alternative actions to counter rightwing zealots. 12pm-2pm, Castro St. at Market. At Civic Center, the large gathering will include local choruses, politicians, musicians, comics and others speaking out. 1pm-4pm.

Other events: facebook.com/ events/266804640483421/ and http://bit.ly/2xaFnXB

Dorothea Lange: Politics of Seeing @ Oakland Museum Dorothea Lange: Politics of Seeing (thru Aug. 27), Of Dogs and Other People: The Art of Roy De Forest (thru Aug. 20). Free/$15. Reg. hours Wed-Sat 11am-5pm (Fri til 9pm).

1000 Oak St., Oakland. (510) 3188400. museumca.org

Flower Power @ Asian Art Museum Exhibits include Flower Power: floral art and live plant installations celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, and show how Buddhist art was an inspiration. Thru Oct. 1. Other Asian art exhibits as well.

Reg. free-$25. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm.

200 Larkin St. 581-3500. asianart.org

Idina Menzel @ Zellerbach Theatre, Berkeley The Broadway star of Wicked (and TV and films) performs her new solo concert, with $39-$150. 8pm. 101 Zellerbach Ave., UC Berkeley campus. apeconcerts.com

Motive @ Vessel Gallery Group exhibit of works about power, action and tradition. Thru Aug. 26. 471 25th St., Oakland. vessel-gallery.com/

Not a Genuine Black Man @ The Marsh Brian Copeland’s acclaimed longrunning solo show, about growing up in the racist suburbs, returns. $20$100. Saturdays 5pm. Thru Sept. 30.

1062 Valencia St. www.themarsh.org

Summer of Love @ ArtHaus

Daniel Nicoletta @ Dog Eared Books The prolific gay photographer of LGBT communities, including the historial days of Harvey Milk, signs copies of and discusses his amazing large-format photo book LGBT: San Francisco – the Daniel Nicoletta Photographs. 2pm. 489 Castro St. www.dogearedbooks.com

OutLook Video @ Channel 29 The weekly LGBT TV show, with updates on current events. 9:30pm. www.outlookvideo.org

Commemorative group exhibition of works in various media. Tue-Fri 11am-6pm. Sat 12pm-5pm. Thru sept. 30. 411 Brannan St. at 3rd. www.arthaus-sf.com

Will Durst @ The Marsh The witty comic performs his new solo show, Durst Case Scenario, with plenty of barbs at Hair Furor, aka Trump. $20-$100. Tuesdays, 8pm. thru Sept. 19. 1062 Valencia St. www.themarsh.org

Sampson McCormick @ LGBT Center, Oakland

Wed 30

The acclaimed comic and social commentator headlines a benefit for the new Oakland LGBT communtiy center. $20. 3pm. 3207 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. oaklandlgbtqcenter.org

Queerest Library Ever @ SF Public Libraries

Mon 28 Felix D’Eon @ Strut The queer Mexico City-based artist’s new exhibit of homoerotic Tarot cards and other works. Also, Jordan Joel Pennock’s When We Become Ravens, the artist’s mixed media portraits of radical faeries and flamoyant queer men. Thru August. 470 Castro St. strutsf.org

William Blake in Color @ William Blake Gallery Exhibit of classic plates in the new gallery of historic art by the 18th- and 19th-century poet and illustrator. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm.

Sat 11am-5pm. 49 Geary St. #205. williamblakegallery.com

Tue 29 Ira Watkins @ Tenderloin Museum The “outsider” artist’s exhibit of endearing portraits and landscapes portraying Black Americans.

Thru Oct. 11. 398 Eddy St. tenderloinmuseum.org

Michael W. Twitty @ MOAD Diaspora Dinner, a dining and cultural experience with the gay African American Jewish chef and author (The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African-American Culinary History in the Old South). $250 includes signed book and dinner. 6:30pm reception, 7:30pm dinner at The St. Regis.

Museum of the African Diaspora, 685 Mission St. moadsf.org/

Hormel at 20: Celebrating Our Past/Creating Our Future, a dual exhibit of archival materials celebrating two decades of the LGBTQ collections. 100 Larkin St., 3rd floor, and at the Eureka Valley Branch, 1 Jose Sarria Court at 16th St. www.sfpl.org

Ten Percent @ Comcast David Perry’s online and cable interviews with notable local and visiting LGBT people, broadcast through the week. Wed 7pm, Thu-Tue 11:30am & 10:30pm.

ComcastHometown.com

Thu 31 Reel in the Closet @ Roxie Cinema GLBT Historical Society’s screening of vintage home movies and rare historical documentary footage dating back to the 1930s, plus an episode of cohosts Stu Maddox and Joseph Applebaum’s web series, Queer Ghost Hunters. $12-$15. 7pm.

3117 16th St. www.glbthistory.org www.roxie.com

SF Zine Fest @ Koret Auditorium Zine and comic makers read from their works. 6pm-8pm. 100 Larkin St., lower level. sfpl.org ––––––––––––––––––––––– To submit event listings, email events@ebar.com

Proud of My Family @ Children’s Discovery Museum, San Jose Fabric artist Ramekon O’ Arwisters and the Rainbow Women’s Chorus lead a fun family-friendly Crochet Jam, with art-making, music and a dance party for kids of LGBT parents and their allies. Free/$15. 10am-5pm.

Also Aug. 27, 12pm-5pm. 180 Woz Way, San Jose. www.cdm.org

Silicon Valley Pride @ Cesar Chavez Park, San Jose Annual celebration of South Bay residents and friends’ LGBT Pride events. Aug. 26: evening concert 6pm-11pm. Aug. 27: Parade along Market Street, 10am. Aug. 27: park festival, 12pm-6pm. $5. 1 Paseo De San Antonio. sanjosepride.com/

The Summer of Love Experience @ de Young New exhibit about San Francisco’s historic 1967 groovy era. Also, a beautiful Stuart Davis retrospective, and amazing modern and historic art.

Free/$15. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park. famsf.org

Sun 27 Cécile McLorin Salvant @ Yoshi’s Oakland The powerhouse young vocalist performs at the elegant restaurantnightclub. $29-$59. 7pm & 9pm. Aug 28, 8pm. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. http://www.yoshis.com

Sat 26

Come Together/Laughter, Peace and Music @ Harvey Milk Plaza

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

34 • Bay area reporter • August 24-30, 2017

Jock Strap Night @ SF Eagle

On the Tab

Strip down to be an atheletic supporter at the famed leather bar.

9pm-2am. 398 12th St. at Harrison. www.sf-eagle.com

Sat 26 All Decked Out @ New Conservatory Theatre Center

August

Celebration for Founder and Artistic Director Ed Decker's 36 years with the company, with food, drinks, live entertainment. $125 and up. 7pm10pm. 25 Van Ness Ave. nctcsf.org

22-30, 2017

Bearracuda @ SF Eagle

Sat 26

11th anniversary party for the popular bear men dance and cruise event, with DJs Stanley Frank and Robert Jeffrey; photos by Dusti Cunningham. $5-$10. 9pm-2am. 398 12th st. www. bearracuda.com

GAPA Runway @ Herbst Theater

We wrap up our summer with the hope that you can find a reason and resources to celebrate diversity, and if you feel like it, squash a Nazi punk on your way, or celebrate Peace and Love at one or more of the many counter-events.

Thu 24 Beautiful @ Elbo Room VivvyAnne Forevermore's drag show, with DJ Justime. $10. 10pm-2am. 647 Valencia St. www.elbo.com

Beer Bust @ Lone Star Saloon Weekly beer bust and benefit for local charities. 9pm-11pm. 1354 Harrison St. www.lonestarsf.com

Bitch Slap! @ Oasis World premiere of D'Arcy Drollinger's comic drag parody of telenovelas and nightime soap operas, with plenty of big hair and shoulderpads, with Matthew Martin, Katya SmirnoffSkyy, Nancy French, Steven LeMay, Jef Valentine and other talents. $25-$35.

Thu 8pm, Fri & Sat 7pm. Thru Sept. 9.

298 11th St. sfoasis.com

Circle Jerk/Jack Vidra @ Nob Hill Theatre Join the very interactive sex party, with ginger porn stud Jack Vidra leading the fun (See his Aug. 25 & 26 solo shows at 8pm and sex shows with Dylan Strokes at 10pm, $25). $15. 9pm. 729 Bush St. at Powell.

397-6758. thenobhilltheatre.com

Eat Drink SF @ Fort Mason San Francisco's annual large-scale multi-venue food and drink festival; sample dishes from dozens of topnotch restuarants, caterers, wineries and more. $119-$209. Thru Aug. 27. Festival Pavilion, 2 Marina Blvd. eatdrink-sf.com

Gayface @ El Rio Queer weekly night out at the popular Mission bar. 9pm-2am.

3158 Mission St. elriosf.com

Junk @ Powerhouse MrPam and Dulce de Leche cohost the weekly underwear strip night and contest, with sexy prizes. $5. 10pm-2am.

1347 Folsom St. powerhousebar.com

The Klipptones @ Top of the Mark The local jazz band performs weekly at the swanky hotel lounge bar. 7pm11pm, thru August. 999 California St. www.klipptones.com

Rice Rockettes @ Lookout Local and visiting Asian drag queens' weekly show with DJ Philip Grasso. $5. 10:30pm show. 3600 16th St. www.lookoutsf.com

Rock Fag @ Hole in the Wall Enjoy hard rock and punk music from DJ Don Baird at the wonderfully divey SoMa bar. Also Fridays. 7pm-2am.

1369 Folsom St. 431-4695. hitws.com

Tubesteak Connection @ Aunt Charlie's Lounge Disco guru DJ Bus Station John spins grooves at the intimate retro music night. $5. 10pm-2am. 133 Turk St. at Taylor. www.auntcharlieslounge.com

William Florian @ Feinstein's at the Nikko The singer (a veteran of the '60s New Christy Minstrels) performs an upbeat musical journey with folk and pop songs. $17-$40. 8pm. $20 food/ drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.feinsteinsatthenikko.com

Kathryn Fox Hart @ Hotel Rex The Mistakes That Made Me, a biographical musical cabaret show, with pianist Alan Choy. $30-$50. 8pm.

562 Sutter St. societycabaret.com

Latin Explosion/Club Papi @ Club 21, Oakland The Latin dance night also includes drag acts hosted by Lola and Dorys, with half a dozen gogo studs. Aug. 18: Lucia Mendez live. $10-$20.

9pm-4am. 2111 Franklin St., Oakland. www.club21oakland.com

Manimal @ Beaux

Midnight Show @ Divas

Linden Linty hosts a benefit for Access SFUSD. 5pm-8pm.

298 11th St. www.sfoasis.com

Ain't Mama's Drag @ Balancoire Weekly drag queen and drag king show hosted by Cruzin d'Loo. 8pm10pm. No cover. 2565 Mission St. www.balancoiresf.com

Big Boy @ Lone Star Saloon The monthly night for big bears and their pals/admirers, with DJ BoyShapedBox. $5. 9pm-2am. 1354 Harrison St. www.lonestarsf.com

Black Fridays @ The Stud Monthly People of Color queer live variety show qwith singers, spoken word comedy and lip-synching fun; Qween, Alex U Inn, Alotta Boutté, Honey Mahogany, Rahni NothingMORE, DJ Tasty Cakes. $5.

10pm-4am. 399 9th St. studsf.com

Friday Nights at the Ho @ White Horse Bar, Oakland

DTF Fridays @ Port Bar, Oakland

KJ Dana hosts the weekly singing night; unleash your inner American Idol; first Thursdays are Costume Karaoke; 3rd is Kinky Karaoke 8pm.

43 6th St. clubomgsf.com

Gus Presents' weekly dance night, with DJ Deft, cute gogos and $2 beer (before 10pm). 2369 Market St. www.cafesf.com

Access Happy Hour @ Oasis

The weekly drag show with host Sue Casa, DJ MC2, themed nights and hilarious fun. $5. 9pm-2am. 4149 18th St. at Collingwood. www.edgesf.com

Queer Karaoke @ Club OMG

iCandy @ The Cafe

Fri 25

Dance it up at the historic (and still hip) East Bay bar. 9pm-2am. 6551 Telegraph Ave. whitehorsebar.com

Lulu and DJ Marco's Latin night with sexy gogo guys. 9pm-2am. 2369 Market St. www.cafesf.com

Queer joke night, with host Nasty Ass Bitch. $15. 7pm. 43 6th St. clubomgsf.com

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

The Monster Show @ The Edge

Picante @ The Cafe

Hella Gay Comedy @ Club OMG

Various DJs play house music, and a few hotties gogo dance at the new gay bar's weekly event. 9pm-2am.

2023 Broadway. (510) 823-2099. www.portbaroakland.com

Hair in Concert @ Feinstein's at the Nikko Local singers and musicians perform all the songs from the classic 1967 groovy musical. $30-$55 ($20 food/drink min.) 8pm. Aug. 26, 7pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. feinsteinsatthenikko.com/

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

Red Hots Burlesque @ The Stud The saucy women's burlesque show hosted by Dottie Lux will titillate and tantalize: July shows feature Dulce de Leche, Miss Savvy, Shells Bells and Lez Purr plus special guests. $10-$20. 8pm-9:30pm. 399 9th St. Also Sunday brunch shows at PianoFight Theatre.144 Taylor St. redhotsburlesque.com www.studsf.com

San Francisco Airship @ Great American Music Hall The Jefferson Starship tribute band performs; also, Quicksilver Gold (QMS tribute band). $21-$46 (with dinner).

9pm. 859 O'Farrel St. www.slimspresents.com

Shenanigans @ Oasis The fun costume night's theme this time in Stampede; unleash your inner animal. $7-$15. 10pm-3am. 298 11th St. www.sfoasis.com

Steam @ Powerhouse Guy Ruben DJs the steamy toweldancing night, with gogos, clothes check and maximum cruising. $5.

10pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhousebar.com

Vibe Fridays @ Club BnB, Oakland House music and cocktails, with DJs Shareef Raheim-Jihad and Ellis Lindsey. 9pm-2am. 2120 Broadway.

(510) 759-7340. www.club-bnb.com

Club Rimshot @ Club BNB, Oakland Hip hop and Latin dance club. $5-$15.

9pm to 4am. 2120 Broadway. (510) 759-7340. www.club-bnb.com

Come Together/Laughter, Peace and Music @ Harvey Milk Plaza Juanita More's outdoor gathering to counter racist bigots "rally" for hate speech; just one of many alternative actions to counter rightwing zealots. 12pm-2pm, Castro St. at Market. At Civic Center, the large gathering will include local choruses, politicians, musicians, comics and others speaking out. 1pm-4pm. Other events: https://www.facebook.com/ events/266804640483421/ and http://bit.ly/2xaFnXB

Fabuloso @ The Stud Monthly party for bears, cubs, otters and men of all colors and shapes and sizes. DJ Mike Biggz. $5. 399 9th St. www.studsf.com

GAPA Runway @ Herbst Theatre 29th annual pageant and talent show for the Miss and Mr. GAPA (Gay Asian Pacific Alliance) crown, with celebrity judges and amazing performers. $20$50. 7pm. 401 Van Ness Ave. www.gapa.org

Lips and Lashes Brunch @ Lookout Weekly show with soul, funk and Motown grooves hosted by Carnie Asada, with DJs Becky Knox and Pumpkin Spice. The yummy brunch menu starts at 12pm, with the show at 1:30pm. 3600 16th St. www.lookoutsf.com

Molly Mahoney @ Hotel Rex More Mischeif! Nature is Calling, the singer's whimsical concert of American Songbbook classics, with pianist G. Scott Lacy. $30-$50. 8pm.

562 Sutter St. societycabaret.com

Silicon Valley Pride @ Cesar Chavez Park, San Jose Annual celebration of South Bay residents and friends' LGBT Pride events. Aug. 26: evening concert 6pm11pm. Aug. 27: Parade along Market Street, 10am. Aug. 27: park festival, 12pm-6pm. $5. 1 Paseo De San Antonio. sanjosepride.com/

Slay @ Rickshaw Stop Queer POC and friends' hip hop night with DJs Automaton and Ronin Roc. $5-$10. 9pm-2am. 155 Fell St. rickshawstop.com

Sugar @ The Cafe Dance, drink, cruise at the Castro club, with DJs Gay Marvine, Taco Tuesday and Matthew XO. 9pm-2am. 2369 Market St. www.cafesf.com

Triad @ SF Eagle The polyamorous celebration.

3pm-6pm. 398 12th St. at Harrison. sf-eagle.com

Sun 27 Beer Bust @ Lone Star Saloon Beer, bears, beats at the weekly fundraiser. $15. 4pm-8pm. 1354 Harrison St. lonestarsf.com

Beer Bust @ SF Eagle The popular weekly event packs in the fans, with proceeds going to local charities. $10. 3pm-6pm. 398 12th St. at Harrison. sf-eagle.com

Beverage Benefit @ The Edge Fundraiser and fun, with proceeds going to local nonprofits. $10. 4pm7pm. 4149 18th St. www.edgesf.com

Big Top @ Beaux Enjoy an extra weekend night at the fun Castro nightclub, plus hot local DJs and sexy gogo guys and gals. $8.

9pm-2am. 2344 Market St. www.Beauxsf.com

Blessed @ Port Bar, Oakland Carnie Asada's fun drag night with Carnie's Angels Mahlae Balenciaga and Au Jus, plus DJ Ion. 2023 Broadway. www.portbaroakland.com

Cécile McLorin Salvant @ Yoshi's Oakland The powerhouse young vocalist performs at the elegant restaurantnightclub. $29-$59. 7pm & 9pm. Aug 28, 8pm. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. www.yoshis.com

Domingo De Escandal @ Club OMG Weekly Latin night with drag shows hosted by Vicky Jimenez and DJ Carlitos. (Comedy Open Mic 5:30pm).

7pm-2am. 43 6th St. clubomgsf.com

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

See page 36 >>

Mother @ Oasis Heklina hosts the fun drag show with weekly themes. Aug. 26 is a Florence & The Machine vs. Tori Amos night. DJ MC2 spins dance grooves before and after the show. $15-$25. 10pm-3am (11:30pm show). 298 11th St. www.sfoasis.com

Nitty Gritty @ Beaux Josh carmichael with DJ Salazer host the tattoo appreciation night. $10.

9pm-2am. 2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Pretty in Ink @ Powerhouse Guy Ruben DJs the steamy toweldancing night, with gogos, clothes check and maximum cruising. $5.

9pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhousebar.com

QWOCMAP Benefit Dance @ Turf Club, Hayward Benefit for the women of color media arts project. $10-$20. 9pm-1:30am.

22519 Main St., Hayward. www.qwocmap.org

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Sat 26 Silicon Valley Pride @ Cesar Chavez Park, San Jose

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Read more online at www.ebar.com

Shining Stars

August 24-30, 2017 • Bay area reporter • 35

Photos by Steven Underhill Puttin’ on the Glitz @ Herbst Theatre

P

uttin’ on the Glitz, the Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation’s 23rd Help is on the Way concert benefit, held Sunday, August 20, featured a bevy of talented Broadway, film and TV stars, including cast members from the local touring production of Something Rotten, Levi Kreis, David Burnam, Garrett Clayton, Maureen McGovern, Lisa Vroman and Carole Cook, plus local favorites Leanne Borghesi, Paula West and Jason Brock. The festivities included a live auction led by TV hosts Liam Mayclem and Jessica Aguirre, with deliciously catered pre-show and after-party receptions for VIPs in the upstairs Green Room. www.reaf-sf.org More photo albums are on BARtab’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/lgbtsf.nightlife. See more of Steven Underhill’s photos at www.StevenUnderhill.com.

Read more online at www.ebar.com

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For headshots, portraits or to arrange your wedding photos

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

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

36 • Bay area reporter • August 24-30, 2017

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Musical Mondays @ The Edge

On The Tab

From page 34

Jock @ The Lookout Enjoy the weekly jock-ular fun, with DJed dance music at sports team fundraisers. 12pm-1am. NY DJ Sharon White from 3pm-6pm. 3600 16th St. www.lookoutsf.com

Mama Tits @ Oasis The Seattle vocalist drag queen performs a rousing live concert of jazz and blues $25-$35 ($225 champagne VIP tables, too). 8pm. 298 11th St. themamatits.com / sfoasis.com

Sampson McCormick @ LGBT Center, Oakland The acclaimed comic and social commentator headlines a benefit for the new Oakland LGBT communtiy center. $20. 3pm. 3207 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. oaklandlgbtqcenter.org

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

Piano Bar 101 @ Martuni's Sing-along night with talented locals, and charming accompanist Joe Wicht.

9pm. 4 Valencia St.

Pillows @ Powerhouse

Glamamore's drag and crafting party. $5. 9pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. www. powerhousebar.com

Spanglish @ Club OMG Spanish and English drag shows and dance music with DJ Carlitos. $5-$10.

9pm-2am. 43 6th St. clubomgsf.com

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

Sundance Saloon @ Space 550 The Country-Western line-dancing two-stepping dance night. $8. lessons at 5:30pm, dancing til 10:30pm.

Also Thursdays. 550 Barneveld Ave. sundancesaloon.org

Sunday's a Drag @ Starlight Room Donna Sachet often hosts the weekly fabulous brunch and drag show, now celebrating its tenth anniversary. $45.

11am, show at noon; 1:30pm, show at 2:30pm. 450 Powell St. in Union Square. 395-8595. starlightroomsf.com

Weenie Roast @ Oasis Enjoy hot dogs and a beer bust on the upper outdoor deck; proceeds benefit UCSF allience Health Project. $15.

2pm-6pm. 298 11th St. sfoasis.com

Mon 28 Mahogany Mondays @ The Stud Honey Mahogany's R&B, soul, drag show and tasty cocktail early event.

5pm-8pm. 399 9th St. studsf.com

Mister Sister @ Midnight Sun Drag night with Honey Mahogany, Dulce de Leche and Carnie Asada. No cover. 10pm. 4067 18th St. 861-4186. www.midnightsunsf.com

Tue 29 Australian Pink Floyd @ Fox Theater, Oakland The amazing tribute band plays Pink Floyd's classic songs, with dazzling visuals (and their own trademark giant inflatable kangaroo!). $45$65. 8pm. 1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. thefoxoakland.com

Game Night @ SF Eagle Board games, card games and cheap beer. 4pm-2am. 398 12th St. at Harrison. www.sf-eagle.com

Hella Saucy @ Q Bar Queer dance party at the stylish intimate bar. 9pm-2am. 456 Castro St. www.QbarSF.com

High Fantasy @ Aunt Charlie's Lounge Weekly drag and variety show, with live acts and lip-synching divas, plus DJed grooves. $5. Shows at 10:30pm & 12am. 133 Turk St. at Taylor. www.auntcharlieslounge.com

Hysteria Comedy @ Martuni's Open mic for women and queer comics, with host Irene Tu, Tess Barry, Dom Gelin and Wonder Dave. 6pm8pm. 4 Valencia St.

Karaoke Cocktails @ Ginger's

Girl Scout @ Port Bar, Oakland

The new basement tribute to the old Ginger's Trois hosts a weekly singing fun. 8pm-12am. 86 Hardie Place. https://www.gingers.bar/

The weekly women's happy hour and dance night with DJ Becky Knox. 6pm-10pm. 2023 Broadway. portbaroakland.com

Michael W. Twitty @ MOAD

Mutante @ Lone Star Saloon

Diaspora Dinner, a dining and cultural experience with the gay African American Jewish chef and author (The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African-American Culinary History in the Old South). $250 includes signed book and dinner. 6:30pm reception, 7:30pm dinner at The St. Regis.

Museum of the African Diaspora, 685 Mission St. www.moadsf.org

Naked Night @ Nob Hill Theatre Strip down with the strippers at the clothing-optional night. $20.

9pm. 729 Bush St. at Powell. 3976758. www.thenobhilltheatre.com

Stag @ Powerhouse Cruisy night for singles, and couples looking for a third. $3 Jagermeister shots will get you in trouble: the fun kind. 10pm-2am.

1347 Folsom St. www.powerhousebar.com

Una Noche @ Club BnB, Oakland Vicky Jimenez' drag show and contest; Latin music all night. 9pm2am. 2120 Broadway. (510) 759-7340. club-bnb.com

Comedy Showcase @ SF Eagle Kollin Holtz hosts the open mic comedy night. 5:30pm-8pm. 398 12th St. at Harrison. www.sf-eagle.com

HOT LOCAL MEN

Browse & Reply FREE! SF - 415-692-5774 1-888-MegaMates Free to Listen & Reply, 18+

MEN TO MEN MASSAGE

TO PLACE YOUR PERSONALS AD, CALL 415-861-5019 FOR MORE INFO & RATES

“Everything we do we should look at in terms of millions of people who can't afford it.”

— Dick Gregory

The hot weekly Latin dance night with sexy gogo guys, drag divas and more, returns to the Castro, with Club Papi’s Frisco Robbie and Fabian Torres. $7.

9pm-2am. 2344 Market St. beauxsf.com

Po Hoe @ Powerhouse Nikki Jizz offers cheap drinks and cheaper men. 10pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. powerhousebar.com

Enjoy retro 80s soul, dance and pop classics with DJ Jorge Terez. No cover.

9pm-2am. 456 Castro St. QbarSF.com

Thump @ White Horse, Oakland Weekly electro music night with DJ Matthew Baker and guests. 9pm-2am.

6551 Telegraph Ave, (510) 652-3820. www.whitehorsebar.com

Tubesteak Connection @ Aunt Charlie's Lounge Disco guru DJ Bus Station John spins grooves at the intimate retro music night. 10pm-2am. 133 Turk St. at Taylor. auntcharlieslounge.com Send event listings, at least a week in advance, to events@ebar.com

Thu 31 Junk @ Powerhouse MrPam and Dulce de Leche cohost the weekly underwear strip night and contest, with sexy prizes. $5. 10pm-2am.

1347 Folsom St. powerhousebar.com

Castro Karaoke @ Midnight Sun

People>>

SEXY ASIAN $60 JIM 415-269-5707

Pan Dulce @ Beaux

Throwback Thursdays @ Qbar

Wed 30

Personals 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 $90/hr & $130/90 min.

My work hours are 10 a.m. to midnite everyday. Patrick call or text 415-515-0594.

See pics on ebar.com

Queer multi-gender-friendly night,with DJs No-Fi, B2B, Xango playing electo psychedelic grooves. $5. 9pm-1am. 1354 Harrison St. lonestarsf.com

Mercedez Munro and Holotta Tymes present saucy and unusual drag acts. $5. 10pm-2am. 3600 16th St. lookoutsf.com

Weekly underwear night includes free clothes check, and drink specials. $4. 10pm-2am. Preceded

by Open Mic Comedy, 7pm, no cover. 43 6th St. clubomgsf.com

The

Massage>>

Mary Go-Round @ Lookout

Underwear Night @ Club OMG

Sing out with host Bebe Sweetbriar; 2 for 1 well drinks. 8pm-2am. 4067 18th St. 861-4186. midnightsunsf.com

Thurs 24

t

Eat Drink SF @ Fort Mason