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SF mayor names trans adviser by Seth Hemmelgarn
S
an Francisco Mayor Ed Lee has tapped Theresa Sparks, the longtime executive director of the city’s Human Rights Commission, as his senior adviser for transgender initiatives. In a statement TuesRick Gerharter day, Lee said, “Human Theresa Sparks rights are transgender rights, and transgender rights are human rights. Theresa Sparks has been a leader in our city on human rights issues.” In her new role, Sparks, “will keep San Francisco on the forefront of the world on transgender policy issues and LGBT rights,” Lee said. A statement from the mayor’s office indicated that Lee is the first mayor in the nation to create such a position. “It’s a great opportunity. ... I don’t think there’s any question this will be the first time See page 6 >>
Vol. 46 • No. 24 • June 16-22, 2016
Vigils mark Orlando rampage
Allan and Ken Scott hold candles at the San Francisco vigil Sunday for victims of the Orlando mass shooting.
by Seth Hemmelgarn
A
s thousands of people gathered at vigils around the Bay Area in recent days to mourn the 49 people who were fatally shot at a gay Orlando, Florida
nightclub early Sunday, organizers of San Francisco’s LGBT Pride celebration prepared to argue in court that they shouldn’t have to add security measures like metal detectors to the Civic Center festival. Whatever happens at this year’s Pride, set
for June 25-26, last weekend’s massacre at Pulse nightclub, which also left 53 injured, has emboldened many in San Francisco. “The hate that’s out there saddens me,” Sal See page 18 >>
Castro plans for no Pink Saturday
Pete Thoshinsky
by Seth Hemmelgarn
T Juan Hernandez speaks at a news conference hosted by Log Cabin officials outside San Jose City Hall June 8.
Gay GOPer mulls suing San Jose by Matthew S. Bajko
A
gay Latino Republican is mulling whether to file a lawsuit against the city of San Jose due to being attacked after attending a Donald Trump rally. Santa Clara resident Juan Hernandez was one of several supporters of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee who were punched by anti-Trump protesters after leaving the June 2 event held at the San Jose Convention Center. See page 17 >>
Rick Gerharter
People cheered in the streets at the 2012 Pink Saturday party.
South of Market neighborhoods were expected to meet Wednesday with Wiener and police officials to discuss plans for the city’s LGBT Pride celebrations. Although the official Pride festival takes place in Civic Center near City Hall, thousands of people will make their way to the Castro and other neighborhoods throughout the weekend. In an interview before the Orlando shooting, Wiener said his office has been meeting with police and other departments, and groups including Castro Merchants, on plans for June 25. “We’ll be prepared,” he said. “There will be
Bar safety
In Wiener’s news release Monday, Tim Eicher, who co-owns the Castro bars Beaux, Q Bar, and Midnight Sun, said, “We are all saddened by the events in Orlando and pray for the people affected by the attack. With Pride right around the corner, we are doing everything possible to ensure that we keep our employees and customers safe.” See page 21 >>
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his year marks the first time in almost three decades that there won’t be a planned celebration in San Francisco’s Castro district the night before the city’s LGBT Pride parade. However, officials are still preparing for crowds and working to ensure safety Saturday, June 25, especially in light of the mass shooting at the gay Pulse nightclub early Sunday morning in Orlando, Florida. As of Monday, 49 people and the shooter had died in the incident, which is still under investigation. Over the years, thousands of people have flocked to San Francisco’s main gay neighborhood to celebrate Pride. Every year, streets were shut down and DJs at multiple stages entertained masses of people. But safety concerns led the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, which had for years organized the party known as Pink Saturday, to call off their festival in 2015. The San Francisco LGBT Community Center then worked with the city to organize what they called Pink Party instead. This year, there’s no official party, and the streets will remain open for most of the evening. Still, large crowds are expected. In a news release Monday, Supervisor Scott Wiener, whose District 8 includes the Castro, announced he’d bring together “members of the LGBT nightlife community and the San Francisco Police Department to address public safety concerns” raised by the Orlando shooting. Bar and club owners from the Castro and
porta potties, and there will be a significant focus by the police to make sure everything is peaceful in the neighborhood.” Captain Dan Perea, who oversees the Mission police station, didn’t respond to requests for comment. Wiener said bars aren’t being asked to close early. When the Dyke March arrives in the Castro that Saturday night, he said, the streets would be temporarily closed, but they won’t be shut down for the whole night. “Our plan is to transfer people onto the sidewalks and have a wonderful evening in the Castro,” Wiener said. Dyke March rally programming is set to begin at 11:30 a.m. June 25 in Dolores Park. The march will start at 6 p.m. at 18th and Dolores streets and head to the Castro. “There will be a communication effort” to make sure people know there’s no street party this year, Wiener said, but he couldn’t say exactly what that would look like.