December 19, 2019 Edition of the Bay Area Reporter by Bay Area Reporter

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Oakland LGBT bars closing

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Vol. 49 • No. 51 • December 19-25, 2019

Happy holidays from Noe Valley! Courtesy NCLR

Incoming NCLR Executive Director Imani Rupert-Gordon starts in March.

Rick Gerharter

Jacqueline “Jackie” Fielder speaks to her supporters at her state Senate campaign kickoff December 6 at El Rio.

NCLR names new ED

Queer opponent faces gay SF senator

by John Ferrannini

by Matthew S. Bajko

queer Native American activist and educator is mounting her first campaign for elected office against San Francisco’s lone out representative in the state Legislature. Jacqueline “Jackie” Fielder, 25, who graduated from Stanford with degrees in public policy and sociology and moved to San Francisco in 2018, is running against gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). A former city supervisor, Wiener, 49, won a hard fought campaign for his Senate District 11 seat in 2016 against fellow former supervisor Jane Kim. In an interview with the Bay Area Reporter, Fielder acknowledged she would be seen as an underdog candidate in the race. But she pointed to the outcomes of the November races for the city’s district attorney and District 5 supervisor seat, where progressives defeated establishment candidates, as buoying her own chances of winning come November 2020. “I’m definitely coming in as an outsider to the, the general SF political spheres, but I think that a lot of our city is energized and ready for new leadership,” said Fielder, who grew up in Long Beach, California. “I am willing to put in a lot of volunteer time into door knocking and canvassing and phone banking. ... However, I’m under no illusions that Scott is the most well-funded politician in the city.” Known to be a formidable campaigner, Wiener already secured the endorsements of the California Democratic Party and the city’s Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, which he used to co-chair, before Fielder entered the race in late November. Until then it had looked like Wiener would cakewalk into a second four-year term. This month, Wiener announced a slew of endorsements from other California Democratic politicians, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (San Francisco), Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, and Supervisors Rafael Mandelman, Ahsha Safai, Catherine Stefani, and Shamann Walton. Mandelman, a gay man who is the sole LGBT member of the board, told the B.A.R. that despite their differences on certain issues, he believes Wiener has represented the city well in the Statehouse. “I think Scott is a tremendously talented and effective state senator,” said Mandelman, who like

Rick Gerharter

ust for Fun and Scribbledoodles, located at 3982 24th Street in Noe Valley, had Santa on hand December 11. He was joined by his elf, “Bobby Penny,” and doggie Caspian for a fun-filled afternoon and eve-

ning greeting kids, who also got to see some reindeer that were outside. David Eiland, a gay man who co-owns the shop with his business partner, Robert Ramsey, who’s also gay, said it was a jam-packed shopping day.

Buttigieg tops national LGBT stories of 2019 analysis by Lisa Keen

ne might argue that 2019 was a pretty good year for LGBT people. A gay man rose to the top tier of a large field of Democratic presidential candidates. A second openly LGBT person, bi woman Kyrsten Sinema, was sworn into the U.S. Senate. A record number of openly LGBT candidates won office to Congress. Lesbian icon Ellen DeGeneres shared a box seat with former Republican President George W. Bush at a football game. And Republican President Donald Trump issued a statement to “celebrate LGBT Pride Month.” Others might argue that 2019 was a year of looming and unresolved battles over the heart and soul of American democracy and the harbinger of uncertainty about the future for the political and legal movements for LGBT equality. However one assesses the year in LGBT news, here are some of the year’s most headline-grabbing news stories to consider.

Buttigieg surges to the top

See page 5 >>

South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s success with his long shot bid to win the Democratic nomination for president could probably take up all 10 slots of any “LGBT top stories” list for 2019. He became

Rick Gerharter

Democratic presidential contender Pete Buttigieg

not only the first openly gay person to seek the Democratic presidential nomination, he raised enough support to participate in the first official Democratic debate, quickly surged to the top five in a field of more than 20 viable candidates, and held onto to that position while candidates who were much better known fell away. His success continued throughout the year, helped by staking out a moderate posi-

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he National Center for Lesbian Rights, a nonprofit public interest law firm based in San Francisco, has chosen a new executive director after a lengthy search. Imani Rupert-Gordon, 40, was selected to be the new executive director effective March 16. She will succeed Cindy L. Myers, Ph.D., who has been serving as interim executive director since the departure of Kate Kendell in late 2018. Kendell had led the agency for 22 years. “I’m thrilled to join the team at NCLR and to help expand their incredible work,” RupertGordon said in a news release Tuesday, December 17. “There has never been a more important time for NCLR’s approach to advancing LGBTQ equality and liberation, and I am grateful to be a part of the team as we meet this challenge.” See page 9 >>

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tion early on just as progressive candidates were taking heat for appealing for dramatic changes, such as Medicare for All. Buttigieg pitched “Medicare for All Who Want It,” spoke openly about how his religious faith informs his views, and proved to be a respectful but formidable contender in the debates. By December, he held first place in Iowa polling, second place in New Hampshire polling, and fourth place in national polling. But with success in any presidential bid comes additional scrutiny and challenge. In May, two Republican operatives tried to promote a false accusation that Buttigieg had sexually assaulted two men, but both of those men denied the claims. In October, he was criticized for being too straight-looking and derided as “Mary Pete” by a gay writer. And at year’s end, Buttigieg was still struggling to prove he could win support from African American voters and fending off suggestions that his post-graduate work for McKinsey, an elite management consulting firm, included work that led to the loss of jobs for many. So far, he has astutely navigated a daunting landscape and blown through a wall that most LGBT people expected would block a path to the White House for any gay person in their lifetimes. Win or lose, he could well become 2020’s top story, too. See page 9 >>

<< Community News

2 • Bay Area Reporter • December 19-25, 2019

Courtesy Club 21

People dance at Club 21, an Oakland LGBT bar that is scheduled to close in January.

Oakland LGBT bars to close in January

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wo Oakland LGBT bars are closing next month after they were given move-out dates by a new landlord who wants to transition the property to office use, according to Club 21 and Club BNB general manager Carlos Uribe. The news comes as downtown Oakland is undergoing a rebirth, with new housing developments and office buildings under construction or in the pipeline, and a host of new restaurants opening this year. Club 21 and Club BNB (formerly the Bench and Bar) – which are located at 2111 Franklin Street and 2120 Broadway Street in downtown Oakland, respectively – were told they had to leave by January 15. Their last day of business will be Sunday, January 12. “We’re gonna party right to the end,” Uribe, a queer man, said. Uribe said that the building both bars are housed in was bought “maybe two years, a year-and-a-half ago” by San Francisco-based real estate firm Ellis Partners. “Initially it was up in the air,” Uribe said. “They didn’t know exactly what

they were doing. They considered purchasing nearby properties for a larger project.” Uribe said that the bars operated on a month-to-month lease for a while until Ellis gave a final move-out date. Ellis Partners did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “We don’t want to close,” Uribe said. “We are losing queer spaces left and right, not only in Oakland and San Francisco but around the country. “Club BNB and 21 cater specifically to queer communities of color – Club 21 has been Latinx and caters to that and Club BNB to the black community,” he added. Uribe said that Club 21 has been open for 17 years and Club BNB has been open in its current location for eight years. “When (BNB) was on 17th Street we were encouraged to move to this location because they wanted more bars and businesses to make this an arts district,” Uribe said. “Ultimately, it has led to us being pushed out.” Sean Sullivan, a gay man who coowns the nearby Port Bar at 2023 Broadway next to the Paramount Theatre with his partner, Richard

Fuentes, said he is “sorry to see them go.” The Port Bar had teamed with Club 21 operations and marketing director Valentino Carrillo, who goes by Valentino Presents, to host the Qué Rico! party, which is on the second Saturday of the month. “We were always hoping that we’d be able – with them – to increase the footprint of queer spaces in uptown and downtown,” Sullivan said in a phone interview. “There’s a real need for entertainment for the migrant population, the Latinx, Spanishspeaking population.” Sullivan said that the Port Bar is “looking forward to welcoming them.” With Club 21 and BNB’s closure, the Port will be the only LGBT bar in downtown Oakland. The White Horse, one of the country’s longest, continuously operating gay bars, is located on the Oakland-Berkeley border. Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and at-large Oakland City Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan, a lesbian who is president of that body, did not return messages seeking comment. t

New attorney for defendant in bondage murder case by John Ferrannini

ames Rickleffs, a San Francisco man found guilty of murder in March, has a new attorney as his case moves to the sentencing phase. Rickleffs had been defended by the San Francisco Public Defender’s office, but has now retained the services of Marc Zilversmit, a private attorney who said he specializes in both criminal and appellate law. Rickleffs, 53, had a hearing at the San Francisco Hall of Justice Friday, December 13, and his next hearing is scheduled for Thursday, February 13, at 9 a.m. He remains in custody in San Francisco County Jail. As the Bay Area Reporter previously reported, a jury found Rickleffs guilty of murder on March 4 in the 2012 death of 28-year-old gay hairstylist Steven “Eriq” Escalon. He was also found guilty of first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, and petty theft. Escalon and Rickleffs met the night before the murder, according to prosecutors, during “underwear night” at the Castro bar 440,

Courtesy SFPD

James Rickleffs

located at 440 Castro Street. After going home with Escalon to his Diamond Heights apartment early on the morning of June 12, 2012, prosecutors said Rickleffs tied Escalon up, gagged him, and poured poppers on his face to immobilize him. Then he left Escalon’s apartment with a suitcase of items including a laptop, Escalon’s checkbook, and a bankcard of one of Escalon’s roommates. Escalon died of an overdose of amyl nitrates and gammahydroxybutyric acid, or GHB, ac-

cording to the medical examiner’s report. Escalon was found dead by his roommates and Rickleffs was arrested September 2, 2012 in possession of the suitcase. During his trial, Deputy Public Defender Niki Solis argued that the death, though unfortunate, was the result of consensual BDSM sex and discussed Escalon’s alleged life in a gay fast-lane of drugs and BDSM sex, a defense his mother, Esmeralda Escalon, said at the time was inappropriate and inaccurate. Jurors who spoke with the B.A.R. after the verdict agreed that Rickleffs didn’t necessarily intend to kill Escalon, but his reckless disregard for Escalon’s life during the robbery swayed them toward a murder conviction. “He walked out the door and left him to die,” one of the jurors told the B.A.R. “That was a substantial factor in his death.” “Eriq got justice,” Esmeralda Escalon said after the verdict was announced. “Eriq got justice, that’s for sure.” t

Community News>>

December 19-25, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 3

South Bay supervisors approve more LGBT services by Heather Cassell

wo separate projects that will expand future LGBTQ services in the South Bay got a boost this month by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. The 5-0 votes occurred at the board’s December 10 meeting. The board tentatively approved the county’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs to move forward with its proposed two-year plan for the creation of an LGBT wellness center. The office’s team had spent a year conducting an intense community needs assessment for the project. The supervisors requested the office return with a detailed budget and plan for moving forward. The supervisors also approved $300,000 for a two-year senior LGBTQ pilot program in partnership with Avenidas, a Mountain View senior center. Additionally, the board approved the LGBTQ affairs office to conduct a countywide LGBT senior survey. David Campos, a deputy county executive, and Maribel Martínez, director of the LGBTQ affairs office, were pleased with the votes. Joining them at the meeting were Julie Solomon and Valerie Stinger of Mountain View and Palo Alto’s human relations commissions, respectively. The county is seeing a board that is “very committed to these issues” and “continues to be a leader when it comes to LGBT issues,” Campos, a gay man and former San Francisco supervisor, said outside the board chambers following the vote. With the departure of gay county supervisor Ken Yeager due to term limits in January, Campos was referring to questions some had about whether the board, which now has no out members, would continue to prioritize LGBTQ services.

Heather Cassell

Maribel Martínez, left, and Alicia Anderson proposed increasing LGBT services in the South Bay during remarks to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors December 10.

Santa Clara County estimates that its 2017 LGBT population was 4% of its 1.9 million residents, according to the Gallup and the United States Census Bureau data, respectively. According to the Williams Institute, an LGBT think tank at UCLA School of Law, California’s LGBT population was approximately 5.3% of the state’s 39.56 million residents as of 2018. Those figures are based on the census and the Gallup Daily on its interactive population map. Santa Clara supervisors and the LGBTQ affairs office recognize that a large percentage of the South Bay’s LGBT community lives in San Jose, the county’s hub with 1.035 million residents as of 2017, according to the census. The leaders also know that there are other areas where community members reside and need services. Santa Clara County stretches from Palo Alto to Gilroy, north to south, and Los Gatos and Milpitas, west to east.

Proposing the future

Martínez, a two-spirit queer woman of color, presented the two proposals to the supervisors with the support of Campos and Alicia Anderson, senior health care program manager of the county’s Behavioral Health Services department. Martínez laid out to the supervisors a strategic plan to implement a hub, spoke, and route for access to, and provision of, multiple services for the wellness center and the LGBT senior pilot program and survey. For the wellness center, the supervisors, Martínez, and Campos expressed the same concerns about funding and fiscal sustainability, location, and services for at-risk communities. Board of Supervisors President Joe Simitian praised the LGBTQ affairs office for its work partnering with Avenidas, which is in his District 5. Using the senior center as an example, he urged the office

to be “opportunistic” and “entrepreneurial,” and expressed concern about lost opportunities staying within the boundaries of working with other government agencies. “We should encourage you to be entrepreneurial, go out and make something happen,” he said. Board Vice President and District 2 Supervisor Cindy Chavez and District 4 Supervisor Susan Ellenberg offered suggestions for potential locations near organizations already providing LGBTQ services, such as the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center, the new gender clinic, and O’Connor Hospital in San Jose. KQED reported that the board approved the purchase of the hospital, along with the Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy, in October. Chavez also spoke about creating centers or services in neighborhoods where there’s a high LGBT population and getting services to the community quickly. “Speed is actually very important,” Chavez emphasized, following Simitian’s statements to grab opportunities for creating the wellness center. District 3 Supervisor Dave Cortese expressed concern about violence against the transgender community and noted he’s aware that the county has a transgender assessment underway. Campos told the board that addressing the transgender community’s needs is a “personal passion of mine.” He took the opportunity to informally propose a survey of the transgender community and to create an organization specifically to advocate for, and serve, the county’s transgender community. The South Bay currently doesn’t

have a transgender organization advocating for the community’s needs. The LGBTQ affairs office’s transgender expert position has been vacant since the end of 2018. “No factors are in place for an organization to happen organically, so the county has to step in and create an organization,” Campos said, adding he will be back with a proposal for a survey and a budget. Chavez expressed concerns for funding, not only for launching the wellness center, but also sustaining it in the future. Discussing the challenges and successes of building and maintaining San Francisco’s LGBT Community Center, Campos addressed Chavez’s financial concern, stating, “The goal here is not just what it looks like at the beginning, but how do you sustain it throughout?” Chavez requested Campos and Martínez return to the board with a budget and a mechanism for funding the wellness center.

Encouraged

“This gives us the green light to think outside the box,” said Campos about the supervisors’ comments. “The message is clear they want a center that is in a great location for the community [and] that is innovative.” Martínez, who said next year the community will see much more from her office, was also encouraged by the board’s vote and calling on her office to act quickly on behalf of the county’s LGBT community. The approval for her office’s work was a “great way to end the year in a very hopeful and enthusiastic way and gives us much promise for 2020,” she said. t

The

Season’s Greetings

The Bay Area Reporter staff wish you and your loved ones the best during this holiday season and a great 2020! Gooch

<< Open Forum

4 • Bay Area Reporter • December 19-25, 2019

Volume 49, Number 51 December 19-25, 2019 www.ebar.com PUBLISHER Michael M. Yamashita Thomas E. Horn, Publisher Emeritus (2013) Publisher (2003 – 2013) Bob Ross, Founder (1971 – 2003) NEWS EDITOR Cynthia Laird ARTS EDITOR Roberto Friedman BARTAB EDITOR & EVENTS LISTINGS EDITOR Jim Provenzano ASSISTANT EDITORS Matthew S. Bajko • John Ferrannini CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ray Aguilera • Tavo Amador • Race Bannon Roger Brigham • Brian Bromberger Victoria A. Brownworth • Philip Campbell Heather Cassell • Belo Cipriani • Dan Renzi Michael Flanagan • Jim Gladstone David Guarino • Liz Highleyman Brandon Judell • John F. Karr • Lisa Keen Matthew Kennedy • Joshua Klipp David Lamble • Max Leger David-Elijah Nahmod • Paul Parish Lois Pearlman • Tim Pfaff • Jim Piechota Bob Roehr • Gregg Shapiro • Gwendolyn Smith Sari Staver • Tony Taylor • Charlie Wagner Ed Walsh • Cornelius Washington • Sura Wood ART DIRECTION Max Leger PRODUCTION/DESIGN Ernesto Sopprani PHOTOGRAPHERS Jane Philomen Cleland • FBFE Rick Gerharter • Gareth Gooch Jose Guzman-Colon • Rudy K. Lawidjaja Georg Lester • Dan Lloyd • Jo-Lynn Otto Rich Stadtmiller • Kelly Sullivan • Fred Rowe Steven Underhil • Bill Wilson ILLUSTRATORS & CARTOONISTS Paul Berge • Christine Smith ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATION Colleen Small Bogitini VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVERTISING Scott Wazlowski – 415.829.8937 NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media – 212.242.6863

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Glad to see GLAAD do its job

t’s that time of year when viewers tune-in to the Hallmark Channel for an annual dose of feel-good holiday cheer – many are sappy romances with titles like “A Christmas Love Story” and “Holiday Date.” This year, Zola, an online wedding registry company, began airing four same-sex wedding ads on the channel. Predictably, the anti-gay, dubiously named One Million Moms organization posted a petition calling for a boycott, and the channel’s executives caved by pulling the ads last Thursday. That, of course, resulted in a backlash against the backlash, with GLAAD and many LGBTQs decrying the capitulation. By Sunday, just days after One Million Moms first condemned the ads, the channel reversed its decision. “Victory!” GLAAD declared in a news release. We agree. After we criticized the LGBT media advocacy organization earlier this year – and in 2018 – for veering off course into politics by leading a national campaign for an LGBT constitutional amendment, it’s reassuring to see the group actually returning to its mission: being a media watchdog for LGBTQ representation and related issues. GLAAD quickly created an online petition, its representatives appeared on CNN to discuss the situation, and it issued a statement slamming the channel for pulling the Zola ads. “The Hallmark Channel’s decision to remove LGBTQ families in such a blatant way is discriminatory and especially hypocritical coming from a network that claims to present family programming and also recently stated they are ‘open’ to LGBTQ holiday movies,” Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, stated December 14. “As so many other TV and cable networks showcase, LGBTQ families are part of family programming. Advertisers on the Hallmark Channel should see this news and question whether they want to be associated with a network that chooses to bow to fringe anti-LGBTQ activist groups, which solely exist to harm LGBTQ families.” It’s important to note, as GLAAD did, that LGBTQ-inclusive advertising has become increasingly popular for brands across industries, and plays an outsized role in enabling LGBTQ families to see themselves reflected positively in the media.

Courtesy Zola

Hallmark Channel initially pulled this Zola ad featuring a same-sex couple.

To their credit, Hallmark Channel executives heard the outrage and promptly announced last Sunday that the ads would be reinstated, though it is unclear if Zola will run them, according to an article in Fast Company. (Zola’s ads are appearing on other networks.) “Earlier this week, a decision was made at Crown Media Family Networks to remove commercials featuring a same-sex couple,” Hallmark Cards CEO Mike Perry stated. “The Crown Media team has been agonizing over this decision as we’ve seen the hurt it has unintentionally caused. Said simply, they believe this was the wrong decision.” Hallmark Cards owns Crown Media Family Network, which in turn owns the Hallmark Channel. Perry went on to state that Hallmark Cards “is, and always has been, committed to diversity and inclusion – both in our workplace as well as the products and experiences we create.” He pointed out that Hallmark Cards has an inclusive track record. It has LGBTQ greeting cards, and features LGBTQ couples in its commercials. It’s recognized as a “best place” to work by the Human Rights Campaign. That’s partly why the channel’s initial decision to cut the Zola ads was so surprising – it should not have buckled under One Million Moms’

threatened boycott. While the TV channel does not yet include same-sex couples in its holiday movies, given what GLAAD’s Ellis stated, it seems only to be a matter of time until that happens. Although, as the Washington Post’s Drew Goins wrote this week, when it happens: “For Hallmark to stay soothing, there will be no disowning upon coming out, no religioninflicted trauma, and only the lightest touch of humorous homophobia when the horse-drawn carriage driver is embarrassed to realize the two gentlemen in the back are not, in fact, brothers.” In other words, “boring,” as the headline to his piece stated. Even so, that’s a good thing too. For its part, Zola has been a frequent advertiser on the Hallmark Channel since 2017 and has aired ads featuring same-sex couples in the past without a fuss, a spokeswoman told the Wall Street Journal. Mike Chi, its chief marketing officer, said, “All kisses, couples, and marriages are equal celebrations of love.” As for GLAAD, we’d like to see it work with the Hallmark Channel on at least one samesex romance infused with the holiday spirit for next year. Perry noted in his statement that the channel will be working with GLAAD to better represent the LGBTQ community “across our portfolio of brands.” No bah-humbug to that. Our lives deserve to be featured in saccharine holiday fare just like everyone else, because we exist too. t

One year of California for All by Gavin Newsom

here’s no state in America quite like California. In troubled times for the nation, California is where the American Dream is alive and well. The most diverse state in the world’s most diverse democracy, California is big-hearted, thriving, inclusive, and bold. This year, we’ve been working to build a California for All. Governing by our values of growth and inclusion, we have made principled yet practical investments in our people and our future. Making sure that those investments are built to last, we have budgeted responsibly for the years ahead. Our balanced, on-time budget created the largest rainy day fund in state history and paid down California’s wall of debt. That budget addressed the biggest challenges we face. Today, I will share our work to tackle the high cost of living in California, prevent and prepare for emergencies, and combat homelessness. First, we’re working to confront the state’s affordability crisis. It is our state’s foundational economic challenge, which threatens lives and threatens futures. The things that make it possible to get ahead – housing, health care, saving for your kids’ college or your retirement – are getting farther out of reach for Californians. When I took office last January, I got to work to make life more affordable for all. Together, we expanded health care subsidies to middle-class Californians. We took on rising prescription drug costs by seeking to establish the nation’s largest single purchaser system for drugs. We helped put higher education within reach of more Californians by providing two free years of community college to first-time, fulltime students and negotiated tuition freezes at California’s universities. We also put money back in the pockets of California parents by doubling the state’s earned income tax credit and adding a $1,000 credit for families with children under the age of 6. We eased the financial burden on parents by repeal-

Courtesy Governor’s office

Governor Gavin Newsom

ing the sales and use tax on diapers. Second, we are making sure that California is ready for the next natural disaster, and that communities still recovering from catastrophic wildfires have what they need to rebuild. We invested $1 billion to build disaster resiliency, response and recovery – including funding the prepositioning of emergency response teams in times of high-risk wildfire conditions. We launched Listos California, a statewide network of community organizations that build disaster resiliency in vulnerable communities. We also moved the state toward a safer, affordable, and reliable energy future by drafting wildfire safety and accountability measures and working with the Legislature to create a $21 billion wildfire fund. Finally, we’re working nonstop to confront the statewide crisis of homelessness, which impacts 130,000 Californians in every corner of our state. We’re pursuing solutions that work. We made a historic $2.75 billion investment – the most California has ever spent – on programs to fight homelessness and build more housing. That amount included $650 million in emergency homelessness aid to cities and counties so that they can implement the best local solutions for their communities. We’re also striking at the root causes of homelessness, including the unacceptable lack of housing construction and unscrupu-

lous landlords who price-gouge their tenants and unfairly evict them. We negotiated and signed the nation’s strongest statewide renter protections and worked with technology companies to secure $4.5 billion toward California’s housing crisis. We’re “all in” on tackling this crisis because it is a major quality of life issue not just for the person sleeping on a sidewalk, but for everyone in their community. We recognize that every homeless individual is someone’s child, parent, or friend. Many times, they are our service members, who served honorably in our military and fell onto hard times after they got home. These individuals are often struggling with mental illness or substance abuse. They deserve better than the reckless rhetoric and heartless cuts to the social safety net that Washington is offering. They deserve the thoughtful solutions that we are pursuing in California, in partnership with local governments, the private sector, and philanthropists statewide. Make no mistake, we have so much more work to do. There are still too many Californians who do not get to share in the prosperity that they help to create. For them, and their children – and California’s continued leadership in the nation and the world – we must boldly confront our remaining challenges. These challenges demand bold solutions, and above all, the courage for a change. Fortunately, we have no shortage of courage here in California, a state of dreamers and doers who are not afraid to take risks for what’s right. In the year ahead, we’ll continue to work hard and aim high on behalf of all Californians, and everyone who looks to our state as a beacon of hope.t Gavin Newsom is the governor of California. This column is a collaboration with California Black Media, Ethnic Media Services, ImpreMedia, Univision, and LGBTQ outlets the Bay Area Reporter and the Los Angeles Blade to contribute an original quarterly column on timely public policy issues impacting Californians across the state. Each column will be posted for public access on the governor’s website and published online or in print in the over 50 participating media outlets.

Politics >>

t Lesbian CA assemblywoman gives birth to triplets by Matthew S. Bajko

lesbian assemblywoman in California has made history by becoming the first legislator in the state to give birth to triplets while serving in office. She is also the first out member of the Legislature to give birth while in office. Last week, Assemblywoman Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona) gave birth to two boys and one girl, her office announced Monday, December 16. The babies arrived early, as her due date was expected to be in mid-January. “My wife and I are blessed to welcome our three newborns into the world. We are deeply grateful for the love and support from our family, friends, and the medical team who have been with us on this exciting journey,” stated Cervantes. “We look forward to celebrating the holidays with the three newest additions to our family. At this time, we ask for your prayers and well wishes.” The statement noted that Cervantes, 32, who is married to Courtney Downs, and her family “are in good health and appreciate respect for their privacy during this time.” As the Bay Area Reporter noted in September, Cervantes was one of at least three out lawmakers this year in California who became parents. Gay Sacramento City Councilman Steve Hansen announced August 15 that he and Michael McNulty, his partner of five years, had legally adopted their son, Henry Benjamin Hansen McNulty. And lesbian BART board direc-

Courtesy Assemblywoman Cervantes’ office

Sabrina Cervantes, left, and her wife, Courtney Downs, pictured before the birth of their triplets.

tor Rebecca Saltzman and her wife, Caitlin Stone, welcomed their daughter Zinnia November 15 when Stone gave birth to their first child. Saltzman, 37, noted in a Facebook post Sunday that she would be returning to her job on Monday as deputy director at Breast Cancer Action. “Our daughter Zinnia is officially one month old today! We are so thrilled to have her in our lives,” wrote Saltzman. “This past month has been amazing and exhausting. I am sad that I am going back to work tomorrow and won’t have as much time with little Zinni and my wonderful wife Caitlin, but I am so grateful we got to have this time together.” According to Cervantes’ office, she

Queer opponent

From page 1

Wiener did, represents the 8th supervisorial district on the board. “Certainly, there are issues where we have disagreed and I am sure there will be issues where we disagree in the future. It doesn’t mean I don’t think he is doing a good job for San Francisco in Sacramento.” Wiener, who is also being challenged by Republican Erin Smith, told the B.A.R. although he is confident about his being re-elected next year, he isn’t taking the campaign for granted. “I feel good about my re-election. It’s a democracy and anyone can run,” noted Wiener. “No one’s entitled to a free pass, and it’s my responsibility to convey to the voters the work we’ve done for the community and why I deserve to be re-elected.” Signaling what will likely be a key campaign talking point, Wiener pointed to his 23 years of various leadership roles in San Francisco and his legislative victories in the Legislature, from groundbreaking LGBT rights bills to addressing housing, homelessness, and mental health. “My record is one of the most progressive for members of the Legislature, and I look forward to standing by that record and making my case to the voters,” said Wiener. Yet it is his legislative proposals, such as allowing denser housing to be built near transit centers and reducing local zoning controls, that Fielder argues is why a new legislator is needed for the Senate district, which includes all of San Francisco and parts of northern San Mateo County. “The current senator has worked with a lot of interested industries in the real estate lobby and landlord associations, and instead of affordable housing advocates who are on the front lines of displacement and gentrification,” said Fielder, who be-

Jane Philomen Cleland

State Senator Scott Wiener, back, tours San Francisco’s new Navigation Center with Mayor London Breed Tuesday.

longs to the Two Kettle, Lakota, and Hidatsa Native American tribes and is also of Mexican heritage. She currently is searching for a place to live, telling the B.A.R. she has been sleeping on friends’ couches and on occasion in her van since moving out of her apartment in May to save money. A main concern she has is the lack of investment in affordable housing at both the federal and state levels. With California expecting a $7 billion budget surplus next year, Fielder argues there is no excuse for why more money isn’t going toward development of no- to low-income housing. “I believe that we’ll be able to do a lot more once we have someone representing us who doesn’t feel afraid about raising taxes on the wealthiest corporations and individuals in the state,” said Fielder. She won the endorsement this month of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club and the San Francisco Tenants Union. Fielder also has the support of gay former supervisor Harry Britt; District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston, a fellow Democratic socialist who was sworn into his board seat Monday night; and Ali-

is the first openly LGBT California state legislator, and fourth California state legislator, to give birth while serving in office. Her announcement said she “looks forward to joining the millions of Californians who balance parenthood and profession when she returns to our State Capitol to continue serving California’s 60th Assembly District.” She is up for re-election next year to her Assembly seat in Riverside County, which encompasses the cities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, a portion of Riverside, and the unincorporated communities of Coronita, El Cerrito, and Home Gardens. “I am proud to be both a parent and a public servant, and remain committed to continuing to fight for the hardworking families of the 60th Assembly District,” stated Cervantes, one of seven members of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. Cervantes now joins fellow caucus member, lesbian Assemblywoman Susan Talamantes Eggman (DStockton), as both a parent and lawmaker. Eggman and her wife, Renee Hall, have a daughter, Eme. t Web Extra: For more queer political news, be sure to check http:// www.ebar.com Monday mornings for Political Notes, the notebook’s online companion. This week’s column reported on the five Democratic presidential candidates seeking Equality California’s endorsement. Keep abreast of the latest LGBT political news by following the Political Notebook on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/politicalnotes. Got a tip on LGBT politics? Call Matthew S. Bajko at (415) 8298836 or e-mail m.bajko@ebar.com.

cia Garza, a queer woman who cofounded Black Lives Matter. As of Wednesday at noon, Fielder was listed as “pending” in terms of her qualification status on the city’s elections department website. The secretary of state’s office is still processing her nomination documents, according to local elections officials; the state office should release its list of qualified candidates December 26. After attending Stanford on a partial scholarship, Fielder joined the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, whose route runs through her ancestral tribal lands. She returned to the Bay Area in 2017 and lived in Alameda while volunteering at a youth detention center in San Mateo County and a continuation school in Oakland. In 2018, she joined the efforts to launch a public bank in San Francisco and helped lead the successful No on H ballot measure campaign to defeat the police union’s attempt to set policy for the use of tasers. That year she also took over Garza’s Race, Women, and Class course in the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University, where Fielder continues to teach part-time. “I was politicized by Black Lives Matter and by an awakening to my own ancestral history and my family history about indigeneity and also being Mexican American,” said Fielder about her time in the Bay Area and reason for deciding to remain in Northern California.

Other races on ballot

There are a number of federal, state, and judicial races on San Francisco’s primary ballot next year. Pelosi is running for re-election to her District 12 seat. The powerful lawmaker is expected to easily win re-election, though she is facing three Democratic challengers and two Republican opponents. See page 6 >>

December 19-25, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 5

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t City College board unveils gender inclusion policy 6 • Bay Area Reporter • December 19-25, 2019

by John Ferrannini

proposed new gender diversity and inclusion policy that would expand existing protections was officially presented to the San Francisco Community College District Board of Trustees – which oversees City College of San Francisco – at its meeting Thursday, December 12. The proposal is aimed at offering protections for transgender people and allows a formal complaint process for those who believe they were mistreated, according to a copy of the proposal. The trustees are expected to vote on the policy at their January meeting; last week’s item was the first reading. Alex Randolph, a gay man who is the president of the board of trustees, signaled his support for the policy change. “As someone who struggled with thoughts of suicide as a little boy and was teased for playing with Barbies, it’s more than an updated policy – it’s giving something we weren’t able to

have,” Randolph said. “Even as president of [the] City College [board], I was told to ‘butch it up’ and wave my queer flag less loudly. That is not OK.” The policy proposal would make the use of chosen names mandatory except for certain financial and legal documents. It also would make it against school policy to willfully misgender people, and also protects twospirit-identified students and faculty, according to a copy of the proposal. People will be able to make complaints with the district, via either a formal or informal process, according to a copy of the proposal, and those objections would go through the normative process for discrimination complaints. The proposal comes after the implementation of a chosen name system and gender-neutral bathrooms, which were spearheaded by the City College Queer and Trans Inclusion Project, or QTIP, according to Tom Temprano, a gay man who is the vice president of the board. The chosen name changes were

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seat, while Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) drew Republican challenger John P. McDonnell for his 19th District seat. There are also three open seats on the San Francisco Superior Court up for grabs on the March primary ballot. Court Commissioner Pang Va Ly, a former assistant prosecuting attorney in Jefferson County, Missouri, and deputy public defender Maria Elena Evangelista are running for the court’s Seat 1. Dorothy Chou Proudfoot, an administrative law judge at the San Francisco Rent Board, and deputy public defender Michelle Tong are seeking the court’s Seat 18. San Francisco Assistant District Attorney Kulvindar “Rani” Singh and tenants’ rights attorney Carolyn Gold are seeking the court’s Seat 21. t

City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees Vice President Tom Temprano, left, President Alex Randolph, and Chancellor Mark Rocha listened to speakers at last week’s board meeting.

previously reported in the Bay Area Reporter in April 2018. Under that policy, trans students at the school are able to have their preferred names appear on class rosters, emails, and for online courses. The policy was officially implemented in February 2018 by the city’s Office of Transgender Initiatives, which collaborated with City College students, staff, and its chancellor, Mark Rocha. Temprano said that the new, broader policy is necessary due to ongoing harassment of trans and gender-nonconforming people at City College – which he said may surprise some people given San Francisco’s reputation as a welcoming environment. “There’s a tendency for us to think that this is San Francisco and this is City College and that our trans and gender-nonconforming staff and students are fine,” Temprano said. “But

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taught in the city’s public schools, and millennial and former nationally competitive jump-roper Agatha Bacelar, a Brazilian immigrant who went to Stanford. She quit her advocacy job with Democracy Earth and documentary filmmaking in order to run against Pelosi. Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo), whose 14th District includes San Francisco’s southern neighborhoods, is facing three candidates who have qualified for the ballot, according to San Mateo County elections officials. Republican Ran Petel is mounting an underdog campaign against Speier, as are Democrat Cristos Goodrow and independent Eric Taylor. State Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco) is running unopposed in 2020 for his 17th District

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those staff and students know, in fact, that this institution has a long way to go. “There was a student who was dead-named in the library system. I’ve heard of students being subject to transphobic discussions while in class. I’ve heard faculty members whose legal names were shared widely with colleagues during department chair elections. I’ve seen photos of defaced gender-neutral bathroom signs at a number of our campuses. This is not the safe space that City College ought to be,” he added. Posting paper signage on top of the gender-neutral restroom signage, for example, will not be allowed under the policy, if it is adopted, according to Temprano. “Despite the hard work of many people at this college to make this college a safe space where transgender

people can live and work, we still have a way to go,” Temprano said. Jesse Kolber, a sociologist with City College, is a transgender man who is part of QTIP at the school. “This is a great step for City College and it’s a necessary step,” Kolber said at the meeting. “We have to ensure our commitment to battling transphobia and cisism where it exists in our society.” Kolber joined other members of the project – Jennifer Carlin, who identifies as bigender and queer and is the chair of the behavioral studies department at City College, and Pau Crego, a trans person who is director of policy and programs at the city’s Office of Transgender Initiatives – in helping to write the proposal. The college has been working toward the new policy for two years, but things have ramped up in the past three to four months, according to Crego. Carlin said that “part of my ability to be more out is because of the work of people much younger than I am,” but that she can’t say things have dramatically improved since the 1980s. “I was closeted because of lack of acceptance,” Carlin said. “What I grieve about is that what I faced as a young person who was closeted I am still seeing our students face today.” The proposal will be voted on at the next board of trustees meeting Thursday, January 23, at 5 p.m. in Room 101 of Conlan Hall at the City College of San Francisco’s Ocean campus at 50 Frida Kahlo Way. t

Queer opponent

From page 5

On the GOP side, businessman John Dennis is again running against Pelosi, as is Deanna Tesoriero, whose exboyfriend Omar Navarro was recently arrested for allegedly stalking her in San Francisco. After running against Pelosi in 2018 but failing to survive the primary, Democrat Shahid Buttar is mounting another campaign to unseat her. The attorney and deejay is straight but also identifies as a queer ally who is cisgender due to his gender expression being fluid; in Muslim spaces he identifies as queer, he told the B.A.R., “really because gender is contextual.” The other Democrats in the race are former Massachusetts state representative Tom Gallagher, who has

Gay men get first cannabis permit for equity applicants by Sari Staver

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married gay couple on Tuesday received the first business permit for equity applicants by San Francisco’s Office of Cannabis for their soonto-open Castro cannabis retail store, Eureka Sky. They plan to soft open after Christmas. Co-owners Romwald (Ray) Connolly and Desmond Morgan told the Bay Area Reporter they expect to be fully open in January 2020. Eureka Sky is located at 3989 17th Street, adjacent to Jane Warner Plaza, on a retail block that has seen significant turnover in recent years. The cannabis store is taking over the storefront that had housed the gift shop Wild Card, which moved into the space in 2006 and closed in May 2018 after 22 years in business. In the retail space next door Cafe De Casa, a Brazilian cafe, continues to work on opening its doors after missing its initial plans to welcome patrons in early November. It now hopes to open by mid-January. In a telephone interview with the

Sari Staver

Eureka Sky, San Francisco’s first equity applicant, is expected to open in the Castro later this month.

B.A.R., Connolly said the Eureka Sky partners were “thrilled” to see the “001” number of the certificate they received from the Office of Cannabis December 17. The issuance of the certificate was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Office of Cannabis. The city’s equity program enables cannabis businesses that partner with an equity applicant to receive priority review when applying for a business permit in the city. Eureka Sky’s equity

applicant is Chris Callaway, a local marijuana grower who moved to the Bay Area 20 years ago to get involved with medical cannabis. Connolly told the B.A.R. that he and Morgan appreciated the work done by Office of Cannabis director Marissa Rodriguez and her staff. “They have all been wonderful to work with,” Connolly said. Connolly and Morgan will live part-time in an apartment above the new retail location, which will be open seven days a week, tentatively from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The showroom is approximately 1,000 square feet. Eureka Sky will not offer delivery service or onsite consumption, Connolly said. Connolly, who worked in software, and Morgan, who worked in biotech, both have had an interest in medicinal cannabis because their fathers died of cancer. The men are hoping to introduce some new medical products next year, Connolly said. They also plan to carry pet-related CBD products, he added. The planning commission in June See page 10 >>

Community News>>

December 19-25, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 7

First 5 members elected to Castro cultural district board by John Ferrannini

he first five members of the inaugural advisory board of the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District were elected Saturday, December 14. Of 12 candidates, the five winners were Shannon Amitin, a trans activist who is a co-founder of Jolene’s Bar and Restaurant in the Mission; Shaun Haines, the founder and executive director of San Francisco Impact Partners; Elizabeth Lanyon, associate director of philanthropy at the National Center for Lesbian Rights; Alison Sparks, executive director of the Masto Foundation; and Christopher Vasquez, a gay man who’s communications director for NCLR, according to Moisés Garcia, who served as elections chair. The cultural district is selecting its 15-member advisory board over the course of three separate elections, ac-

Rick Gerharter

Andrew Shaffer, right, outreach co-chair for the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, accepted another ballot in the December 14 voting for the first five members of the advisory board.

cording to Jesse Oliver Sanford, a gay man who served as the governance chair of the working group that here-

tofore was in charge of the district’s operations. Sanford was also a candidate for the board. He and the other six candidates who came up short can run for one of the remaining 10 seats on the board, Sanford said. Garcia said that the nomination period for the next set of elections will close February 8, the election will be February 22 at the LGBT center. The final election will be held sometime in April. The election was held at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center at 1800 Market Street and 168 people voted, Garcia said. Anyone who showed up was eligible to vote, which will also be the case for future elections. “I was really excited by how many people showed up to vote. It’s the most engagement I’ve seen since I became involved in summer 2018,” Garcia wrote in an email to the Bay Area Reporter Monday.

Q Foundation to launch HIV rent subsidy program compiled by Cynthia Laird

DISPLAY OBITUARIES & IN MEMORIAMS

Christmas dinners offered

Rick Gerharter

Brian Basinger

As the Bay Area Reporter noted in November, the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development awarded $1 million this year to the Q Foundation for rental subsidies for people living with HIV. In a Facebook event listing, Basinger wrote that 2,390 people with HIV in San Francisco are homeless or unstably housed. “We have the 4th highest rate of homeless, along with African Americans, Native Americans, disabled adults, and transgender residents,” he added.

For those who don’t have a place to go, local organizations are serving dinner on Christmas Day. All events take place Wednesday, December 25. Tenderloin Tessie will serve up hot meals from 1 to 4 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 1187 Franklin Street. Those who are interested in volunteering can go to www.tenderlointessie.com and click on the “Volunteer” button. Over at Glide church, a celebration and meals will be offered. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in the dining hall at 330 Ellis Street in San Francisco. A worship celebration will be held at 10 in the sanctuary, and a Christmas meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the dining hall. In San Jose, the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ Community Center will hold a potluck from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. That evening, at 7 p.m., there will be rainbow bingo. Both events take place at the center, located at 938 The Alameda. For more information, visit www. defrankcenter.org.

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Obituaries >> José Iván Ibarra 1965 – 2019

José Iván Ibarra, beloved teacher, dancer, and choreographer, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack December 9, 2019 at the age of 54. José was born in Chapala, Mexico and attended Menlo Atherton High and UC Santa Barbara. His love affair with dance began in college. José co-founded Dance Continuum SF in January 2007 and was there until 2012. José studied and collaborated with G. Masters, C. Chaddick, M. Basil, C. Naganuma, and M. Wingrove. His work was performed both nationally and internationally. José was also a passionate and admired kindergarten teacher at the Ravenswood City School District for 23 years. José had an incredible love for his students, and worked tirelessly to make learning exciting and help them be successful. José had an incredible way of lighting up a room, and made everyone he met smile, laugh, and feel loved. José married his longtime partner, Dean Larson, in 2013. His husband and

Castro LGBTQ Cultural District.” Vasquez wrote in an email to the B.A.R. Tuesday that he is “thrilled” to be on the board. “Seeing nearly 200 people that represented every facet of our beautiful and diverse community show up to the SF LGBT Center to vote for an obscure board on a Saturday was inspiring,” Vasquez wrote. “It shows me how committed the community is to making sure the Castro remains a vibrant neighborhood with a full representation of our entire culture so that the queerborhood can remain a beacon around the world.” While he lost in his bid to be among the five initial board members, Sanford said in an email to the B.A.R. late Monday that he plans to run again in February. “While I am obviously disappointed that I wasn’t elected personally, See page 10 >>

For more information and to RSVP, visit https://bit.ly/38GoV49 or http://theqfoundation.org/harp.

he Q Foundation will officially launch its new HIV/AIDS rental subsidy program Friday, December 20, from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at the Koret Auditorium at the San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street. Q Foundation Executive Director Brian Basinger said that Mayor London Breed will be on hand for the launch of HARP, or HIV AIDS Rent Program. Breed and gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman are expected to speak at 1. They will be joined by Joe Hollendoner, CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and a subsidy recipient who will share their story. Following that, there will be a 30-minute orientation to subsidy eligibility and accessibility, as well as a breakout for case managers. The rest of the afternoon will include timed entries into the main library’s computer lab where up to 100 people can begin the online subsidy screener. Q Foundation will also have coordinated entry to assess people living with HIV/AIDS who are homeless or have housing instability.

Haines, a gay black man, said he was grateful to be among those chosen for the advisory board. “I’m very much honored by the community for electing me and the four other members of the initial advisory board,” Haines said. He said that the new board members met Monday, December 16, to discuss the board’s future. He said the next meeting would be Wednesday, January 15. Lanyon, a lesbian, expressed a similar sentiment in an email to the B.A.R. Monday. “I am very excited about this opportunity to represent our community. I am grateful for the support of the community to ensure that our advisory board is representative of the district,” she wrote. “I hope people will continue to turn out as we work through the process of building our

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parents, Juan and Jovita, survive him. A celebration of life was held on Sunday, December 15. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ravenswood Education Foundation (https://www. ravenswoodef.org/donate.html). After you click the “Donate” button, please choose “In memory of,” and note José Iván Ibarra.

Timothy Ian McElroy November 21, 1958 – October 17, 2019

Timothy Ian McElroy, born Timothy Wayne Seale November 21, 1958, passed away from acute sepsis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and complications from AIDS October 17, 2019. He attended Cal Baptist College and CSU Northridge, earning ministerial credentials and a business degree. He married Los Angeles attorney and Vietnam vet Curtis Arndt in the Metropolitan Community Church of Santa Barbara in 1980. Tim owned California Tan in Los Angeles where he donated free tanning to early AIDS patients. His first marriage

ended with Arndt’s passing on September 5, 1992. Tim again married, this time to returned Peace Corps volunteer Tom Owen McElroy April 6, 1997. In 2001, Timothy changed his last name from Seale to McElroy when Tom was hospitalized and Tim was denied visitation rights as “non-family.” Tim worked as office manager at General Magnaplate in Ventura, California. He later worked as CFO at Vivitar, and then Aspen Helicopter, until developing AIDS dementia to the point of disability, when he relocated to San Francisco. He legally married Tom at City Hall in San Francisco October 6, 2008. Tim was a longtime volunteer with San Francisco’s AIDS Emergency Fund until 2015. A participant in a long-term clinical trial for AIDS dementia since 1998, Tim donated his brain and nerve tissue to the National Neurological AIDS Bank at Reed Neurological Research Center. In addition to Tom McElroy, Tim is survived by cousin Brenda Pennington of Costa Mesa; Cynthia Brandt of Port Hueneme; and Marie Ernst of Santa Barbara. A memorial is to be announced, but donations to Maitri Compassionate Care, 401 Duboce Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94117 would be appreciated.

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<< Commentary

8 • Bay Area Reporter • December 19-25, 2019

Of lights, family, and the holidays by Gwendolyn Ann Smith

hristmas lights used to be wired in such a way that if one bulb perished, the whole string would fail to light up. You had to go, bulb by bulb, trying to find that one filament that had given up the ghost. So many holiday traditions revolve around light, whether it is the glow of a family menorah or kinara, the lighting of the Yule log, or even the string of gaily-colored lights festooned on a Christmas tree or strung along the eaves outside. This makes sense, given the holiday time’s association with the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and the ever-increasing light of spring and summer. We acknowledge the darkness and the rise of the light in our own ways. It’s at the heart of so many holiday traditions. Even the belief in the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem could be read as a parallel to the increase in the sun from the depths of winter – which is likely why the tale became a part of the holiday season, replacing earlier observances. Of course, in today’s world, the holiday season is also a time when the voices of Mariah Carey and Paul Mc-

Courtesy Energy Efficiency

Christmas lights illuminate the holidays.

Cartney once again inundate us with holiday music as we try to forge a trail through the local department stores in search of gifts for the many people in our lives. For some of us, this will be a time of year for traveling to meet with our relatives. This is where things get very complex for transgender and nonbinary people. Many of us have been turned out by our birth families, shunned from blood kin and not at all welcome during this time of sentiment and family celebration. This was my experience from my own family for the first handful of years after I transitioned, as I was told in no uncertain terms not to contact the rest of my family during the holidays, or any

other time of the year. At any rate, my story is far from uncommon, with many still kicked out of their homes over their transition. For too many of us, we end up testing just how unconditional the love of our parents and others in our family may actually be – and often find it wanting. As painful as this can be, there are even more casual forms of transphobic behavior trans and nonbinary folks can experience at the holidays, ones that may not be as soul crushing, but can nevertheless leave their own bruises. When surrounded by the people who have known you since you may have been still relying on milk in a warm bottle, many of those same people may have a very strong opinion of who you are – and whether deliberate or otherwise, the holidays

may be their time for bringing that out into the open. The obvious cases are, of course, the wrong pronoun or name being used. It may seem like a simple thing from the outside, a simple error, and one that shouldn’t be more than a trifle. On top of that, many have used a particular name or pronoun for a given person for decades, and are now expected to change. I get that, and I’m not necessarily referring to the honest mistakes when I bring up this issue. No, I’m talking more of those who might opt to wield a deadname – or a necronym, as I recently heard one’s birth name referred to – more like a bludgeon, seeking to make an issue over one’s identity in a place that should be safer. Such activities can indeed be callous and cruel, a far cry from the occasional slip of the tongue as family and friends relearn the identities of their loved ones. By the same token, one might find themselves treated differently around the family, perhaps quietly excluded in ways, or pushed into activities that force them to be in line with a birth gender. Maybe even finding a makeup set under the tree, gifted to a transmasculine family member as a cruel way of devaluing them. After all, the gift-giver might think, it would be positively rude to show disdain for a nice gift, wouldn’t it?

I should add, too, that the holidays may also end up being the time when many who are trans end up coming out when they show up on the doorstep. This makes things far, far more challenging, especially if the family turns out to be less than supportive. This is, as I mentioned, a holiday season about light. If you are trans and reading this: you are not alone. Many of us have faced similar things in our lives. Reach out if you need a friendly ear. Shout out on your favorite social media platform or confide in your close trans and transfriendly friends. We’re here for you. For those reading this who may not be trans: Now is the time to give some light of your own. Listen to your trans friends, and stand up for those in your family who may be fearful – or in pain – this season. Now is the time to put your friendship into action, and show your love. We live in an era that is dark enough without this time of holiday joy adding to the challenge. Like those old holiday lights, we need to make sure that every bulb remains intact, and strive to keep the whole string lit, as it were. Let’s provide the light we all need. t Gwen Smith still needs to hang the lights. You can find her at www. gwensmith.com.

Elite sports need to grow a spine by Roger Brigham

wo years ago, I wrote a facetious JockTalk column that said the best holiday gift the collective sports world could get would be a moral compass. This year I think our sports

world could use a spine. Sports institutions are more aware now than they were of the things they should be doing, the way things ought to be. They just haven’t shown much of a willingness and determination to make things right.

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Two years ago, football headlines were dominated by the sluggishness of the industry’s responses to ubiquitous brain injuries, domestic abuse allegations, and backlash against players’ protests of social injustice. Our courts were flooded with evidence that rampant abuse of young athletes was enabled by the very institutions that were supposed to protect them. Major sports events such as World Cup soccer had been awarded to places so homophobic that officials warned LGBT athletes and spectators to stifle themselves while attending matches. And Russia, which had its knuckles rapped for doping violations before the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, was told it could not compete under its own flag at the 2018 Winter Olympics for the same reasons. All of which makes sports in 2019 seem depressingly similar to sports in 2017. Second verse, same as the first: Russia is now under a four-year ban that covers the Summer and Winter Olympics as well as World Cup soccer because of ubiquitous, institutionalized doping violations and cover-ups – again. France has just opened a new inquiry into the alleged corruption that led to Qatar, whose contributions to soccer culture could be engraved on the head of a pin with an ice pick, being chosen to hold the 2022 men’s World Cup soccer tournament. The steps taken to protect young athletes from abuse remain inefficient, insufficient, ineffective, and insincere. Football distracted fans from the seeming banishment of quarterback Colin Kaepernick and the underlying culture of disabling injuries by giving us some of the most inane refereeing possible as fodder for social media chatter. Cynics might say that elite sports today are merely reflections of the greater growing social ills besetting society in general. As more power and wealth are consolidated into fewer and fewer hands, and as the processes of consolidation of power and fragmentation of the populace are accelerated by swiftly advancing technology and artificial intelligence ... well, you can’t expect that none of it will rub off on sports. The question is, when did sports become so passive? When I was but

Former Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko

a pea in the pod, I was taught that sports were about fighting for things, becoming champions, not settling for unsatisfactory results. I was taught sports were about working together in concert for common goals, for adhering to rules rather than bending and breaking them, then giving everyone a chance to excel within those rules. It would be great to see the sports world regain its backbone, its sense of urgency and concern. So in 2020, the sports world could give us some much needed gifts: • Greater athlete representation and authority in the National Collegiate Athletic Association and all Olympic organizations. There is an enormous disconnect between sports administrators, marketers, and profiteers and the athletes whose sweat and blood generates all of the interest and revenue. As things stand, it is an insurmountable power differential that seeds and feeds exploitation, from the sexual predators who abuse their athletic wards to the institutions that benefit from their amateur athletes without protecting their interests or paying them back. • Soccer could actually enforce its “zero tolerance” policy against homophobic slurs by fans and players rather than parsing through which chants are racist or homophobic enough or enough fans are hurling the slurs to warrant action. The subjective sham

the sport indulges in now empowers the bigots and those who love their money. • Real investigations with real legal consequences into the corrupt deals that lie behind the awarding of major sports events, and banning closed door meetings preceding those decisions. Fair living wages for all labor used to create event venues hard-wired into every contract – and enforced. • The Olympics has allowed athletes from banned nations to compete under an Olympic flag if they can show they themselves are not violating anti-doping rules, but they should be required to train elsewhere in the months and years leading up to competition so as not to collaterally benefit from the guilty institutions. Otherwise, the national ban is just a symbolic farce. By the way, former Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko had been banned for life by the International Olympic Committee for his role in creating and running the Russian doping activities, but in July that ban was removed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which said the IOC lacked a legal basis for the ban. The IOC retains the right to issue future bans against Mutko. OK, enough with the bah-humbugs. Back to the spirit of giving. May the holidays bring the Raiders much joy as they shuffle off into the desert leaving us with a legacy of long-ago victories and all too recent municipal debt. May the Oakland A’s soon enjoy a new home and for once hold onto stars for more than a month or two so that we can learn their names before they are traded. May the NBA Western Conference playoffs prove to be the most exciting and brilliant tournament in recent years and the Warriors charge back into the fray with health restored and a top draft pick to make the exodus to Chase Center worthwhile. And may the Forty-Niners win all of their post-season games by scoring the winning points on the final play of each game. You know – just pretend every game is against the Saints. t

t <<

From the Cover>>

NCLR ED

From page 1

When Rupert-Gordon takes the helm of NCLR next year, African Americans will be leading two of the country’s largest LGBT advocacy organizations. In August, Alphonso David became president of the Human Rights Campaign based in Washington, D.C. Kendell said in the release that she has known Rupert-Gordon for years and that “she is quite literally, perfect for the job.” “I would be hard-pressed to name a better choice for assuring the ongoing success and deepening the impact of NCLR than Imani,” Kendell said. “I cannot wait to witness and support Imani’s leadership of our beloved NCLR.” Rupert-Gordon, a queer woman, is currently the executive director of Affinity Community Services, where she was hired in February 2016. Affinity is a Chicago nonprofit that is “a social justice organization that focuses on health and wellness, leadership development, and community building,” according to its website. It

December 19-25, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 9

is the nation’s oldest social justice organization serving the needs of black LGBTQ people, with a particular emphasis on black women, according to the release. Prior to that, Rupert-Gordon was director of the Broadway Youth Center, a Chicago organization for homeless youth, which provides social services such as housing referrals, testing for sexually transmitted diseases, and other health services, according to its website. Broadway Youth Center, which has served more than 1,500 LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability, is under the auspices of Howard Brown Health, an organization specifically for LGBT individuals.

Bay Area connections

While much of her work has been in Illinois, Rupert-Gordon has some Bay Area history, having served as a board member and lead grant writer for the Billy DeFrank LGBT Center in San Jose between March 2010 and July 2011, according to her LinkedIn profile. She also completed a fellowship at the Rockwood Leadership Institute in downtown Oakland, which

Stories of 2019

From page 1

Supreme Court tackles Title VII

The U.S. Supreme Court in October heard oral arguments about whether existing federal law – Title VII of the Civil Rights Act – already prohibits discrimination in employment based on two things: sexual orientation and gender identity. The court’s eventual ruling on each issue, expected by next June, will have profound consequences for LGBT people everywhere in the U.S. And it could be a mixed outcome: The court could rule one way for sexual orientation and a different way for transgender status. Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch articulated that he was “really close” to seeing how the law already protects each category, but he said he was worried about the “massive social upheaval” that might take place if the court rules for either. Because Gorsuch is seen as being part of the conservative five-person majority on the court, media attention riveted to him following oral argument. But even liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor hinted she was concerned about what the court’s ruling might have on the “raging” bathroom issue (focusing on which restrooms trans people should use). Those who fear change will argue that a no from the Supreme Court on either or both questions will simply preserve the status quo. But that status quo prohibits discrimination based on an employee’s LGBT status in only 21 states and provides little likelihood of passage for the Equality Act that seeks to provide protection nationwide.

House impeaches Trump

The Democratically controlled House of Representatives began impeachment proceedings late this year against Trump, unleashing a torrent of partisan fighting for the very soul of the country. The two charges are that: 1. Trump abused the power of his office to pressure a foreign government, Ukraine, to announce that it was investigating a rival 2020 presidential contender (leading Democrat Joseph R. Biden Jr.), and 2. He obstructed Congress by deliberately interfering with the ability of the House to interview crucial witnesses and examine documents. There were a few LGBT players during the proceedings, including gay Congressmen David Cicilline (D-Rhode Island) and Sean Patrick Maloney (D-New York) who serve on the key committees involved in the impeachment proceedings. And bi Stanford

Courtesy Twitter

President Donald Trump

law professor Pam Karlan was a key witness before one committee, serving as an expert on constitutional law regarding impeachment. At press time, the full House was expected to approve both articles of impeachment December 18, sending the charges to the Senate for trial. That Republican-dominated body is expected to address the issue in January and vote, along party lines, to acquit the president. That much is known and essentially predictable. What remains to be seen is how the U.S. voters will respond in November’s presidential election.

HHS seeks to deny health care

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced in May that it would “substantially revise” language in the Affordable Care Act to eliminate protections against discrimination based on gender identity in health care. The announcement came just three days after HHS published a final rule that enabled health care providers to refuse to provide certain services by claiming they had religious or moral beliefs that compelled them to refuse. Such “denial of care” rules have been primarily aimed against women who seek an abortion or emergency contraception, terminally ill patients wanting to accelerate a painful dying process, and LGBT people generally. But by year’s end, three different federal district judges, including one in San Francisco, ruled that the finalized regulations were unconstitutional.

Religious storm clouds gather

The long-standing legal battle continues to escalate. Laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation are being continuously challenged by churches and business owners who claim the First Amendment to the Constitution gives them a religious liberty to violate those non-discrimination laws. The U.S. Supreme Court dispensed with two such cases in 2019

helps leaders in nonprofits develop skills and best practices. Rupert-Gordon worked at UC Santa Cruz for eight years starting in 2003 where she was a lecturer and cofounder of the Social Fiction Conference, which, according to its website, helps students look at science fiction and fantasy through the lens of social issues. The Social Fiction Conference celebrated its 11th year in 2019 and has an annual conference. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UC Santa Barbara before moving on to the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration for her master’s degree. Rupert-Gordon’s sister, Maya Rupert, a published writer on issues touching on intersectionality, is currently serving as the campaign manager for Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro, according to her Twitter account. Maya Rupert used to work as policy director at NCLR. Unlike previous NCLR executive directors, Rupert-Gordon isn’t an attorney. According to its website, NCLR was founded in 1977 by Donna Hitchens, who was fresh out of law school and went on to become the first elected

lesbian judge in the United States in 1990 when she won a seat on San Francisco Superior Court. She retired from the bench in 2011. “I cannot wait to see what Imani Rupert-Gordon does for the organization,” Hitchens said in the release. “She has my full support and I know she will likewise take NCLR to new heights with ever greater relevance, impact, and consequence.” Shannon Minter, a trans man who is the longtime legal director of NCLR and argued to overturn Proposition 8 before the California Supreme Court, praised Rupert-Gordon’s hiring. “NCLR could not ask for a stronger leader to take the helm at this critical moment in our movement’s history,” Minter said in the news release. “I am thrilled to have this chance to work directly with such a brilliant and compassionate advocate who understands the complexity of the issues facing LGBTQ people and the need for creative and sophisticated new strategies to address them.” NCLR’s board co-chairs noted that Rupert-Gordon had impressed the selection committee with her extensive background.

(refusing to hear Aloha v. Cervelli and sending back Klein v. Oregon), but more have arrived. The latest is Fulton v. Philadelphia, which asks the high court to overturn a 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals opinion that a local government can refuse funding to a Catholic-run foster care agency because the agency refuses to abide by a city ordinance that prohibits sexual orientation discrimination.

overshadowed by confirmations of federal appeals court nominees vehemently opposed by LGBT groups, including Steven Menashi to the 2nd Circuit and Lawrence VanDyke to the 9th.

Hate crime numbers haunt community

At least 22 transgender people of color were murdered in 2019, a statistic that has haunted the LGBT community and drawn the notice of many Democratic presidential candidates. It’s not that the number itself was so different than in previous years (which averaged 22 per year), noted the Human Rights Campaign in its now annual report on violence against transgender people. It’s that they are now seen to reflect “intersections of racism, sexism, and transphobia” in the United States that is “sometimes ruthlessly endorsed and enforced by those at the highest level of our government,” said Alphonso David, HRC’s new president. The Hate Crimes Statistics report filed annually by the FBI showed a 34% increase in the number of victims of anti-transgender crimes in 2018, compared to 2017. During that same time period, there was a 9% increase in crimes against gay, lesbian, and bisexual victims, but a decrease in hate crime victims overall. The significance of these numbers is dependent in part on how well law enforcement agencies identify and report specific hate crimes. But advocates noted that there’s no denying that, if there is any inaccuracy in the reporting, the true incidence of hate crimes against LGBT people is likely higher and increasing every year.

Senate confirms gay man to 9th Circuit

The Senate in December voted to confirm Patrick Bumatay, a gay federal prosecutor from San Diego, to a seat on the nation’s largest federal appeals court, based in San Francisco. National LGBT legal groups said nothing, but Log Cabin Republicans hailed the appointment, noting that it makes Bumatay the “highest ranking LGBT jurist in the nation.” The only other out gay person on a federal appeals court is Todd Hughes, who was confirmed to the Federal Circuit in 2013. Meanwhile, the confirmation of Bumatay in December and a lesbian, Mary Rowland, to a U.S. District Court seat in Illinois, were

“Imani is the perfect fit for NCLR’s mission, culture, and commitment to bold leadership,” board Co-Chair Emily Doskow said in the release. “She’s a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience and a strong vision for the organization’s future. We could not be more fortunate to have her joining NCLR.” Added board Co-Chair Felicia Medina: “We were blown away by Imani’s passion and results-oriented leadership. ... She knows how to call in and call out, and will fight every moment of her tenure to ensure that all of us, particularly the most vulnerable in our community, are legally protected and can live their truth.” Christopher Vasquez, the communications director for NCLR, said that the salary for the executive director position is in the range of $225,000 to $250,000, but wouldn’t share the specific salary. According to NCLR’s 2017 Form 990, its annual budget was about $5 million, which Vasquez confirmed is still the case. Kendell’s salary was listed as $232,560, plus she also earned $27,903 in additional compensation. t

Two LGBT presidential forums

While LGBT issues were not an especially prominent topic during the nationally televised Democratic debates in 2019, there were two national presidential forums devoted to LGBT issues this year. Both involved Democratic candidates only, and one was nationally televised on CNN during prime time. The first forum was livestreamed from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and most of the major Democratic candidates showed up. The CNN town hall in October in Los Angeles was the first national television broadcast by a major media outlet of LGBTspecific discussion with presidential candidates. The latter was an opportunity for voters to hear how the candidates mostly agreed on a variety of LGBT issues and support equal rights and protection for LGBT people. It was also a chance for straight voters to see and hear from a wide diversity of LGBT audience members, asking their questions, expressing their concerns, and telling their stories.

Trump v. LGBT community

The Trump administration has continued apace in its efforts to undermine rights and protections for LGBT people through the federal government. In 2019 alone, the Department of Defense was able to put the trans military ban into effect while it was being challenged in court, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development proposed rules to allow homeless shelters receiving federal funds to turn away transgender people. In addition to HHS’s rules to allow health care providers to deny care to LGBT people (see above item), the Department of Justice took sides against LGBT people in important cases before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the reach of employment protections under the Civil Rights Act’s Title VII. The Department of Labor this year proposed a rule change to “clarify” that religious organizations could require employees “share” their religious beliefs, a move that LGBT legal activists say gives a green light to discrimination against LGBT people. The list goes on and includes the departments of Education, Homeland Security, and State. It is a concerted effort to eliminate and/or diminish protections for

Courtesy US Congress

Former Congresswoman Katie Hill

LGBT people and it will almost certainly continue in 2020 – and beyond, should Trump be elected to a second term.

Katie Hill forced out

Bisexual Congresswoman Katie Hill (D-California) was a rising star among the first-term Democrats entering the newly minted Democratic majority in the U.S. House in January. She was one of only 14 Democratic members of the House to be voted by colleagues to the House Democratic leadership team, and she was designated vice chair of the House Oversight committee, which was helping with the impeachment investigation against Trump. But by October, a right-wing website targeted her with claims that she had sexual relationships with a former campaign staffer and a current congressional staffer. The website illustrated its report with nude photos of Hill in private settings. And the House Committee on Ethics initiated an investigation into whether Hill had a prohibited relationship with a congressional staffer. Hill acknowledged the relationship with the campaign aide but denied the charge regarding the staffer. She resigned her seat within days, saying she believes the attack had been helped by her estranged and “abusive” husband and “because of the thousands of vile, threatening emails, texts, and calls that make me fear for my life and the lives of the people I care about.” In a recent op-ed essay for the New York Times, Hill made clear that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) did not force her to resign but rather “told me I didn’t have to” resign. Hill said that, ultimately, she felt she needed to resign “for me, my family, my staff, my colleagues, my community.” But in her farewell speech on the floor of the House, Hill vowed, “We will not stand down. We will not be broken, we will not be silenced. We will rise, and we will make tomorrow better than today.” t

<< Community News

10 • Bay Area Reporter • December 19-25, 2019

News Briefs

From page 7

In Oakland, the LGBTQ Community Center will hold its third annual LGBTQ Christmas celebration from 2 to 7 p.m. at 3207 Lakeshore Avenue (entrance on Rand Avenue). Food will be served between 2 and 5. For more

Cannabis permit

From page 6

approved Eureka Sky. Connolly and Morgan received unanimous approval for their concept from the Castro Merchants last year. One person who spoke at the commission meeting worried about illegal drug sales. But Connolly promised that the storefront would contain at least six onsite cameras to monitor the behavior of customers. Anyone seen smoking on the street will be prohibited from buying at the store in the future, he said at the time. The couple, who have no prior experience in the cannabis industry,

Cultural district

From page 7

the group who were are an amazing, competent, creative, diverse bunch,” Sanford said. “I look forward to working with them in all kinds of ways.” The Castro LGBTQ Cultural District is the third cultural district that seeks to define locations in San Francisco that have a special significance for the LGBTQ community. The others are the Compton’s Transgender Cultural District in the Tenderloin

information, visit http://www.oaklandlgbtqcenter.org.

Census job event

The Glide Foundation will hold a census job fair Friday, December 20, in conjunction with the U.S. Census Bureau and Code Tenderloin. People will get hands-on assistance in comhad twice attempted to open retail cannabis stores in the city, one near Fisherman’s Wharf and one at 2352 Market Street, but both applications were subsequently withdrawn. Their cannabis store will be the second marijuana retailer in the city’s LGBT Castro district, as the Apothecarium was the first to open in 2011. In 2016 it relocated up the street to 2029 Market Street. In February TerrAscend, a Toronto-based biopharmaceutical and wellness company that is focused on the cannabis market, acquired the Apothecarium in an acquisition valued at $118 million in cash and stock.t

415-861-5019

address, and a valid driver’s license to the event, which takes place from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. at the foundation’s office at 330 Ellis Street, first floor Freedom Hall. Code Tenderloin will provide laptops for use. The hourly pay rate for other Bay Area counties will be San Mateo and Santa Clara, $30; Santa Cruz, Napa,

and Solano, $21; and Marin, Alameda, and Contra Costa, $25. If people can’t make it to the Glide event, they can fill out the census taker application anytime at https://2020census.gov/en/jobs.html. For more information on the Glide event, contact Nikki Dove at (415) 674-6190 or ndove@glide.org.t

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS - GENERAL INFORMATION The SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, California, is advertising for proposals to provide Temporary Help Services to the District, Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 6M4690, on or about December 9, 2019, with proposals due by 2:00 PM local time, Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at the District Secretary’s Office, 23rd floor, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, California 94612.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED

The District is soliciting the services of personnel staffing agencies to provide temporary help services to meet the need of the District when existing staff resources are not sufficient, all as specified in the RFP Scope of Services. BART may award up to four (4) Agreements resulting from this RFP to the responsible Proposer submitting the lowest Total Proposed Price. The term of the Agreement(s) will consist of a base period of three (3) years, plus two (2) one-year options that the District may exercise at its sole discretion. It is anticipated that the total amount awarded under the Agreement(s) resulting from this RFP shall not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00). Pre-Proposal Meeting: A Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held on Friday, December 20, 2019. The Pre-Proposal Meeting will convene at 10:00 AM at BART’s Administrative Building located at 300 Lakeside Drive, 17th Floor, Room 1700, Oakland, CA. 94612. At the Pre-Proposal Meeting, the District’s NonDiscrimination Program for Subcontracting and Small Business Program will be explained. All questions regarding MBE/WBE participation should be directed to Fei Liu, Sr. Civil Rights Officer at (510) 874-7348 – FAX (510) 464-7470. Prospective Proposers are requested to make every effort to attend this only scheduled Pre-Proposal Meeting. NETWORKING SESSION: Immediately following the Pre-Proposal meeting, the District’s Office of Civil Rights will be conducting a networking session for subconsultants to meet the prime consultants for MBE/WBE participation opportunities.

and the Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District in South of Market. Sanford previously told the B.A.R. that by designating certain neighborhoods as cultural districts, the city is trying to help the diverse neighborhoods that San Francisco is known for retain their individual characters in the face of gentrification. Amitin, a trans activist, and Sparks, the executive director of the Masto Foundation, did not respond to requests for comment as of press time. t

Classifieds To place your classified ad, call us at

pleting the online application. San Francisco census takers will make the top hourly wage in the nation at $30 an hour. At 25 hours a week, that means census takers could make up to $6,000 for working eight weeks, officials noted. Applicants 18 or older should bring their Social Security number, email

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REQUIRED REGISTRATION ON BART PROCUREMENT PORTAL

In order for prospective Proposers to be eligible for award of an Agreement being solicited on the BART Procurement Portal, such Proposers are required to be currently registered to do business with BART on the BART Procurement Portal on line at https://suppliers.bart.gov and have obtained Solicitation Documents, updates, and any Addenda issued on line so as to be added to the On-Line Planholders List for this solicitation. If a prospective Proposer is a joint venture or partnership, such entity may register on the BART Procurement Portal with the entity’s tax identification number (TIN) and download the Solicitation Documents so as to be listed as an on-line planholder under the entity’s name prior to submitting its Proposal. If such entity has not registered on BART Procurement Portal in the name of the joint venture or partnership prior to submitting its Proposal, provided that at least one of the joint venturers or partners registered on line on the BART Procurement Portal and downloaded the Solicitation Documents so as to be added to the On-Line Planholders List for this solicitation, such entity will be required to register with the entity’s TIN as an on-line planholder following the submittal of Proposals, in order for the entity to be eligible for award of this Agreement. PROPOSERS WHO HAVE NOT REGISTERED ON THE BART PROCUREMENT PORTAL PRIOR TO SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL, (OR FOR A JOINT VENTURE OR PARTNERSHIP AS DESCRIBED ABOVE PRIOR TO AWARD) AND DID NOT DOWNLOAD THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS FOR THIS SOLICITATION ON LINE SO AS TO BE LISTED AS AN ONLINE PLANHOLDER FOR THIS SOLICITATION, WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR AWARD OF THIS AGREEMENT.

Any questions regarding this Notice to Proposers should be directed to the BART Procurement Department, Attention: Jeanet Moore, 300 Lakeside Drive, 17th Floor, Oakland, CA. 94612, email address: JMoore3@bart.gov, telephone (510) 287-4730. Dated at Oakland, California this 6th day of December 2019. /s/ Stacey Camillo_________________________ Stacey Camillo, Manager Contract Administration San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District 12/19/19 CNS-3322321# BAY AREA REPORTER

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Legal Notices>> ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555398 In the matter of the application of: SHIRAN STEPHANIE AMIR, 3025 VAN NESS AVE #9, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner SHIRAN STEPHANIE AMIR, is requesting that the name SHIRAN STEPHANIE AMIR, be changed to STEPHANIE SHIRAN AMIR. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103, on the 16th of January 2020 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, 2019 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555408 In the matter of the application of: RUTH CURRY CLEMENTS, 1595 PACIFIC AVE #405, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner RUTH CURRY CLEMENTS, is requesting that the name RUTH CURRY CLEMENTS, be changed to CURRY CLEMENTS COZZI. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103, Room 103 on the 23rd of January 2020 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, 2019 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555410

In the matter of the application of: DEBBIEDAWN ELIZABETH KAHN, 3918 MISSION ST #3, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner DEBBIEDAWN ELIZABETH KAHN, is requesting that the name DEBBIEDAWN ELIZABETH KAHN AKA DEBBIE DAWN ELIZABETH KAHN, be changed to DEBBIE DAWN ELIZABETH KAHN. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103, Room 103 on the 23rd of January 2020 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, 2019

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555406 In the matter of the application of: TAGHI ASTANEHE (SBN# 236334), 819 EDDY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner CAROL ANN SEBASTIANO-VINCI, is requesting that the name CAROL ANN SEBASTIANO-VINCI, be changed to CAROL ANN SEBASTIANO. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Room 103N on the 23rd of January 2020 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, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038879000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FOCUS INTERNATIONAL, 1539 21ST AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ZHI XIONG HE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/09/90. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/22/19.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038878900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GODOGPRO, 242 ATHENS ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed REN VOLPE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/22/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/22/19.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038871900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GREG MESTAS, 648 32ND ST, RICHMOND, CA 94804. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed GREG MESTAS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/19/19.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2019

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038876500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SAN FRAN LOCKSMITH, 259 DOLORES ST #2, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MATAN SCHEJTER. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/06/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/21/19.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038874700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GRILL “N” CURRY INDIAN PAKISTANI CUISINE, 1033 IRVING ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SHAMEEL A.M. WANI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/20/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/20/19.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038873100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PAINTED LADIES TOUR COMPANY, 1020 REDWOOD HWY FRONTAGE RD, #1, MILL VALLEY, CA 94941. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed PAINTED LADIES TOUR COMPANY (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/19/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/19/19.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038866800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: EVERGREEN GARDEN RESTAURANT, 3100 18TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed EVERGREEN GARDEN RESTAURANT (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/14/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/14/19.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2019

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038869800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: YARSA NEPALESE CUISINE, 1310 GRANT AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed YARSA NEPALESE CUISINE (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/18/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/18/19.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038857100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RAYMOND THOMAS WONG INSURANCE AGENCY, 2655 VAN NESS AVE #1, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed RTW INSURANCE AGENCY LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/30/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/05/19.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2019 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-036169800

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: PAINTED LADIES TOUR COMPANY, 629 GUERRERO ST #5, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by JOSHUA STEPHEN ARMEL. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/21/14.

NOV 28, DEC 05, 12, 19, 2019 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555434 In the matter of the application of: FRANK JAMES GONZALES III, 170 MAJESTIC AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner FRANK JAMES GONZALES III, is requesting that the name FRANK JAMES GONZALES III, be changed to TRE ROSE GONZALES. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept.103, Room 103 on the 14th of January 2020 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, 2019

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555426

In the matter of the application of: APRIL MAI NGUYEN, 4442 KIRKHAM ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner APRIL MAI NGUYEN, is requesting that the name APRIL MAI NGUYEN, be changed to TUYET ANH NGUYEN. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept.103, Room 103 on the 7th of January 2020 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, 2019 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555425 In the matter of the application of: AN LI ZHUO, 2639 NEWHALL ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner AN LI ZHUO, is requesting that the name AN LI ZHUO, be changed to ANNIE AN LI ZHUO. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept.103N, on the 7th of January 2020 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, 2019 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555412 In the matter of the application of: PHILLIPE FLORES FRANCISCO, 3338 26TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner PHILLIPE FLORES FRANCISCO, is requesting that the name PHILLIPE FLORES FRANCISCO, be changed to PHILLIPE FRANCISCO FLORES. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept.103, Room 103 on the 28th of January 2020 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, 2019

Legals >>

December 19-25, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 11

Legal Notices>> NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF RICARDO RON IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-19-303348

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of ESTATE OF RICARDO RON C/O TERRENCE P. MURPHY SBN 104739, LAW OFFICES OF TERRENCE P. MURPHY, 5 THIRD ST, #1100, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. A Petition for Probate has been filed by NAKARI RON in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that NAKARI RON be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: December 23, 2019, 9:00 am, Rm. 204, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the latter of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined by section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: Terrence P. Murphy, SBN 104739, Law Offices Of Terrence P. Murphy, 5 Third St, #1100, San Francisco, CA 94103; Ph. (415) 495-3950 ext. 103.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038878700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PADALECKISTUDIO, 61 CENTRAL AVE, #1, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MEGAN ALYSSA PADALECKI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/01/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/22/19.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038887100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TOPCUTS, 1642A IRVING ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed WEILAN XU. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/27/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/27/19.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038872700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ENGRAFFT, 258 MINERVA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DEREK HANNEMAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/09/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/19/19.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038884800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CLEMENT PODIATRY, 505 SANSOME ST #850, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LEILA OSTOVAR-KERMANI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/09/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/26/19.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038862400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CANDY QUEEN, 81 DUKES CT, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed RAYLINA JOSEPH. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/12/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/12/19.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038876200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: STARDUST MARKET, 3801 GEARY BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed NAVIN BUDHATHOKI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/21/19.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038877900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE OPPORTUNIVORE, 885 FULTON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed GIULIA PISCHE DAVID. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/16/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/22/19.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038876400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ST. CLAIR’S LIQUORS, 3900 24TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed MOUSA R. KHOURI & MAHER R. KHOURI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/17/91. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/21/19.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038882900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SOTTO CASA, 1351 GRANT AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed VILLA ITALIA GOURMET FOOD & WINE INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/25/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/25/19.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038884300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as:WILLY’S FOOD, 4517 3RD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124.This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed WILLY’S FOOD INC (CA).The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/26/19.The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/26/19.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2019

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038878200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SANCTUARY CHURCH SF, 382 MADISON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed RADIANT CHURCH, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/28/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/22/19.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038882600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FRESH HOME STUDIO, 2309 NORIEGA ST #78, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed COOCRR INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/25/19.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2019 NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF DAVID ROBERT SENECHEK IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-19-303335

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of DAVID ROBERT SENECHEK. A Petition for Probate has been filed by JUDY SENECHEK JARVIS in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that JUDY SENECHEK JARVIS be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: January 08, 2020, 9:00 am, Dept. 204, Rm. 204, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the latter of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined by section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: Nicole C. Kelly, Esq., The Kelly Law Firm, 345 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94102; Ph. (415) 552-0059.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555389 In the matter of the application of: ACHRAF EL KOUHEN, 1745 VALLEJO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner ACHRAF EL KOUHEN, is requesting that the name ACHRAF EL KOUHEN, be changed to ASHRAF HAROON KOHEN. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept.103N, Room 103N on the 14th of January 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038874800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: REBEL NEON, 1745 YOSEMITE AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed AMY PALMS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/20/19.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038895800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HIGH RISE FIRE SAFETY DIRECTORS, 2 TOWNSEND ST #2-403, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SHAWNA MICHELLE MORRISON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/06/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/06/19.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038894100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FORTUNATE HAPPENSTANCE, 830 HAYES ST #308, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed VINCENT PULITI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/05/19.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038892200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BLUE WARRIORS, 3145 GEARY BLVD #22, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed PEP CEARNAL. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/04/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/04/19.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038867600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BM REALTY, 2501 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed BROOKE MATTICE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/15/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/15/19.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038893500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LILY NAILS SPA, 1198 HYDE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LY THI DIEU NGUYEN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on12/05/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/05/19.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

FILE A-038876600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LIFSCHITZ LAW, 345 FRANKLIN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed LOELL, PC, (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/25/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/21/19.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038895700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: UNION SQUARE DENTAL, 450 SUTTER ST #2414, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed NAZANIN HAKIM DDS/MAHSA HAKIM DDS, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/06/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/06/19.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038886200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CARY LANE, 1615 HAIGHT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed CARY LANE INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/20/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/26/19.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038893400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GREEN LIFT, 2121 NEWCOMB AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed BAY AREA GREEN CROSS DISPENSARY INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/12/17. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/05/19.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038890600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE STONE CLINIC, 3727 BUCHANAN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a married couple, and is signed KEVIN R. STONE & SUSAN STONE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/01/99. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/03/19.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038890700

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038884700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SIMPLE MARKETING CONSULTING, 501 AMAZON AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LUZ ROMERO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/26/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/26/19.

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038884900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND MAGIC, 779 23RD AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JULIA HAY SYMINGTON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/26/10. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/26/19.

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038897900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GOLDEN BEAUTY SALON, 494 EDDY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SANDRA ADELA RODRIGUEZ VERA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/09/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/09/19.

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038898100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CLOUD AND CROW GARDEN & APOTHECARY, 1322A NATOMA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KATHRYN M. DELWICHE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/09/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/09/19.

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038896100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE MENISCUS TRANSPLANT CENTER, 3727 BUCHANAN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a married couple, and is signed KEVIN R. STONE & SUSAN STONE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/03/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SAN FRANCISCO DOWNTOWN DENTAL STUDIO, 133 KEARNY ST #301, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed BAYSAC DENTAL GROUP SAN FRANCISCO 133 KEARNY PC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/17/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/06/19.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038868900

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038896000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PRESTO INTERACTIVE OPERA, 32 WOOL ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed PRESTO INTERACTIVE OPERA (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/10/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/18/19.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 2020 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-037111200

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: TOPCUTS, 1642A IRVING ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by KAREN CHIU. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 05/24/16.

DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 2020 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555458 In the matter of the application of: IULIIA SHMELEVA, C/O DAVID STERNFELD, LAW OFFICE OF DAVID STERNFELD, 420 THIRD ST #200, OAKLAND, CA 94607, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner IULIIA SHMELEVA, is requesting that the name IULIIA SHMELEVA, be changed to YULIA SHMELEVA. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept.103, Room 103 on the 28th of January 2020 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038905200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: D.W. GRAPHIC & SIGN CO., 1908 QUINT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DAVISSON ZOU. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/16/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/16/19.

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038899500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: AAA ARCHITECTURE, 150 HAIGHT ST #501, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed RANDOLPH R. RUIZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/31/10. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/10/19.

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038882100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: WERTHMAN INVESTIGATIONS, 4424 3RD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed NICHOLAS HOWELLS WERTHMAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/24/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/25/19.

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038888000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: YOUNTESS COMMUNICATION DESIGN, 1014 SHOTWELL ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ASHLEY ROSE YOUNT. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/27/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/27/19.

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038884600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MAD HANDYWOMAN, 501 AMAZON AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MARY ANN LORICO DESUYO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on

AMENDED SUMMONS NOTICE TO DEFENDANTS:

11/26/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/26/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: REJUVEDENT; REJUVADENT, 3580 CALIFORNIA ST, # 204, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed BAYSAC DENTAL HEALTH 3580 CALIFORNIA PC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/17/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/06/19.

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038900500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: D + A TEAM, 1400 VAN NESS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed THE DALE + ALLA TEAM (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/12/19.

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038896700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SANFRANCISCOTIM.COM; BARBARY COAST PRESS, 1575 BAYSHORE BLVD #2158, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a married couple, and is signed TIMOTHY P. KEEFE & ELIZABETH L. BOWERMAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/24/97. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/09/19.

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020

HENRY W. AND CHARLOTTE N. BESUDEN, AS CO-TRUSTEES FOR THE HENRY W. BESUDEN AND CHARLOTTE N. BESUDEN REVOCABLE TRUST DATED FEBRUARY 5, 1992; MATTHEW A. WITMAN AS TRUSTEE, OR THE SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, OF THE SURVIVOR’S TRUST OF THE HENRY WILLIAM WITMAN, III AND BETTY A. WITMAN FAMILY TRUST DATED NOVEMBER 6, 1990; MATTHEW A. AND CAROLYN O. WITMAN, AS CO-TRUSTEES OF THE MATTHEW AND CAROLYN WITMAN REVOCABLE TRUST DATED JUNE 24, 1996, PREDECESSOR OR SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO THE SURVIVOR’S TRUST OF THE HENRY WILLIAM WITMAN, III AND BETTY A. WITMAN FAMILY TRUST DATED NOVEMBER 6, 1990; SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; WILLIAM M. BALLON, AN INDIVIDUAL; RACHEL BALLON, AN INDIVIDUAL; BERNARD SOLOMON, AN INDIVIDUAL; PERLEE SOLOMON, AN INDIVIDUAL; FRED GEORGE HUMISTON, AS TRUSTEE OF A TRUST WITH AN UNKNOWN NAME; WALLY WINCHELL, AN INDIVIDUAL; THE SOLK RANCH, A DEFUNCT CALIFORNIA GENERAL PARTNERSHIP; ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY, SUED HEREIN AS DOE 1; RICHARD N. KRUPP, AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND AS A PARTNER OF THE SOLK RANCH, SUED HEREIN AS DOE 2; THE HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF WILLIAM A. BALLON, DECEASED, AND ALL PERSONS CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, OR UNDER SAID DECEDENT, SUED HEREIN AS DOE 3; THE HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF BERNARD SOLOMON, DECEASED, AND ALL PERSONS CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, OR UNDER SAID DECEDENT, SUED HEREIN AS DOE 4; THE HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF PERLEE SOLOMON, DECEASED, AND ALL PERSONS CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, OR UNDER SAID DECEDENT, SUED HEREIN AS DOE 5; THE HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF FRED GEORGE HUMISTON, DECEASED, AND ALL PERSONS CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, OR UNDER SAID DECEDENT, SUED HEREIN AS DOE 6; AND DOES 7 THROUGH 20, INCLUSIVE. YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: RAMONA MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT, A PUBLIC AGENCY AND A CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT CASE NO. 37-2019-00036007-CU-EI-CTL NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your responses. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center(www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. The name and address of the court is: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OFSAN DIEGO, Central Division (Hall of Justice), 330 W. Broadway, San Diego, California 92101 . The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiffs attorney, or the plaintiff without an attorney, is: Stephen E. Boehmer and Elizabeth A. Mitchell, McDOUGAL, LOVE, BOEHMER, FOLEY, LYON & CANLAS, 8100 La Mesa Blvd, #200, La Mesa, CA 91942; Telephone: (619) 440-4444. Date: Sept 27, 2019. Clerk of the Superior Court, by C. Miranda, Deputy.

DEC 05, 12, 19, 26, 2019

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038901400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS, 1597 HAIGHT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed MJ UNLIMITED LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/21/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/12/19.

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038890000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY THREADING, 2859A MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY THREADING LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/02/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/02/19.

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-038720500

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: LEDA COHORT 5 FUND, 773 TEHAMA ST #1, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by VINCENT CASTANEDA. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/15/19.

DEC 19, 26, 2019; JAN 02, 09, 2020 CGC-15-545135 Chiang v Chen et al SUPERIOR COURT SAN FRANCISCO Pursuant to 583.210 and 583.250 Cal. Code Civil Procedure, after so many efforts Plaintiffs publish Legal Notice Summons as the First Amended Complaint of August 9, 2016 to caution of the impending Entry of Default Judgment upon all defendants: Ms. QIAO YING CHEN and MR. ZHUO ER LEI, MR. JIAN JUN LEI and MS. HUI NG, MS. (JENNIFER) XING LI FANG and her father Mr. FANG.

Scott W. Wazlowski

CGC-15-545135.indd 1

Vice President of Advertising

11/19/19 9:57 AM

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Books 2019

ebar.com

Choir men

Year on TV

Filipina Queen

Vol. 49 • No. 51 • December 19-25, 2019

www.ebar.com/arts

Candy-colored Christmas with Randy Rainbow! by Gregg Shapiro

Randy Rainbow: “James Corden is always stealing my shine.”

Courtesy the artist

ook out, Mariah Carey! Randy Rainbow has released a Christmas album that rivals yours. “Hey Gurl, It’s Christmas” (Broadway Records) has everything you want to unwrap in a Randy Rainbow holiday recording. The title track, co-written by Rainbow and Marc Shaiman, is seasonally sassy, combining a sense of humor with the spirit of the holidays. Rainbow’s take on “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” features Kathy Griffin and Alan Cumming playing his shrinks. Norm Lewis joins Rainbow for the more straightforward “Merry Christmas Darling/What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” medley, followed by the hilarious “My Favorite Things” parody number “Trump’s Favorite Things” featuring Trump impersonator John DiDomenico. All of this before Rainbow is joined by Lorna Luft on “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” Randy was kind enough to answer a few questions in advance of the album’s release. See page 13 >>

Hansuke Yamamoto in Helgi Tomasson’s “Nutcracker.”

Best films 2019

Roadside Attractions

Erik Tomasson

Renée Zellweger in director Rupert Goold’s “Judy.”

Nutcracked! by Paul Parish

by David Lamble

eek 1 of our annual Top Films salute is full of spectacular work drawn mostly from pre-Turkey Day releases. Among the highlights, not one but two full-length features devoted to the late Judy Garland. Here are a dozen entertaining films with, in some cases, quite useful journalism. See page 14 >>

he “Nutcracker” may have passed its peak in its grip on American culture. Globalization has caught up with us, and the sensitivities of young people who belong to ethnic groups they see as stereotyped in the ballet must be allowed for. Are my people being dissed? is a question that’s in the air, and it is impossible to argue with people who’ve been offended. See page 14 >>

{ SECOND OF THREE SECTIONS }

Out There>>

December 19-25, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 13

They got the beat

Lois Tema

Rotimi Agbabiaka, Danya El-Kurd, Kimberley Cohan, Scott Scholes, and Ella Ruth Francis in “Head Over Heels” at NCTC.

by Roberto Friedman

he best thing about the new Go-Go’s-songs musical comedy “Head Over Heels,” now playing the New Conservatory Theatre Center, is that it isn’t a jukebox musical at all. We get all the Go-Go’s greatest hits without the Go-Go’s rags-to-riches story. “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed” and “Vacation” are timeless pop songs, and it turns out they don’t need to be tied to any musician’s biography.

Instead these rock-out tunes are used in the service of another of those fractured modern fairy tales, and the nice surprise is how well they fit the ribald proceedings. The concept and book by Jeff Whitty are based on a 16th-century pastoral romance by Sir Philip Sidney (adapted by James Magruder), but very loosely we presume, as the plot complications include several convincing invocations of Sapphic love, boy/boy and girl/girl couplings in the ensemble, and a shepherd boy who gets to

Randy Rainbow

Being a Jewish songwriter yourself, why do you think so many of the most enduring Christmas songs, “White Christmas,” “Silver Bells,” “Winter Wonderland,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” were written by Jewish composers? Because we know we’re going to get paid at the end! It’s an interesting thing. As a Jewish writer person, I don’t know if I can be objective about that. For some reason it’s in our DNA that we write good Christmas music. Maybe because there’s no pressure. We’re kind of removed from it enough to just have a good time and write something that’s creatively satisfying. We’re not thinking about all the other mishegas.

Head Over Heels, through Jan. 12, 2020. NCTC, 25 Van Ness Ave., SF. Tickets ($35-$60): (415) 861-8972, boxoffice@nctcsf.org

I’m assuming it’s Melania, although I have no concrete evidence.

From page 12

Gregg Shapiro: Randy, what would say are the challenges and rewards of writing a new Christmas song, such as the title track of your new holiday album? Randy Rainbow: I found limited challenges. It was only rewarding. It was exciting for me because I got to work with Marc Shaiman, who is a great idol of mine. We sat in the room where he wrote “Hairspray,” “Smash” and “Mary Poppins Returns.” It was really exciting. I originally set out to write the gayest Christmas song we possibly could. I realized, as I was writing the lyrics, that I wanted to add some substance. I ended up gearing it more towards my specific audience, which is consumed with news and social media. It became my musical prescription to dial it back for the holidays and enjoy yourself a little bit.

experience his feminine side as an Amazon warrior, then decides that he rather likes shading into a she. That versatile herdsman Musidorus, delightfully played by Scott Scholes, gets to sing with his sheep the show’s best love anthem, “Mad About You,” which strictly speaking was not a Go-Go’s song at all but is from the band’s frontwoman Belinda Carlisle’s first solo album. He is matched in his ardor by the object of his desire Philoclea (Kimberley Cohan), powerhouse princess Pamela (Ella Ruth Francis), her lesbian love Mopsa (Danya El-Kurd), king and queen Basilius (William Giammona) and Gynecia (Stephanie Temple), and courtier Dametas (David Bicha). Showstopping numbers go to the powerful oracle Pythio (Rotimi Agbabiaka), whose pronouns are non-binary plural and who wants to know, “How is gender germane to the discussion?” The principals are rounded out by an excellent ensemble of spirited, lithesome chorus beauties of all genders (Casey Anne Apregan, Abigail Campbell, Daniel Cancel, Ciara Carvajal, and Jake Daniel Leahy). The show, well directed by Ed Decker with musical direction by Mark Dietrich, has choreography by Rick Wallace, costume design by Wes Crain, lighting design by Chris Untitled-9 Lundahl and scenic design by Sarah Phykitt. All do excellent work here. Go and enjoy this delightful production!t

“Hey Gurl, It’s Christmas” has a marvelous line-up of guest artists including Lorna Luft, Kathy Griffin, Alan Cumming, and Norm Lewis. What does it mean to have that kind of artistic support? It’s amazing! That’s been one of the most thrilling parts of notoriety, getting to connect with so many of my heroes. The fact that they all said yes as soon as I asked them was mind-boggling to me. Have you heard from the Trump clan regarding any of your parodies of them? The actual Trump clan? I’ve not heard from anybody. I’ve not even been blocked yet on Twitter, although I try every day. I have heard from some whistleblowers that I do have fans within the administration.

You also perform straightforward renditions of “Merry Christmas, Darling/What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?,” “Make Someone Happy” and “The Christmas Movie Medley.” How important was it to show that side of yourself? It was very important to me, but more important to my mother, who relishes the compliments that people like my singing. To have the opportunity to showcase a little more of the noncomedic part of that was very nice. Kind of my Hanukkah gift to her. Congratulations on having received a 2019 Emmy Award nomination in the category of Outstanding Short Form Variety Series. Is it, as they say, an honor just to be nominated? No, I should have won! James Corden is always stealing my shine. No, it was an honor, and it was insane. I’ve made these videos for almost the last decade from my living room. To cut to the front row of the Emmys, sitting next to Jimmy Kimmel, and to have lost to James Corden, was surreal and a thrill. But next year I better win!t

On the web This week, find Victoria A. Brownworth’s Lavender Tube column, “Best (& some Worsts) of the Year on TV,” online at www.ebar.com.

12/16/19 12:21 PM

<< Dance

14 • Bay Area Reporter • December 19-25, 2019

Nutcracker

From page 12

Even if it was only 15 years ago seen as a “progressive” vision of all nationalities living in harmony, it has for some now become one where ethnic groups see themselves caricatured in the ballet. We’ll have to wait and see how it sorts out. But you’d never guess that from the fantastic reception the ballet got at its opening night last Wednesday in the Opera House, which was packed to the gills. The first act got a near-standing ovation as the curtain slowly fell on the Snow Queen (Yuan Yuan Tan) pirouetting amidst the snow-swirling stage in the arms of her dazzling cavalier (Carlo Di Lanno). When we all came to our senses, it was clear from the thunderous applause: there were few of us who did not feel what we’d just seen was extraordinary. We’d all been primed for this. There were symposia on the ballet and receptions for former dancers who’d played Clara, the child heroine, over the 75 years since San Francisco Ballet’s “Nutcracker” premiered in 1944 as the first complete production of the ballet in the U.S, on Christmas eve in 1944, not long after this country had entered WWII, when the “Battle of the Bulge” was wavering back and forth, and the Nazis seemed likely to win. If we’re in impeachment fever now, the emotional climate then was pretty similar, and “Nutcracker” was launched as a sovereign remedy for holiday anxieties and a wonderful inducement to explore the supermarkets and stores and find exactly the right present. Certainly last Wednesday, Clara’s defeat of the Mouse King resonated for me with a hoped-for victory of Pelosi

over Trump. Long before the first complete Nutcracker ballet took to the stage, Tchaikovsky’s music for the “Nutcracker Suite” was at the top of the bestseller list. The music is probably the secret of the ballet’s popularity, in all its versions, including the recital versions presented in smaller venues all over. Indeed, if your niece is performing, or the child of a friend, you should go see their show, since watching young people dance is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and even if they can’t do everything perfectly, watching them do their best is very satisfying. The music is inspiring. As Dmitri Shostakovich said, “Without Tchaikovsky, we could not endure our sorrows.” Over the decades, “Nutcracker” has conquered the nation, and is an institution here greater even than in Russia, where the first production was planned by the great choreographer Marius Petipa, who set out its numbers and collaborated with Tchaikovsky down to the tiniest details of rhythms, textures, and number of bars of music. The story is as engaging as that of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” built on the relationship between a rich, childless, older man and a child who is at a crossroads in life. Tiny Tim (in Dickens) is dying, and Scrooge gives the money that saves his life; Clara’s godfather is rich in a different way: he is rich in lore, he knows how things tick. The difference is that “Christmas Carol” is Scrooge’s story, it is his inner transformation that we experience. In “Nutcracker” we follow Clara’s hopes and fears, her inner journey. In her dream, when the world grows huge and she’s tiny like Alice in Wonderland, and she conquers

Netflix

Scene from director Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman.”

Film 2019

From page 12

“Gay Chorus Deep South” The #1 feel-good LGBTQ movie of the year has both choral-music-lovers and queer liberation advocates traveling to the heart of Trump country to show how a half-century of tough post-Stonewall history has made us both fighters and lovers. Thank you, director David Charles Rodrigues! “Sid & Judy” Director Stephen Kijak’s bio-doc revisits the halfcentury since the death of the extravagantly talented and tragically short-lived singer/film star Judy Garland. Her career spanned four decades: “The Wizard of Oz,” her early-40s comedies with fellow kid star Mickey Rooney, a series of MGM musicals, and brilliant latecareer performances in “Judgment

at Nuremberg” and CBS-TV’s “The Judy Garland Show.” Revealing and poignant, rich with film clips and rare concert footage, her story is told through the memoirs of the man who, for a tumultuous decade, was her confidant, producer, and husband, Sid Luft. “Judy” The fourth feature from British director Rupert Goold has Renée Zellweger and a great supporting cast (Jessie Buckley, Finn Wittrock, Rufus Sewell, Michael Gambon) taking on the last year of Garland’s life as she lands in London to headline a five-week soldout run at The Talk of the Town. While 12-year-old Judy may have been abused by handlers, hangerson and studio executives, that was nothing compared to the battering the 40something diva receives from management, musicians, friends

Erik Tomasson

Sasha De Sola in Helgi Tomasson’s “Nutcracker.”

her fears and fights the Mouse King with the help of her nutcracker, it’s her triumph we share. Our Clara, the child dancer Abby Cannon, had the superlative help of Tiit Helimets as her Uncle Drosselmeyer. A great mime and a performer of leading roles, Helimets led us through the first act with panache. His magical powers, when he rises amidst smoke through the floor in her dreams and causes the tree to grow to gigantic size, and all

the furniture to move around the stage and grow to colossal proportions, actually seems like the result of the power of his gestures, such a spell he casts. I wish the other performers had wielded such theatrical gifts. Everyone in the first act was good enough, many were wonderful. Madison Keesler as Clara’s mother, Jim Sohm as her Grandfather, Miles Thatcher and Kimberly Marie Olivier as party guests, Lauren Parrott as the balleri-

and adoring fans. While charming the hell out of everyone onstage and backstage, she sets out on a whirlwind courtship with her soonto-be fifth husband, Mickey Deans. As she belts out some of Garland’s best-loved songs, Zellweger demonstrates her thorough grasp of the qualities that allowed Judy to be not only one of the great entertainers, but also an icon to millions of gay men. “The Irishman” chronicles one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in American history, the disappearance of charismatic union boss James Riddle Hoffa. Al Pacino sizzles as Hoffa in his first appearance for director Martin Scorsese, who offers a trip through the hidden corridors of organized crime: its inner workings, rivalries, and ties to mainstream politics. At 210 minutes, this may be Scorsese’s final cinematic statement on the Mob, a vision stripped of sentimentality or any effort to find nobility in a field of scumbags. “Bombshell” This prickly docudrama showcases the sudden fall from grace of Fox News founder Roger Ailes, undone when a series of female Fox employees accuse him of sexual misconduct. The film details the coldblooded way the Murdoch family unceremoniously kicks Ailes out of his corporate nest when the #MeToo movement threatens their multi-billion-dollar cable empire. “Sorry Angel” This younger gay hustler/older writer romance kicks off in a Paris cafe, circa 1993, where a single-parent writer, Jacques (Pierre Deladonchamps), meets Arthur (Vincent Lacoste), a 20something wannabe filmmaker. The film is the latest work from French writerdirector Christophe Honore, who has a nice approach to the themes of loss, youthful flings and aging. In French with English subtitles. “Parasite” This is a merciless and witty class satire in which an impoverished family begins to leech the resources of a much wealthier one. Director Bong Joon-ho is the first South Korean winner of the Palme

d’Or at Cannes. “Marriage Story” In Noah Baumbach’s film, a divorcing couple (Adam Driver & Scarlett Johansson) turn their domestic civil war bicoastal, fighting their case from New York to California and back. Driver is compelling as a man who experiences the breakup as an emotional and physical gut-punch. “The Aeronauts” In this wild adventure over the skies of 1862 Victorian England, actors Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones swap gender roles as a male/female team exploring the practical uses of an enormous helium balloon. “Where’s My Roy Cohn?” The late Roy Cohn stood for the dark arts of American politics, producing dangerous demagogues. He went from sidekick of 1950s anticommunist bully Sen. Joseph McCarthy to his final role as a “Trump whisperer.” In “The Ground Beneath My Feet,” shown at this year’s Frameline fest, Valerie Pachner as Lola is at one moment the ruthless costcutter, the next the acrobatic lover with her equally blonde boss, and still later the anxious sibling. This is sophisticated queer filmmaking whose concerns stretch beyond the ghetto and the boardroom. The ending is both shockingly brutal and brutally surprising. In German & English with English subtitles.

na doll were first-rate, and projected marvelous characters. In the second act, things went slowly downhill. Max Cauthorn and all the Spaniards were great, and Lonnie Weeks was fantastic as the Peking Opera-style acrobat, pursued by five young dancers pretending to be a dragon in good Chinese New Year style. Maggie Weirich, Ami Yuki, and Kamryn Baldwin were delightful and very French as the Marzipan can-can dancers. The Russian dancers were simply off-the-charts wonderful, led by Esteban Hernandez in the trepak choreographed long ago by Anatole Vilzak, one of the great teachers at the SFB school, who escaped Russia in the early days and is memorialized for us in this dance. Miranda Silveira was wonderful as the Arabian genie who comes out of the lamp. But Sasha De Sola danced very carefully as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Perhaps the stage was slippery? The dancers of the Grand Pas, which should have crowned the evening, had a number of slip-ups, though they maintained their composure and kept the action going bravely to the end. Grace under pressure is one of the hallmarks of great dancers. Even on a bad night, Mathilde Froustey and Luke Ingham gave of their best, and behaved with the best possible grace. The audience called the dancers back enthusiastically, and curtain calls were warm and heartfelt. When Helgi Tomasson, who has led the company for decades now, came out for his bow, the applause was very grand. Then balloons began to fall from the sky. We all kicked them around, many fell to exploding them, and I could not blame them. It had been a grand evening.t “Scandalous” In his detailed, bitterly funny new doc, director Mark Landsman provides an incisive history of the supermarket tabloid The National Enquirer. Publisher Generoso Pope, Jr. discovered that bloody front pages did not go over well at checkout counters, so he tweaked the content to favor the bizarre. “LSD Made Me a Prostitute” was a fairly typical headline. There is a hilarious account of how the paper acquired one of its most notorious scoops, a picture of dead Elvis Presley in his open coffin, as well as discussion of one of the tabloid press’ darkest deeds, the pursuit of the late UK Princess Diana leading to her death in a Paris auto tunnel crash. By the Reagan 80s the Enquirer had moved to muckraking the sexual transgressions of former Colorado Senator Gary Hart and William Jefferson Clinton. Then the doc jumps to the present day and charges that the paper helps Trump keep his own unruly private life out of more serious publications by the scandal-sheet practice of “catch and kill” journalism: women with stories about the president’s behavior were paid for their tales by the Enquirer, which does not print them, but does bar the subjects from taking them elsewhere through legally binding non-disclosure agreements. (Best Films Part 2 next week.) t

Magnolia Pictures

Scene from director Mark Landsman’s “Scandalous.”

Books>>

December 19-25, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 15

Best books of 2019 by Tim Pfaff

don’t at all restrict my reading to LGBTQ authors and topics, but I could have in 2019 and still had an extraordinary reading year. The “What Was That?” Award of the year goes to Ocean Vuong’s “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” (Penguin), a book deemed a novel by dint of its defiance of genre. This incantatory, memoir-like prose-poem about being a Vietnam-born Asian-American queer could, by the 31-year-old Vuong’s own account, be his last book, but his having snagged a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship later in the year could give that the lie. Book of the Year by an Earthling goes to Damian Barr’s debut novel, “You Will Be Safe Here” (Bloomsbury). An astonishing interweaving of the horrors of South Africa’s First Boer War and a history-based but present-day South African “Boy Erased” hauls the past into the present and the reader into a deeper, ever-more-knowing humanity. Marlon James put earthly concerns aside in “Black Leopard, Red Wolf” (Riverhead), another genre-defying novel. A mythical, proto-African fantasy, it did the film “Black Panther” one better and is on the way to being a film of its own. Nicole Dennis-Benn, his Jamaicanborn fellow traveler, followed her “Here Comes the Sun,” about the homeland, with the equally fine novel “Patsy,” about the trials of the Jamaican queer woman as an immigrant to America. Unsurprisingly, the theme of immigration was as prominent in queer writing this year as it was in the dreary national and international “dialogue” on the issue. Pajtim Statovci’s “Crossing” (Pushkin Press), the second novel by this Finland-resident Albanian-Kosovan, and Ahmad Danny Ramadan’s “The

Clothesline Swing” (Indigo Press) added their singular voices to the growing queer Muslim immigrant literature. The wild, unfettered imagination of James’ “Black Leopard, Red Wolf ” set the stage for several queer novels that addressed serous topics with novels of bounding invention and, frequently, arresting comedy. The old “I laughed, I cried” critics’ trope applied to Amanda Lee Koe’s brilliant debut novel, “Delayed Rays of a Star” (Nan A. Talese/Doubleday), which reimagined a lesbian circle including Marlene Dietrich, Leni Riefenstahl and Anna May Wong, a madcap, heart-rending portrayal of closeted lesbian celebrity. The same fine balance between the comic and the tragic bound the various voices in Jeanette Winterson’s “Frankissstein: A Love Story” (Grove Press), riffing on the futurism of Mark Shelley’s classic “Frankenstein” and some present-

day characters toying with the implications of AI and sexuality in our own “post-human” future. Caleb Crain’s second novel “Overthrow” (Viking) ran matters of internet security, the surveillance state and the good old-fashioned conundrums of human romantic relationship through the prism of a highbrow comedy of whatever’s left of what we used to call manners. Dustin Lance Black’s memoir “Mama’s Boy: A Story from Our America” (Knopf) gave a thoughtful review of the life and times of the Oscar-winning gay activist and screenwriter. But in a way that Black clearly hasn’t minded, his saga of his fearless mother Anne, a gravely disabled woman for whom everything was hard but also fair-won, not incidentally her acceptance of her son’s sexuality, has for most readers been the book’s real knock-out. Carmen Maria Machado’s “In the Dream House” (Graywolf Press) is,

among many other things, a deep investigation of the still-cloaked matter of lesbian domestic abuse. But like many of her queer colleagues discussed above, she has pushed out all the struts on the memoir form to provide a harrowing account of her own experience of an abusive (if in her case not physically so) lesbian relationship, her part in it, and the never-ending path to recovery that includes eyeswide-open participation in a loving, healthy lesbian partnership. Despite the fact that her book is not “about the writing,” it is writerly to the nth degree and frequently breathtaking in its eloquence. Our queer brethren and sistern wrote some of the best-selling nonfiction books of the year, further distinguishing themselves for having taken time away from the public demands of their celebrity to write these books, splendidly, themselves. When I approached my editor about

reviewing Pete Buttigieg’s “Shortest Way Home” (Liveright), we had no reason to think that he would race beyond dark horse in his out candidacy for the presidency. But the book distinguished itself among books by campaigning politicians by giving full voice to the evolving gay experience of a man whose supporters find him inarguably true to his word. In the year’s final quarter, and in close succession, Rachel Maddow’s “Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth” (Crown), Ronan Farrow’s “Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators” (Little, Brown) and Christopher Wylie’s “Mindf*ck: Cambridge Analytica and the Plot to Break America” (Random House) sold out prerelease, became major bestsellers and kept woke readers woke farther into the night than they intended.t

Chanticleer cheers the season

by Brian Bromberger

songs (“I Saw Three Ships,” “Away in a Manger”) and more unfamiliar carols (the sophisticated German harmonies of “Susanni,” the serene French melody of “Quelle est cette odeur agreable.”) Whether

revisiting old favorites (the bouncy Basque “Riu, riu, chiu”) or welcoming newcomers, each piece is sung so reverently, harmonizing unique arrangements, that it feels heard for the first time. Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria,” perhaps Chanticleer’s most requested song, remains the definitive version. Two American folk hymns, “I Wonder as I Wander” with Andrew Van Allsburg’s majestic tenor solo, and “The Babe of Bethlehem,” were highlights, culminating in Rosephanye Powell’s soaring Christmas Medley of African-American spirituals and gospel music. Gay Chanticleer member Zach Burgess reflected on what their Christmas concerts mean to him, “‘A Chanticleer Christmas’ and San Francisco go hand in hand, and because Chanticleer’s reach is so broad I always get a sense of pride from our San Francisco audiences. There is a hometown atmosphere

to a private zoo by the dictator, with the resulting resettlement of rural residents. Deftly employing film clips from American network news programs of the Marcos era (late 60s- late 80s) mixed with contemporary chats with Marcos critics, Greenfield has returned to the brand of hard-hitting investigative doc-making that she demonstrated in the acclaimed film “The Queen of Versailles.” Her new film describes the 2016 election of the current strongman Rodrigo

Duterte and his bloody crackdown on “drug dealers,” and relates the attempted comeback by Marcos offspring Bongbong Marcos, Jr., who narrowly loses to a crowded field of candidates for the country’s vicepresidency. An anti-corruption investigator ruefully expresses his concerns about the motives of the Marcos family: “They scrubbed clean the sins of the past, and they are trying to project themselves as the leaders of the future.” Now playing.t

or many in the Bay Area, the holiday season doesn’t really start until they’ve attended the annual Chanticleer Christmas concert. “The world’s reigning male chorus” (The New Yorker) epitomizes Christmas, perhaps because choristers and audience are bonded by hope for at least one night. The Chanticleer holiday program varies little in format from year to year, but why tamper with a revered tradition? Chanticleer always starts this program with its 12 men dressed in tuxedos, holding lighted candles as they enter the darkened church in medieval solemnity and intone the Gregorian chant “Quem terra,” then proceed to Latin Renaissance polyphony. Philips’ lively “Gaudens gaudebo” and Guerrero’s transcendent “A un nino llorando,” with countertenor soloist Kory Reid,

Courtesy the subjects

The men of Chanticleer.

were standouts. Their blend of crisply etched voices rises to the rafters. The second half finds the men scattered through the audience, vocalizing standard Christmas

Family plot by David Lamble

n director Laura Greenfield’s poignant new doc “The Kingmaker,” the dark recent history of the Philippines is explored around the biggerthan-life history of former first lady Imelda Marcos. Widow to the brutal late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, a man charged with plundering his third-world nation’s wealth and having his main rival assassinated, Imelda tells her “truth” against the backdrop of events wild and surreal

enough to be the plot for a Shakespearean tragedy or a Marx Brothers comedy. For Americans exhausted by the daily soap opera of the Trump impeachment, “The Kingmaker” is a well-researched cautionary tale of what can befall a nation that allows a familial pack of jackals to loot the resources of a struggling, impoverished country. The film includes images of the widow Marcos’ infamous 3,000 pairs of shoes, plus shots of the wild African animals imported

during the holiday season because we see so many familiar faces. Chanticleer’s roots are in this community, and without its continued passion and support we wouldn’t be able to share our gift with the rest of the world.” Countertenor Alan Reinhardt recited Edward Bolton’s poem “A Carol in the Pastures,” “Sweet music, heavenly rare, but voices most divine make blissful harmony: Voice that seem to shine, for what else clears the sky.” It describes Christmas angels announcing their good news to the shepherds, but also evokes Chanticleer’s rapturous effect on their listeners.t A Chanticleer Christmas, Dec. 21, 8:15 p.m., Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland; Dec. 22, 8 p.m., St. Ignatius Church in SF. Tickets: (415) 252-8589 or www.chanticleer.org.

Arts Events

Holiday party

Our fave ‘big dyke’ performs at Feinstein’s

Leather Vol. 49 • No. 51 • December 19-25, 2019

Kent Taylor

Cindy Fong

www.ebar.com

Lea DeLaria

Christmas With Connie Connie Champagne brings Judy Garland back for a holiday concert at Martuni’s by David-Elijah Nahmod

by David-Elijah Nahmod

hile Ellen DeGeneres is often credited with being the first out lesbian to appear on national TV, truth be told, Lea DeLaria beat Ellen to the punch by four years. In 1993, former San Franciscan DeLaria appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show and referred to herself as “a big dyke.” She never looked back. See page 17 >>

n Saturday December 21, cabaret chanteuse Connie Champagne returns to Martuni’s to perform a Christmas concert as the iconic Judy Garland. Playing Garland has been a big part of Champagne’s singing career. She has become an expert at channeling Garland’s body language, mannerisms, and yes, even her voice. As she shared with the Bay Area Reporter, she didn’t start out as a Judy fan, but rather joined the Cult of Garland later in her career. See page 18 >>

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More photos on page 19 > { THIRD OF THREE SECTIONS }

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Cabaret>>

Tina Turnbow

Lea DeLaria

From page 16

Over the years DeLaria has worn a number of hats: stand-up comic, actress, singer. She received much acclaim for her portrayal of Carrie ‘Big Boo’ Black on the groundbreaking Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, has performed on Broadway, recorded albums, and brought audiences to stitches in comedy clubs across the country, starting with her early gigs at the late, lamented queer performance space Valencia Rose here in the city. On December 27 and 28 DeLaria brings her one-of-a-kind stage persona to Feinstein’s at The Nikko, where she’ll sing, tell jokes, and be her characteristically outrageous self. In a phone chat with the Bay Area Reporter, DeLaria recalled her days at the Valencia Rose. “At that time Valencia Rose did a thing called Gay Comedy Open Mic,” she said. “Tom Ammiano started it. Tom wanted to try doing comedy. He was at that time a politician, as he is now, and I went to one of the shows, and I decided I wanted to try it. I went up and Tom introduced me.” DeLaria noted that at that time she was billed on her posters as “That fuckin’ dyke.” Ammiano introduced her as such. “I went up to do my ten minutes and I killed,” she recalled. “You never kill your first time up. You always bomb. But for some reason I killed, and I ended up being on stage for twenty minutes. Tom just let me go and I was having a ball, and so was the audience. And I came back the next week and the next week, and finally I was offered to co-host. That was in April 1982, and by September of that year I had quit my day job and started supporting myself solely as a stand-up comic and singer.” From then on, DeLaria’s career as an out performer, unafraid to shock audiences, escalated. She recalled her appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show. “Somebody did a count, I think it was The Advocate,” she said. “Be-

December 19-25, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 17

tween my stand-up and the couch, I was on camera for nine and a half minutes and I said the words dyke, fag or queer 47 times! The audience loved me, they screamed with laughter. Arsenio loved me, he had me back three more times before the show was cancelled. I didn’t just open the closet door, I kicked it down, I blew it apart with a blowtorch. I took a bazooka to that closet door!” DeLaria says that there are two things she wants to do with her stand-up; change the world and get laid! She began singing with her father in nightclubs in St Louis around age ten and always knew that she could sing jazz. As a comic, she geared her routines toward a song, then sang the song to give her audience a respite. “Then afterwards I’ll start screaming ‘dyke’ and ‘fag’ again!” she said. “And it works, I have not changed that formula.” DeLaria considers herself a singer who’s funny. But she promises that her appearance at Feinstein’s will primarily be a music show.

“I will always have stand-up in my show,” she said. “It’s impossible for me not to do stand-up.” And she will, as always, be out and proud. “Here are my feelings on being out,” she said. “People can only be where they are. You can’t expect people to do something that they’re just incapable of. I’m not one of those people who’s always pointing at other people and saying you have to be out. I have to be out, it’s important to me. It’s in my DNA. I want to look in the mirror in the morning and like the person that I see, and I need to do that. But if you can’t do it, I’m not going to scream at you for not doing it. But when you’re ready, come on in, the water’s fine.” She also feels that people who are out should be political. “Please get out there and start speaking,” she said. “Not a lot of people have a voice. But you got feet, and you can march, and you can carry a sign, and you can be present, and we can be counted, and let them know how many of us there are and how we’re not going to take this shit anymore. I’m not about to let that man tear down my life’s work. It’s not gonna happen. I’m not gonna let that evil Nazi tear down what I’ve dedicated my entire life to. He’s pissed off the wrong butch dyke.” Her shows at Feinstein’s will comprise of songs from each of her records. All of her records, she reports, get airplay on jazz radio, and so she will perform the songs that get the most play. “And there will be lots of ‘Fuck Trump’ in my show,” she promises. She’ll also be doing what she calls “comedy without a net.” “I don’t really write material,” she explains. “I just talk, and I’m funny. I rarely know what I’m going to say until it comes out of my mouth.” DeLaria can also currently be seen in Reprisal, a new series streaming on Hulu. “It’s very noir, it’s very dark,” she said. “I’m really being asked to act in this in a way that’s very exciting to me. If Quentin Tarantino and David Lynch had a baby, it’d be this television show. It’s so good!” She added that she’s a total drag queen in Reprisal. And if you’re not sure if you should come see DeLaria at Feinstein’s, if you’re unfamiliar with her and her work, then she has a simple message for you. “Google me, bitch, and come to my show! And tell all the hot girls in San Francisco that I’m single and daddy’s looking for somebody!”t

Heather Rousseau

Above: A 1984 flyer for Lea DeLaria’s shows at the Valencia Rose in San Francisco. Below: Lea DeLaria onstage.

Lea DeLaria performs Friday and Saturday, December 27 & 28 at 8pm. $65-85 ($20 food/drink min.). Feinstein’s at the Nikko, Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.feinsteinssf.com

Nightlife Events December 19-26, 2019

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<< Cabaret

18 • Bay Area Reporter • December 19-25, 2019

Kent Taylor

Connie Champagne

From page 16

“Years ago Allen Sawyer cast me as Judy in Artfull Circle’s Christmas With the Crawfords,” Champagne recalled. “I was not a big fan or anything at the time, I was more of a David Bowie/Iggy Pop fan. But as I learned more about her and studied her movement in her performances, I was particularly moved by her honesty and vulnerability, the way she looked directly in her audience’s eyes, which I connected with Iggy, too. I guess like Johnny Depp was inspired by Keith Richards for Jack Sparrow, I was inspired by Iggy to connect to Judy. I know that sounds funny, but it’s true.” Champagne feels that it was Garland’s vulnerability that made her resonate with so many people of that time. “It takes courage to make yourself vulnerable,” Champagne said. “Children have always been mesmerized by Judy Garland, they truly loved her, and of course, many gay men in the 1960s took her as their mascot. I think it’s because when she sang, she touched their hearts.”

Garland of course had a very strong connection to gay men, and still does. Champagne feels that there’s a “camp” element to this, but also thinks that the connection goes beyond camp. Champagne recalls reading an Esquire Magazine quote from 1969: “They (gay men) are a persecuted group and they understand suffering. And so does Garland.”

December 19-26, 2019

Although many venues will close through Christmas, plenty of other festive entertainment options await. Pick your present faves at www.ebar.com

Sun 22

Kitka @ Old First Church

lar, that people associate with Judy Garland,” she said. “I’m working with Tammy Hall, who is a brilliant pianist and arranger, and Allen Sawyer, who wrote much of the dialogue, is terribly witty, so it’s fun, and it’s funny! “Our hope is that even if you hate Christmas, folks will have a great time, and maybe rediscover some of

the love and light that the holidays are supposed to bring. Who knows? You might just find your long-lost Christmas spirit!”t Connie Champagne at Martuni’s, with the Tammy Hall Trio and Lambert Moss. December 21, 21 and 31, each 7pm. $35. 4 Valencia St. at Market. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4447965

Photos by Gooch

F Kent Taylor

Connie Champagne

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Arts Events

B.A.R. Holiday party

Personals MEN TO MEN MASSAGE

Champagne pointed out that Garland loved the guys who celebrated her. “I’m told that at a 1965 press conference in San Francisco, she was asked if she minded having a large gay following,” Champagne said. “And she told them, ‘I couldn’t care less, I sing to people.’” When she takes to the stage at Martuni’s, Champagne promises to perform Garland’s greatest hits. “I have to; it’s Christmastime!” she exclaimed. She’ll also be doing some of Garland’s more obscure holiday songs, and even some songs that Garland never sang, but should have. She’ll be performing a duet with Lambert Moss on a rather famous tune that Garland performed with Barbra Streisand. The show promises to be filled with plenty of good humor. “Judy was funny,” Champagne said. “Her daughter Lorna Luft told me that, and it’s true. She had such an irreverent sense of humor, which you can see on her 1960s television show, and in concert footage.” Champagne noted that some of Garland’s humor was on display in the recent biopic Judy starring Renee Zellweger. “I don’t think they allowed Zellweger to go far enough or deep enough,” she said. “In real life Judy was far more outrageous. And sadly, in her later years, she was physically a wreck. You don’t see that in the film at all, really. But it’s still a good performance even if it is kind of Judy-Lite.” Fifty years after her passing, Garland remains an iconic figure, still idolized by millions. “I think we all have broken hearts from time to time,” Champagne said. “Watching Judy makes us feel less alone, especially at Christmas.” Champagne promises that a good time will be had by all who attend Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. “There’s something about the holidays, and Christmas in particu-

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ulltime staff, freelance writers and photographers enjoyed the Bay Area Reporter’s annual holiday party, held Dec. 14 at Martuni’s (4 Valencia St.), with food, drinks, and holiday music performed by Suzanne ‘Kitten on the Keys’ Ramsey.

Leather>>

December 19-25, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 19

Shared space Let’s stop the kvetching in 2020

Dot

Winner of the first Ms. Powerhouse Leather 2020 contest, Ms. V (third from left), with past winners of the Mr. titles: Will Victoria, Mr. Powerhouse Leather 2014 (left); AJ Huff, Mr. Powerhouse Leather 2019 (second from left); and Travis Santell Rowland, Mr. Powerhouse Leather 2017 (far right).

by Race Bannon

was standing in the San Francisco Eagle bar last week watching the inaugural Ms. SF Eagle Leather contest. The bar had a nice-sized crowd with a rare preponderance of women in attendance. The Powerhouse also held its inaugural Ms. Powerhouse Leather contest recently. I’m using both new contests here as an illustrative point that San Francisco’s leather bars are now officially shared space. Welcome to the modern queer leather bar. Yes, I know local leather bar space has been shared for a while, but these two events signal to me that our bar space is now forever inexorably mixed and as we enter the new year we avoid becoming comfortable with this fact at our own peril. I can already envision the reac-

tions some will have to this column. There will be a handful of loud protestations. There will be some quiet but seething rumblings within certain circles by those desperately trying to maintain that leather bars are inherently gay male space. To them I say, good luck with that. Don’t get me wrong. In an ideal world, I would much prefer we had so many leather and kink-friendly bars that they could easily compartmentalize themselves into gay, lesbian, pansexual, queer or whatever designation they chose, if any. That would be lovely. That’s not our current reality. Real estate prices and increased costs of doing business resulting from the rabid gentrification of our city, and many cities across the

country, have ushered in a crisis of available shared space. Our bars are being challenged as are our various other play and meeting venues. Couple this situation with the increased calls for inclusion within a quickly diversifying leather and kink scene and it’s the perfect storm for some bumpy times ahead as everyone tries to wrap their heads around how to share space best. I know this topic causes turmoil, especially among some gay men who feel their sacred leather space has been usurped. I get that. I come from an era where I could walk into any men’s leather bar anywhere in the country and know for sure that I’d almost always be surrounded entirely by other leathermen like myself. I recall those days fondly because the erotic heat generated for many gay men can only be optimally accomplished by an all-male space. I’m not here to counter that sentiment. That sentiment is entirely valid, and it lives within the hearts of many who are saddened such environments are harder to come by these days. I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but one thing I’m certain of is that we’ll likely never return to the bygone era of entirely male-centric leather bars. We can remember them fondly, but the evolution of our bar spaces has morphed them into public spaces for everyone. That’s great for some people. That’s sad for some people. And if people want the best outcome after all this mixing dust settles, they’d be wise to not cast aspersions on peo-

ple in either of those camps. That’s not useful. Humans are adaptable. We’ve adapted to so much throughout human existence and we’ll adapt to this change too. My instincts tell me that much of the leather and kink scene will continue to be driven by non-bar events, both big and small, that can each –if they choose to do so– focus on a specific target demographic; men’s weekend events, women’s play parties, pansexual conferences, discussion and education groups catering to each sub-group’s needs, clubs and organizations meeting the needs of a specific population. I don’t think we’re going to lack for places to go and events to attend at which we’ll each feel entirely comfortable and amid our own kind.

At the same time, while leather bars may no longer have the deeply heated, erotic and cruisy atmosphere men once enjoyed, that doesn’t mean that social events there can’t be equally enjoyable. I don’t think it’s reasonable to tell people they must feel erotically charged in a mixed space. Our sexualities are not democratic. We like what we like. However, when faced with a stark reality, it would be folly to not try to adjust our mindsets, each of us and as set of kink communities, to figure out how we can get a win/win out of as many situations as possible. I have faith we can. As for the new local women’s leather contests, San Francisco now has two new women’s titles and the first winners of them. Someone I’ve known for years and have long admired, Ms. V, won the title of Ms. Powerhouse Leather 2020. Over at the SF Eagle, Tammy Lg Hatter won the Ms. San Francisco Eagle Leather 2020 title. I don’t consider contests themselves to necessarily be harbingers of things to come, but in this case, I believe these two titles do pose significant local milestone events for the San Francisco leather and kink scene. May 2020 be the year we all get comfortable with this reality and figure out how to best get our individual and collective erotic and kink needs met.t

Race Bannon

Tammy Lg Hatter, Ms. San Francisco Eagle Leather 2020, the first to win the newly created title.

For Leather Events, visit ebar.com/bartab/leather-kink Race Bannon is a local author, blogger and activist. www.bannon.com

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1082 Blossom Hill Road San Jose, CA 95123 408-878-4235 facebook.com/AshleyHSSanJose

STOCKTON

In the Park West Place Shopping Center 10904 Trinity Parkway, Stockton, CA 95219 209-313-2187 facebook.com/AshleyHSStockton

SAN FRANCISCO

VISALIA

facebook.com/AshleyHSSanFrancisco

facebook.com/AshleyHSVisalia

707 Bayshore Blvd. San Francisco, CA 94124 415-467-4414

3850 S. Mooney Blvd Visalia, CA 93277 559-697-6399

www.AshleyHomeStore.com

*Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. Ashley HomeStore does not require a down payment, however, sales tax and delivery charges are due at time of purchase if the purchase is made with your Ashley Advantage™ Credit Card. No interest will be charged on promo purchase and equal monthly payments are required equal to initial promo purchase amount divided equally by the number of months in promo period until promo is paid in full. The equal monthly payment will be rounded to the next highest whole dollar and may be higher than the minimum payment that would be required if the purchase was a non-promotional purchase. Regular account terms apply to non-promotional purchases. For new accounts: Purchase APR is 29.99%; Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders should see their credit card agreement for their applicable terms. Promotional purchases of merchandise will be charged to account when merchandise is delivered. Subject to credit approval. ‡Monthly payment shown is equal to the purchase price, excluding taxes and delivery, divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded to the next highest whole dollar, and only applies to the selected financing option shown. If you make your payments by the due date each month, the monthly payment shown should allow you to pay off this purchase within the promo period if this balance is the only balance on your account during the promo period. If you have other balances on your account, this monthly payment will be added to the minimum payment applicable to those balances. §Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. See store for details. ‡‡Previous purchases excluded. Cannot be combined with any other promotion or discount. Discount offers exclude Tempur-Pedic®, Stearns & Foster® and Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid™ mattress sets, Hot Buys, floor models, clearance items, sales tax, furniture protection plans, warranty, delivery fee, Manager’s Special pricing, Advertised Special pricing, and 14 Piece Packages and cannot be combined with financing specials. Effective 1/1/2018, all mattress and box springs are subject to a $10.50 per unit CA recycling fee. †Subject to availability. Order must be entered by 4 PM. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. Stoneledge Furniture LLC., many times has multiple offers, promotions, discounts and financing specials occurring at the same time; these are allowed to only be used either/ or and not both or combined with each other. Although every precaution is taken, errors in price and/or specification may occur in print. We reserve the right to correct any such errors. Picture may not represent item exactly as shown, advertised items may not be on display at all locations. Some restrictions may apply. Available only at participating locations. Ashley HomeStores are independently owned and operated. ©2019 Ashley HomeStores, Ltd. Promotional Start Date: December 10, 2019. Expires: December 24, 2019.