December 19, 2024 edition of the Bay Area Reporter

History made in El Cerrito

12

Holiday shows

ARTS

Leal to SFO panel

ARTS

04

02

12

2024's Best LGBTQ films

The

www.ebar.com

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

Vol. 54 • No. 51 • December 19-25, 2024

SFMTA’s Tumlin departs

by Matthew S. Bajko

Courtesy Thurmond’s governor campaign

T

he first major change of leadership at a city agency ahead of Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie taking office January 8 is coming at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. Jeffrey TumFrom X lin is stepping down, Jeffrey Tumlin ending a controversial five-year helm of the has resigned as agency that oversees San Francisco’s director of everything from the transportation. city’s bus and subway service to streetscape designs and parking restrictions.

The Bay Area Reporter had been told under embargo December 12 that Tumlin would announce his departure at the December 17 meeting of the SFMTA board and could publish a story shortly thereafter. Director of Transit Julie Kirschbaum, who first joined the SFMTA in 2007, is stepping in to lead the agency on an interim basis as of January 1.

But Tumlin let the news slip early himself in a December 12 interview with the SF Standard, telling the news site, “The opportunity to serve the city is the greatest honor in my life. We have made great progress and achieved more than we expected, including a more frequent and reliable Muni.”

A December 13 news release from the SFMTA noted that Tumlin’s five-year contract is set to expire at the end of the year. Tumlin acknowledged the “many challenges” the agency experienced since his hiring and also pointed to the “historic progress” it has made.

“Muni is better than it’s ever been and is experiencing record-high customer satisfaction.

San Francisco is one of the safest larger cities in the U.S. for walking and biking. And we have one of the strongest paratransit programs in the country,” he noted. “There is still far more to be done but I have full faith that our talented and highly motivated staff and leadership, working alongside city and state partners, will shepherd the agency into a successful new chapter.”

Tumlin, a gay man who resides with his husband in Noe Valley, was named by Mayor London Breed in 2019 as the city’s director of transportation, overseeing the SFMTA. He started in mid-December that year just months prior to the start of the COVID pandemic that would upend the SMFTA’s operations and budget.

Ever since, his tenure has been rocky, with Tumlin and his agency enmeshed in one controversy after another. He came under attack for how the SFMTA handled its response to the global health pandemic, facing criticism over everything from safety protocols for Muni operators to the cancellation of bus routes.

See page 9 >>

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond marched in this year’s West Hollywood LGBTQ Pride parade.

Thurmond’s office offers few details on LGBTQ task force

by Matthew S. Bajko

I Rick Gerharter

Hanukkah comes early to Castro

C

ongregation Sha’ar Zahav Rabbi Mychal Copeland, left, and Supervisor Rafael Mandelman lit the menorah during the Hanukkah observance in Jane Warner Plaza

December 16. The celebration was early this year, as the Jewish holiday starts December 25.

For more, see story, page 4.

n May, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced his office was accepting applications from those interested in serving on an LGBTQ+ Statewide Advisory Task Force to help ensure the needs of LGBTQ students in California are being met. It was created by the enactment of state legislation that Governor Gavin Newsom had signed into law last year.

In the news release from Thurmond’s office, the advisory body referred to by its acronym the LGBTQ+ SAT was to “meet virtually approximately six times between July 2024 and January See page 9 >>

SF Mayor-elect Lurie taps gay man for major role in administration

by John Ferrannini

S

an Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie announced the first appointments to his upcoming administration December 12. They include a longtime gay politico as his deputy chief of staff.

Matthew Goudeau, who was a senior adviser to Lurie’s campaign, is currently director of the office of the mayor-elect. The University of San Francisco alumnus has held roles under five San Francisco mayoral administrations, including 15 years as director of the mayor’s office of protocol beginning in 1999 under then-mayor Willie L. Brown Jr. He also served as deputy chief of protocol, director of appointments, and director of Grants for the Arts, which he left in 2020.

Goudeau also formerly served on the board of the GLBT Historical Society. As one of the first, and few, prominent LGBTQ community leaders to endorse Lurie’s mayoral bid, Goudeau was widely expected to be tapped for a prominent role in the new administration at City Hall.

In an interview with the Bay Area Reporter on December 11, Goudeau said his new role will utilize some of the skills from his previous positions.

“Some of the areas I will be working in my portfolio of work include appointments – when [Gavin] Newsom was mayor, I was director of appointments – as well as office events and protocol, which

Courtesy Lurie transition office

Matthew Goudeau, left, will be deputy chief of staff for Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie’s administration.

is where I was for a number of years,” Goudeau said.

“Things like scheduling the mayor’s briefings and the schedule of the office are things I was involved with in my other roles as well.”

Goudeau said he’s “super excited to go back to City Hall.”

“So many people have been talking about this as a new day for San Francisco,” he added. “The Lurie

administration … is committed to change, and you can already see that reflected in the structure that he announced. … My whole life has been committed to public service and making life better for the people of this city.”

Lurie announced a restructuring of the mayor’s office December 11. The current situation has 56 agencies reporting to the mayor through a policy director who reports to the chief of staff, currently former supervisor Sean Elsbernd, who has largely fulfilled his promise of being an unseen partner in the administration of the city to Mayor London Breed.

Under Lurie’s new structure, there’d be one chief of staff and four separate policy chiefs, covering housing and economic development; infrastructure, climate, and mobility; public health and wellbeing; and public safety.

“The current way of doing business at City Hall is outdated, ineffective, and lacks focus on outcomes,” Lurie stated in a news release. “I am restructuring the office of the mayor so that your government is coordinated and accountable in delivering clean and safe streets, tackling the fentanyl crisis, rapidly building housing and ensuring a full economic recovery.

The changes we’re making at the top will help break down barriers to effective governance that impact every San Franciscan.”

See page 9 >>

Why did Craig choose a Bay Area life plan community?

Find out at:

<< Community News

2 • Bay Area Repor ter • December 19-25, 2024

t

Ex-GGBA prez pleads guilty to fraud charges

by John Ferrannini

T

he former president of the Golden Gate Business Association pleaded guilty in federal court December 11 as part of a plea deal on two charges stemming from the alleged embezzlement of over $1 million from law firms he worked for. He faces a likely sentence of three to four years in prison.

As the Bay Area Reporter previously reported, Tony ArchuletaPerkins, a gay man, had been the president of the Golden Gate Business Association from 2022 to when he was arrested over the summer following an indictment by a federal grand jury.

The GGBA, which was founded in 1974, is the San Francisco Bay Area’s LGBTQ chamber of commerce. The association, which Archuleta-Perkins has been with in a volunteer position since 2018 (when he was treasurer for four years before his time as president, according to his LinkedIn profile), was not mentioned in the indictment.

Shortly after the arrest, the GGBA’s board told the B.A.R. there’d be a full audit and investigation of GGBA’s finances “out of prudence and cau-

Christy Martyholdt

Tony Archuleta-Perkins, center, conferred with his attorney, Kenneth White, right, in federal court December 11. Seated at left is Archuleta-Perkins’ husband, Timothy Archuleta-Perkins.

tion.” The audit, to be conducted by an outside third party, was expected to take several months, according to a July statement.

On December 10 in advance of Archuleta-Perkins’ hearing at the Phillip Burton Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in downtown San Francisco, the B.A.R. asked the GGBA board via email if it had conducted an investigation. Acting GGBA President Nancy Geenen stated to

the B.A.R. that. “We don’t have any comment today on any of the issues you mentioned” and recommended reaching out again the following day.

“We do not believe that the finances of the GGBA were implicated in any way,” Geenen stated in response to that inquiry. “Our internal investigation will be completed by the end of the year. When complete the board will communicate the results first to our members.” Though the events

that transpired in court December 11 were stated in the email upon her request, Geenen declined to comment on that matter, stating, “We have not seen the plea agreement so we have no comment.”

At the hearing, in the courtroom of Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley, Archuleta-Perkins, 48, pleaded guilty to two counts of the indictment – count one, bank fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of up to 30 years imprisonment; and count 11, commonly known as money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment. He will likely serve much less time as part of his plea agreement.

Corley said Archuleta-Perkins will have to pay restitution of $1,321,752.72 – the amount he said he had stolen. Corley said that the recommended sentence will be somewhere between 37 and 46 months but that she has ultimate discretion at the hearing, which will be March 26.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikhil Bhagat explained that Archuleta-Perkins ran a nonprofit entitled Murrieta Valley High School 1994, or MVHS 1994, which he started in 2013.

From 2017-2023, he worked for two law firms in various roles, even-

tually becoming the chief financial officer of the Veen Firm, named as “law firm b” at the hearing. (The other firm was not named.)

During that time, prosecutors say he used the access he had as an employee to falsely endorse checks made out to the firms – including an IRS refund – and deposit them into the MVHS account, which he used for his personal purposes. One $41,663.69 IRS refund was deposited into the MVHS account before he wrote a check to himself in the same amount.

Prosecutors say Archuleta-Perkins used the stolen money for the purchase, renovation, and improvement of at least three California properties, as well as for Best Buy and Home Depot credit line payments.

One of the firm’s principals was frequently absent due to health issues, and Archuleta-Perkins took advantage of that for his surreptitious financial dealings, Bhagat said.

Archuleta-Perkins is out of custody on bond. His attorney is Ken White of Brown White and Osborn LLP. “We look forward to getting the judge a full picture of his whole life. … We believe the judge will do the right thing,” White told the B.A.R. after the hearing. t

Breed names Leal to airport commission

by Cynthia Laird

M

ayor London Breed has appointed lesbian former San Francisco supervisor Susan Leal to the powerful airport commission.

Leal, who also previously served as city treasurer and general manager of the city’s Public Utilities Commission, said she’s pleased with her new role.

Leal was sworn in November 18, she said in a recent phone interview with the Bay Area Reporter. According to an announcement from San Francisco International Airport, her term runs until August 31, 2028. She filled a vacancy created by the departure of Everett A. Hewlett Jr. Leal’s appointment also increases out representation on the policymaking body. Jane Natoli, a transgender woman, was appointed by Breed in 2021 and now serves as vice president of the commission.

“I’m pleased to be appointed,” Leal told the B.A.R. “It’s a good way to put a lot of my past experience around infrastructure and finance – and almost 15 years on climate – to use.”

Leal said the appointment happened “very fast.” She said she has already attended two meetings.

Breed praised Leal in a Facebook post announcing her swearing in.

“Yesterday, we welcomed Susan Leal as San Francisco’s newest Airport

from mayor’s Facebook page

Susan Leal, left, was sworn in by Mayor London Breed to the San Francisco Airport Commission November 18.

Commissioner,” the mayor stated in the November 19 post. “Her deep commitment to public service and leadership will play a vital role in shaping the future of our world-class airport. Congratulations, Commissioner Leal!”

Leal pointed out that the airport, being near the shoreline of San Francisco Bay, will need to address various climate issues in the coming years. The commission, she noted, offers guidance and sets policy. It does not run day-to-day operations. That is handled by the airport director.

And related to that, Breed announced last month that she has hired Mike Nakornkhet to succeed retiring director Ivar Satero, who will step down in early 2025. Nakornkhet’s appointment follows a nationwide search, a news release from Breed stated.

Nakornkhet most recently served as the chief financial officer and executive vice president of the Denver International Airport, the nation’s third busiest airport, where he was responsible for the financial operations and a $12 billion capital improvement plan. Prior to joining the leadership of

the Denver airport, Nakornkhet spent 13 years at SFO, including eight years as SFO’s director of financial planning and analysis and acting managing director of finance. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University, the release stated.

Leal said that Nakornkhet was already on the ground in San Francisco.

“He’s here,” she said, adding that he lived in the area for a long time when he worked at SFO. “He’s very familiar with SFO – he knows where things are,” Leal said.

Leal also said that she is getting to know Natoli.

“She’s super sharp and knows what she’s doing,” Leal said. “It’s great to have a couple of queers on the commission.”

Leal was appointed to the Board of Supervisors 31 years ago in 1993 by then-mayor Frank Jordan, as the B.A.R. noted in an article last year.

She is so far the only Latina lesbian to serve on the board.

Supervisor-elect Jackie Fielder, who will represent the Mission in District 9 when she takes office next month, identifies as queer. She is also a Latina and will be the board’s first Native American member. (Another out Latina supervisor, Christina Olague, who is bisexual, was appointed to the

22 Affordable Rental Units Available at Nia, San Francisco, CA 94134 31 Affordable Rental Units Available at 78 Johnson Street, San Francisco, CA 94130. 21 Studio, One- bedrooms and two-bedrooms are available. one-bedrooms, 2 two-bedrooms, 4 three-bedrooms and 4 four-bedrooms are available.

Rents range from $1,613per - $3073 per month.

Rents range from $1,622 - $2,040 month. must earn no more than the Maximum Annual Income below: Households must earn no more than Households the current 2024 Maximum Annual Income AMICredit Allocation 1Person 2Person Committee 3Person 4Person 5Person 6Personbelow: 7Person 8Person of 60% AMI according to the California Tax (CTCAC) $60500 $69200 $77800 NA NA NA NA NA 60% 65%

NA

$74950

$84300

$93650

$101150

NA

NA

NA

85%

NA

NA

$110250

$122500

$132300

$142100

$151900

$161650

NA - $105,780, NA NA $108950 - $117,480, $117000 $125100 $133150 1 Person - $82,260, 2 Persons - $94,020,70% 3 Persons 4 $100850 Persons $75650 $86500 $97300 NA NA NA NA NA 75% NA $103750 - $115300 $124500 NA NA NA 5 Persons $126,900, 6 Persons80%- $136,320, 7$92250 Persons $145,680

Applications and information can be found on DAHLIA- San Francisco Housing Portal at housing.

Applications information can becall foundour on DAHLIA - San Francisco sfgov.org. Applications are due by 5pm on January 07,and 2025.

Please information lineHousing Portal at housing.sfgov.org. Applications are due by 5pm on May 1, 2024. Please call our information 628.999.9437 for more information. line at 415-287-0642 for more information.

Units available through the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Units available through the San Francisco Mayor’s Office and Community Development andof areHousing subject to monitoring and other restrictions. Visit sf.gov/mohcd for program information.

Development and are subject to monitoring and other restrictions. Visit www.sfmohcd.org for program information.

then-vacant District 5 supervisor seat in 2012 only to be defeated by Breed that November.)

In 1997, Leal campaigned for the open treasurer-tax collector’s seat and won. She served in the position until 2004, when then-mayor Gavin Newsom appointed her as general manager for the SFPUC. (José Cisneros, a gay Latino man, was appointed by Newsom to succeed Leal and was just reelected to a historic sixth term November 5.)

The SFPUC board terminated Leal’s contract four years later and voted in closed session to fire her. That was the year she’d been hit by a car and suffered a brain hemorrhage, as the B.A.R. reported. Leal ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2003 when Newsom won.

Newsom is now California’s governor.

Bevan Dufty, a gay man who is also a former San Francisco supervisor, praised Leal’s appointment to the airport commission.

“Susan has an accomplished career delivering major infrastructure projects during her tenure at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission,” Dufty told the B.A.R. “SFO will soon have a new director as Ivar Satero, its outstanding leader, is retiring, and Susan will be important to that transition.”

Dufty just completed his eightyear tenure as an elected BART board member, he said, and his last meeting was December 5. Edward Wright, a gay man, won the District 9 seat that covers part of San Francisco and now succeeds Dufty on the board of the regional transit agency, which has a station at SFO. Leal, who did not back Breed in her first race for mayor in 2018, following the death of mayor Ed Lee, nonetheless said she will miss Breed when she leaves office January 8. (Leal supported gay former supervisor and state legislator Mark Leno, who fell short in that race.)

Over time, however, Leal came to support Breed. “I watched her and I was impressed,” she said.

“It’s going to be sad to see her go.

She was very dedicated to our community,” Leal said. “As a lifelong San Franciscan, I am going to miss someone who is very tough, very smart, and very dedicated.”

Leal said she does wish Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie well.

“I know him. He’s also a San Franciscan,” she said. “I wish Daniel well.” t

Registration Registration is open!

Registration is open!

Ground yourself in the largest is open!

Ground yourself in the largest community space for LGBTQ community space for largest LGBTQ Ground yourself in the advocates and allies. community space for LGBTQ advocates and allies. advocates and allies.

January 22-26, January 22-26, 2025 January 22-26,2025 2025

Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV Rio Hotel & & Casino Casino Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV NV Rio Hotel Las Vegas | Las Vegas, creatingchange.org #WeAreCreatingChange

creatingchange.org #WeAreCreatingChange creatingchange.org #WeAreCreatingChange

Creating-Change-121924.indd 1

12/9/24 10:18 AM

<< Community News

4 • Bay Area Repor ter • December 19-25, 2024

LGBTQ synagogue celebrates Hanukkah

by David-Elijah Nahmod

A

round 75 people braved the cold temperature to celebrate Hanukkah with Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco’s synagogue for LGBTQ Jews, their families, friends, and allies.

The celebration took place at Jane Warner Plaza in the LGBTQ Castro neighborhood Monday, December 16.

It was an early celebration, as this year Hanukkah doesn’t begin until the evening of December 25, coinciding with the start of the 12 days of Christmas. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, lasts for eight days, during which time observant Jews light candles.

The evening included speeches by Sha’ar Zahav’s Rabbi Mychal Copeland, a lesbian, and by gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, while music was provided by Sha’ar Zahav Cantor Sharon Bernstein. Attendees were invited to bring more light to the party by lighting tea candles, which were set up on a table in the plaza. Around 25 such candles were lit.

The atmosphere was joyous as people gathered around.

“I’m here to show up as a Jewish person,” Nancy Levin, a lesbian who did not give her age, told the Bay Area Reporter.

“I’m here to see my friends and meet new people. Mostly this is a fun, celebratory atmosphere.”

Members of the Castro Community Benefit District and other local organizations were present and co-sponsored the event.

Rick Gerharter

Kerasa Tsokas from Congregation Sha’ar Zahav helped to pass out sufganiyot, traditional sweet pastries, as part of the Hanukkah observance in Jane Warner Plaza December 16.

“I’m one of the Castro ambassadors,” said David Hyman, a gay man who said he was over 70. “We like to have all kinds of events to make locals and tourists feel welcome in the Castro. We had the wonderful Christmas tree lighting a week ago. It’s fun to get together. I have a menorah in my own window, but it’s not the same without a group to celebrate with.”

Copeland stepped up to the microphone at 6 p.m.

“It is so important in our tradition that we do this in public,” she said. “If you

only have money for kiddush (blessed) wine or oil for your Hanukiah (menorah), you have to go with the Hanukiah, it’s that important. Even though kiddush is every week, even though kiddush is so important in our Shabbat (Sabbath) practice, this supersedes.”

The crowd stood in rapt attention as she spoke.

“Why is it that important?” the rabbi continued. “It’s that important because we have two miracles that we’re celebrating in this holiday, a victory over a seem-

ingly unbeatable foe, and this little bit of oil that was not supposed to last a day but lasted for eight long nights.”

The rabbi was referring to the defeat of the Greek-speaking Seleucid Empire by the Jews of ancient Jerusalem, led by Judas Maccabeus, after they had desecrated the Second Temple and outlawed Judaism. She was also referring to the small amount of oil that was lit by the Jews that burned for eight days.

“Because of these miracles we’re supposed to come out here and shout that to the world and play our music and rejoice,” said Copeland.

She asked the crowd to think of something that brings them joy about being Jewish, and to hold on to that joy for the entire holiday season.

“We bring our pride, the fullness of who we are to this public triangle, and we celebrate all of that, we celebrate who we are with such great pride,” she said.

The rabbi thanked Andrea Aiello, a lesbian who is the executive director of the Castro Community Benefit District, who helped make the evening possible.

She also thanked the Castro Merchants Association, the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza, and the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District as the spectators applauded. At that point Mandelman was introduced.

“Happy Hanukkah everybody,” said Mandelman, who is Jewish. “It’s a little on the early side, but it’s never too early to celebrate Hanukkah.” The supervisor also thanked Aiello for her service, and thanked the police officers who stood by, making sure the evening proceeded safely.

t

“This is the holiday of miracles,” he said. “As we approach the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, who knows what all that entails? I would say that some miracles are in order and I’m looking forward to them. Hanukkah tells us that miracles do happen, that even in the darkest times, there’s light and hope for the future. So let’s try to have a little bit of that spirit.

May your latkes be crispy and may your sufganiyot (holiday pastries) be sweet, and may your lights be illuminated and may you have a wonderful start to 2025.”

Bernstein also addressed the crowd.

“We are here to bring in the light,” said Bernstein. “So we are going to turn on all the lights of the electric menorah. Let our light shine.”

After the lights were turned on, Bernstein sat at a portable keyboard, leading the crowd in the singing of Hanukkah songs, mainly in Hebrew, though her set concluded with Tom Lehrer’s classic English-language novelty song, “Hanukkah in Santa Monica.” Jelly doughnuts were handed out during the music.

Izzy Brody Kaplan, a queer 21-yearold, enjoyed being part of the celebration.

“I’m visiting my moms,” she said.

“We sort of go for anything Jewish-related to compare West Coast Judaism to East Coast, and to possibly meet other Jews of San Francisco.”

The evening ended with recorded Hanukkah music and dancing. t

El Cerrito makes history with new mayor, council

Come celebrate Christmas at St. Francis Lutheran Church!

by Cynthia Laird

E

Date: December 25 Location: 152 Church St Service: 11:00 AM Community Potluck: 12:00 PM Bring a dish to share!

Music, prizes, drinks, food.

Come celebrate with us

All are welcome!

Enjoy just the service or just the potluck, or stay for both!

St. Francis Lutheran Church!

l Cerrito City Councilmember Carolyn Wysinger, a Black lesbian, made history Tuesday when her colleagues voted for her to be the East Bay town’s mayor for 2025, believed to be a first in California. The council also celebrated having a supermajority of LGBTQ membership by seating new members Rebecca Saltzman and William Ktsanes, who join Wysinger and longtime Councilmember Gabe Quinto as out members.

Saltzman is a lesbian mom and former longtime elected BART board member.

Ktsanes is a single gay dad who is a University of San Francisco adjunct professor in the School of Management’s Master of Science in Financial Analysis program.

Both won election in November, along with Councilmember Lisa Motoyama, a straight ally who began her second term.

The atmosphere was festive as the members recited their oaths of office, which took place after the council bid farewell to Tessa Rudnick, who had served as mayor this year, and Paul Fadelli. Each opted not to seek reelection.

State Controller Malia Cohen, for whom Wysinger works, swore her in.

13 Below Market Rate (BMR) Rental Apartments Available The Oak SF at 55Rate Oak(BMR) St., San Francisco CA 94102 13 Below Market Rental Apartments Available The Oak SF at1 Studio 55 Oak St., San Francisco CA 94102 at $1,375 1 Studio at $1,375

9 One Bedrooms at $1,553 9 One Bedrooms at $1,553 3 Two Bedrooms 3 Two Bedroomsatat$1,731 $1,731

Applicants must meet the “Resident Selection Criteria” Criteria” and bebe income eligible.

Households must earnmust Applicants must meet the “Resident Selection and income eligible.

Households no more than the maximum income levels outlined below at 55% Area Median Income (AMI). earn no more than the maximum income levels outlined below at 55% Area Median Income (AMI).

Household Size

1 Person

2 Persons

3 Persons

4 Persons

5 Persons

Maximum monthly income

$4,808

$5,495

$6,179

$6,866

$7,416

Applications must be received by by 5PM onon12.31.24.

Applyonline online through DAHLIA, SF Housing Applications must be received 5PM 12.31.24. Apply through DAHLIA, the SFthe Housing Portal -DAHLIA at housing.sfgov.org.

Pleasecontact contact KRES for building information at Portal -DAHLIA at housing.sfgov.org.

Please KRESManagement Management for building information at .

(415)-520-0855 or affordable@theoaksf.com (415)-520-0855 or affordable@theoaksf.com.

Units available through the San Mayor’s Office andCommunity Community Development Units available through theFrancisco San Francisco Mayor’s OfficeofofHousing Housing and Development and are subject to monitoring andand other restrictions.

Visitsf.gov/mohcd sf.gov/mohcd for program information. and are subject to monitoring other restrictions. Visit for program information.

Cynthia Laird

State Controller Malia Cohen, left, introduces El Cerrito Mayor Carolyn Wysinger after administering her oath of office at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

“I’m excited to lead a supermajority LGBTQ City Council,” Wysinger said in her remarks. “The gay agenda is alive and well in El Cerrito.”

Wysinger is a former president of the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee, and is cycling off the board this year. While she noted her mayoral post is ceremonial – the position rotates among councilmembers – she said that it is only the beginning and hopes to be a role model to other Black lesbians seeking public office.

During her comments, Wysinger noted there have been only a couple of Black women on the City Council who served as mayor, the first in 2007 and the second in 2019. “There have still been no Black men on the council,” she said.

She also talked about the “unspoken socioeconomic divide” that is San Pablo Avenue in the city she has long called home. People still think of El Cerrito, located north of Berkeley in western Contra Costa County, as a “bedroom community,” she said.

“I say, not for much longer. The population will grow and with it, our diversity,” Wysinger said.

El Cerrito experienced a fiscal crisis in 2021, which several councilmembers mentioned. Fadelli said that the city responded to a state auditor’s recommendations that year and “tried to keep our spirit up.” The financial turnaround has left the city in a stable position now, and Wysing-

er said that was a priority for the coming year, along with youth and families.

Wysinger said that a short time ago, a friend mentioned to her that she was “so angry” when she came out years ago.

That led Wysinger to look at her bio, in which she described herself as “fierce.”

“I do get angry at disrespect,” she said at the meeting. “I get very angry at racism and homophobia.”

Following her remarks, the council voted for Quinto to serve as mayor pro tem, setting him up to become mayor in 2026. (He previously served in the role in 2018 and 2022.) Quinto’s initial win in 2014 marked the first time someone known to be living with HIV was elected to public office in the Bay Area.

Saltzman was sworn in by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Victoria Kolakowski, who herself made history in 2010 when she became the first transgender person elected to a trial court judgeship. (Kolakowski is the wife of Bay Area Reporter news editor Cynthia Laird.)

“I’m so thrilled to be here,” Saltzman said during her remarks. “I thank the voters.”

She said that over her tenure on the BART board, she has worked with El Cerrito on many projects. The city has two BART stations, with the first phase of construction on more than 740 housing units at the El Cerrito Plaza BART Station set to begin in 2025 .

See page 10 >>

The Bay Area Reporter... ...award-winning journalism, since 1971.

The

.com

• No. 25

• Ju ne

22 -2 8

, 2023

de! i r P F to S d r a w g for n i k o o L Servin

xual,

e ay, bis

ian, g

lesb g the

bar www.e

Vol. 53

en

transg

71

nce 19

ities si

mmun

ueer co

dq der, an

Collage

ptions o s r e day off n u S e d SF Pri

by Max

a comse when and ed cour y revers y the police chief unid Dorse ll Breed an reached whereb to march in fu out ed was arch mittee promise staff were allow allowed to m n Com the VID d be ld elebratio had CO comman others would Pride C celebration, to time, t, Breed parade and ou BT ile ed wh LG d an co first form it turn iss the Francis on the parade for the rm. (As ed to m ril that route to ts of unifo and was forc that pu Reporter in Ap on the parade noted, effect ne ed R. will be in eriff, in late Ju tivities.) i Bay Area will be accept ll. As the B.A. s – which e, sh annin tfa ns related ac promise term the city’s polic ace in n Ferr donatio r a budget shor dget gap. th comll take pl com unied wi e , e wi er ow bu m

by Joh Th es ve 0 th all so ch co – ar help g that t $800,00 arch toge t visible is year , two m nday. in sprin the even e has an again th partments to m rm but withou owed nce again co on Pride Su Q Pride paSF Prid o announced ed to march at all ifo de BT cis ar. and fire ed in un officers were had to San Fran n Francisco LG . June 25 from Ford als e will be allow itions as last ye g in ff allow t p mand sta Some adjacen e largest grou t logos.

The Sa ed polic the same cond from marchin e 10:30 a.m ting the 54th rm at fo th r off rtmen y, but apons. cking , unde lebra the officers first tim pa ar ki rit ce e we n ed ye de cu th be ga ts, is r se ll rm th be ee r th fo s wi is year’s s fo unifo that many rade wi d Beale str effect , in shirt eaning of th weapon all riots an A ban on s going into outrage from gay s in the uniform em Market y of the Stonew eer civil right and ed de wa be out of lked about th 18 >> ar qu the para which prompt London Breed id they ta page e annivers ovement for rd s , Se le’ Fo sa or ar m Peop last ye including May Dorsey, who annual modern iction r Matt arters, e fourth et at Washing the restr States. iso th qu if d , rv ite er pe ate Un 6 Su rticip e for lk Stre hour lat District s wouldn’t pa forced.

Half an ocess down Po ident alternativ end lve week ore str will pr themse uniforms was en March , providing a m city’s biggest e e et on polic ton Stre memorating th n Sa e th m those co . rector of utive di ar of the ye e Ford, the exec Suzann

O Overall Excellence - 1st Place

Leger, of

images

ted by AI

genera

journey

bot Mid

Cleland ilomen Jane Ph

n

Sa year’s ed last de. watch People o Pride para sc ci an Fr

Michael Yamashita, Cynthia Laird, Jim Provenzano, Matthew S. Bajko, John Ferrannini

Editorial – 1st Place Michael Yamashita, Cynthia Laird, ‘Editorial: Oakland NAACP should cut ties with Scott’

News Story – 1st Place John Ferrannini, ‘Long-term HIV survivors fighting for their lives all over again’

Sports Feature – 1st Place Matthew S. Bajko, ‘Gay Olympian Kenworthy promotes mental health at SF event’

Breaking News – 2nd Place John Ferrannini, ‘SF archbishop says priests can deny same-sex blessings’

Columns-News/Political – 2nd Place Matthew S. Bajko, ‘Political Notebook column’

GET UPDATES EACH WEEKDAY. SIGN UP AT EBAR.COM/NEWSLETTERS SF PRESS CLUB AWARDS 2024.indd 1

12/11/24 7:37 AM

<< Open Forum

6 • Bay Area Repor ter • December 19-25, 2024

Volume 54, Number 51 December 19-25, 2024 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 & NIGHTLIFE EDITOR Jim Provenzano ASSISTANT EDITORS Matthew S. Bajko • John Ferrannini CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Christopher J. Beale • Robert Brokl Brian Bromberger • Victoria A. Brownworth Philip Campbell • Heather Cassell Michael Flanagan •Jim Gladstone Liz Highleyman • Brandon Judell • Lisa Keen Philip Mayard • Laura Moreno David-Elijah Nahmod • J.L. Odom • Paul Parish Tim Pfaff • Jim Piechota • Adam Sandel Jason Serinus • Gregg Shapiro Gwendolyn Smith • Charlie Wagner Ed Walsh • Cornelius Washington • Sura Wood ART DIRECTION Max Leger PRODUCTION/DESIGN Ernesto Sopprani PHOTOGRAPHERS Jane Philomen Cleland Rick Gerharter • Gooch Jose A. Guzman-Colon • Rudy K. Lawidjaja Georg Lester • Rich Stadtmiller Christopher Robledo • Fred Rowe Shot in the City • Steven Underhill • Bill Wilson ILLUSTRATORS & CARTOONISTS Christine Smith

VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVERTISING Scott Wazlowski – 415.829.8937

t

Congressional Dems betray us – again C

ongressional Democrats have a year. House Speaker Mike Johnson (Rlong and tortured history of betrayLouisiana) inserted the anti-trans laning the LGBTQ community. And as guage into the bill, according to reports. the soul-searching over the loss of the We suspect it was because he knew it presidential race continues – including would divide Democrats and be used attempts to blame transgender issues – to label those who voted against it “soft we’ve seen just how skittish some Demon defense.” Already, Johnson has put ocrats are. Last week’s vote in the House trans people on notice by formalizing of Representatives on the National a new rule that prevents people from Defense Authorization Act was just the using Capitol restrooms that do not AP latest betrayal. A total of 81 Democrats align with their gender at birth. That, as House Minority voted for the NDAA, which contains a readers will recall, was a direct affront to Leader Hakeem provision that bans gender-affirming Congressmember-elect Sarah McBride Jeffries care for minors who receive TRICARE (D-Delaware), the first out trans person health insurance through their activeelected to Congress. (She will have her duty military parents. The provision in own bathroom in her office, so won’t be the House bill is similar to one in the Senate verdirectly affected by the rule, but trans staff members sion that passed before the election, and the Senand trans people visiting the Capitol will.) ate passed it again Wednesday 85 to 14. Of course, We’ve seen these machinations before from prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors is Democrats. The NDAA includes pay raises for sera central piece of Project 2025, the authoritarian vicemembers and other provisions. The problem document that the Heritage Foundation and other lies in add-ons that are successful in targeting speconservative groups drafted to serve as a blueprint, cific groups, like the trans community in this case. particularly if Donald Trump won election to a secDemocratic lawmakers face a tough decision, and ond term – he did – and Republicans took control we would argue that they should have voted against of Congress – they did. it – the NDAA would have passed anyway, as it only President Joe Biden should veto the bill. needed a simple majority vote.

In the House vote, 13 of those 81 Democrats Let’s recall that Democratic votes were from California, and four were from the Bay helped pass 1993’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Area. The local representatives were longtime allies Tell” policy prohibiting gays and lesbisuch as outgoing Congressmember Anna Eshoo ans from serving openly in the military.

(Palo Alto), and Congressmembers Zoe Lofgren Indeed, former senator Sam Nunn (D(San Jose), Jimmy Panetta (Santa Cruz), and Mike Georgia) was one of the main propoThompson (Napa). Ted Lieu of Los Angeles was nents of the policy, meant to be a comanother longtime ally who voted for the bill. The promise of then-President Bill Clinton’s others were: Pete Aguilar (Santa Bernardino) Salud campaign promise to allow open serCarbajal (Santa Barbara), Jim Costa (Fresno), Josh vice. (Once Clinton got to the White Harder (Stockton), Mike Levin and Scott Peters House, he was made to realize that his (San Diego), Raul Ruiz (Riverside), and Norma Torpledge would not be attainable, hence the tradeoff: res (San Bernardino). gays and lesbians could serve in the military, as long Even House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as they stayed in the closet.) That law took 17 years (D-New York), who aspires to be speaker should the to repeal.

Democrats take control of the chamber in 2026, was In 1996, scared of some states moving forward one of the yes votes on the NDAA. He’s no Nancy on allowing same-sex marriage, Congress put the Pelosi (D-San Francisco), that’s for sure. She did not kibosh on that by passing the Defense of Marriage vote for the bill.

Act, again on Clinton’s watch. There were DemoShame on all of them. cratic votes for that too, though famously, then CaliSome of those voting for the bill were critical of fornia Democratic senators Barbara Boxer and the the part targeting trans youth, and noted the NDAA late Dianne Feinstein opposed it. A major portion is one of the major bills adopted by Congress each of DOMA was successfully struck down thanks to

the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013. Same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide in 2015. The rest of DOMA was repealed when President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022.

Modern Military Association of America, the successor group to the old Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which works with LGBTQ service members, sent out an email this week reminding LGBTQ service members of several other anti-LGBTQ policies likely to be implemented.

These include the aforementioned health care vote and reinstating the Department of Defense ban on transgender individuals from military service.

“President Trump’s previous policy only went as far as banning transgender people from joining the military and preventing those currently serving from taking steps to transition,” the organization stated, referring to Trump’s ban on trans service in 2017 during his first term. “We have concerns a new ban would attempt to go further, expanding to separate the approximately 15,000 transgender active service members from duty and/or eliminating gender-affirming care for service members and their dependents.”

MMAA summed it up succinctly, “With a new presidential administration on the horizon, we expect a resurgence of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and policies.”

But given the number of Democrats who voted for that defense bill, we’d add that it’s not just Republicans that the LGBTQ community needs to be concerned about. The Democratic Party does need to do a self-examination on lessons to be learned from the November 5 election. It does not need to scapegoat trans people or the wider LGBQ community as part of that process. In fact, those Democrats who hemmed and hawed about their yes vote on the NDAA should have voted no and had the wherewithal to explain that it’s not OK for Republicans to throw trans people under the bus. Instead, they themselves did just that. The election result shows that Democrats have a hard time talking about issues, especially ones favored by liberals. That’s what party leadership needs to look at – coming up with better ideas aimed at working people and communities of all kinds, including us. t

NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media – 212.242.6863

Tidings of comfort, joy, and courage

LEGAL COUNSEL Paul H. Melbostad, Esq.

by Jim Mitulski

P

Bay Area Reporter 44 Gough Street, Suite 302 San Francisco, CA 94103 415.861.5019 • www.ebar.com A division of BAR Media, Inc. © 2024 President: Michael M. Yamashita Director: Scott Wazlowski

News Editor • news@ebar.com Arts Editor • arts@ebar.com Out & About listings • jim@ebar.com Advertising • scott@ebar.com Letters • letters@ebar.com Published weekly. Bay Area Reporter reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement which the publisher believes is in poor taste or which advertises illegal items which might result in legal action against Bay Area Reporter. Ads will not be rejected solely on the basis of politics, philosophy, religion, race, age, or sexual orientation.

Advertising rates available upon request.

Our list of subscribers and advertisers is confidential and is not sold. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, and writers published herein is neither inferred nor implied. We are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork.

icture this: A crowded church building in the Castro at midnight on Christmas Eve in the 1980s and 1990s. Three hundred LGBTQ people, many living with HIV/AIDS, along with our friends and families, crammed into the pink and purple stucco and wood frame sanctuary on Eureka Street (now a condominium building!). Each person held a candle (careful to avoid burning the hair of the people around them) as we sang “Silent Night, Holy Night.” Warmth, light, joy, hope – and acceptance – filled the room with a sound that certainly must have rivaled the angels singing on the first Christmas night. One particularly magical night it even snowed, a rare occurrence in the city.

We gathered to remember a story about an unconventional Holy Family, who had been told there was no place for them. We were lesbians separated from their children. We were gay men ostracized by our families because of our medical condition. We were friends and lovers. Many were refugees from other parts of the country who had come to San Francisco to make a new community because we were estranged from where we had come from. We were spiritual seekers from many faith traditions, our sexual orientation or gender identity rendering us unwelcome or out of place in most churches. On these special nights at the old Metropolitan Community Church-San Francisco on Eureka Street – a proudly separate church just for queer people and our allies – miracles seemed possible and sometimes were achieved.

Some of my best Christmas memories are not from childhood, but from a particular period in the history of our community during the 1980s and 1990s when we were under political and religious assault. When we heard of ancient oppressors like Herod or Caesar Augustus in the Gospels, we identified current opponents of our civil rights like Ronald Reagan, Lyndon LaRouche, George Bush, and Lou Sheldon or religious leaders who were bishops or evangelists.

On Christmas Eve, when we heard about Mary and Joseph and Jesus fleeing persecution, we identi-

Courtesy Jim Mitulski

The Reverend Jim Mitulski

fied with their struggle to find a safe place to really call home, where we could nurture love and hope, just like the weary couple who sought refuge in order to give birth to love incarnate. Our church was more like a stable than a cathedral. We became our own Holy Family, our own angel choir. And the candles we lit in the darkest midnight became our own stars. I am certain I saw a star shining over our little village.

We sought and found tidings of comfort and joy – to quote “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlefolk.” And, in the midst of great opposition, we also found courage. This was before legalized same-sex marriage was even a dream, and before medications gave us a future we were afraid we might never see. AIDS was like a 15-year COVID. I’m recalling these memories to remind us collectively of our resilience and our strength.

Perhaps you were born after this time, or lived elsewhere, but I want to testify that we are part of a community who never gives up or gives in. Ancient stories are valuable, not just because they recall the past but because they inspire us in the present. And, this year, we need inspiration.

The Christmas story has particular resonances for our queer communities – and for any community imperiled by prejudice, and vulnerable for that matter, because they are undocumented, or transgender, or in need of reproductive health care.

Mary, Joseph and Jesus become refugees and asylum seekers because Roman occupation made their lives untenable. A census displaced them and consigned

them to a district with insufficient affordable housing. After Jesus was born, they fled to Egypt fearing for their lives.

The age of tyrants is not over. Our incoming president promises mass deportations and threatens to violate the sanctuary of schools, hospitals, and even places of worship in pursuit of undocumented friends and neighbors. We found our courage in 1986 when state Proposition 64 sought to round up and quarantine people with HIV, and we expressed our commitment not to allow our friends to be taken from us. We remembered that unjust laws cannot be enforced if we refuse to submit to them. In 1994, when the majority of Californians voted for Proposition 187, which would deny health care and education to undocumented immigrants, San Franciscans voted in the greatest number in the state against this ugly provision, which was later declared unconstitutional. We were proud that people came here to find a better life, because that’s what most of us came here seeking, and we protected and encouraged the medical refugees who came here seeing HIV treatment not available in other states or countries.

In the late 1990s, when some hardened their hearts against queer homeless youth in the Castro, we banded together to provide emergency winter shelters and to provide needed social services. We need to muster that courage and activism again in the face of threatened family separation and mass deportation. That’s our best Christmas gift to each other.

This Christmas, I urge you to find a welcoming place to light candles, hear angels sing, and create chosen holy families of every configuration. When we sing about peace in ancient Bethlehem, pray for peace in modern day Palestine and Israel. And come seeking comfort and joy, and also courage for the struggle ahead. Make Christmas real by promising solidarity to immigrants and asylum seekers, so that no one feels out of place and there is room for all in the inn.t The Reverend Jim Mitulski, a gay man, is the pastor of the Congregational Church of the Peninsula UCC (https://www.ccpeninsula.org/) in Belmont, California and was pastor during the AIDS years of Metropolitan Community Church-San Francisco.

t

Politics >>

December 19-25, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 7

Talk turns to 2026 race for SF LGBTQ Castro supervisor seat

by Matthew S. Bajko

I

n several weeks gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman will know if he will wield the gavel at Board of Supervisors meetings during his remaining two years representing the city’s LGBTQ Castro district and adjacent neighborhoods at City Hall. He is set to seek the powerful position when the supervisors hold their inaugural 2025 meeting on January 8, with District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar also expected to pursue the board presidency.

Behind the scenes speculation is heating up on who will enter the 2026 fall race to succeed Mandelman on the board. So far, no one has filed paperwork with the city’s ethics commission to begin raising money for the supervisorial campaign.

(As of the Bay Area Reporter’s print deadline Wednesday, the only race for one of the board’s even-numbered seats that will be up in two years to draw a candidate to date is for the District 2 seat, with former supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier pulling papers with the ethics commission. She has been one of the people mentioned as a possible pick for Mayor London Breed to fill the vacant Marina-based seat vacated by Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, D-San Francisco, earlier this month.)

Nonetheless, a number of names of local leaders who are thought to be interested in the District 8 seat have been thrown around for months by political watchers. Due to the historical importance of the Castro to the LGBTQ community, and the seat held by a string of gay men since the city in 2000 reverted back to district-based elections for the 11 supervisors, the suspected field is largely made up of gay men.

At the top of the list is Mandelman’s former legislative aide and de facto chief of staff at City Hall, Tom Temprano. He left Mandelman’s office in February 2022 due to being hired by the statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization Equality California to be its political director.

A year later promoted to EQCA’s managing director of external affairs, Temprano has built up a sizeable Rolodex of elected leaders and community officials, both LGBTQ individuals and straight allies, from across the state whom he could tap for endorsements and campaign contributions should he seek to succeed his former boss. A onetime elected member of the city’s community college board, Temprano has long been thought to want to run for supervisor ever since being tapped

by Mandelman to join his staff after he first won the District 8 seat in a special election in 2022.

When Temprano then moved into the Castro, it only fueled expectations of seeing him mount a supervisorial bid. Despite his EQCA job requiring him to travel throughout the state, Temprano has remained closely tied to the city and district.

He is also keeping his electoral intentions close to his chest for the time being. In recent months, when asked by the B.A.R. about running for the supervisor seat, Temprano has repeatedly demurred from answering.

“You can ask, but I will not have an answer for you,” Temprano said in midNovember a few weeks after the November 5 election. He again said this week that he would “have no comment at this time.”

Another person widely speculated as being interested in the seat is Gary McCoy, who stepped in as interim president of the progressive Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club in Sep-

Barry Schneider Attorney at Law

family law specialist* Temprano, courtesy the subject; McCoy, Sari Staver

• Divorce w/emphasis on Real Estate & Business Divisions • Domestic Partnerships, Support & Custody • Probate and Wills

Gay District 8 residents Tom Temprano, left, and Gary McCoy have been mentioned as possible supervisorial candidates in 2026.

tember amid a scandal over the club’s botched endorsements in several city races on the fall ballot that prompted Jeffrey Kwong to step down from the presidency position. As it happens, Temprano is a former president of the Milk club, while McCoy was a former co-chair of the more moderate Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club.

McCoy, who resides in Twin Peaks with his husband, Kory Powell-McCoy, has long worked for Congressmember Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), serving as the political director for her campaigns and as a former district office staffer. He also spent stints as a legislative aide to several supervisors, including former District 8 supervisor Scott Wiener, now a Democratic state senator who represents the Castro in Sacramento.

For nearly four years now McCoy has worked as the vice president of policy and public affairs for the nonprofit medical and substance use services provider HealthRIGHT 360. A former board member for the Castro Country Club sober gathering place in the neighborhood, McCoy has been outspoken about his own substance use struggles and is a vocal advocate for harm reduction strategies.

“As a longtime District 8 resident, it’s important to me that we have a strong representative on the Board of Supervisors. I’m always looking for how I can best be of service, and am interested in exploring this role, but I’m still having conversations with the community to learn what is most needed right now and haven’t come to a final decision yet,” McCoy told the B.A.R. this month.

Another person long thought to want the District 8 seat is Emanuel “Manny” Yekutiel, the owner of the eponymously named cafe and event space on Valencia Street a few blocks outside the boundaries of the supervisorial district. The Jewish business leader has been a magnet for protesters upset with his support of Israel, even prior to its war in Gaza in response to the terrorist group Hamas’ attack on the country in October 2023.

Stuck in Tel Aviv at the time for several days until international flights resumed, Yekutiel resigned from his seat on the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors when he returned home. He again made headlines last December when he floated possibly running in the 2024 mayoral race against Breed, who had appointed him to the transit oversight body.

Yet Yekutiel opted against doing so and remained neutral in the contest. He co-moderated the first mayoral debate with Breed and her top four challengers held in June.

Asked by the B.A.R. this week if he was interested in seeking the supervisor seat, as Yekutiel is also a Castro resident,

he said his priorities are currently running his business and a philanthropic effort that has helped put on various events around the city to draw customers back to downtown and neighborhood businesses, such as night markets and music performances.

“I’ve got no plans to run for supervisor at this time. I’m fully focused on running Manny’s and the Civic Joy Fund,” Yekutiel told the B.A.R., adding he is “excited to work with” the incoming administration of Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie “to help with the city’s economic recovery any way I can.”

Others mentioned as possible District 8 candidates include Scotty Jacobs, a gay branding consultant who lost his bid on the November 5 ballot to be the District 5 supervisor. A resident since 2022 near the Panhandle and Divisadero commercial corridor, where he rents an apartment with his younger brother, Jacobs has been the subject of rumors that he could be looking to move into Cole Valley, which was added to District 8 during the last redistricting process, or another area of the district in order to seek the seat.

Jacobs didn’t respond to a request for comment by press time.

The lone straight candidate often mentioned as possibly getting into the race is Carrie Barnes, who just stepped down as president of the Noe Valley Democratic Club. She won election last March to a seat on the committee that runs the San Francisco Democratic Party, on which she serves as its second vice chair.

A married mom, Barnes has an uncle who is gay and has long had an interest in politics. She worked on Hillary Clinton’s unsuccessful presidential bid in 2016 then earned a master’s degree in public affairs from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy.

When asked by her neighborhood newspaper the Noe Valley Voice about her political aspirations for a profile in its February issue, Barnes acknowledged being interested in seeking public office one day. But she didn’t think she would run for supervisor.

Barnes didn't return the B.A.R.’s request for comment this week. t

www.SchneiderLawSF.com

415-781-6500 *Certified by the California State Bar 315 Montgomery St., Ste. 1025, San Francisco, CA 94104

Jesus didn’t discriminate so neither do we.

Come and see Dignity/SF, which affirms and supports LGBTQ+ folks.

Catholic liturgy Sundays at 5pm, 1329 7th Avenue (Immediately off the N Judah line)

dignity | san francisco Come for the service and stay for the fellowship. dignitysf@gmail.com for more details Instagram @dignitysanfrancisco † Facebook @DignitySF

DISPLAY OBITUARIES & IN MEMORIAM DISPLAY OBITUARIES & IN MEMORIAMS

The Bay Area Reporter can help members of the LGBTQ community in the San Francisco Bay Area reach more than 120,000 local residents each week with their display of Obituary* and In Memoriam messages.

The BayRATES: Area Reporter can help members of the c $21.20 per column inch (black & white) Web Extra: For more queer politi$27.75 per column inch (full color) cal news, be sure to check http://reach more than 120,000 LGBT area residents e www.ebar.com Monday mornings DEADLINES: Friday noon for space reservations with their display of12Obituary* & In Memoriam for Political Notes, the notebook’s online companion. This week’s column reported on the ongoing search for a new leader of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund.

Monday 12 noon for copy & images

TO PLACE:

RATES:

Keep abreast of the latest LGBTQ political news by following the Political Notebook on Threads @ https://www.threads.net/@ matthewbajko and on Bluesky @ https://bsky.app/profile/politicalnotes.bsky.social.

$21.20 per column inch (black column *Non-display $29.15 Obituaries ofper 200-words or less are inch (full c FREE to place. Please email obituary@ebar.com for more information.

DEADLINES:

Got a tip on LGBTQ politics? Call Matthew S. Bajko at (415) 829-8836 or email m.bajko@ebar.com.

Call 415 829 8937 or email us at advertising@ebar.com

Friday 12noon for space reserv Monday 12noon for copy & im

44 Gough Street, Suite 302, San Francisco, CA 94103

TO PLACE:

Call 415-829-8937 or email advertising@ebar.com

<< Obituaries

8 • Bay Area Repor ter • December 19-25, 2024

t

Gay Navy veteran Robert Dockendorff dies

by Cynthia Laird

R

obert Dockendorff, a gay man, Navy veteran, and longtime supporter of LGBTQ causes, died Monday, December 9, at his home in San Francisco. He was 85.

Mr. Dockendorff had fought chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, for several years, his caregiver Joey Jones told the Bay Area Reporter.

Mr. Dockendorff had been hospitalized shortly before his passing but returned home, Jones said in a phone interview.

“He went the way he wanted to,” Jones, a gay man, said.

Byron McQuarters Norris, a gay Black man who had been Mr. Dockendorff’s longtime friend and roommate until last year, told the B.A.R. in a phone interview that Mr. Dockendorff “made sure he was home.”

Gay former San Francisco supervisor Tom Ammiano, who went on to serve in the state Assembly, honored Mr. Dockendorff for his contributions to the LGBTQ community around 2009, he wrote in a message to the B.A.R. Norris recalled that he and Mr. Dockendorff went to Sacramento for the ceremony.

Rick Gerharter

Robert Dockendorff, right, congratulates then-assemblymember Tom Ammiano, at his wedding to Carolis Deal at their reception on September 20, 2014.

“Bob was a behind-the-scenes activist, one of the rare ones who didn’t care for the spotlight,” Ammiano stated.

“An unsung hero whose generosity to just causes knew no bounds. Visiting with him these past months was a real privilege. Sharing many memories and laughs. One I remember was how he took the bus with Harvey Milk after meetings and their conversations. Rest in power my friend.”

Over the years, Mr. Dockendorff gave of his time and financial donations to various LGBTQ groups. These included several organizations that no longer exist, such as the Cable Car Awards, Operation Concern, and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. He was active in arts causes as well, helping finance a documentary on lesbian pioneer Sally Gearhart, Jones said.

He was also active in local politics, donating to candidates. Mr. Dockendorff served as president of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club in 1990.

He also served on the San Francisco Ethics Commission, said gay attorney Paul Melbostad, who served with Mr. Dockendorff on the panel.

Ed Harrington, a gay man who’s a former San Francisco controller, said that he appointed Mr. Dockendorff to the ethics panel, which was established by voters in 1993. (The controller was one of several elected officials responsible for naming its members at that time.)

“Bob was a wonderful guy,” Harrington said in a brief phone interview.

“He had a real sense of integrity. Bob was my first appointee.”

Harrington added that ethics commission staff may not have always enjoyed working with Mr. Dockendorff because “he pushed to get stuff done. He wanted staff to get stuff done.”

Mr. Dockendorff’s professional career was spent at the Pacific Maritime Association, which he went to work for after leaving the Navy. He rose through the ranks to be president of communications and research and worked there for

33 years until his retirement, according to an obituary published by a mortuary in Iowa, where he grew up.

In a video interview made in June 2015 by gay filmmaker David Weissman, Mr. Dockendorff said he was forced to retire from the military because he was gay. He said that he received an honorable discharge in 1981.

Norris confirmed that account, saying at the time of his retirement Mr. Dockendorff was a captain in the Naval Reserves, where he served for 22 years.

“He loved the military and would have stayed,” Norris said.

Mr. Dockendorff served for three years on active duty in Vietnam. He said in the video that he first arrived in San Francisco in 1965 to “reactivate a ship that was going to Vietnam.” The first place he went to was a gay bar, he said.

“I was aware of San Francisco’s reputation when I saw the Life magazine article about the decadence in the South of Market area,” he laughingly told Weissman, referring to the infamous 1964 “Homosexuality in America” article the magazine published that grabbed attention at the time.

See page 9 >>

LA Blade publisher Troy Masters dies

by Los Angeles Blade staff

T

roy Masters, a gay man who was publisher of the Los Angeles Blade, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 11, according to a family member. He was 63.

The Los Angeles County coroner said the cause of death was suicide.

Mr. Masters was a well-respected and award-winning journalist and publisher with decades of experience, mostly in LGBTQ media. He founded Gay City News in New York City in 2002 and relocated to Los Angeles in 2015. In 2017, he became the founding publisher of the Los Angeles Blade, a sister publication of the Washington Blade, the nation’s oldest LGBTQ newspaper.

His family released a statement to the Blade.

“We are shocked and devastated by the loss of Troy,” the statement read.

“He was a tireless advocate for the LGBTQ community and leaves a tremendous legacy of fighting for social justice and equality. We ask for your prayers and for privacy as we mourn this unthinkable loss. We will announce details of a celebration of life in the near future.”

Vanessa Pham/Washington Blade

Los Angeles Blade publisher Troy Masters

Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff, left, then-congressmember David Cicilline (D-Rhode Island), Ariadne Getty, and Los Angeles Blade publisher Troy Masters attended the Washington Blade’s 50th anniversary gala in 2019.

The Blade management team also released a statement.

“All of us at the Los Angeles Blade and Washington Blade are heartbroken by the loss of our colleague,” it read. “Troy Masters is a pioneer who championed LGBTQ rights as well as best-in-class journalism for our community. We will miss his passion and his tireless dedication to the Los Angeles queer community.

“We would like to thank the readers, advertisers, and supporters of the Los Angeles Blade, which will continue under the leadership of our local editor, Gisselle Palomera, the entire Blade family in D.C. and L.A., and eventually under a new publisher,” the statement read.

Michael Yamashita, a gay man who is publisher of the Bay Area Reporter, stated he would miss his colleague.

LA Blade file

“It was shocking to receive the sad news this morning,” Yamashita wrote in a December 12 email, “I have known Troy as a fellow publisher and friend for over 20 years. He was smart and accomplished. More than a few times, he started gay publications – in New York City and Los Angeles. I will miss working with him.”

The Blade newspapers are part of the

News is Out collaboration, along with the B.A.R. and other legacy LGBTQ publications Dallas Voice, Philadelphia Gay News, Tagg magazine, and the Windy City Times.

Dana Piccoli, a lesbian who is News is Out’s managing director, stated the organization was “devastated.”

“The team at News is Out is devastated to learn of the passing of LGBTQ+ media legend, colleague and friend, Troy Masters,” Piccoli wrote in an email.

“Troy was a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and pioneer in queer media,” she added. “We were lucky to work with him as a member of News is Out and will forever be grateful for the barriers he broke down for the queer community. Our hearts are with our colleagues at the Los Angeles Blade and the Washington Blade.”

Equality California, the statewide LGBTQ rights organization, issued a statement on Mr. Masters’ passing.

“We at Equality California are heartbroken by the unexpected passing of Troy Masters, a trailblazing journalist, publisher, and tireless advocate for the LGBTQ+ community,” stated Executive Director Tony Hoang, a gay man.

See page 10 >>

OKELL’S FIREPLACE

415-626-1110

130 Russ Street, SF

okellsfireplace.com

Valor LX2 3-sided gas fireplace shown here with Murano glass, and reflective glass liner

info@okellsfireplace.com

t <<

Community News>>

Tumlin

From page 1

Its decision to turn streets in certain neighborhoods into outdoor spaces for pedestrians and cyclists – dubbed Slow Streets due to restricting vehicle usage of the thoroughfares – to use as a safe way to get exercise and fresh air during the pandemic inflamed heated debates throughout the city. A number of the Slow Streets remain to this day, beloved by some and derided by others who contend they are no longer needed.

As COVID waned, Tumlin came under attack by several supervisors who complained about the slow return of bus service in their districts. Residents also harangued SFMTA leaders for rerouting certain Muni lines, cutting off service they had relied on for decades, with riders in one hilly section of Noe Valley particularly upset with being cut out of the service area for the 48-Quintara/24th Street line.

Tumlin had defended his agency and staff for being upfront about the need to rethink Muni service due to the crash in ridership brought about by the global health crisis and people no longer commuting to their offices on a daily basis.

It was only this past September that Muni saw its average weekday ridership surpass 500,000 riders for the first time since the start of COVID in February 2020.

Nonetheless, Tumlin last month warned that the SFMTA’s fiscal picture was in such dire straits that it could lead to shuttering the city’s famous Cable

<<

Thurmond

From page 1

2026.” According to the legislation authored by gay state Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), Thurmond was to convene the task force by July 1, as the Bay Area Reporter had noted in an article last December.

Thurmond, running to be elected in 2026 the state’s next governor, had noted when Newsom signed Laird’s bill and several others he had supported in 2023, “Dangerous trends have emerged recently. A small group of extremists have continued to levy attacks on California’s schools, targeting LGBTQ+ students.

These measures will protect all members of the LGBTQ+ community and provide the resources needed to support all California students.”

Yet, for months this fall, Thurmond’s office was unresponsive to the B.A.R.’s inquiries about who was on the LGBTQ+ SAT and if it had met. It has yet to disclose the names of the people selected to serve on it, or how many times it has met and the dates for when it did so.

Nor does it appear to have been very communicative with LGBTQ leaders about the work of the task force. Equal-

<<

Lurie

From page 1

Asked if he’d be overseeing any particular areas of interest, Goudeau said he won’t be overseeing any agencies. There will be an LGBTQ liaison announced later, but it won’t be him, he said.

Thomas E. Horn, a gay man who is the former publisher of the B.A.R. and is president of the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center Board of Trustees, has been friends with Goudeau for decades.

“Matthew has been involved in San

<<

Dockendorff

From page 8

But he soon left for Vietnam, where he said it was “challenging trying to keep a bunch of screwball boats operating.”

He was at one point sent to Sydney, Australia for rest and relaxation, or R&R, but returned to Vietnam just before the Tet Offensive in January 1968. That operation involved a series of coordinated attacks by the North Vietnamese and Viet Kong forces against South Vietnam.

“It was an ugly time,” Mr. Dockend-

December 19-25, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 9

Perhaps no issue has bedeviled Tumlin and the SFMTA more than its decision to install a center bike lane along Valencia Street in the Mission District.

While meant to better protect bicyclists, it has been derided by bike riders and drivers for its confusing design and resulted in a public campaign by merchants along the commercial corridor to see it be ripped out.

Store and restaurant owners blame the center bike lane and the loss in parking spaces it resulted in for decimating their businesses. They created the group Valencia Association of Merchants, Artists, Neighbors and Organizations, which in May had called for Tumlin to resign and continues to object to the SFMTA’s latest bike lane proposal.

After defending the center bike lane for months, contending it improved safety on the street, Tumlin relented earlier this year and announced it would be replaced with a bike lane on the side of the road; the SFMTA board signed off on it last month and construction is slated to begin early in 2025.

Last year, it was bike advocates who

were disgruntled with Tumlin after a video surfaced of comments he made at a neighborhood meeting in the Richmond district in which he said, “Part of the rise in incivility is absolutely people on bikes who are behaving like arrogant, horrible people.” The influential Streetsblog SF in a headline about it accused Tumlin of stereotyping cyclists and fanning “anti-bike hate.”

When former mayor Mark Farrell entered the mayoral race to return to Room 200 at City Hall, he pledged to replace Tumlin at the SFMTA. When asked by the B.A.R.’s editorial board if he would do so as mayor, Lurie was noncommittal about keeping Tumlin in charge of the agency but didn’t refrain from expressing his dismal view of the agency’s leadership.

“Too often in the city, things are done to communities instead of being done with communities. Muni is one of the most notorious agencies for failing to adequately communicate with residents and small businesses to design solutions that work for everyone,” Lurie stated in his B.A.R. questionnaire. “SFMTA leadership has failed to adequately communicate with and listen to community concerns throughout our city. As I’ve said before, on day one of my transition I will interview every major department head and they will need to justify why they should stay in the job.”

As of 2023, Tumlin’s salary with the city agency was $400,725. Prior to coming to the SFMTA, Tumlin was director of strategy at Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates, a San Francisco-based transportation planning and engineer-

ing firm that focuses on sustainable mobility. Before that, he served as interim director at the Oakland Department of Transportation.

The news release announcing Tumlin’s appointment to lead the SFMTA noted he came to the position with 25 years of experience working in cities around the world. His predecessor, Ed Reiskin, had resigned amid criticism from Breed over Muni’s poor performance, plagued by slow service on its bus and rail lines and hammered by critics for the yearslong delays in opening the new Central Subway with a terminus in Chinatown.

Tumlin earned a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Stanford University. He has been with his artist husband, Huib Petersen, an immigrant from Holland, for 25 years.

It remains to be seen if several other out department heads in the city will also depart or remain as part of the Lurie administration. Dr. Grant Colfax, a gay man, is the health director; Shireen McSpadden, a bi woman, is executive director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing; Carol Isen, a lesbian, heads the Department of Human Resources; Mawuli Tugbenyoh, a gay man, is acting director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission; and Elaine Forbes, a lesbian, is port director. Honey Mahogany, a trans person who heads the Office of Transgender Initiatives, has told the B.A.R. she looks forward to working with the Lurie administration. t

ity California, the statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, had supported Laird’s Senate Bill 857, which requires the statewide task force to issue a report on its work by January 1, 2026.

A spokesperson had told the B.A.R. in October in response to a question that it was “unaware” if the LGBTQ+ SAT had met and suggested contacting an LGBTQ+ schools health education consultant for the California Department of Education.

The person did not respond to an emailed interview request. Since midOctober, the B.A.R. has sought answers from the state agency’s public affairs office about the task force’s makeup and meetings. Spokesperson Alia Cruz-Jauregui had replied in an October 24 email that she would “get right back to you on the commission” but never did.

Unresponsive to several follow-up emails until last week, Cruz-Jauregui emailed the B.A.R. on December 6 that they would “follow up with my team and get right back to you.” It wasn’t until December 10, after the B.A.R. had contacted Laird for an interview about the status of the task force, that Cruz-Jauregui provided the paper with limited details about the composition and work to date

of the LGBTQ+ SAT. It is larger than the 15 members it was originally anticipated to have, with 31 people from across the state named to it.

Eight are public high school students, six are public school teachers, and five are local education agency administrators.

Another five are mental health practitioners, six are community advocates, and one represents the Office of Health Equity at the California Department of Public Health.

Cruz-Jauregui also reported that the LGBTQ+ SAT “has convened regularly” since July and “is on track to provide a report of their findings and recommendations to the Legislature, the Superintendent, and the Governor, on or before January 1, 2026.”

Coincidentally, her email arrived as the B.A.R. was interviewing Laird’s chief of staff, Richard Stapler, about the LGBTQ+ SAT. He said his office had been provided the same information as that given to a reporter for the newspaper.

“Part of the thing is there is a lot of sensitivity around having too much focus on it because of the sensitive nature of the work they do, and add to it fully half the school district members are minors,” said Stapler. “As we understand it,

you won’t be seeing a public posting of all the members of the commission.”

Thus, there is very little information provided publicly on the makeup of the task force at the website for it at https://www.cde.ca.gov/eo/ap/lo/ lgbtqswatf.asp. A note on the page says it was last reviewed in early May and makes no mention of the advisory body’s 31 members or any meeting information for it.

As of press time, Cruz-Jauregui has not responded to the B.A.R.’s follow-up inquiry for more details about who is serving on the LGBTQ+ SAT, the dates it has met, and if there are shareable notes from when it has convened.

California students, school staff, mental health professionals, and community advocates were to comprise the LGBTQ+ SAT, as the state education office had noted in its spring news release.

It is to identify “the needs of LGBTQ+ students and make recommendations to assist in implementing supportive policies and initiatives to address LGBTQ+ student education and well-being,” per Thurmond’s office.

The idea for the advisory body had been suggested to Laird by youth-led nonprofit California Association of Stu-

dent Councils. His legislation had sailed through the Legislature amid conservative-led school boards across the state adopting anti-LGBTQ policies, from banning curriculum materials related to LGBTQ topics to requiring school employees out transgender and queer students to their parents or guardians.

“It is high time that we ensure California’s students have a rightful place at the table when it comes to matters of equity and inclusion,” stated Laird after Newsom had signed his bill into law creating the LGBTQ+ SAT. The interim executive director for the statewide student councils association hasn’t responded to the B.A.R.’s emailed questions regarding the LGBTQ+ SAT and if it had been given representation on it.

Stapler said Laird’s office is pleased to see that the task force has begun its work and plans to ask the state education office for periodic updates going forward.

“As it stands, we are quite happy with the initial implementation of the commission. Obviously, we will be monitoring their work closely,” said Stapler. “We really hope this is a solid avenue for students who don’t often have a voice on really significant issues to have a voice.” t

Francisco city government for 25 years,” Horn said in a phone call. “He will bring very useful institutional knowledge to the new administration.”

Lurie also announced December 12 that Staci Slaughter, the previous longtime executive vice president for the San Francisco Giants, will be his chief of staff. Slaughter played a key role in the construction and development of Oracle Park, where the ballclub plays on the city’s waterfront.

Slaughter left the Giants in 2023; until earlier this week, she was an adviser to global investment firm Sixth Street

Partners and a board member of Bay Football Club (Bay FC), a new National Women’s Soccer League franchise.

“San Francisco has immense challenges, but they are greatly outweighed by our unique and enormous opportunities,” Slaughter stated in the release. “I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve the city I love and to help Mayorelect Lurie execute his vision for a safer and more affordable San Francisco.”

Goudeau said he’s worked with Slaughter in the past.

“She’s incredible and the mayor-elect is really lucky,” Goudeau said. “I’m super

excited to be working with Staci. When she was at the San Francisco Giants, I was at City Hall, so there were lots of opportunities for us to work together in those capacities. We worked on two World Series parades together, but there were a number of issues that came up in my time at City Hall where we had to work closely with the San Francisco Giants and my point of contact there was Staci.”

Finally, Lurie announced Han Zou will lead his office of public affairs.

Zou, a strategist, formerly led successful political campaigns on behalf of Con-

gressmember-elect Lateefah Simon (DOakland) and Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco). He worked in Haney’s office as a legislative aide from 2019-2022. In 2020, Zou unsuccessfully ran for the San Francisco Community College District Board of Trustees.

“I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve the mayor-elect and the people of San Francisco,” Zou stated. “Having seen how hard he worked on the campaign, I know how hard he will work for the people of this great city, and I’m grateful to be a part of the team that’s going to turn around San Francisco.” t

orff recalled of the war in the video, adding that he and fellow servicemembers did get newspapers, including the military’s Stars and Stripes, and learned that support for the war was quickly eroding in the U.S. Mr. Dockendorff’s forced exit from the Navy later led to his involvement in SLDN, which was established to fight for repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that Congress passed in 1994 during the Clinton administration. SLDN also assisted those who were discharged from the military for being

gay or lesbian. Unlike Mr. Dockendorff, many received other than honorable or dishonorable discharges. Congress finally repealed DADT in December 2010. President Barack Obama signed the legislation, which went into effect a year later, in 2011.

Mr. Dockendorff celebrated the repeal in San Francisco, joining other veterans and activists.

lesbian, former city police commissioner, and longtime Milk club member, told the B.A.R. in a phone interview that she served with him on the board of the Cable Car Awards. Those awards, handed out at what was then the event of the season, recognized LGBTQ leaders in an array of categories, from sports to elected officials to activists and more, Craig said. The awards ran from 1979 to 1993.

“They were highly prized,” Craig recalled of the awards.

Then, Mr. Dockendorff decided to

get more politically active.

“Bob had an interest in politics and surprised us by throwing his hat into the ring for president of the Milk club,” Craig said. “He turned out to be highly effective. Under his tenure the club’s Black Caucus was formed. He helped diversify the club.”

Norris, who was inspired by Mr. Dockendorff’s idea for the Black Caucus, decided to join the club. Norris said that he and other new Black members of

Cars next summer. It prompted Lurie to say the beloved tourist attraction would remain running on his mayoral watch.

Despite receiving majority support from voters, Proposition L on the November 5 ballot that would have generated an estimated $25 million for transit service via a tax on ride-hailing services failed due to receiving fewer total votes than a competing measure that will take effect and change how the city taxes all businesses. Muni, with an annual budget of $1.4 billion, is projecting it could have a deficit of $239 million to $322 million by fiscal year 2026-2027.

On the positive side, Tumlin has been credited with improving customer satisfaction with Muni’s performance. The agency reported in August that 72% of passengers rated Muni as “excellent” or “good,” the highest score it has received since it began surveying riders in 2001.

And Tumlin won praise for his being direct about the issues confronting the SFMTA and the decisions it took. He acknowledged that the SFMTA “can’t be all to all people,” as one transit leader noted to the B.A.R. “Change can be hard, but Jeff was not afraid to make those decisions necessary to allow people to move safely and efficiently across this city,” stated Breed.

“The SFMTA is a challenging department to run, and I want to thank Jeff for leading this Department and serving our city through the difficult years of the pandemic and after to get us where we are today.”

Gay state Senator Scott Wiener (DSan Francisco), often seen riding Muni, credited Tumlin for making Muni ser-

vice the best he has seen in over 27 years of using the system.

“Service is faster and more reliable due to Jeff’s focus on making Muni work, and as a result Muni rider satisfaction surveys are at historic highs,” stated Wiener. “Jeff has also focused like a laser on making our streets safer, which saves lives. Jeff’s leadership for San Francisco has been extraordinary, and I wish him only the best going forward.”

Valencia bike lane

Civic life

Mr. Dockendorff enjoyed his life in San Francisco. Gwenn Craig, a Black

See page 10 >>

<< Community News

10 • Bay Area Repor ter • December 19-25, 2024

<<

Dockendorff

From page 9

the Milk club quickly created the caucus.

That led to an increase of Black membership of the club. And Norris said that Mr. Dockendorff supported creation of the Latino Caucus.

Craig said that she had spent time visiting with Mr. Dockendorff in recent months. “He really enjoyed talking about the politics of the day,” she said.

Mr. Dockendorff said in the video that he knew Milk, who became the first gay person to win elected office in California when he was successful in his race for a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Milk and thenmayor George Moscone were assassinated in November 1978 by disgruntled ex-supervisor Dan White.

<<

Masters

From page 8

“Troy’s remarkable career spanned decades, during which he used his voice and platform to amplify the stories of our community and champion the fight for equality.

“His passion for storytelling and relentless pursuit of social justice left an indelible mark on the fight for LGBTQ+ rights,” Hoang added. “Over many years, Equality California and the Los Angeles Blade have worked hand in hand to ensure LGBTQ+ stories are accurately

<<

El Cerrito

From page 4

Ktsanes was sworn in by Betsy Bashor, a friend and campaign volunteer. He also thanked El Cerrito residents “for entrusting me with this responsibility.”

“I look forward to working collaboratively with residents, the council, and staff,” he said.

Motoyama took the oath of office from City Clerk Holly M. Charléty.

“Thank you to my colleagues, former colleagues, and future colleagues,” she said.

“I thank voters and look forward to working really hard the next four years.”

Rudnick and Fadelli, as well as Motoyama, Saltzman, Ktsanes, and Wysinger,

t

He enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 1962 and recalled his pre-induction physical.

“They still had that form – do you have homosexual tendencies? I honestly could answer no because I was way beyond tendencies,” he said in the video.

He said that he then went to officer candidate school in Newport, Rhode Island and from there embarked on his naval career.

Joey Jones, Mr. Dockendorff’s caregiver, said that plans for a public memorial have not yet been decided. Mr. Dockendorff will be laid to rest in the family plot in Iowa, he said, and that’s expected to take place within the next week.

According to the obituary, Mr. Dockendorff is survived by a sister, Linda Johnson, of Los Altos, California, and nieces and nephews. t

Milk, a progressive, was also “pragmatic,” Mr. Dockendorff said in the video.

Mr. Dockendorff traced his progressive political leanings back to high school when the class took a field trip to the Ralston Purina factory in St. Louis and Mr. Dockendorff saw whites-only water fountains for the first time. “That’s when I knew the world was screwed up,” he said in the video.

“My politics became progressive, left wing. Hanging out with Harvey Milk didn’t help,” he quipped in the video. “He was an incredible person. He was an incredible guy.”

Cleve Jones, a gay man and longtime HIV/AIDS activist, worked with Milk and remembered Mr. Dockendorff.

“He was such a kind man,” Jones said in a brief phone interview. “He was kind, he was smart, he was principled. It’s a loss.”

Mr. Dockendorff said in the video that he periodically served on the board of the more moderate Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, but “they were way too conservative for me.”

Mark Leno, a gay man who served as a former supervisor and state legislator, recalled his longtime friend, whom he said supported his political campaigns over the years.

“I have such high regard for him,” Leno said in a phone interview. “He was an old-school gentleman in every sense of the word. He was thoughtful, he was generous, and he was encouraging. He would always fight for the underdog.”

Leno said that in addition to financially donating to political candidates, Mr. Dockendorff was a major philanthropist.

“He was enormously generous with

his own resources,” Leno said. “He was always supporting candidates and causes and our community-based nonprofits, especially during the pandemic.”

represented and shared within the Los Angeles community and throughout California.”

In a social media post, gay Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood), the former leader of EQCA, wrote that he was “terribly saddened” in hearing about the death of Mr. Masters.

“A pillar in the LGBTQ+ community in his many roles, he has covered life in our community & the challenges of our fight for civil rights & social justice. He will be missed. My thoughts are with his family & friends,” wrote Zbur.

Mr. Masters joined the staff of Out-

Week as the advertising account executive in November 1989. The groundbreaking New York City-based weekly changed the shape of LGBTQ journalism and publishing with provocative content and a pro-activist stance.

Former OutWeek editor-in-chief Gabriel Rotello recalled, “Troy was doing ad sales for PC Magazine and was miserable because he felt that he was unable to share the reality of his life in the AIDS epidemic with his homophobic colleagues. [Advertising Director] Kit Winter had placed an ad in the Village Voice seeking ad reps for

an ‘upstart gay weekly.’ Troy showed up in a suit and tie, and the rest is history. He was a very successful ad representative, and he quickly became essential to the magazine. He also learned the business of gay publishing, which stood him in good stead for the rest of his life.”

Shortly after OutWeek closed in June 1991, Mr. Masters spearheaded the publication of QW, another LGBTQ weekly that lasted from 1991 to 1992.

On his Facebook page in the About section, Mr. Masters recalled the publi-

were praised by elected officials who attended the meeting, including new state Senator Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley); Harpreet S. Sandhu, a former Richmond city councilmember who now works for Congressmember John Garamendi (D-Fairfield); and Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, who said that Wysinger’s ascension to mayor is important for two reasons.

“First, it’s a testament to overcoming ... racism and obstacles,” Gioia said. “The second thing is it’s symbolic to your commitment for equity across all populations, not just African American and LGBTQ, but to those with special needs and Latinos.”

During public comment that took place at the top of the meeting, before the

outgoing councilmembers spoke and the new ones were sworn in, several people in support of Palestinians in Gaza spoke, asking the council to adopt a resolution in support of a ceasefire in the ongoing Hamas-Israel war. A group had been outside City Hall prior to the meeting holding a peaceful rally.

But after Rudnick ended public comment after 30 minutes, which she set beforehand, supporters of Palestine, who had been outside the council chambers because that room was at capacity, started shouting loudly and disrupting the speakers. After three warnings from city officials, police were asked to escort the demonstrators outside, where they continued to protest for a while. t

The new El Cerrito City Council includes, from left, Lisa Motoyama, Rebecca Saltzman, Mayor Carolyn Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Quinto, and William Ktsanes.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559262 In the matter of the application of NINA ANN O’SHEA AKA NINA CASTRONOVO, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner NINA ANN O’SHEA AKA NINA CASTRONOVO is requesting that the name NINA ANN O’SHEA AKA NINA CASTRONOVO be changed to NINA ANN O’SHEA. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 24th of DECEMBER 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405018 The following person(s) is/are doing business as REMOVALDEFENSE.AI, 2431 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed BLAKE KOCH. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/20/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/20/2024.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405013 The following person(s) is/are doing business as PURE LAUNDRY, 210 COLLEGE AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed PURE LAUNDRY LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/20/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/20/2024.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405001 The following person(s) is/are doing business as MISSION CREEK ELECTRIC, 1008 GUERRERO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed THOMAS WILSON TILLINGHAST. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/18/2024.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405017 The following person(s) is/are doing business as BIG FEELS, 546 LAGUNA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed CALIHART LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/20/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/20/2024.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405029 The following person(s) is/are doing business as VALES BARBERSHOP, 3422 25TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed GERMAN ENRIQUE HERNANDEZ TAY. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/14/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/22/2024.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF RICHARD WONG IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-24-307951 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of RICHARD WONG. A Petition for Probate has been filed by WILLIAM W. QUAN JR. in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that WILLIAM W. QUAN JR. be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: DECEMBER 23, 2024, 9:00 am, Dept. 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: ERIN RISWOLD (SBN 322965), KOONS & RISWOLD, A LAW CORPORATION, 11990 HERITAGE OAK PL #1A, AUBURN, CA 95603; Ph. (530) 885-7538.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024

Early life

Mr. Dockendorff was born March 23, 1939 and grew up in Burlington, Iowa.

He was the son of Henry and Dorothy Dockendorff.

“I knew at a very early age I liked boys,” he said in the video interview.

“Matching up boy-girl, I’d go on a double date to be around the boys I liked.”

He said he played high school sports – basketball and football – and was in the choir, band, and involved with the yearbook.

Mr. Dockendorff graduated with a master’s degree from the University of Iowa.

cations he had started over the years.

“I’m proud of what I have done and am privileged to continue doing; and I am proud of the progress the community I love so much has made over the past few decades,” he wrote.

Mr. Masters was born April 13, 1961.

He is survived by his mother, Josie Kirkland; and his sister, Tammy Masters, along with many friends and colleagues across the country. t The Bay Area Reporter contributed reporting.

Cynthia Laird

Legals>> ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559230 In the matter of the application of MARILIN ADRIANA MIJANGOS LOPEZ, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner MARILIN ADRIANA MIJANGOS LOPEZ is requesting that the name MARILIN ADRIANA MIJANGOS LOPEZ be changed to MARILYN ADRIANA LOPEZ. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 2nd of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559311 In the matter of the application of STEPHEN GUO & LIYING HUANG, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioners STEPHEN GUO & LIYING HUANG are requesting that the name DAMON GUO be changed to VINCENT GUO. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 7th of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559289 In the matter of the application of MARIA ELENA RENTA AKA MARIA ELENA ANDRADE AKA MARY ELLEN RENTA, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner MARIA ELENA RENTA AKA MARIA ELENA ANDRADE AKA MARY ELLEN RENTA is requesting that the name MARIA ELENA RENTA AKA MARIA ELENA ANDRADE AKA MARY ELLEN RENTA be changed to MARY ELLEN RENTA. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 2nd of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559314 In the matter of the application of KI IL RYU AKA KI RYU AKA KI I RYU, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner KI IL RYU AKA KI RYU AKA KI I RYU is requesting that the name KI IL RYU AKA KI RYU AKA KI I RYU be changed to KIRA GIIL RYU. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the th of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559296 In the matter of the application of MARIA DOLORES GOMEZ DE LEON AKA MARIA DOLORES GOMEZ AKA MARIA D GOMEZ DE LEON AKA MARIA D GOMEZ, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner MARIA DOLORES GOMEZ DE LEON AKA MARIA DOLORES GOMEZ AKA MARIA D GOMEZ DE LEON AKA MARIA D GOMEZ is requesting that the name MARIA DOLORES GOMEZ DE LEON AKA MARIA DOLORES GOMEZ AKA MARIA D GOMEZ DE LEON AKA MARIA D GOMEZ be changed to MARIA DOLORES GOMEZ. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 2nd of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405005 The following person(s) is/are doing business as GOSPEL SWAG, 36 CAMPBELL AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ANDRÉ HENDERSON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/10/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/18/2024.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405008 The following person(s) is/are doing business as PETIT CROISSANT STUDIO, 150 VAN NESS AVE #934, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KAYLA MANYIN WONG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/13/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/19/2024.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405020 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SUN & SHIELD TECH SERVICES, 625 BUSH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed TIMOTHY JOSEPH GERALD ACKERMAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/21/2024.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405019 The following person(s) is/are doing business as PETITS PAS, 564 MONTEREY BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed VIRGINIE PERSONNE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/25/2016. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/21/2024.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405004 The following person(s) is/are doing business as POINT LOBOS COACHING, 220 22ND AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JAMES (JIM) BROSHAR. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/15/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/18/2024.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405986 The following person(s) is/are doing business as PROFESSOR BUSINESS HOURS, 21 SYCAMORE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed PHILIP TRAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/13/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/15/2024.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405754 The following person(s) is/are doing business as COMMUNITY CATS INTERNATIONAL, 537 JONES ST #2436, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed STEVEN V. YODER. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/09/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/21/2024.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0404988 The following person(s) is/are doing business as PACIFIC MOVING SERVICES, 425 AVENUE M, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94130. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed AMAN EXPEDITE LLC (WA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/15/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/15/2024.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0404995 The following person(s) is/are doing business as 50FLYINGFISH, 350 BRODERICK ST #202, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117.

This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed PAWCATIONS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/04/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/18/2024.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2024

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME FILE 1516576600025 The filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclusive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable customers to be able to identify the true owner of a business. The Assumed Name: KHARI YERO MAYO. Principal Place of Business: C/O 1221 REVERE AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, 94124, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Applicant: MAYO, KHARI YERO; Address: C/O 1221 REVERE AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, 94124, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. If you submit an attachment, it will be incorporated into this document. If the attachment conflicts with the information specifically set forth in this document, this document supersedes the data referenced in the attachment.

Signed: MAYO, KHARI YERO. Steve Simon, Secretary of State. 11/29/2024.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2024 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559338 In the matter of the application of AMY CAROLINE HAEUSER, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner AMY CAROLINE HAEUSER is requesting that the name AMY CAROLINE HAEUSER be changed to AMY KAROLINE ALOUI. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 14th of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2024 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559353 In the matter of the application of JULIA DILLON, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner JULIA DILLON is requesting that the name JULIA CHRISTIAN DILLON be changed to JULIA DILLON SHOLTZ. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 16th of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2024 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559352 In the matter of the application of CRAIG HALL, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner CRAIG HALL is requesting that the name CRAIG HALL be changed to ANSAR EL MUHAMMAD. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 16th of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405014 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SINCERE REALTY, 745 46TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KENNETH J.H. CHIU. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/20/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/20/2024.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2024

t

Legals>>

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405073 The following person(s) is/are doing business as THIS THE WAY; THIS THE WAY MUSIC, 166 GEARY ST STE 1500 #1832, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KHARI MAYO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/27/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/27/2024.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405039 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SMALL STEPS; SMALL STEPS COMMUNITY, 853 ARGUELLO BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JANICE POLLOCK. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/12/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/22/2024.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405057 The following person(s) is/are doing business as E YE’S CONSTRUCTION, 335 VERNON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed EUGENE JIAN WEI YE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/26/2024.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405061 The following person(s) is/are doing business as PAMELA ROBINSON, ARCHITECT, 4446 23RD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed PAMELA ROBINSON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/26/2024.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405036 The following person(s) is/are doing business as HOTEL FIONA, 140 7TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed HF SF HOLDINGS LLC (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/22/2024.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405033 The following person(s) is/are doing business as HOTEL GARRETT, 112 7TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed HG SF HOLDINGS LLC (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/22/2024.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405040 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SOMA HOUSE; SOMA SOCIAL, 121 7TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed SH SF HOLDINGS LLC (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/22/2024.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2024

December 19-25, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 11

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559389 In the matter of the application of CHRISTINE MICHELLE STROHL, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner CHRISTINE MICHELLE STROHL is requesting that the name CHRISTINE MICHELLE STROHL AKA CHRISTINE STROHL AKA CHRISTINE MICHELLE CELIC be changed to CHRISTINE CELIC STROHL. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 23rd of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559380 In the matter of the application of CAMPBELL VANPLANTINGA, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner CAMPBELL VANPLANTINGA is requesting that the name CAMPBELL VANPLANTINGA be changed to CAMPBELL ANGUS. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 21st of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559379 In the matter of the application of CAITLIN VOEGELE, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner CAITLIN VOEGELE is requesting that the name CAITLIN VOEGELE be changed to CAITLIN ANGUS. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 21st of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559370 In the matter of the application of SAMY LARNEY, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner SAMY LARNEY is requesting that the name SAMY LARNEY be changed to SAMY HERNANDEZ. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 21st of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559387 In the matter of the application of JARED SAMUEL PAREDES SOJO, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner JARED SAMUEL PAREDES SOJO is requesting that the name JARED SAMUEL PAREDES SOJO be changed to ZALAI CASSIAN PAREDES SOJO. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 23rd of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405041 The following person(s) is/are doing business as HOTEL JULIAN; CARLOTTA, 940 SUTTER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed HJ SF HOLDINGS LLC (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/22/2024.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559386 In the matter of the application of JESSICA DENISE JONES, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner JESSICA DENISE JONES is requesting that the name JESSICA DENISE JONES be changed to J.J. JONES. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 23rd of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE 2023-0400436 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as HOTEL FIONA, 140 7TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business was conducted by a limited liability company, and signed by SF CARRIAGE LLC (DE). The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 05/23/2023. The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/27/2024.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405058 The following person(s) is/are doing business as JOY VARIETY SHOP, 1975 34TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed XINMEI XIE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/26/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF FLORENCE V. TASSANO AKA FLORENCE VIRGINIA TASSANO IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-24-307957 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of FLORENCE V. TASSANO AKA FLORENCE VIRGINIA TASSANO. A Petition for Probate has been filed

by RICKEY L. TASSANO in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that RICKEY L. TASSANO be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: DECEMBER 30, 2024, 9:00 am, Dept. 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: GARY R. LIEBERMAN, ESQ. (CSB 71684), 7 MT LASSEN DR #A150, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94903; Ph. (415) 897-2226.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405087 The following person(s) is/are doing business as EQUITY ONE, 2269 CHESTNUT ST #967, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed BRENDA M. OBRA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/12/2015. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/03/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559364 In the matter of the application of DONALD ALLAN GOODWIN, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner DONALD ALLAN GOODWIN is requesting that the name DONALD ALLAN GOODWIN be changed to DONALD MICHAEL PARRISH. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 21st of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 AMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24559155 In the matter of the amended application of ASHLEY ROSE PINTO CANTO, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said amended application that petitioner ASHLEY ROSE PINTO CANTO is requesting that the name ASHLEY ROSE PINTO CANTO be changed to ASHLEY ROSE CANTO-AGUILAR. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 4th of FEBRUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405092 The following person(s) is/are doing business as VIBRANT BAY PAINT & CONSULTING, 250 KING ST #616, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MARTY SKYLER GUILLEN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/27/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/03/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405086 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CAFE LA JOIE, 189 6TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed AZIZ A. BENARAFA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/02/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/02/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0404975 The following person(s) is/are doing business as TUMIZI SKIN, 1538 PACIFIC AVE #110, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SABRINA ALI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/13/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/13/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0404984 The following person(s) is/are doing business as GAA AUTO REPAIR AND BODY SHOP, 135 HYDE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed GUSTAVO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/14/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405091 The following person(s) is/are doing business as D&F MOBILE TRUCK REPAIR, 200 TOLAND ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DIMAS DOMINGUEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/03/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/03/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405105 The following person(s) is/are doing business as ABALONE ACUPUNCTURE, 3900 IRVING ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KAITLIN SHANER. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/02/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/05/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405109 The following person(s) is/are doing business as TOGETHER FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION, 68 ARNOLD AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed NORA ROMAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/05/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/05/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405072 The following person(s) is/are doing business as LETTY PROPERTY AND PERSONAL CARE, 3186 23RD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94130. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LETICIA SERRANO JUAREZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/18/2013. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/27/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405054 The following person(s) is/are doing business as EVENTS CONSULTING, 925 SUTTER ST #304, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LAUREN VANG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/25/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405127 The following person(s) is/are doing business as JAKGI CAPITAL, 181 IDORA AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JESUS ALEJANDRO ARCE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/09/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/09/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405027 The following person(s) is/are doing business as TBT TAX SERVICES, 600 ELLIS ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed TBT TAX SERVICES INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/21/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/21/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405119 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SAN FRANCISCO HEALTH PLAN, 50 BEALE ST, 12TH FLOOR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed SAN FRANCISCO HEALTH AUTHORITY (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/1997. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/06/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405078 The following person(s) is/are doing business as FIRE DIGITAL, 275 8TH ST, FL 3, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed XEDERIF INC. (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/27/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405104 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CIAORIGATO, 111 MASON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed MDE HOSPITALITY GROUP LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/05/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405081 The following person(s) is/are doing business as STAY SWEET SF, 8400 OCEANVIEW TERRACE #320, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed STAY SWEET SF LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/02/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/02/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405115 The following person(s) is/are doing business as DOPPIO CAFE, 1551 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed SF 1551 LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/06/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405111 The following person(s) is/are doing business as GLO RITUALS AESTHETICS, 1304 CASTRO ST SUITE C, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed TORI MILA MANAGEMENT LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/06/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as GREEN TWIG SALON, 1299 CHURCH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed FREEDOM THREADS (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/04/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/04/2024.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559378 In the matter of the application of RIC FAJARDO RODRIGO AKA RICHARD F. RODRIGO, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner RIC FAJARDO RODRIGO AKA RICHARD F. RODRIGO is requesting that the name RIC FAJARDO RODRIGO AKA RICHARD F. RODRIGO be changed to RICHARD FAJARDO RODRIGO. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 21st of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559390 In the matter of the application of KEREN SEGAL & JOE SEGAL, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioners KEREN SEGAL & JOE SEGAL are requesting that the name MICAH ELIJAH SEGAL be changed to MICAH ELI SEGAL. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 23rd of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559392 In the matter of the application of MOHAMED SHAIEA, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner MOHAMED SHAIEA is requesting that the name MOHAMED SHAIEA be changed to MOHAMED ALI HASAN SHAIEA. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 28th of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559401 In the matter of the application of KATHERINE MEI NEUPAUER, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner KATHERINE MEI NEUPAUER is requesting that the name KATHERINE MEI NEUPAUER be changed to KATHERINE MEI GEATING. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 28th of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559409 In the matter of the application of SHAFIQUR RAHMAN KHAN, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner SHAFIQUR RAHMAN KHAN is requesting that the name SHAFIQUR RAHMAN KAHN be changed to NEAL KING. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 30th of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559402 In the matter of the application of EMILY ELIZABETH RYAN, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner EMILY ELIZABETH RYAN is requesting that the name EMILY ELIZABETH RYAN be changed to EMILY RYAN ROSENZWEIG. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 28th of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559406 In the matter of the application of JOSHUA ANTHONY JORDAN, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner JOSHUA ANTHONY JORDAN is requesting that the name JOSHUA ANTHONY JORDAN be changed to YESHUA JORDAN NAVO. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 28th of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 AMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-559193 In the matter of the amended application of GUSTAVO ADOLFO MANZANARES III, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said amended application that petitioner GUSTAVO ADOLFO MANZANARES III, is requesting that the name GUSTAVO ADOLFO MANZANARES III, be changed to GUSTAVO ANTONIO MANZANARES. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 28th of JANUARY 2025 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405145 The following person(s) is/are doing business as PHUC HUYNH, 434 LEAVENWORTH ST #210, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed HUE PHUC NGOC HUYNH. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/10/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/10/2024.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405149 The following person(s) is/are doing business as GENE’S LIQUOR, 2201 TARAVAL ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed HAMIK MINAS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/30/2007. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/11/2024.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405153 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SJC CONSULTING SERVICE, 325 BERRY ST #408, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94158. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed STACI SOOJIN CHANG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/11/2024.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405123 The following person(s) is/are doing business as ON THE GO TRUCKN, 94 TEDDY AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed YEURRA BLAYLOCK JR.. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/09/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/09/2024.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405176 The following person(s) is/are doing business as LUTRA TERRA, 1443 ALABAMA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LAURA CULLENWARD. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/13/2024.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405009 The following person(s) is/are doing business as STILL POINT CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY SF, 414 JACKSON ST #204, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed KATHLEEN GEISSE INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/19/2024.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405142 The following person(s) is/are doing business as HAPPY POKE, 2760 OCTAVIA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed AZM GROUP, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/15/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/10/2024.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405144 The following person(s) is/are doing business as THE ROLL, 921 FOLSOM ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed 921 FOLSOM, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/10/2024.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405083 The following person(s) is/are doing business as PROJECT D, 2740 36TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed DREAMFEVAS (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/02/2024.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405165 The following person(s) is/are doing business as UHANDY LLC, 800 EMBARCADERO #237, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed UHANDY LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/03/2014. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/12/2024.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405173 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SPLASH AT THRIVE CITY, 191 WARRIORS WAY #102, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94158. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed TC BEVCO LLC (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/13/2024.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2024-0405136 The following person(s) is/are doing business as THE COMMUNITY CODE; CUSTOM LIVING SOLUTIONS, 310 TOWNSEND ST #412, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107.

This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed CUSTOM LIVING SOLUTIONS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/25/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/09/2024.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE 2023-0400435 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as HOTEL GARRETT, 112 7TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by SF GOOD LLC (DE). The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 05/25/2023. The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/10/2024.

DEC 19, 26, 2024; JAN 02, 09, 2025

Classifieds Hauling>> HAULING 24/7

(415) 441-1054 Large Truck

Legal Services>> Law Office of Shelley S. Feinberg Serving the San Francisco Bay Area LGBTQ+ Community Since 1999.

• Probate • Wills/Trusts • Trust Admin • Estate Planning FLAT FEE! Flood Building 870 Market St, Suite 420

By Appointment only!

415-421-1893 www.ShelleySFeinberg.com trust@shelleysfeinberg.com

Services>> BILL DELAO ELECTRICIAN Residential & Commercial: wiring, lighting, fire/security alarms, motor controls, conveyors, conversions. Bonded, licensed & insured. 415-420-3054 cel, billdelao@sbcglobal.net

JUAN OF A KIND HANDYMAN Great candor, good looks.

Assembly, maintenance, painting & repairs.

(415) 745-1360

KITCHEN CABINET PAINTING

Handyman 25 Yrs Exp. Jacob Morales (415) 516-1469.

Tech Support >> MACINTOSH HELP 30+ YEARS EXPERIENCE SFMacMan.com

RICK

415.821.1792

Terry Lorant

by Jim Gladstone

S

Holiday triple plays New versions of old favorites Corey Bryant and Rotimi Agbabiaka in ‘Peter Pan: Panto in the Presidio’

Judging by the thin gruel served up as holiday fare at “Deep Inside Tonight!”, it may be time to 86 the Kinsey Sicks.

From its San Francisco beginnings back in 1993, the Dragapella® Beauty Shop Quartet, blazed a valuable trail, using smart parody songs to fight back and lift queer spirits in the face of

LD Entertainment

Netflix

Disneyland-worthy delights.

Director Liam Vincent keeps the show moving along at a brisk clip, and, in something of a showbiz holiday miracle, manages to consistently hit a tonal sweet spot that will simultaneously engage impatient preschoolers and jaded queers. Bring the fam.

‘Peter Pan: Panto in the Presidio,’ through Dec. 29. $33.90-$67.80. Presidio Theatre.

99 Moraga Ave. www.presidiotheatre.org

the AIDS crisis, intolerant conservative politics, and antisemitism. They were a hit off-Broadway, in Las Vegas, and even overseas.

But the registered trademark symbol long ago added to the group’s self-description has proven a harbinger of present-day circumstances. “Deep Inside Tonight!” seems more like a ritual trotting out of intellectual property than the angry, angsty artistry that were the Kinseys at their keenest.

Like the Four Tops and the Temptations, the band plays on without any of its original members, banking on nostalgic appeal. Group founder Ben Schatz, a Harvard-educated lawyer who developed AIDS policy for Bill Clinton, still keeps a hand in their management (and wrote many of their parody lyrics).

See page 14 >>

Strand Releasing

recognizable melodies. Chappell Roan and Bruno Mars are among the desecrated, but the show’s apotheosis is a pirate rave in which Madonna’s “Vogue” becomes the gloriously dopey “Boat.”

Such pop culture pastiche borrows as much from San Francisco’s late, great “Beach Blanket Babylon” revue as from UK panto. And, indeed, cast members Lubin and Curt Branum, who plays elastic-faced emcee Dolores, as well as music director Bill Keck, are emeriti of that yuk-yuk juggernaut.

Spectacularly embellished costumes, bold makeup and gargantuan technicolor wigs by a team led by Alina Bokovikova, Calli Carvajal, and Lindsay Saier gleam like Christmas ornaments. And the endlessly clever production, lighting, and projection design by Sean Riley, Andrea Schwartz and Peter Crompton provide

Sandi DuBowski

ometimes revisiting a time-honored tradition lends the perfect twinkle to holiday season theater productions; sometimes not. One sugarplum and two lumps of coal, coming in hot!

The cast has a habit of throwing candy from the stage at “Peter Pan: Panto in the Presidio.”

It goes flying over the heads of the kids in the audience, as do fistfuls of cheeky innuendo. As a treat for little ones in your life, an offbeat date night, or some much-needed quality time with your inner child, the fourth annual edition of this glitzy camp extravaganza delivers a shot of 100-proof seasonal cheer.

Blending fractured fairytales, slapstick humor, and audience participation, Christmas pantos are a British holiday tradition which producer Peggy Haas, a longtime fan, first brought to San Francisco four years ago. Like its Presidio predecessors, “Aladdin,” and “Sleeping Beauty,” “Peter Pan” plays fast and loose with its source material.

Writer/lyricists Stephanie Brown and Richard Ciccarone give us Wendy (Abigail Esfira Campbell) as a hard-driving corporate tool, Peter (Corey Bryant) as a dimwit twunk, and Captain Hook (Rotimi Agbabiaka) as a swishbuckling casualty of the “Great British Baking Show” (Don’t ask, just go).

The suave crocodile (William Schmidt) frequents a reptiles-only Neverland disco, and the mermaid (Renée Lubin) makes like Ethel Merman, belting barn-burning parody versions of Earth, Wind and Fire and Gloria Gaynor classics.

In the show’s 14 silly song-and-dance numbers, pop hits become Dad jokes as garlands of groan-worthy wordplay are grafted onto instantly

Sizzling cinema Best LGBTQ films of 2024 Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofia Gascon in ‘Emilia Perez’

by Brian Bromberger

2024

was forecast as a potentially poor year for movies due to last year’s Hollywood actors’ and writers’ strikes that delayed set productions for six months, moving movie release dates into 2025.

However, a slew of superb films coming at the end of the year (“Anora,” “A Complete Unknown” (with Timothy Chalamet’s early Bob Dylan, his best performance since “Call Me By Your Name”), “A Real Pain,”(Jesse Eisenberg’s superb odd couple post-Holocaust road trip to Poland with a devastating Kieran Culkin as a dysfunctional cousin), “September 5,” “Babygirl,” “Wicked,” “Conclave,” “The Brutalist,” and “Nickel Boys”) has transformed a mediocre slate into a top-drawer one.

As far as 2024’s LGBTQ films, it’s been a slightly above average year, with streaming platforms, indie projects, and international cinema the source of almost all queer movies, with more higher quality narrative features than documentaries. Perhaps in reaction to the anti-trans attitude sweeping the nation in the last two years, trans films were the highlight this year, encompassing four out of the ten films selected as the best of 2024.

These lists are highly subjective, but a common theme appears to be the importance of

‘Sabbath Queen’

‘National Anthem’

queer folk fearlessly expressing themselves even when others object. As we shakily approach a new administration in 2025, it will be artists fearlessly expressing their visions, who could lead any cultural/political resistance.

guing the whole is not greater than the sum of its parts, but its enthralling audaciousness compels one to forgive its flaws and embrace its originality as a twisted, tragic fairy tale complete with life affirming social commentary.

1. Emilia Perez. This wild ride plays like an opera, or more fittingly a telenovela that’s a mix of genres from crime caper to musical to lesbian romance, makes the film unpredictable and exhilarating. Rita (Zoe Saldana), a disillusioned lawyer, is asked by a drug cartel boss, Manitas, (trans Karla Sofia Gascon) to help him fake his own death, arrange to have gender-affirming surgery so he can become the woman he always felt himself to be, then relocate his wife Jessi (Selma Gomez) and children to Switzerland.

Part two occurs four years later when Rita again encounters Manitas as Emilia Perez, who asks her to help make amends for the suffering she caused in her former criminal life, but also to reunite her with her children. The film is filled with hit or miss songs. All three actresses are standouts, especially Gascon who creates a capacious, enigmatic, contradictory character.

A French film made in Mexico, it’s already been nominated for ten Golden Globe awards and a likely Oscar Best Picture contender. Yes, it is a hodgepodge of styles and moods with some ar-

2. Sabbath Queen. The compelling story recounts the 20-year journey of gay Amichai Lau-Lavie, descendant of 38 generations of Orthodox Jewish rabbis. Outed by the Israeli press, he emigrates to New York where he gets involved with the Radical Faeries and develops a hilarious stage drag persona. He establishes a God-optional, pop-up experimental Jewish synagogue (Lab/Shul), enacting his religion as performance approach that welcomes everyone. He’s ordained a Conservative Jewish rabbi, criticized by his family, but gets in trouble when he performs a same-gender marriage. This must-see thought-provoking documentary is a piercing critique on how divisive queer voices are marginalized in institutional religion today.

3. National Anthem. A dynamic visionary film on America’s LGBTQ rodeo subculture focuses on Dylan (Charlie Plummer), a 21-yearold unskilled day laborer in rural New Mexico, who starts working at a queer dude ranch. He develops a crush on the free-spirited, flirty trans

‘All Shall Be Well’

barrel racer Sky (Eve Lindley), who’s in an open polyamorous relationship with owner Pepe (Rene Rosado).

Dylan finds a real sense of belonging so he can explore freely his identity. Rather than a parody of hetero-cowboy machismo, the film depicts a safe space for those victimized by toxic masculinity. Anchored by Plummer’s whatshould’ve been-a-star-making performance, the film presents an inclusive fantasy of what America could become, where disruptive binaries separating us from one another are dispelled, and we live in harmony with each other.

4. All Shall Be Well. This gem from Hong Kong concerns a successful lesbian couple, Angie and Pat, together for 30 years. Pat dies unexpectedly, leaving Angie at the mercy of Pat’s family.

Because there’s no same-sex marriage in Hong Kong, Angie must cede to the wishes of Pat’s surviving brother, which might include kicking Pat out of her apartment. It’s about grief and maintaining dignity in the face of family opposition, especially what can happen when you don’t have legal rights or a will. A tender, beautiful but heartbreaking film, it seeks acceptance amid the sustaining power of memories of love.

See page 13 >>

t

Film>>

‘Sally!’

December 19-25, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 13

Documentary honors the lesbian activist’s life

by Evelyn C. White

M

Both photos: Baytree Productions

Left: Sally Gearhart in the documentary, ‘Sally!’

Right: Sally Gearhart at a 1970s rally against Prop. 6

With megaphone in hand, a visibly distraught Gearhart implores the crowd to vent their anger peacefully: “Harvey would not want violence,” she says, repeatedly, as the irate “White Night” rioters hurl rocks, smash windows, and torch police cars throughout the city.

Aside from Gearhart’s passion for lipstick (“I’ve never been without it,” she quips in the film), the native of rural Virginia routinely defied the norms for women of her generation. She eschewed marriage, earned a doctorate

‘Mad About the Boy: The Noel Coward Story’

<<

Best LGBTQ films

From page 12

7. Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story. Shane was a dynamic Black trans soul/R & B vocalist in the 1960s, poised to become a big star. She toured throughout Canada and the U.S., scoring a modest hit, “Any Other Way.” Worn out by the daily pressures

and cruelties of being her true trans self, she left the industry in 1971, becoming a virtual recluse.

Shortly before she died in 2019, she approved a CD-box set retrospective, nominated for a Grammy, with talk of a comeback tour. She left her nieces a storage room of memorabilia and a handwritten unpublished autobiography. Absolutely terrific film that is a tragic story, but a posthumous victory, since Shane will now not be forgotten.

8. High Tide. Brazilian immigrant Lourenco (Marco Piossi) finds himself alone and heartbroken in Provincetown after being dumped by his American boyfriend Joe. He’s staying in a cottage owned by Joe’s sympathetic widower friend. He survives by cleaning houses, but his tourist visa is about to expire. He meets Black tourist/nurse Maurice (James Bland) on the beach, starting a brief affair that can only last through the end of the week. This melancholy under-the-radar romance shows two drifting souls trying to make a solid connection, with a lovely performance by Marisa

A24 Films

‘My Old Ass’

Banger Films

Giant Pictures

6. Luther: Never Too Much. An affectionate appreciation of singer Luther Vandross (1951-2005), this documentary recounts the life of the composer, arranger, producer, nominated for nine Grammys, winning once. Pidgeon-holed as R & B, he never hit # 1 on the pop Billboard charts.

A victim of racism, homophobia, and cruel jokes about his weight, he was probably gay but wouldn’t deny or confirm it. He never found one person to love. His final song, “Dance with My Father,” was his biggest hit right before he died of a stroke. This is a sad story of a vocal virtuoso artist who didn’t receive the respect his music deserved.

Scythia Films

5. Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story and Merchant Ivory (tie). Both are absorbing and revealing documentaries on two high culture icons. Coward (1899-1973) was a playwright (“Private Lives,” “Blithe Spirit”), songwriter (“Mrs. Worthington”), director, Las Vegas cabaret star, and actor, a gay mid-20th-century Renaissance performer. The film looks at his life through a queer lens, told through his own inimitable words, proclaiming Coward was his own greatest invention as a closeted, witty, sophisticated English playboy.

Merchant/Ivory was the long-running, gay independent film production team that created such elegant Oscar-winning costume period dramas as “A Room with a View,” the gay romance “Maurice,” “Howard’s End,” and “Remains of the Day.” An open, interracial couple, their private dramas rivalled anything they made for the screen. Neither in the closet or openly out, James Ivory, at 96, for the

‘Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story’

‘Luther: Never Too Much’

first time discusses his sexuality and partnership with Ismail Merchant, who died in 2005.

at age 23, and secured college teaching positions in Texas. There, after being gay-baited, she bid farewell to the Lone Star state and landed in San Francisco where she soon emerged as “a radical lesbian lighthouse,” as noted in the film.

Indeed, as the first openly lesbian to score tenure at San Francisco State University, she helped to launch the first women’s and gender study programs in the country. Gearhart was also among the ass-kicking Amazons who appear in “Superdyke” (1975), the iconic com-

‘I Saw the TV Glow’

www.sallygearhartfilm.com

LD Entertainment

underscored by Craig’s riveting footage of Gearhart as she tries to calm the enraged throng of gay activists (and their supporters) who flooded the streets to protest the voluntary manslaughter sentence (seven years) that Dan White received for his November 27, 1978 assassination, in cold blood, of Harvey Milk and then-San Francisco Mayor George Moscone.

Had White been convicted of firstdegree murder, his sentence likely would have been, at a minimum, 25 years to life.

Greenwich Entertainment

emo to “Milk” director Gus Van Sant and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black: You’ve been cold-busted.

For Sally Gearhart, the firebrand lesbian feminist who played an irrefutable role in the ascent of San Francisco city supervisor Harvey Milk, was summarily scrubbed from your 2008 Academy Award-winning biopic.

The evidence? Check the footage in “Sally!” that depicts Gearhart’s takedown of then-California State Senator John Briggs (of failed anti-gay Prop. 6 fame) while Milk, laughing, revels in her mastery.

In a brilliant split-screen editing move, director Deborah Craig juxtaposes shots from the 1978 televised debate against a clip from Van Sant’s film in which Sean Penn, in his Oscarwinning role as Harvey Milk, is shown debating Briggs solo.

Moreover, screenwriter Black appropriated Gearhart’s powerful oratory from the debate and gave her lines (ventriloquist style) to Penn.

Not surprisingly, Gearhart, who died in 2021 at age 90, had a ready response to her erasure in Van Sant’s Hollywood feature. “It happens to women all the time,” she declares in Craig’s magnificent documentary.

The blatant misstep in “Milk” is also

edy by pioneering lesbian filmmaker Barbara Hammer (1939-2019). Craig includes engaging clips from the release in “Sally!” Ditto for Gearhart’s appearance in the landmark documentary “Word Is Out” (1977).

Gearhart’s acclaimed novel “The Wanderground” (1978) features a group of women who’ve fled the city to live together in the wilderness.

The book has been hailed as an early ecofeminist text and reportedly influenced Gearhart’s purchase (with several other lesbians) of a large property in Mendocino County where they built homes and formed a community.

“Sally!” features engrossing footage of the women working on the land and is especially noteworthy for its candid discussions about the sexual liaisons that strengthened and strained the group. It also highlights Gearhart’s polyamorous relationship with her long-time partner, Jane Gurko, also a distinguished SF State professor, who died in 2010 at age 69.

At a time of growing racial divisions in the country, all praises to Deborah Craig for including the voices of women of color activists such as Gwenn Craig, Jewelle Gomez and Cherrie Moraga, in her outstanding documentary.t

‘High Tide’

Tomei as a queer advocate/friend.

Handsome Pigossi as Lourenco is a star in the making, with P’town never looking more visually sumptuous.

9. My Old Ass. The lesbianish “All of Us Strangers” asks, if you could go back to an earlier time in your life, would you correct any mistakes? Elliott (Maisy Stella), celebrating her 18th birthday by tripping on psychedelic mushrooms, encounters a 39-year-old woman (Aubrey Plaza) who claims to be the person she will become in twenty years. She warns her to stay away from anyone named Chad. The next day she meets student Chad, who’s hired as a summer worker on Elliott’s family farm. She’s attracted to him, despite identifying as a lesbian.

It’s poignant, but not sentimental, reminding us it’s the small moments of life that matter most.

10. I Saw the TV Glow. A surreal, mind-bending, claustrophobic fantasy by trans, non-binary writer/director Jane Schoenbrun features Owen (Justice Smith), who becomes obsessed with his favorite TV show, “The Pink Opaque” and its grotesque imagery. The film details how his continued fixation affects his life as he feels like an outsider in his

own world. Probably trans, Owen has a sense he’s someone other than himself, searching for a true self he can’t identify. Among the most debated films of 2024, this provocative, inventive movie’s message, don’t be scared of being who you are because secrets and lies are soul-killing, seems even more relevant post-election than it did back in May. Honorable Mentions: “Queer” (a surreal film on gay obsessive desire marred by addiction in the repressive 1950s, but elevated by Daniel Craig’s tour de force performance as a standin for William S. Burroughs); “Sally” (documentary on Sally Gearhart, the lesbian San Francisco State professor, fantasy writer, and political activist, who joined forces with Harvey Milk to defeat 1978’s Briggs Amendment attempting to ban LGBTQ people from teaching in California schools); “Sebastian” (a young, ambitious gay British journalist freelancing as a sex worker to obtain research for a book, but really avoiding intimacy); and “Linda Perry: Let It Die Here” (documentary on the lesbian singer/ songwriter and former 4 Non Blondes band member, revealing her emotionally raw and ruthlessly honest creative process).t

<< Books

14 • Bay Area Repor ter • December 19-25, 2024

Playgirl’s pages

t

‘Official History of a Cult Magazine’ bares (almost) all

by Jim Provenzano

F

or gay and bisexual men of a certain age, Playgirl provided the first in-hand periodical that featured full-frontal male nudity. More explicit gay content was usually relegated to under-the-counter sales or in adult sex shops.

Initially started in the 1970s as a women’s version of Playboy, the magazine was an instant success. Briefly rivaled

by Bob Guccione’s lesser softfocus publication Viva, it remained the most popular form of women-focused editorial on health, feminism, sexuality, and, of course, male nudity.

For the editors to call it a ‘cult’ magazine is a bit of a misnomer, since any horny American teenager could buy (or shoplift) a copy of the magazine at their mall bookstore, which sold 14 million copies in its early years.

Playgirl’s gay fandom is acknowledged, but the majority of the book’s contents include multiple nudes, celebrity interviews, and essays about the magazine from its editors and contributors.

Gay filmmaker Bruce LaBruce writes in the introduction, “What really matters about the advent of Playgirl – a feisty feminist corrective to those big-titted juggernauts Playboy and Penthouse, whose outsize popularity seemed to imply that only men could get their rocks off by perusing the nude human form – is that feminists finally got to eat their cake, so to speak, and have it.”

Bruce praises the publication not only for its “jerk-off material,” but for interviews with the likes of Maya Angelou, Dolly Parton and Sandra Bernhard.

<<

Holiday Shows

From page 12

But while the quartet’s performances once had a sharp underbite of activism, “Deep Inside Tonight!” just feels like an act. The current quartet of Spencer Brown, Jeff Manabat, Nathan Marken and J.B. McLendon are strong harmonic singers, but they feel like they’re playing fictional characters called the Kinsey Sicks rather than embodying their own deep-seated alter egos. They’re cute, cartoonish, and largely toothless.

Today the sort of smart, politically-

Popular models Rock Pamplin, Brian Buzzini, and Steve Rally are featured in the ‘Playgirl’ history book.

Nudes and news

Daniel McKernan, a gay man, would spearhead the website Playgirl TV out of the company’s 1990s2000s rut and into online popularity by 2007.

“To many a gay,” he writes, “it is a coming-of-age experience – an introduction to their sexuality – to find a stack of Playgirls under a bed.

Plenty have told me they’d stolen a Playgirl magazine as a teenager because they weren’t old enough to buy it or because they were too embarrassed to be seen purchasing it.”

The magazine initially sought lesser celebrities for its centerfolds, but shied away from full frontal nudity, only discreetly showing a bit more with the late gay actor, George Maharis, and later the unforgettable big talent of straight actor Peter Lupus.

Nicole Caldwell, Editor-in-Chief from 2006 to 2016, writes, “Feminists latched on to [the] exploraconscious drag that Kinsey pioneered can be seen on a regular basis at Oasis shows like Princess and Reparations (where the bodies that do the embodiment are markedly more diverse).

Sure, the barbershop harmonies have been left by the wayside. But the lessons of the Kinsey’s old school pedagogy have been learned and passed along.

A heartfelt thanks for a job well done.

Now it’s time to get on with the show.

‘The Kinsey Sicks: Deep Inside Tonight’ through Jan. 5. $41-$62.

New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness Ave. nctcsf.org

Proudly Celebrating our 47th Year!

1977 – 2024

3991-A 17th Street at Market & Castro (415) 864-9795

tion of male voyeurism in traditionally Western art and media, in which nude women are presented as disempowered subjects of male desire. Enter Playgirl, inviting women (and, winkingly at first, gay men) to look – and in so doing, to flip the antiquated script on who is beholding and who is being beheld.”

While acknowledging its gay readership, other contributors steer away from the fact that many of the models had been featured in, or would go on to pose in, explicit photo shoots and videos elsewhere. For example, popular 1970s model Rock Pamplin also worked with Colt Studios. By the 1990s, many other models had performed in gay porn with their names changed to confuse readers.

By the 1990s, Caldwell writes, Playgirl “was a much more explicit nod to the magazine’s gay audience – an ironic move, as sexual content for the gay market was exploding while similar content for straight women There’s a moment late in “A Whynot Christmas Carol,” American Conservatory Theatre’s sleighwreck of a holiday show, when a character turns to the playgoers at the Toni Rembe Theatre and asks, “Can we not in this moment find some reason for hope?”

It’s a set-up for the crowd to shout a plucky, “Why not?”

On opening night, it got crickets at first. (The bit isn’t well teed-up by Craig Lucas’ script, which sets no expectation for audience participation.)

But, after an awkward pause, a sole patron in the orchestra seats uttered his reply: “Nope.”

While this fellow’s response may have reflected his cynical take on the potential for societal generosity and respectful shared humanity on the eve of Trump II (Lucas draws a few too-obvious connections between Ebeneezer Scrooge and the Donner), it also spoke to the chance that this production might somehow achieve coherence before the final curtain.

Playwright Lucas and director Pam Mackinnon have created a hectic headscratcher of a replacement for A.C.T.’s traditional staging of Dickens’ classic novel. It’s an everything-everywhere-all-at-once Chrismishmash.

A contemporary community theater in a village called Whynot is producing “A Christmas Carol,” which means many A.C.T. cast members take on bi-layered roles. (For example, company stalwart Dan Hiatt plays Phil, who plays Scrooge).

In wedging both a backstage drama and an abundance of play-within-aplay sequences into a production that runs just over two hours, Lucas doesn’t leave himself room to flesh out the provincial thespians.

I can tell you virtually nothing about townsfolk Jess (Jomar Tagatac) and Simone (Jenny Nelson) other than the fact that, when they take the stage as Marley’s Ghost and The Ghost of Christmas, they’re terrific.

As stick figures alternate with ro-

was nearly impossible to find. Playgirl’s marketing still addressed women, but more and more its advertising content seemed not to.”

Most amusing is contributor Mickey Boardman’s essay, “Playgirl Made Me Gay,” in which, despite the current culture of OnlyFans and infinite porn websites, he considers Playgirl “the OG.” “In society at the time, women were usually disrespected like gays were, so it was nice to see them treated well and catered to by a popular publication,” Boardman writes. “And it was a treat to see hot men presented in a sex-positive way. These guys were happy to show off their physiques and be celebrated by readers.”

Overall, the book is the celebration of the publication’s five decades, including celebrity interviews, shots by numerous prominent photographers, pages of cartoons, and reproductions of a few too many covers and promotional items, like the

now-campy 1980s Steve Rally workout videos “on VHS!” Playgirl’s later shift to explicit online photos and videos gets short shrift, but many of those can be found on adult websites, including their own.

For a naughty stocking stuffer, any fan of vintage male erotica will be pleased by the book. However, it’s far from comprehensive in terms of the male nudity that brought such popularity.

Toward the end, the more recent version of the publication’s website shows a more underwhelming demure style. A majority of the more explicit erection-filled layouts in the 2000s are hinted at, but not displayed very prominently. At 240 pages, it’s saucy and deservedly celebratory, but not too sexual.t ‘Playgirl: The Official History of a Cult Magazine,’ $35.

Available at bookstores and at https://playgirl.com/

Above: Lois Tema Below: Kevin Berne

Left: The Kinsey Sicks (L-R) J.B. McLendon (Angel), Nathan Marken (Trixie), Jeff Manabat (Winnie) and Spencer Brown (Trampolina) Right: Dan Hiatt (left) in A.C.T.’s ‘A Whynot Christmas Carol’

bust interpretations of familiar characters, you may find yourself wishing for a Whynot-ostomy. There is plenty of impressive, expensive stagecraft, including David Zinn’s presto-change-o set design, visually dazzling illusions

by Skylar Fox, and a looming metallic Ghost of Christmas Future puppet, elegantly designed by Amanda Villalobos.

There are also inexplicable dance breaks to electronic music; jokes about

gender pronouns; a random cameo by carolers, identified as coming not from London or Whynot, but from A.C.T.’s Young Conservatory; and a hot take on able-ism vis a vis Tiny Tim. Your head will spin, but your heart will feel zip. This Christmas Carol is all busyness, no pithiness.

‘A Whynot Christmas Carol,’ through Dec. 24. $25-$148. Toni Rembe Theatre, 415 Geary St. www.act-sf.orgt

t

Books>>

December 19-25, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 15

Mala Kumar’s ‘What It Meant to Survive’

by Laura Moreno

“W

hat it Meant to Survive” by Mala Kumar is an insightful novel that transcends class, race, religion, language, and nationality to find love and healing. It is a powerful work and a must-read for people overcoming post-traumatic stress, and survivor’s guilt in particular.

Inspired by the author’s own personal experience during her senior year at Virginia Tech University, the novel poignantly illustrates the longterm social and emotional effects of such an event in a person’s life, and how she overcomes the effects. Kumar previously published the novel “The Paths of Marriage” (2014).

In many ways, the most difficult piece of the puzzle was recognizing the toll the events had taken on her.

Years later, when Ramya begins to experience memory loss, she has no idea that it may be related to a shooting massacre. The young protagonist realizes she must grapple with survivor’s guilt despite having long believed the murders had a negligible impact on her; after all, she was not present during the shooting.

But she was not altogether absent.

Finding real love on Tinder

A few pages in, despite the potential risk, the protagonist takes a chance and meets someone very special on Tinder. The story is told alternately from each woman’s perspective, allowing us to see the dance Juliet does behind the scenes with her Tinder profile. She at first lists that she is hetero, then later adds that she wants to meet women, but only for friendship.

It turns out she needn’t have worried.

When Ramya and Juliet finally meet up in person, they hit it off right from the start despite their many differences.

Ramya is an American with roots in India, temporarily on assignment in Ghana as part of her job with the UN. Juliet, a Nigerian, and has a flair for fashion design, but has yet to secure a job in Ghana, a country that is less prosper-

The gift of books

by Gregg Shapiro

T

here’s no question that books are the kinds of gifts that keep on giving. These titles by queer (and queerfriendly) authors featuring queer lives belong on your 2024 holiday gift list.

As colorful and clever as it is informative and imaginative, “Gay Science” (DK/Penguin Random House), by gay comedian Rob Anderson, creator of the viral internet series of the same name, proves that you can laugh while you learn.

Subtitled “The totally scientific imagination of LGBTQ+ culture, myths, and stereotypes,” the book separated into three parts – Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Formal Sciences –with sections touching on biology, anatomy, chemistry, physics, anthropology, history, linguistics, psychology, sociology, and forensics, among others. www.heartthrob-anderson.com Winner of the 2023 Clay Reynolds Novella Prize, the non-fiction novella “The Mary Years” (TRP: The University Press of SHSU) by multi-awardwinning poet and essayist Julie Marie Wade celebrates the unexpected parallels between a young lesbian living in a restrictive home setting and

Here’s the problem

Ramya had, in fact, just left the exact room where the shooting would take place just 20 minutes later, causing a huge commotion that she witnessed from the parking lot.

It didn’t help that her parents had forced her to attend that university, pushing her into chronic depression that she was not able to carry out her own plans for her education.

the triumphs and tribulations of Mary Tyler Moore and her beloved sitcom character Mary Richards. Wade tells this coming of age/coming out story with grace and insight. As she writes, “Everything we read, everything we write – all of it turns out to be an ongoing investigation – into the world and into ourselves.” The book’s sensational middle section alone, “Lamonts Might Have Been My WJM,” makes “The Mary Years” a fabulous gift. www.juliemariewade.com The late, gay photographer Peter Hujar, who passed away from AIDS complications at 53 in 1987, is experiencing a kind of renaissance.

Originally published almost 50 years ago by De Capo, Hujar’s black and white photography book “Portraits in Life and Death” (Liveright/W.W. Norton, 1976/2024), featuring new digital scans of the original negatives, has been rereleased with a new foreword by Benjamin Moser. Featuring portraits of John Waters, Divine, Fran Lebowitz, John Ashbery, William S. Burroughs, Charles Ludlam and others, as well as photos of mummified corpses in the Palermo catacombs, the book is essential for the photography fan on your list. www.peterhujararchive.com

Author Mala Kumar

ous but also far less homophobic than her native Nigeria. For the moment, she is struggling financially.

Actually, “What it Meant to Survive” incorporates technology into the story right from the opening page. Chapter headings include three computer icons indicating: (1) which character is narrating the chapter, (2) the date, and (3) the country location.

This innovation is very helpful in clueing the reader in on shifting points of view and setting changes since the novel is set in Ghana, Nigeria, Dubai, and the US. The novel includes occasional text messages written in computer-speak, leaving me scrambling for definitions of some of the more obscure (to me) abbreviations.

In time, the couple decides to begin a new life together in New York City, where they can live freely as a couple.

But one thing threatens their plan. In the course of their relationship, the two women realize they have something very important in common stemming from past trauma. For Ramya, it’s nightmares and occasional bouts of memory loss. And Juliet periodically struggles with time-lapse episodes. For her to be able to get through the immigration process, she will need to come to terms with its root causes.

How the pair successfully work through the difficulties will keep readers engrossed in this heartfelt international page-turner.

“What it Meant to Survive” fits into other genres, too, including selfhelp literature, migrant literature, and the new genre of hi-tech literature with a touch of surrealism as the author makes peace with all that has happened.t ‘What It Meant to Survive’ by Mala Kumar, Bywater Books, $21.95. www.bywaterbooks.com www.malakumar.com

Diverse reading for the winter holidays

“Rage: On Being Queer, Black, Brilliant…and Completely Over It” (Tiny Reparations Books), the title of the debut book by Entertainment Weekly and former Out Magazine editor Lester Fabian Brathwaite, almost says it all. But those deserving readers on your holiday gift list won’t want to miss out on how he says it in essays such as “Fucking White Boys,” “I Hate The Gays,” “Memoir of a Blouse,” and “Gifted,” to mention a few. www.lesterfabian.com Winner of the Barrow Street Editors Prize, “Brutal Companion” (Barrow Street) by queer Latine poet Ruben Quesada features glowing blurbs from Jericho Brown, Laurie Ann Guerrero, and Spence Reece. The poems are in constant motion from Los Angeles, Lubbock, SLC, Chicago, Manhattan, Roswell, and Ireland, with references to performers Helen Reddy, Grace Slick, Buddy Holly, Rock Hudson, and visual artists, as well as tributes to the late gay writer Paul Monette. www.rubenquesada.com Malaysian novelist Tan Twan Eng has been long- and short-listed for the Booker Prize for his books, including “The House of Doors” (Bloomsbury), newly released in paperback. Set in 1921, the novel is a fictionalized telling

of Somerset Maugham, his marriage, his hidden homosexuality, and a lifechanging experience while visiting friends in Penang. www.instagram. com/tan.twan.eng The past few years have been all about Joni; Mitchell, that is, both in terms of music and books. The same can be said for Dolly; Parton, that is.

Dolly was celebrated in the 2023 poetry anthology “Let Me Say This,” and this year, her acclaimed 1989 album “White Limozeen” (Bloomsbury) gets the 33 1/3 treatment from queer author

Steacy Easton. www.instagram.com/pinkmoose4eva In their latest book, “Who’s Afraid of Gender?” (FSG), groundbreaking queer theorist Judith Butler, who has become one of the leading voices in feminist and gender studies, creates an “urgent and imperative work” offering “rigorous analysis, hope, freedom and solidarity” while “confronting the reactionary politics” seeking “to intensify marginalization and inequality.” www.instagram.com/_judithbutler Jami Attenberg is one of a growing list of straight female writers, including Rebecca Makkai, Hanya Yanagihara, Meg Wolitzer, Chloe Benjamin, and Ann Patchett, who incorporates authentic queer characters in their novels. Attenberg’s acclaimed new book, “A Reason to See You Again” (Ecco), follows the lives of sisters Nancy and Shelly, the daughters of Rudy, a secretly queer Holocaust survivor, over the course of 40 years. www.jamiattenberg.comt

Celebrate the holidays with live animals, falling snow, music, magic, and more! November 23 through January 5.

Get tickets at calacademy.org

32936-CAS-Tis The Season-BayAreaReporter-9.75x16-11.21.24-FA.indd 1

11/21/24 3:10 PM