February 15, 2024 edition of the Bay Area Reporter

New dodgeball league

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

Vol. 54 • No. 7 • February 15-21, 2024

Former SF mayor Farrell jumps into 2024 mayoral race

by Matthew S. Bajko

Courtesy Spahr Center

Spahr Center Executive Director Joe Tuohy

Marin’s Spahr Center faces fiscal crunch

by John Ferrannini

T

he Spahr Center, which serves Marin County’s LGBTQ and HIV communities, has announced its financial footprint is “not sustainable,” raising questions about its future.

Executive Director Joe Tuohy, a gay man who took over leadership of the North Bay nonprofit service provider last year, as the Bay Area Reporter previously reported, made the announcement in an email February 8.

“As you may know, it has been a challenging year for The Spahr Center,” the email begins.

“Over the last couple of months, we have realized that our financial footprint is not sustainable.”

See page 10 >>

F

ollowing the death of San Francisco mayor Ed Lee in late 2017, then-supervisor Mark Farrell briefly took over as mayor when a majority of his board colleagues elected him to the position. He replaced London Breed, who had been acting mayor due to being president of the board at the time of Lee’s passing.

Yet Farrell opted against running in the June 2018 special election to serve out the remainder of Lee’s mayoral term, which Breed would go on to win. And he would tell the San Francisco Chronicle’s editorial board his 170-day mayoralty was “it” for his time in elected office, with the paper labeling it the “epilogue” to Farrell’s political career.

Six years later, however, Farrell has changed his mind and wants to be sent back to Room 200 at City Hall. He is jumping into the city’s 2024 mayoral race, which will be decided on the November 5 ballot.

“San Francisco is the most iconic city in the world, but I have watched it crumble in front of my eyes these past five years,” Farrell, 49, told the Bay Area Reporter during a February 9 phone interview. “I don’t believe anybody else in this race is more qualified to turn San Francisco around than me. It is simply worth it.”

Farrell officially kicked off his campaign Tuesday at the San Francisco Baseball Academy, a local small business on Geary Boulevard. He chose

B.A.R. election endorsements President: Joseph R. Biden Jr. U.S. Senate: Barbara Lee Congress (Bay Area): Dist. 2: Jared Huffman Dist. 4: Mike Thompson Dist. 8: John Garamendi Dist. 9: Josh Harder Dist. 10: Mark DeSaulnier Dist. 11: Nancy Pelosi Dist. 12: Lateefah Simon Dist. 14: Eric Swalwell Dist. 15: Kevin Mullin Dist. 16: Evan Low Dist. 17: Ro Khanna Dist. 18: Zoe Lofgren CA Assembly Dist. 14: Buffy Wicks Dist. 16: Rebecca Bauer-Kahan Dist. 17: Matt Haney Dist. 18: Mia Bonta Dist. 19: Catherine Stefani

Rick Gerharter

Former San Francisco mayor Mark Farrell spoke at an event Tuesday announcing that he’s running for mayor in 2024.

it for being “a story of success” that is “a beacon for families” citywide.

“I am running as a father and for my family and families across our city. There is nowhere else I wanted to start this campaign than where we are doing it,” said Farrell, who with his wife of 20 years, Liz, has an 18-year-old daughter, Madison,

and sons Jack, 16, and Kane, 11.

One factor that played into his decision was his family’s home in the city’s Jordan Park neighborhood was burglarized over a year ago while they were asleep upstairs in their rooms.

See page 10 >>

CALIFORNIA PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY

Dist. 20: Liz Ortega Dist. 21: Diane Papan Dist. 24: Alex Lee Dist. 25: Ash Kalra Dist. 26: Patrick Ahrens CA Senate Dist. 3: Christopher Cabaldon Dist. 7: Jovanka Beckles Dist. 9: Marisol Rubio Dist. 11: Scott Wiener Dist. 13: Josh Becker Dist. 15: Dave Cortese Dist. 17: John Laird SF Judges Seat 1: Michael Isaku Begert Seat 13: Patrick Thompson Alameda County Judge Seat 12: Michael Johnson OTHER RACES Alameda County Board of Supervisors Dist. 4: Jennifer Esteen Dist. 5: John Bauters

Alameda County Board of Education Area 2: Angela Normand San Francisco Democratic Party Central Committee AD 17: Trevor Chandler, Vick Chung, Matt Dorsey, Peter Gallotta, Emma Heiken, Jane Kim, Jeremy Lee, Anita Martinez, Michael Nguyen, Joshua Rudy Ochoa, Sal Rosselli, Joe Sangirardi, Sydney Simpson, Luis Zamora AD 19: Michela Alioto-Pier, Dan Calamuci, Connie Chan, Mike Chen, Sandra Lee Fewer, Natalie Gee, Parag Gupta, Hene Kelly, Gordon Mar, Mano Raju, SAN FRANCISCO PROPS Yes on: A, C, D, G No on: B, E, F CALIFORNIA PROPS Yes on: 1

Remember to vote by March 5!

Screengrab

Stud co-owner Maria Davis

Stud co-owner tapped for city commission

by John Ferrannini

T

he San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee voted unanimously to recommend a co-owner of the Stud LGBTQ bar to the San Francisco Entertainment Commission February 12.

The committee voted 3-0 in favor of Maria Davis. If approved by the full board, Davis would fill seat No. 2, which was made vacant by the departure of queer Latino man Stephen Torres, who is running for District 9 supervisor.

See page 11 >>

<< Community News

2 • Bay Area Repor ter • February 15-21, 2024

t

Hearing pushed back 4th time in Marsh case

by John Ferrannini

T

he preliminary hearing in the case of the UC Berkeley employee charged in the killing of a gay Black man in Oakland last year was pushed back again. This is the fourth time the hearing has been continued.

As the Bay Area Reporter previously reported (https://www.ebar. com/story.php?ch=news&sc=crim e&id=329107), it was originally set for October 17 last fall. Then, during a court hearing that day, the Alameda County District Attorney’s office requested a new date, which was given November 17.

The hearing didn’t happen that day, either, because the DA requested another continuance, according to David Briggs, attorney for defendant Sweven Waterman. It was then

Courtesy Oakland LGBTQ Community Center

Oakland resident Curtis Marsh

pushed to January 14 but didn’t happen because the DA wasn’t ready, Briggs said, and was continued again to February 6.

Briggs stated to the B.A.R. February 5 that it has been rescheduled for April 2.

Waterman, 38, of Oakland, is charged with homicide in the March 4 stabbing death of Curtis Marsh, 53, also of Oakland. Waterman has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. In a previous interview, Briggs demurred when asked about his client’s sexual orientation. Waterman is on administrative leave from his job as a senior custodian at UC Berkeley.

Marsh, who was also known as drag artist Touri Monroe, was a hair stylist and a Miss Gay Oakland emeritus who used to sing with the Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus. Originally from Iowa, friends described him as fun, helpful, and active in his church.

Briggs has told the B.A.R. in past reports that Waterman did not know Marsh, as far as he knew.

Former trans law center ED moves to LGBTQ task force compiled by Cynthia Laird

team and the task force family,” stated Kierra Johnson, a bisexual Black woman ris Hayashi, formerly the executive who is the organization’s executive didirector of the Oaklandrector. “Kris will bring based Transgender Law Cenimmeasurable exter, has been hired for a top pertise to our adposition with the National vocacy and policy LGBTQ Task Force. work as our comHayashi, a trans man, is munity, especially our the task force’s director of trans and nonbinary advocacy and action, the siblings, are under unorganization stated in a relenting and unprecnews release. The position edented attacks.”

Courtesy National encompasses the task force’s Among other duties, LGBTQ Task Force policy, field, and faith teams, Kris Hayashi Hayashi is expected to be the release noted. involved in the task force’s “We could not be more excited or Queer the Vote campaign during this honored to welcome Kris Hayashi to our election year, Johnson added.

K

Hayashi stated that he’s “honored” to join the task force.

“At a time when trans communities are facing escalating attacks on our rights, lives, and very existence, I am excited to join the National LGBTQ Task Force and support the organization’s work to build a queer progressive movement that centers trans power, resistance, and joy,” he stated.

He also praised Johnson, who became executive director three years ago, in February 2021.

See page 10 >>

Police responded to Marsh’s home on Vernon Street in the Adams Point neighborhood just before 8 a.m.

March 4 after a report of a disturbance, Oakland Police Officer Darryl Rodgers previously stated in an email to the B.A.R. The “disturbance” consisted of “reports of an individual screaming,” stated Paul Chambers, the strategic communication manager for the Oakland Police Department.

When officers arrived, Oakland firefighters were on the scene extinguishing a fire.

“Upon arrival, officers located an Oakland resident with multiple lacerations,” Oakland Police Officer Darryl Rodgers stated. “The victim succumbed to their injuries and medical units pronounced the victim deceased on scene. Investigators from the OPD Homicide Section responded to the scene to begin the follow-up investigation into the circumstances surrounding the homicide.”

Neighbors told KTVU-TV that

Letters>> Foreign policy group backs Ratevosian

In November, voters will face the most important election of our lifetimes. On the ballot will be the future of American democracy, protections for vulnerable communities and human rights for all, and the moral character of the U.S. role in the world.

At this critical moment, with so much at stake, we should be grateful for every candidate willing to run and serve our communities in Congress.

But in California’s 30th Congressional District, one candidate stands out from all the rest.

Jirair Ratevosian, Ph.D., will be on the March 5 primary ballot in Southern California. He is an extraordinarily talented and dedicated public servant, a respected public health expert, and a lifelong advocate for equity and justice. As a former adviser to Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) in Congress, he led the fight to mobilize resources to fight HIV/AIDS around the world. At the State Department, he delivered life-saving aid to communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ratevosian is running now to represent his home community as a continuation of that lifetime of service. He’s a rare leader with a track record of listening to stakeholders, developing solutions, and delivering results. At Foreign Policy for America, we’re very proud to endorse him.

Andrew Albertson, Executive Director Foreign Policy for America Washington, D.C.

I vote for my future.

Register now and vote in March 5, 2024 Election.

sfelections.org/register (415) 554-4375 sfvote@sfgov.org

City Hall, Room 48 sfelections.org

the perpetrator set the fire and left the front door and gate open when running away. No motive has been given, nor the circumstances of if – or how – the two men knew one another.

Waterman has six prior convictions dating back to 2002, including felony evasion, forgery, robbery, and vehicle theft, according to Berkeley Scanner.

A memorial for Marsh was held March 11 at the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center where friends remembered him.

Marsh is one of at least two gay Black men who were killed in Oakland last year. But, so far, no suspect has been found in the March 12 shooting death of Devonte Davis, police told the B.A.R. October 17.

Oakland police did not return a request from the B.A.R. for an update on the Davis case February 5.

The two incidents are unrelated.

The Alameda County DA’s office did not return multiple requests for comment. t

Standing united against attacks on trans youth

As a coalition of LGBTQ+ and allied organizations, we write to address a range of attacks on transgender youth in California. In 2023 alone, states around the country introduced hundreds of bills restricting the rights of transgender young people. California has long been one of the most inclusive and welcoming places in the nation for LGBTQ+ people, but even we are now facing a distressing surge of threats against the rights and safety of transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex youth.

Across our state, far-right school board members are pushing policies that deny students access to essential historical information about LGBTQ+ people, forcibly out transgender students, and undermine the basic rights of transgender youth to use facilities and participate in school activities aligned with their gender identity. These actions jeopardize the safety of all students and undermine the fundamental values of

equality and dignity that should be the bedrock of California schools.

And now, many of these same extremists are collecting signatures to advance a ballot measure that would roll back the rights of all transgender youth in California. Their hateful efforts would strip away vital civil rights protections painstakingly established for transgender youth and their families, including their rights to safely be themselves at school, participate in youth sports, access school facilities consistent with their gender identity, and receive life-saving gender-affirming care.

The weight of this moment is heavy, and we share the fears and worries expressed by many Californians.

Protecting the rights of every LGBTQ+ person, safeguarding our loved ones, and nurturing an inclusive future for transgender youth are non-negotiable. Our organizations, along with many other partners and allies, have been working tirelessly to address the harm that these attacks have on our youth, and we stand ready to take action whenever and wherever needed to protect our communities.

Nothing is more crucial to us than safeguarding your rights, your loved ones, and your children’s future. We are continuing to actively monitor the proposed ballot measure and stand ready to take any essential action necessary to prevent its advancement. Together, we will overcome these attacks on our community and pave the way for a California where every individual, regardless of gender identity, can continue to thrive in safety and dignity.

Tony Hoang, Executive Director Equality California Jodi Hicks, CEO Planned Parenthood of California Bamby Salcedo, President and CEO The TransLatin@ Coalition Camila Camaleón, President San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ Center Ezak Perez, Executive Director Gender Justice LA Kathie Moehlig, Executive Director TransFamily Support Services Ashley Morris, Organizing Director ACLU of Northern California Amanda Goad, Audrey Irmas Director LGBTQ Gender and Reproductive Justice

ACLU of Southern California

Tai’Rance S. Kelly Sr., Founder/CEO Tranz of Anarchii Inc. Terra Russell-Slavin, Chief Impact Officer Los Angeles LGBT Center Imani Rupert-Gordon, Exe.Director National Center for Lesbian Rights Ebony Harper, Executive Director California TRANscends

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<< Community News

t Mother of trans homicide defendant speaks out 4 • Bay Area Repor ter • February 15-21, 2024

by John Ferrannini

T

he mother of the transgender woman who has pleaded not guilty to charges of killing a man at San Francisco’s Crissy Field in November told the Bay Area Reporter she’s taking things “one day at a time” during an exclusive interview Friday after the latest court hearing in the case. At the hearing, the tentative date for the trial was pushed back from April to July.

Speaking to the B.A.R. February 2 at the federal courthouse at 450 Golden Gate Avenue near San Francisco City Hall, Leslie Blueford also said that her daughter, Leion Butler, “is doing better now,” especially after being transferred to the San Francisco County Jail at 850 Bryant Street.

Blueford said that initially Butler, 20, had been held at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County (where federal defendants are typically held). But she is now being housed at the city jail after Butler was returned to the custody of the United States Marshals Service, said Blueford.

In Santa Rita Butler had been in a “two-man cell,” but now in San Francisco “can walk around,” said Blueford, “because it’s a more “open” environment.

“They had her locked up in a cell all these weeks but she’s not anymore so she’s doing better,” said Blueford.

Assistant Federal Public Defender David Rizk, who is representing Butler, confirmed that Butler was in U.S. custody on January 12, as the B.A.R. reported The marshals neither confirmed nor

John Ferrannini

Leslie Blueford, the mother of trans defendant Leion Butler, said she is taking things one day at a time during a February 2 interview with the Bay Area Reporter after a hearing in federal court.

denied Butler was in U.S. custody in December.

Rizk had complained at a December hearing that Butler had been held by the San Francisco Sheriff ’s Department in an all-male facility.

Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse ordered the marshals to respond to remediate those concerns, but the service told the B.A.R. late last year it wouldn’t say if that meant she had been transferred to it.

“All I can do is go and see her, check in on her, make sure she’s alright,” Blueford said. “I’m taking it one day at a time. We’re going to keep on fighting

this.”

Blueford, on the advice of Rizk, would not answer any questions about the allegations in the case.

Butler is charged with seconddegree murder in the death of Hamza Walupupu, 32, on November 12 at Crissy Field. A former U.S. Army airfield now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the location bumps the prosecution up from the state to the federal court system.

As the B.A.R. previously reported, according to a federal memorandum in support of keeping Butler in custody, Butler told police in an interview

after her arrest that she was working as a sex worker the night of November 12 when Walupupu allegedly approached her. After performing oral sex on Walupupu, he wanted a refund after she revealed she was transgender, the memorandum continues.

Butler refused and then shot Walupupu and took his car to Hunters Point, where she wiped it down of fingerprints, and then abandoned it, according to the memorandum. Butler called her mother, who advised her to destroy evidence, the government alleges.

“The defendant took – and later disposed of – the victim’s backpack because she had looked in it and thought it had her DNA on it,” the document stated. “She also disposed of the clothes she was wearing, which had blood on them, and her mother threw away the purse she was carrying. The defendant also gave her gun away to a third party because ‘there’s a body on [it].’” Police later found the car because it’d been double-parked for three days.

A December court filing from the U.S. Attorney’s office states that Butler “repeatedly discussed murdering the victim and continued to show no remorse for doing so” on the phone earlier that month. It was not stated if Butler knew she was being recorded.

“In one conversation, the defendant was speaking to an unnamed person on the phone,” the filing states. “The two of them discussed writing a letter in support of her release. The unnamed person suggested that the defendant

say she felt sorry for what happened.

The defendant responded, ‘Say that.

Say that I apologize to anyone I hurt, but my life was in danger, and I felt like I had to defend myself in that moment or it would have been me.’”

The San Francisco Chronicle first reported on the phone conversation.

The filing states that later Butler told her mother that “I used to like, feel bad for doing bad shit, like you know? ...

But girl, I don’t feel like nothing, I don’t feel like shit ... I don’t feel like I’m in the wrong. Period. I don’t. ... I don’t feel like I’m in the wrong ... I just feel like, girl, he got what he deserved.”

July trial more likely after hearing

During the hearing in the courtroom of U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston, Rizk said that as the defense has started preparing its case, it has become clear that “we’ll need a lot more time.” The trial had been set for mid-April.

“The government has begun to talk about dates in the first half of July, which we understand is available,” he said. “The defense is going to be asking for a continuance.”

Illston said that she would leave open a July 1 date on her calendar for the trial to start.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Davidson, who is prosecuting the case, had no objection, and all agreed to finally set the schedule on February 23. t

Gay men account for a large share of STIs

by Liz Highleyman

S

yphilis is surging in the United States, but cases of chlamydia have leveled off and gonorrhea has declined, according to the latest sexually transmitted infections surveillance report.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report reflects familiar disparities, with gay men accounting for a disproportionate share of cases and Black people having the highest STI rates.

The news comes at a time when COVID has diverted attention and resources, funding for STI and sexual health services is under pressure, and the public health workforce has been cut, leading health officials and advocates to call for a greater focus.

“The CDC’s latest STI data shows that our nation is facing a rapidly deteriorating public health crisis with real lives at stake,” the National Coalition of STD

Courtesy CDC

Dr. Jonathan Mermin

Directors said in a statement. “STIs – especially syphilis – will continue to spiral out of control until the administration and Congress provide communities with the funding they need to provide the most basic screening, treatment and prevention services.”

Fortunately, there’s a new tool in the

STI prevention toolbox, at least for gay and bisexual men and transgender women. Studies have shown that taking a single dose of the antibiotic doxycycline within 72 hours after sex – known as doxyPEP – can reduce the risk of chlamydia and syphilis for these groups by around 70% to 90% and the risk of gonorrhea by 50% to 60%. DoxyPEP did not significantly reduce STI risk in a study of young women in Africa, but this approach might still work for those who achieve good adherence. The CDC issued the first doxyPEP guidelines in October, as the Bay Area Reporter previously reported.

“In the United States, syphilis was close to elimination in the 1990s, so we know it’s possible to reverse this epidemic,” stated Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of the CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention.

“I have hope for innovative prevention

tools – such as a pill after sex that prevents STIs and better tests for syphilis – but they will only be successful if they reach the people who will benefit.”

Three major STIs

According to the CDC report released January 30, the three major reportable bacterial STIs – chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis – collectively rose by about 2% between 2018 and 2022, exceeding 2.5 million total cases.

But the combined data hide contrasting trends for the three diseases.

Chlamydia, the most common notifiable STI, was roughly stable between 2021 and 2022, with a slight 0.3% uptick, bringing the total to nearly 1.65 million cases. But the five-year trend shows a substantial 6% decline, driven by a 9% reduction among women.

Young people in their late teens and 20s accounted for more than half of all

chlamydia cases in 2022, with women having a more than twofold higher rate than men. Men who have sex with men do not appear to have a substantially higher prevalence than heterosexual men and women. Black people (who make up about 13% of the U.S. population) had the highest chlamydia rate by a large margin, accounting for 28% of cases. The states with the highest rates were concentrated in the southeast.

Gonorrhea, in contrast, decreased by about 5% among men and by about 14% among women from 2021 to 2022, falling to about 648,000 cases – the first decline in at least a decade. Despite this drop, the five-year trend still shows an 11% rise since 2018. Gonorrhea is increasingly resistant to antibiotics, but most circulating strains remain susceptible to ceftriaxone, the primary recommended treatment.

See page 11 >>

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Sports >>

February 15-21, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 5

LGBTQ+ dodgeball league debuts in SF

by J.L. Odom

F

or some, the mention of dodgeball brings to mind the 2004 sports comedy film starring Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn. For others, it invokes memories of P.E. class and corresponding character-building moments.

There’s also general knowledge of dodgeball as being “that game where people throw balls at each other.”

San Francisco is soon getting an updated reference to the sport: an LGBTQ+ dodgeball league, set to launch this month. Unlike the cutthroat version in movies and high school gymnasiums, this league encourages everyone to take part.

“One of the things we really wanted to do was to lean into creating a safe space for the members of our community to learn, to grow and to have fun,” said Adam Eckstein, Stonewall Sports San Francisco operations director and co-founder.

Stonewall Sports SF is the league behind the dodgeball offering, which centers on skill development and creating a welcoming environment for the local LGBTQ+ community and allies, individuals across the gender spectrum, and players of all experience levels.

The age 21+ dodgeball “pilot program” gets underway Sunday, February 18, at 5, 6, or 7 p.m. with 10 v. 10 games happening in the Eureka Valley Recreation Center, 100 Collingwood Street in the LGBTQ Castro neighborhood.

The action continues on February 25, when another night of matches will be held at those same times, followed by a tournament on March 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. Players will be assigned to one of several all-genders teams prior to the start of the program.

Stonewall Sports, a national LGBTQ+ nonprofit named after the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, was established in 2010 in Washington, D.C. The organization has since

Thao Le

Adam Eckstein, left, Stonewall Sports San Francisco league operations director, is joined by Blake Gottlieb, league commissioner, and Thao Le, league umpire and mentorship director, as the group prepares for a dodgeball league.

branched out to over 20 chapters, with the majority along the East Coast in states like Virginia (Norfolk; Richmond), North Carolina (Charlotte; Greensboro), and Massachusetts (Boston).

Eckstein, who is gay, and Blake Gottlieb founded Stonewall Sports San Francisco – the 25th of the chapters and the first on the West Coast – in 2023.

“The whole mission of Stonewall National is to provide a recreational sports league for LGBTQ+ people, and we certainly wanted to promote that and have that as a fixture here in San Francisco in particular,” said Gottlieb, Stonewall Sports SF commissioner.

Their SF chapter, which Gottlieb, a gay man, described as “extremely queer-friendly,” has overseen two successful seasons of kickball since its start, with community interest exceeding expectations.

“We filled up – we took as many people as we could accept. ... And it was a really great experience. I believe the

players really appreciated what we did,” said Gottlieb.

The inaugural kickball season, held over the summer, lasted 11 weeks and featured a “Booty Camp” training day, multiple games, playoffs, finals, an allstars game, and social events, including an outing to Oracle Park for a San Francisco Giants game.

“So many people got involved and helped drive the whole league forward,” Gottlieb said of the initial season.

During the fall, Stonewall Sports SF surveyed its kickball player base to gauge other sports they’d be interested in, and the overwhelming response was dodgeball, at around 70%.

As Eckstein noted, “That made the choice and trying to figure out what our next sport offering would be that much easier.”

As with the kickball league, players who join the winter dodgeball program will receive plenty of guidance, with a Booty Camp training day scheduled preseason and a plan to review key dodgeball skills prior to each of the matches.

“We’re very oriented toward fairness and making sure that we’re lifting the basic knowledge and skill of the whole league of players,” said Gottlieb.

“And we know that we’re going to have a lot of new players joining us, so we just want to make sure that folks get up to speed and that they have a good experience,” added Eckstein.

League umpire and mentorship director Thao Le recognizes that sports like dodgeball can have a certain intimidation factor for newcomers. Plus, it can seem that sports are all about competing and winning, but those elements are “just icing on the cake,” she said.

For her, it’s more about getting people to enjoy playing – to the extent that they keep coming back, season after season.

“In this league, we encourage people, even if you’ve never played, to come join. We’re here to help you, and we want you to have as much fun as we do,” said Le, a lesbian.

When Eckstein and Gottlieb reached out to her about taking on a leadership role in Stonewall Sports SF, Le shared that it took her mere seconds to make a decision.

“Their objective was unique for me: they said, ‘It’s going to be all-inclusive.

We want people to learn but also have fun.’ And I was all in.”

Le’s mentoring efforts, coupled with the league’s focus on good sports conduct, are facets in place to retain new and inexperienced players and ensure a supportive environment. These aspects are particularly significant for trans and nonbinary individuals, who might have had restricted access to, and less acceptance in, other sport spaces.

“For those players, they may be showing up to a team sport for the first time. So these are ways that we can really help support [them],” said Eckstein.

Another inclusive feature is in place during the registration period for full seasons of play, when Stonewall Sports

SF reserves a time period exclusively for gender minority players to sign up prior to opening registration to the remaining community.

As Eckstein commented, “We want to do everything we can to continue to welcome these players to the league and ensure they’re having a great experience. As a nonprofit, we’re really mission driven and trying to hit that goal.”

League shirts’ inclusion of a “name and pronouns” section for players to write in their preferred name and pronouns further conveys the message that all are welcome to participate in Stonewall Sports SF – in kickball, dodgeball or both.

“I think that also just sends a signal that this is something that matters— you need to respect people’s identities in this league. It’s not just some kind of anonymous group of people and we’re all there to just throw balls at each other. After games, we’re there at bars. And even to just know someone’s name off the bat or not to have to ask it multiple times is part of what’s helping people to get to know each other and be friendly,” said Gottlieb.

Registration for the dodgeball league officially opened on January 29, with about half the available spots filling shortly thereafter. A fair share of Stonewall Sports SF kickball players have signed up, as have many new folks. The cost is $25 through February 9, then it increases to $35.

For Eckstein, “The community is really responding to what we’re offering, and there’s definitely folks out there that want additional sporting options.

We’re happy to be able to provide that, and we’re very excited for our upcoming season.”

To register for Stonewall Sports SF’s winter dodgeball pilot program, go here: https://app.teamlinkt.com/register/find/stonewallsportssf t

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6 • Bay Area Repor ter • February 15-21, 2024

Volume 54, Number 7 February 15-21, 2024 www.ebar.com

PUBLISHER Michael M. Yamashita Thomas E. Horn, Publisher Emeritus (2013) Publisher (2003 – 2013) Bob Ross, Founder (1971 – 2003) NEWS EDITOR Cynthia Laird ARTS & NIGHTLIFE EDITOR Jim Provenzano ASSISTANT EDITORS Matthew S. Bajko • John Ferrannini CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Christopher J. Beale • Robert Brokl Brian Bromberger • Victoria A. Brownworth Philip Campbell • Heather Cassell Michael Flanagan •Jim Gladstone Liz Highleyman • Brandon Judell • Lisa Keen Philip Mayard • Laura Moreno David-Elijah Nahmod • J.L. Odom • Paul Parish Tim Pfaff • Jim Piechota • Adam Sandel Jason Serinus • Gregg Shapiro Gwendolyn Smith • Charlie Wagner Ed Walsh • Cornelius Washington • Sura Wood ART DIRECTION Max Leger PRODUCTION/DESIGN Ernesto Sopprani PHOTOGRAPHERS Jane Philomen Cleland Rick Gerharter • Gooch Jose A. Guzman-Colon • Rudy K. Lawidjaja Georg Lester • Rich Stadtmiller Christopher Robledo • Fred Rowe Shot in the City • Steven Underhill • Bill Wilson ILLUSTRATORS & CARTOONISTS Christine Smith

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B.A.R. recommendations

S

an Francisco voters will determine a number of important issues on the March 5 ballot. These include an affordable housing bond, public safety measures, encouraging conversion of office space to housing, and changes to local ethics laws. Below are our recommendations.

Proposition A: yes Affordable Housing Bonds. YES. With the city’s ongoing housing crisis, this is a no-brainer. This was placed on the ballot by the Board of Supervisors and is supported by Mayor London Breed. It would allow the city to borrow up to $300 million by issuing general obligation bonds. The city would use up to $240 million to construct, develop, acquire, or rehabilitate new rental housing, including senior housing and workforce housing, for extremely low-income, very-low income, and lower-income households. Another $30 million would be spent for moderate-income housing, and $30 million for housing for those experiencing street violence, domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, or other trauma relating to homelessness.

Mercy Housing is one of the supporters of Prop A. It’s been involved with the construction of affordable senior housing for seniors, including LGBTQ seniors, through its relationship with Openhouse, the LGBTQ senior agency. Other housing-focused nonprofits are also on board because they realize that the need is great for affordable housing in San Francisco.

According to the ballot simplification committee’s analysis, city policy is to issue new bonds only as old ones are paid off. Proponents stated in the ballot guide that Prop A will not increase property taxes.

Prop A requires 66.66% affirmative votes to pass.

Vote YES on Prop A.

Proposition D: yes

Proposition B: no

Police Officer Staffing Levels Conditioned on Amending Existing or Future Tax Funding. NO. Gay District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey originally conceived of this charter amendment as a five-year plan to fully staff the San Francisco Police Department. However, he pulled his support after the plan was drastically changed by District 11 Supervisor and mayoral candidate Ahsha Safaí, who added what Dorsey called a “poison pill” that renders it ineffective. So even if voters approve Prop B, it’s meaningless without the necessary funding to actually hire more police officers.

Voters should not be fooled into thinking that if Prop B passes the city will be able to recruit more officers, because the funding to pay them is not included.

The San Francisco Police Department is understaffed to the tune of about 400 officers. Dorsey’s original plan would have called for $30 million in the city’s budget to be set aside for officer recruitment. But Safaí’s amendment got rid of that and instead makes the funding reliant on new or modified taxes, which are not part of Prop B. In his ballot argument against Prop B, Dorsey stated, “San Francisco is a $14.6 billion enterprise. We can afford a fully staffed police department.” He maintains a fully staffed SFPD should be a baseline for residents with the taxes they already pay, not an add-on with a new or modified tax.

Prop B requires 50%+1 affirmative votes to pass. Vote NO on Prop B.

Changes to Local Ethics Laws. YES. This ordinance would tighten city ethics laws, which is sorely needed following the 2020 City Hall corruption scandal that is still seeing people punished for taking bribes and other wrongdoing. Prop D was placed on the ballot by a unanimous vote of the ethics commission in response to the scandals. According to the proponents’ statement in the voter guide, it would clarify existing rules that prohibit city officials from accepting gifts from those attempting to influence them and those doing business with city departments. It would provide standardized rules for all city officials prohibiting outside activities that conflict with their city duties.

It would allow a city official to be penalized for failing to disclose, as required by law, any personal, business, or professional relationships they have with anyone who is subject to a government decision being made by the official.

Prop D would also safeguard ethics laws by amending chapters of the Campaign and Government Conduct Code to require future legislative amendments be approved by supermajorities of both the ethics commission and the Board of Supervisors. (The power of voters to amend these chapters would not be affected, the voter guide states.)

This measure is overdue in the wake of the ongoing scandal.

Prop D requires 50%+1 affirmative votes to pass. Vote YES on Prop D.

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Proposition E: no

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Illegal Substance Dependence Screening and Treatment for Recipients of City Public Assistance. NO. This ordinance backed by Mayor Breed and Supervisor Dorsey would be ineffective and is just mean-spirited. It states that in order to receive assistance through the County Adult Assistance Program, or CAAP, single adults aged 65 and under with no dependent children must be screened for substance use disorder if the city reasonably suspects the person to be dependent on illegal drugs. CAAP recipients could stop receiving benefits if they refuse to participate in a required screening. Prop F does state such individuals would continue to receive housing assistance for at least 30 days.

As Roma Guy, a lesbian and former city health commissioner, and her partner, retired registered nurse Diane Jones, write in the ballot statement opposing Prop F, the measure would do nothing to help with the homelessness problems because it would take away the basic services and support systems that keep those in greatest need off the streets.

Crucially, Prop F goes against accepted best practices for treating substance use disorder and addressing homelessness. It will take away vital assistance and employment services from those who most need them – low-income San Franciscans, they added.

Developing stable and safe housing programs for those with substance use disorder should be the priority of city officials; Guy and Jones note that the city isn’t even following its own 2022 Overdose Prevention Plan.

Dorsey, who’s a recovering addict himself, should realize that requiring people to be screened for drug use in order to receive city assistance is not a winning policy. It is more likely to prevent people from seeking treatment and increase homelessness. San Francisco is a compassionate city; it’s shameful that Prop F is even on the ballot.

Prop F requires 50%+1 affirmative votes to pass. Vote NO on Prop F.

Vote yes on CA Prop 1

T

Proposition C: yes

Real Estate Transfer Tax Exemption and Office Space Allocation. YES. Under this ordinance, the first time a property is transferred after being converted from commercial to residential use, it would be exempt from the transfer tax as long as the property owner receives permission to convert the property before January 1, 2030. Currently, the city collects a real estate transfer tax (a 6% tax rate on transactions over $25 million) on most sales and the money goes into the general fund.

Mayor Breed is the main proponent of Prop C and stated in the voter guide that the exemption would remove a barrier to converting commercial space into residential housing. This process is already cumbersome and expensive; the mayor argues that revitalization of downtown San Francisco in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic is beginning to take off. Prop C is an important next step in the city’s multi-prong approach, she explained.

The increase in housing stock through such conversions would also help with the city’s housing crisis and go toward the state-mandated requirement to build thousands of units in the next several years.

Prop C requires 50%+1 affirmative votes to pass.

Vote YES on Prop C.

Police Department Policies and Procedures. NO. Mayor Breed and Safer San Francisco are championing this ordinance. But as we wrote (https://www.ebar.com/story.php?ch=opinion&sc=editorial&id=329124) last fall when Breed proposed it, there are major problems with Prop E, particularly around the desire to change rules regarding police pursuits. The San Francisco Police Department last revised its pursuit policy in 2013 and the goal was to prevent injuries or fatalities while engaged in high-speed chases. The department’s policy is to “safely apprehend a fleeing violator without unnecessarily endangering the public and/or officers.” As the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California wrote in the voter guide, Prop E endangers pedestrians and others by authorizing high-speed vehicle chases for low-level crimes in one of the densest cities in the country.

Also problematic is the part in Prop E about the police commission. Prop E supporters say that it would prevent the commission from “micromanaging” the police chief, but the commission’s role is oversight of the department, including the chief. “To be clear, the police commission with civilian appointees dates back to 1878,” we wrote last fall. “Its mission is to set policy for the police department and to conduct disciplinary hearings on charges of police misconduct filed by the chief of police or director of the Department of Police Accountability, impose discipline in such cases as warranted, and hear police officers’ appeals from discipline imposed by the chief of police. By and large, we believe the body does a good job even in these challenging times. Passing a ballot measure is micromanaging, in our opinion, and not in the best interest of the city or SFPD.” The Electronic Frontier Foundation is also against Prop E. It states that the measure would roll back crucial oversight of police use of surveillance technology. It would allow police to deploy any surveillance technology for a full year without accountability or transparency and without examining impacts on civil rights. It would erode the city’s 2019 Surveillance Technology Ordinance, which requires city agencies, including SFPD, to seek approval from the Board of Supervisors before acquiring or deploying new surveillance technology. That’s an important layer of oversight.

Prop E requires 50%+1 affirmative votes to pass. Vote NO on Prop E.

Proposition F: no

Bay Area Reporter

t

here is one statewide measure on to counties. Prop 1 does not change the March 5 ballot. Proposition the tax; it does change the allocation 1 authorizes $6.38 billion in bonds formula and will see about 10% of to build mental health treatment fathe money going to the state. Prop 1 cilities for those with mental health also requires that counties spend more and substance use challenges. It also of their share of the funding on housprovides housing for the homeless. ing and personalized support services Governor Gavin Newsom is the main like employment assistance and eduproponent and has been calling for cation, the legislative analyst noted. mental health reform for years. Prop 1 The billions in bond money is Jane Philomen Cleland was placed on the ballot by the Legisneeded because California does not Governor Gavin lature in bipartisan votes. have enough places where people can Newsom According to the legislative analyst, get mental health care and drug or alProp 1 changes the Mental Health Services Act cohol treatment. That is evident in San Francisco that was passed by voters in 2004, with a focus on and the entire region. The bond funds would be how the money from the act can be spent. Fundused to build supportive housing and help homeing is generated by a tax on people with high inless veterans, among many other needs. comes. Right now, at least 95% of the money goes The crisis in the state’s mental health system

Proposition g: yes

Offering Algebra I to Eighth Graders. YES. As a declaration of policy placed on the ballot by the Board of Supervisors, it isn’t binding on the San Francisco Unified School District. We weren’t going to support Prop G because, in general, we don’t think the supervisors should be telling the elected school board what to do. But then the school district offered its own options for allowing eighth graders to take Algebra I, and we were not impressed.

Those include offering it along with eighth-grade math, allowing it as an elective before or during school, or taking it during the summer. (The latter two would incur significant costs in staff, which the district can ill afford.) The school district should just offer Algebra I to eighth graders during regular school hours, period.

Gay District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio is the main proponent behind Prop G. In the voter guide, Engardio noted that the school district moved Algebra I to high school in the hope of making math outcomes more equitable. But this has not happened. “It held the kids back who love math without providing additional help to the kids who were falling behind,” he wrote.

It’s hard enough to get most kids to study math; those who like it should have all avenues open to them so that they can succeed.

Prop G requires 50%+1 affirmative votes to pass. Vote YES on Prop G.

started in the 1960s and 1970s when politicians closed the mental health hospitals, leaving patients in communities with hardly any services.

It’s long past time to change that, and Prop 1 addresses many of those issues, such as providing treatment over incarceration and expanding community-based resources. Prop 1 also makes better use of existing money.

The proposed law noted that the opioid crisis, mental health issues, and other substance use disorders affect many state residents. It’s time to clean up the Mental Health Services Act and deliver real change to people who need help.

Vote yes on Prop 1. t

t

Politics >>

February 15-21, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 7

In Central Valley, gay Wasco mayor Garcia seeks supervisor seat

by Matthew S. Bajko

B

ack in 2013 Alex Garcia moved to San Francisco to work on placing a statewide hospital reform measure on the ballot. He crashed on the couch in a shared rental near the city’s Golden Gate Park.

“I remember all the hills,” recalled Garcia, 34, who grew up in the flat confines of Wasco, California, an agricultural community north of Bakersfield.

When a legislative deal made the proposition moot, Garcia joined the campaign of a friend running for a congressional seat in Fresno. After she lost her 2014 bid, he landed a job working for then-assemblymember Rudy Salas, who represented the part of the Central Valley where Garcia grew up.

“He helped me come back to Kern County,” said Garcia, who had initially moved away after high school to attend Fresno State University, where he earned a B.A. in political science and government in 2012.

A year after returning to Wasco he won a City Council seat in 2016, making Garcia the first known out elected official in Kern County. He had come out as gay in college and to his family during Pride Month in 2013, when a court ruling legalized same-sex marriage in California.

“I think it is great I was the first and the youngest ever elected. But it is more important I am not the last,” Garcia told the Bay Area Reporter during a phone interview to discuss his now running for a seat on the Kern County Board of Supervisors.

Garcia, elected to a second fouryear council term in 2020, is now vying on the March 5 primary ballot against Supervisor David Couch, who aims to be reelected to his 4th District seat, along with Delano City Councilmembers Salvador Solorio-Ruiz and Veronica Cruz Vasquez, a social worker. If no candidate wins more than 50% percent of the vote then the top two votegetters will faceoff on the November 5 ballot.

“I was the underdog then and the underdog now,” Garcia acknowledged about his past and current candidacies.

He expressed confidence in securing one of the top spots and forcing the contest into a fall runoff race. He secured the Kern County Democratic Party endorsement late last year and recently was endorsed by the United Farm Workers.

“I am just the Democrat that is needed to win. I am a moderate Democrat. In Kern County, you have to be middle of the road, it is just how it is,” said Garcia.

His political career looked precarious after he was pulled over for drunken driving in June 2021. He said most people assumed he would “run away and go into the shadows.”

Instead, after the Kern County Superior Court found his bloodalcohol level hadn’t exceeded the .08 % legal limit, Garcia pleaded no contest that August to a charge of reckless driving in connection with some consumption of alcohol, paid a $1,220 fine, and was put on probation for a year.

But his council colleagues did vote to remove him as mayor, as he had been serving in the ceremonial role for a second time that year.

Garcia, who first served as mayor in 2019, told the B.A.R. he understood why they did so.

“I faced my consequences, faced my responsibilities, and faced the repercussions of my mistake,” said

Barry Schneider Attorney at Law Courtesy the candidate

Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia is running for a seat on the Kern County Board of Supervisors.

Garcia. “It was just that, a mistake, though I never want to make light of it or make light of the situation. I learned from my mistake and moved forward. If anything, I want to share that lesson with others.”

He received some redemption last December when his council colleagues voted him to serve as mayor a third time throughout 2024. Nonetheless, Garcia said he knows his arrest could be a factor with some voters in the supervisor race.

“I am not going to be surprised when they hit me with it and come after me for it,” said Garcia, who since the summer of 2022 has worked as a licensed Realtor.

He is also cognizant of the fact he is a Democrat running against a popular Republican incumbent in a conservative region of the state.

Garcia launched his campaign before Couch announced he would seek reelection.

He remained in the race because he believes it is time someone from a more rural part of the supervisorial district holds the seat. Couch, who was first elected in 2012 and is seeking a fourth term this year, lives in Bakersfield.

“Our residents deserve a representative who reflects our community and one who understands our experiences,” said Garcia. “It goes beyond color or age. It is more about the lived experience.”

Thus, among his priorities as supervisor would be paving county roads outside of the bigger cities, dealing with illegal dumping on side streets, better investment in county parks in the district, and utilizing libraries as hubs for county services.

“We need to bring Kern County into the 21st century,” said Garcia.

“I don’t pretend to have all the solutions to the problems we face. But I pride myself with working with everybody to find solutions for our community and to bring people together.”

Garcia has also pledged to assign staff to focus on the district’s smaller towns.

“We deserve someone who understands rural communities’ needs and the needs of our families, many of which are low-income families,” said Garcia. “But we don’t have that right now.”

With 70% of Kern County voters adopting term limits for supervisors in 2022, Garcia told the B.A.R. he believes there is a desire for new leadership on the Board of Supervisors this year. Because it wasn’t retroactive, the current supervisors are able to seek two more four-year terms.

“If that is not a mandate, I don’t know what is,” he said. “Voters want new leadership on the board of supervisors. They shouldn’t have to wait for the next eight years.”

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Jennifer Cruz, the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission Vice President of Advertising LGBTQ+ resource manager, is runadvertising@ebar.com ning against Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig, a Republican who voted last year to create a board tasked with reviewing books in the county’s library following complaints about LGBTQ titles it had displayed during Pride Month.

LPAC, which aims to elect more LGBTQ women and nonbinary candidates to public office, this month endorsed Cruz, the mother of two 44 Gough Street #302, San Francisco, CA 94103 children.

(415) 829-8937 • www.ebar.com Outside of the Central Valley queer mom Monica Martinez, who grew up in Bakersfield, is running for the District 5 seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. Gay Skyforest resident Graham Smith is seeking the District 3 supervisor seat in San Bernardino County.

Gay former Vallejo city councilmember Michael Wilson is vying for the District 1 Supervisor seat in Solano County. In Alameda County, gay candidates Jennifer Esteen and John Bauters are running for the District 4 and District 5 seats, respectively, on the East Bay board of supervisors.

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Web Extra: For more queer at the San Contact FranciscousColumbarium. today about the beautiful ways to create political news, be sure to check http://www.ebar.com Monday a lasting legacy at the San Francisco Columbarium. mornings for Political Notes, the One Loraine Ct. | San Francisco | 415-771-0717 notebook’s online companion.

SanFranciscoColumbarium.com This week’s column reported Proudly serving the LGBT Community. on several Bay Area legislative FD 1306 / COA 660 candidates’ stances on delaying unnecessary surgeries done to intersex children.

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<< Business News

t Googler Prozan chairs tech industry’s SF ‘voice’ 8 • Bay Area Repor ter • February 15-21, 2024

by Matthew S. Bajko

F

or the third year in a row Rebecca Prozan is chairing the advocacy organization sf.citi, which bills itself as “the voice” for the various technology businesses that have a footprint in San Francisco. Prozan, who lives with her wife in the city’s LGBTQ Castro district, is Google’s West Coast government affairs and public policy director.

She has been involved with the tech group since 2014, when she left the San Francisco District Attorney’s office where she had been a prosecutor and director of community relations to work for Google.

In 2019, Prozan joined the sf.citi board and took over the chairmanship of it in 2022 from venture capitalist Ron Conway.

“The purpose of the organization is to be the voice of the tech industry in the city,” said Prozan, 51, who met up with the Bay Area Reporter recently to talk about her role with the group.

Conway in 2012 launched sf.citi (https://sfciti.org/) – an acronym for the San Francisco Citizens Initiative for Technology and Innovation – in partnership with then-mayor Ed Lee, who died in late 2017. Among its member companies are Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, X, Uber, and Facebook.

“We are more of a City Hall voice as opposed to a public voice. Our job is to ensure San Francisco remains friendly to tech,” explained Prozan.

Over the years sf.citi has played a key role in various policy debates at City Hall, from the regulation of short-term rentals via sites like Airbnb and ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft to the cur-

Matthew S. Bajko

Rebecca Prozan, a top official at Google, also chairs advocacy organization sf.citi.

rent “techlash” against driverless cars operated by Waymo and Cruise. (Cruise’s permits to operate in the city were suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles last fall and the company subsequently halted operations nationwide. A mob set a Waymo car in Chinatown on fire last weekend.) Its overriding argument is that the tech industry should be embraced and can help other businesses to flourish.

“Plenty of businesses say tech has helped them to develop and grow their customer base,” said Prozan. “No one likes change, but change is here. The question is how do we deal with it?”

Since its founding sf.citi has taken positions on local ballot measures and quizzed candidates for elected office in the city on where they stand on an array of issues important to the tech sector. As for the March 5 primary ballot, among the measures sf.citi is supporting (https:// sfciti.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/

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March-2024-Voter-Guide_finalv1.pdf) is Proposition C, which would provide a tax break to developers who convert downtown office space to residential.

(Progressive groups are opposing it, with the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club slamming it as a “transfer tax cut for real estate moguls.”)

“Our intent is to help the industry thrive.

We listen to our member companies and are directed by how they wish us to handle it,” said Prozan in terms of the matters the group elects to focus on. “We want to be strategic when we use our voice.”

Familiar with SF politics

Prozan has long been a player in the city’s politics. She is a former co-chair of the more moderate Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club and managed Kamala Harris’ winning campaign to be San Francisco district attorney in 2003.

Years prior she had worked as an aide to then-mayor Willie Brown and later worked for gay former District 8 supervisor Bevan Dufty. Prozan lost her bid in 2010 to succeed Dufty on the Board of Supervisors. In 2012, she served as the community grand marshal for the city’s annual Pride parade.

Like many office workers following the COVID pandemic, Prozan works a hybrid schedule when in town, spending three days at Google’s offices located along the Embarcadero. At least once a month she heads to the company’s main campus on the Peninsula and often travels to statehouses across the western U.S. to lobby state lawmakers on various legislative matters.

“It is a lot like working for the government. No two days are the same,” said Prozan.

Unlike other companies that have left San Francisco, Google has no plans to close its office it has had in the city since 2006, said Prozan. Thousands of the

company’s employees either live in the city or call it their “work home,” she noted.

In terms of the glut of vacant office space in the city, Prozan said she sees the growing artificial intelligence field and the biotech industry both “well positioned” to lease the empty offices. But with the tech sector seeing more layoffs, uncertainty surrounding the real estate market and employees concerned about their public safety downtown, any recovery will take time, predicted Prozan.

“We are all trying to readjust to the new state of the world and how we are going to live in it together,” she said. “It is going to take a long time for people to feel more comfortable coming to work.”

Nonetheless, Prozan said she has faith in San Francisco’s resiliency, as the city has survived past economic downturns.

“We will overcome it, but it is going to take longer to figure it out,” said Prozan.

“I don’t think any company has figured out the magic sauce for how to get people back downtown. If they did, we would all be back in the office.”

The state of downtown is already a key focus of this year’s mayoral race. Mayor London Breed is fending off attacks from her opponents that she hasn’t done enough to address what the press has dubbed the “doom loop” San Francisco finds itself in.

Tuesday, as former mayor Mark Farrell jumped into the contest and excoriated Breed for allowing the city to “crumble,” Breed touted the success her “Roadmap to San Francisco’s Future” (https://www. sf.gov/roadmap-san-franciscos-future) has had since launching it 12 months ago.

“In the last year we’ve put forward policies and programs that have helped begin our work to revitalize Downtown as we adjust to a new future,” stated Breed. “San

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Out CA state senators take on key leadership roles

by Matthew S. Bajko

Come for the service and stay for the fellowship.

Francisco is an economic leader for our region and a global leader in new technology, and our continued success will lift up not only the Bay Area and our residents, but the entire state.”

Having been appointed to a downtown revitalization committee convened

by Breed, Prozan said she welcomes any steps taken by the mayor, other elected officials, and civic leaders to make downtown more attractive to workers, residents, and tourists. She told the B.A.R. she would like to see more events be held in the area that give people a reason to be downtown.

“I’d rather focus on what is working as opposed to what is not,” said Prozan.

“We have a very strong relationship with the mayor. But I think every business feels like there are things that could be improved.”

It is why sf.citi invites local leaders like Breed and members of the Board of Supervisors to meet directly with employees of tech firms in the city. Despite what people may hear in the media, the tech sector has not abandoned San Francisco, said Prozan.

“For a long time people thought the tech industry had left the city. I am proud of keeping sf.citi’s voice strong through a turbulent time,” she said.

Asked about seeing her seek elected office again, Prozan ruled it out.

“I have found a much better way for me to contribute to the city,” she said.

“I am able to help shape city policy, fundraise for certain issues and nonprofits I care about, and I have my weekends.” t

ays after he took over the gavel as president pro tempore of California’s state Senate, Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) has named a number of his out colleagues to powerful posts either in his leadership team or as committee chairs. In particular, gay Senators Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) and Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) have been elevated to high-profile roles this year.

McGuire succeeded lesbian Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) as leader of the Legislature’s upper chamber on February 5. Termed out of office later this year, Atkins is now running for governor in the 2026 race to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, who will be termed out of office in early January 2027.

Padilla, now in his second year of his first term, will serve as assistant majority whip. He is the only LGBTQ senator that McGuire named to one of the seven Senate Democratic Leadership positions he appoints.

Wiener, running this year for reelection to another four-year term, is now chair of the Senate Budget Committee. It comes as state leaders grapple with a $68 billion budget deficit in fiscal year 2024-25.

“I’m deeply honored Pro Tem McGuire asked me to serve in this role, particularly during these challenging budget times. Our state has made real progress on critical priorities in recent years, and it’s vital we protect that progress,” stated Wiener.

He is switching gavels with Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), who had been chairing the budget committee and is termed out this year. She will now chair the Senate Housing Committee, which Wiener had led for the last six years.

“Luckily, we have laid the groundwork to navigate these challenges thanks to the leadership of Senator Skinner, Senator

Courtesy the senators’ offices

Gay state Senators Scott Wiener, left, and Steve Padilla were given high-profile leadership roles as the upper chamber retools under new President Pro Tempore Senator Mike McGuire.

Atkins, Pro Tem McGuire, and many others,” stated Wiener. “I look forward to working hand in hand with our new Pro Tem to tackle the challenges ahead.”

Serving alongside Wiener as members of the budget committee, whose full name is Budget and Fiscal Review, are lesbian Senators Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) and Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley). Padilla and gay Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) are also members of the committee.

Wiener will also chair the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. Among its members are Eggman and Padilla. McGuire elevated Laird to vice chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, on which Eggman is remaining as a member.

Meanwhile, Laird remains chair of the Senate’s Budget Subcommittee #1 on Education and Menjivar as chair of the chamber’s Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services, on which Eggman remains a member.

Laird and Eggman are also serving as members of the important Rules Committee, which McGuire will chair.

Continuing to be vice chair of the Joint Committee on Rules will be Laird, with

Wiener among its members.

Padilla is also serving as a member of the Agriculture; Governmental Organization; Natural Resources and Water; and Revenue and Taxation committees. He also is a member of the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies.

With the lack of affordable homes a critical issue in the state, Padilla will help craft legislative responses to addressing it as a member of the Housing Committee alongside Eggman and Menjivar.

Eggman, who is also termed out this year, is remaining as a member of the Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee, on which Menjivar will now join as a member. Other committees Eggman is a member of are Energy; Utilities and Communications; Natural Resources and Water; Legislative Ethics; and the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management.

Menjivar’s other committee assignments are Elections and Constitutional Amendments; Environmental Quality; Health; Human Services; and Military and Veterans Affairs.

Wiener will also serve as a member of the Health, Local Government, Public Safety, and Legislative Ethics committees. Meanwhile, Laird will also serve as a member of the Judiciary; Labor, Public Employment and Retirement; and Natural Resources and Water committees.

Statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization Equality California congratulated Wiener on his appointment as budget chair in a Facebook post.

“We are excited to continue partnering with him on ways to positively impact the lives of LGBTQ+ Californians, and look forward to his new role in larger Senate leadership,” stated EQCA in its post.

It also praised McGuire “for elevating members of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus and pro-equality champions to his leadership team.” t

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<< Community News

10 • Bay Area Repor ter • February 15-21, 2024

<<

“Someone came through our dining room window and stole a few items before leaving,” recalled Farrell. “I simply believe we cannot afford another four more years of failed leadership under Mayor Breed, so I am running for mayor because of my family and for my family.”

Last fall backers of seeing Farrell run for mayor went public with their entreaties. In deciding to do so, Farrell told the B.A.R. addressing public safety and the conditions of the city’s streets will be among his top priorities.

He would seek to replace Police Chief William “Bill” Scott and has pledged to “massively increase police staffing” if elected mayor.

“We need a new chief for the police department who will be more aggressive in fighting for the resources our police department needs, hiring new officers, and protecting the residents of San Francisco,” said Farrell.

He also promises to “clear all large tent encampments” during his first year in office, pointing to his doing so in six months when he served as the city’s 44th mayor. He rejected the argument that the city is barred from removing the tents from sidewalks due to a judicial order in ongoing litigation over the matter.

“We simply need to be more aggressive,” argued Farrell. “There are parameters and exceptions in the court ruling that today allow for removal of these tent encampments. We need an aggressive and determined approach from City Hall to get it done.”

And he wants to shift the city from having “a narrow-minded housing-first approach to a shelter-first approach,” arguing that San Francisco will never be able to build enough housing to end its homelessness crisis.

“I am running for families across San Francisco who simply want a clean, safe place to raise their children,” said Farrell, who since leaving office has focused on his technology investment firm Thayer Ventures he co-founded in 2009. “I take a lot of pride in what we had accomplished in City Hall during my seven and half years. When I left as mayor in 2018, San Francisco was in a much stronger, much better place than it is today.”

Gay support

Backing Farrell’s mayoral bid is gay former District 8 supervisor Jeff Sheehy, who lives in the Glen Park neighborhood with his husband and daughter.

He told the B.A.R. he agrees with Farrell’s wanting to have a shelter-first policy as a way to move people off the streets and into shelter beds as a first step toward getting them housed.

“We cannot build our way out of homelessness. We cannot let people just suffer on our streets. It is cruel,” said

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Spahr Center

From page 1

Nonetheless, Tuohy assured clients and supporters of the center in his email that he and his team are “working diligently towards finding a solution.” One avenue they are pursuing is assistance from Marin County officials.

“We have been actively engaged with community partners and the County of Marin to determine more sustainable methods for The Spahr Center moving forward,” he wrote. “That way we can continue to bring our critical life saving and life sustaining services to the community.”

In his email he also addressed what he described as “misinformation in the community about what is going on” with the center, which canceled various services this week amid staff cutbacks.

“There is some misinformation circling around our community that is important to clarify. We are taking a pause in programming this week, but I assure you

<<

Francisco when I become mayor. It is one of my primary areas of focus,” said Farrell. “We will get individuals off the street and into the help they need.”

Noting the city’s “unique history” with, and global reputation within, the LGBTQ community, Farrell said the drag laureate post would have his “full support” as mayor.

“I believe we need to continue to embrace that identity. There are so many things we have done and so many more things we can do. This is one way to celebrate our LGBTQ community in San Francisco,” he said.

Farrell

From page 1

News Briefs

From page 2

“Since taking the helm, Executive Director Kierra Johnson has been leading

Rick Gerharter

Another moderate candidate

t

a plurality of Safaí and Farrell voters.

Under the city’s ranked-choice voting system, voters can choose their top three candidates in order on their ballot.

If no one wins more than 50% of the vote on first count, then the candidates with the least votes are eliminated and their voters’ second choice picks are tabulated. The process continues until a candidate emerges with 50% plus one of the vote to be declared the winner.

As for being voters’ first pick, the Binder poll found Breed at 26% with Lurie at 21%, Farrell garnering 15%, and Safaí receiving 10%. The other 28% were undecided, according to the poll of 600 likely San Francisco voters conducted in both English and Cantonese that had a margin of error of plus or minus 4%.

“Daniel’s powerful message of taking on City Hall insiders with new ideas and accountable leadership is energizing voters across the city,” stated Lurie campaign general consultant Tyler Law. “He’s the only candidate who is not from City Hall’s entrenched system that’s allowed crime, homelessness, and corruption to fester.”

Breed’s campaign has denounced Lurie as a political opportunist who “has not offered a single genuine policy idea as a candidate for mayor.” She has also pointed to efforts to combat safety in areas of the city like the Union Square shopping district as having paid off, with the city seeing a 48% reduction in larceny theft, including retail theft and auto break-ins, during the holiday season.

“We have invested in public safety – including deploying officers and community ambassadors – and we have invested in making our city more active and vibrant,” stated Breed in early January. “As we move into 2024, we will continue to focus on doing the hard work to lift up San Francisco, to prevent and deter crime when we can, and to respond quickly with clear accountability when people do break the law.”

And Breed is drawing support from various quarters. Gay District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio told the B.A.R. in December he endorsed her reelection because “she is very focused on fixing San Francisco, and we can see, especially in recent months, traction and improvements.”

More recently, several construction unions that make up the Basic Crafts Alliance endorsed her reelection bid.

“The past four years have presented extraordinary challenges for all of us.

Still, things are getting better and we’re confident that we’ll all benefit from another Mayor Breed administration that is laser focused on common sense approaches to building our future, creating opportunities for workers, and keeping us all safe,” stated Ramon Hernandez, business manager of San Franciscobased Laborers’ Union Local 261. t

Sheehy. “We can’t keep unhoused people on the streets languishing and falling prey to drug addiction, to violence.”

Sheehy also strongly backs Farrell’s commitment to fully staffing the police department. Rather than seeing it as a way to arrest more people, Sheehy said it would be a deterrent to people committing crimes if they saw more police officers walking the streets of the city.

“In my neighborhood the police department parks an empty squad car in front of our local market. It would be great if we had enough police officers for foot patrols and having an actual presence,” said Sheehy. “His leadership and plan to restore the police department to full force and zero tolerance for crime will reverse the lawlessness we see on our streets. In short, he has proven himself to be an extraordinarily competent mayor.”

Also backing Farrell’s bid to be mayor again is Realtor Gregg Lynn, who lives with his husband, Glenn Risso, on Russian Hill near Ghirardelli Square and had voted for Farrell when he ran for the District 2 seat on the Board of Supervisors. In meetings he has each week with more than a dozen San Francisco residents, the conversation inevitably turns to the state of the city and people’s desire for change, Lynn told the B.A.R. “I can tell you that everybody is tired and angry and frustrated, and not hopeless but they’re ready for a major, powerful transformation. I am on the frontlines of hearing the complaints and the anger everyday, seven days a week,” said Lynn, whose eponymously named real estate firm is part of Sotheby’s International Realty. “I, too, am a loyalist and longtime champion for San Francisco and its real estate. But it is time, and San Francisco is ready for its moment of transformation.”

Traveling often to attend conferences

and other meetings, Lynn said as soon as he says where he is from he sees a look of concern come over the people in the room. Often they ask him about “living in that hellscape” and why he doesn’t move.

“We are the laughing stock of successful cities throughout the U.S. and the world. You can’t go anywhere without anybody feeling sorry for you,” said Lynn. “How did we get here? When I moved here in 1999, San Francisco was considered one of the greatest cities in the world.”

Lynn also pointed to Farrell’s wanting to beef up the police force and clear away tent encampments as for why he believes he should be elected mayor.

“There are so many ways to approach the homelessness situation in San Francisco, but what we are doing right now is not working,” he said. “I think that Mark Farrell has an extreme understanding for this because he was so successful at it during his brief term as mayor. And I remember that.”

During his brief stint as mayor, Farrell enacted first-of-its kind legislation protecting transgender residents of singleroom-occupancy hotels in San Francisco and renamed a terminal at San Francisco International Airport after gay icon Harvey Milk. As Farrell was viewed as the most conservative member on the board, some questioned if he would sign into law the two LGBTQ ordinances begun during Lee’s administration.

Should he succeed Breed in 2025, Farrell told the B.A.R. he would maintain two LGBTQ programs she has championed, ending transgender homelessness by 2027 and having a drag laureate position funded by the city.

“We will have a dramatic impact on our homeless population here in San

Farrell is the latest moderate to run against Breed, who won a full four-year term in 2019. Because voters adopted a ballot measure in 2022 moving citywide elections to the fall ballot of presidential years instead of holding the contests the November prior, Breed is now in her fifth year of her current term and facing a tough election to secure a final fouryear term as mayor.

Breed has had to contend with the city’s image taking a beating in the press, both locally and nationally, since coming out of the COVID pandemic. The shuttering of businesses and glut of empty offices in the downtown financial district generated headlines about San Francisco being in a “doom loop.”

Intractable issues like homelessness, open-air drug dealing, and people shooting up on city streets have further eroded the city’s standing in the minds of both locals and tourists. Ongoing corruption scandals involving various city officials, local developers, and nonprofits have added to the negative pall among residents.

“People don’t feel safe in their own neighborhoods. The conditions of our streets have never been worse. Our local economy has collapsed,” said Farrell. “Unfortunately, San Francisco has become the butt of jokes across our country.”

Last year, District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safaí and Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie, the founder of the Tipping Point Community that works to address poverty in the Bay Area, both launched their mayoral campaigns. To date, no progressive elected leader has done so, with District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin, the current board president who is termed out this year, recently telling the San Francisco Standard news site he is “afraid of winning” the mayoral race at a time when the city is facing projected budget deficits over the next two years, potentially reaching $1.4 billion by 2027.

Polling has shown the race remains fluid. In late January Lurie’s campaign released a poll conducted by longtime pollster David Binder showing he had the largest vote share of second choice votes among all candidates, including

that at this point in time, The Spahr Center remains open,” he stated. “As you can imagine, this is a fluid financial situation, but you will receive regular communication from me throughout this process.”

Tuohy, who previously worked at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, took over at the North Bay center after a period of instability in its leadership. He replaced Cindy Myers, Ph.D., a lesbian whose last day was April 28, 2023. She filled in on an interim basis after the departure of Adrian Shanker – after just six months – for a job in the Biden administration, as the B.A.R. previously reported. He, in turn, had replaced Dana Van Gorder, a gay man who held the position from 2019.

Tuohy’s announcement came just days after Bill Blackburn, LGBT+ senior programs manager at the center, announced in an email of his own February 4 that he was laid off. The senior program will still be operating, according to Blackburn.

“You will be receiving information about program changes and The Spahr Center soon,” he stated. “I was hired at the beginning of the pandemic to help prevent LGBT+ seniors from falling into isolation due to sheltering in place mandates. I’ve done what I can but truly it takes each of us to empower ourselves to reach out and create community.

“Making a call, sharing a ride, joining a Zoom group, getting together for a cup of tea – all those are a prescription for your health as surely as the Rx we get from our doctor,” Blackburn added.

“We are a resilient people. We have lived through so much! Our strength has gotten us this far and will carry us onward.

You are stronger than you may realize.

“I hope to see you soon. I am not going anywhere,” he wrote.

Blackburn did not return a request for comment.

The B.A.R. reached out to Tuohy via phone and email. Tuohy replied February 9, “The Spahr Center is happy to pro-

vide a written statement to answer your questions, if they can be sent in advance.”

When asked in what way the footprint is not sustainable, Tuohy replied, “We are not providing financial details at this time, as we are still assessing.” He said no layoffs are expected at this time and that the “misinformation” he was referring to was rumors of closure.

“TSC is currently open and operating some of its programs, while others are paused for a week,” he stated.

When asked what people can do to help, he stated, “People can learn more about our programs and make donations at spahrcenter.org.”

In January, the center had just moved from Corte Madera to its new location at 1575 Francisco Boulevard, East, in San Rafael.

As the B.A.R. previously reported a news release stated that the move would increase the center’s physical space by approximately 30%, allowing for designated program areas for its food pantry,

community support gatherings, case management, harm reduction, and mental health services.

Located in the heart of San Rafael’s Canal District, the new building positions the center to better serve the priority population of LGBTQ+ Latino/a youth and families, according to the release.

“This move is part of our strategic plan,” Tuohy stated. “Our center is expanding and so we need more space and more staff.

We are thrilled for this move and we look forward to sharing our new and improved space with our community.”

The center’s most recent IRS Form 990, from 2022, shows a deficit of $104,618. There were $2,578,835 in expenses and $2,474,217 in revenue.

The center only had $488,086 in assets, based on its tax filing. Of the revenue, 52.9% came from contributions and 46.8% came from program services. The rest – $148 – was from investment income.

For more information about The Spahr Center, visit thespahrcenter.org. t

with racial and gender justice, intersectionality, deep integrity, and a clear vision grounded in what is at –stake for our communities and the country – I am honored to join her team,” he stated.

Hayashi led TLC from early 2015 until

stepping down last year. Prior to that, he served as executive director/co-director of the Audre Lorde Project, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirit, trans, and gendernonconforming people of color organizing center based in New York City.

Judicial diversity virtual forum

hold a virtual forum about the importance of judicial diversity Thursday, February 15, from 11 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. Pacific time.

Surrounded by LGBTQ elected officials and supporters, Mayor Mark Farrell signed legislation April 16, 2018 to rename Terminal 1 at the San Francisco International Airport after slain gay supervisor Harvey Milk. Joining Farrell, were, from left, former state senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco); then-supervisor Malia Cohen; District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen; then-District 8 supervisor Jeff Sheehy; former supervisor David Campos; Milk’s nephew, Stuart Milk; and former supervisor and assemblymember Tom Ammiano.

LGBTQ issues

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and its sister organization, the Leadership Conference Education Fund, will

See page 11 >>

t <<

Community News>>

Stud co-owner

From page 1

Davis, a queer woman, was one of four people who applied for the open seat. The others were AjaiNicole Duncan, a queer DJ and performer; Benjamin McGrath, a queer trans man and a bartender at El Rio who’d been the manager and event planner at the nowshuttered Lexington Club; and Chris Hastings, a gay man and owner of the Lookout LGBTQ bar in the Castro.

Speaking to the supervisors, Davis, who also owns St. Mary’s Pub on the edge of Bernal Heights, and the other candidates all agreed that the city’s nightlife scene needs revitalization.

“I’ve seen conflict between nightlife and surrounding communities, but I’ve also seen collaboration,” she said. “I know the experiences and struggles in the nightlife community, but I’ve never

<<

STIs

From page 4

Young people also accounted for the largest share of gonorrhea cases, but here, men had a higher rate than women. Black people again accounted for a disproportionate share of cases, at 38%. Gay and bisexual men generally had a higher rate than heterosexual men and women, but this varied by city. The states with the highest gonorrhea rates were again mostly in the southeast, but California and New York had high rates among men.

Syphilis saw the greatest increase, rising by 17% between 2021 and 2022 to reach 203,500 total cases. Numbers have jumped by 80% over the past five years – hitting levels not seen since the 1950s – but it is not clear why syphilis is rising

<<

News Briefs

From page 10

A news release noted that the organizations promote judicial diversity – both demographic and professional – by advocating for the appointment of qualified judges who are commit-

February 15-21, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 11

been one to sit back and watch. I know what nightlife needs right now, and I am motivated and enthusiastic.”

Current District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen, who chairs the committee, suggested Davis because “people closely related to the entertainment community who I have spoken with have raved about her and her commitment.”

She and fellow committee member Ahsha Safaí (D11) praised all of the applicants.

“This is about the hardest choice that I’ve made in a long time, that we’ve made in a long time,” Ronen said. “I very much want to work with the rest of you about other leadership opportunities in San Francisco, but that’s where I sit.”

Safaí said that nightlife brings people from the surrounding communities to San Francisco.

“People come here because they want to go to the Stud, because they want to go to El Rio, because they want to go to

Lookout,” he said. “These places make San Francisco special.”

All the applicants came and gave their pitches in person, except Hastings, whose statement was read by a representative. The candidates painted a picture of an industry as affected as any by San Francisco’s post-COVID lull.

“I believe strongly we are a world class city with less than world class nightlife,” Hastings’ statement read. “The recent decline in tourism is deeply negatively impacting this industry in a way that is still unfolding.”

Duncan said that it was great to see some of that buzz come back February 11, when the San Francisco 49ers were in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. Unfortunately, the Niners lost 22-25 in overtime.

“I want to see our city operating till two at night again,” Duncan said. “I feel a lot of bars don’t operate on Sundays or Mondays anymore, and it would be

great to see our nightlife community go back to what it was.”

McGrath said he has knowledge of all the applicants and would have faith in any of them.

“I happen to know all the people running for this seat and I consider them all phenomenal, quality people,” McGrath said.

The term for seat No. 2, which is reserved for the interests of entertainment groups and associations, ends July 1, 2026.

The panel also unanimously voted to forward to the board applicant Anthony Schlander, a San Francisco-based event planner, to seat No. 1, for which the term expires July 1, 2027. The seat is reserved for the interests of neighborhood groups and associations.

“With over 20 years in live entertainment, I’ve played a small role in enhancing our city’s environment and cultural scene,” he said. “My commitment to

San Francisco extends beyond entertainment. I’m deeply into community service.”

According to his application, Schlander, who was the only applicant for the seat, is of Filipino heritage and has worked as an event producer. He also sits on the board of City Eats, which works to address food insecurity.

As the Bay Area Reporter previously reported the Stud is planning on reopening in a new location later this year at 1123 Folsom Street. Its previous location at the corner of Ninth and Harrison streets shuttered in 2020. A co-op collective that had bought the bar in 2016 vowed that it would return.

The full board is expected to vote on the two nominees at its February 27 meeting. The supervisors do not meet February 17 due to the Presidents Day holiday. t

even as gonorrhea is falling.

From 2021 to 2022, cases of primary and secondary syphilis – the most infectious and most treatable stages – rose by 10%, exceeding 59,000 cases.

But syphilis is often not diagnosed and treated promptly, and late or unknown duration syphilis increased even more steeply, exceeding 87,500 cases. Left untreated, the bacteria can damage organs throughout the body, including the eyes, heart, bones, and brain. One of the most effective penicillin formulations used to treat syphilis is currently in short supply.

Men had about a fourfold higher syphilis rate than women in 2022. Gay men accounted for the largest proportion of cases, at 29%, with another 5% among men who have sex with both men and women. Black people accounted for about a third of cases, but Native Americans and Alaska Natives saw the

highest rate - 2.8% - given their population size being 0.7%.

While men account for more syphilis cases, the dramatic rise among women is alarming. Over the past five years, primary, secondary, and late syphilis among women have risen by nearly 200%. This has led to a parallel surge in congenital syphilis, which occurs when a mother transmits the bacteria during pregnancy or delivery, potentially leading to miscarriages, premature births and serious complications for the baby.

Congenital syphilis rose by 31% from 2021 to 2022, reaching 3,755 cases.

“The STI field has reached a tipping point,” Dr. Laura Bachmann, acting director of the CDC’s Division of STD Prevention, said in a statement. “We have long known that these infections are common, but we have not faced such severe effects of syphilis in decades. Re-

cent public health emergencies diverted program resources and threatened the health of those already disproportionately affected by STIs. We must move now to pick up the pieces.”

San Francisco, however, has departed from national trends for all three STIs. As the B.A.R. previously reported, (https:// www.ebar.com/story.php?323458) the city saw a 4% increase in chlamydia, a stable gonorrhea rate, and a 7% decline in syphilis from 2021 to 2022.

In an effort to curb the syphilis surge, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last year established a National Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Syndemic Federal Task Force, led by Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine, a transgender woman.

“Addressing the resurgence of syphilis and congenital syphilis requires a concerted effort,” Levine stated. “We can

collectively work towards reducing the incidence of syphilis and its devastating consequences, and we will turn the tide on the syphilis epidemic.”

Health officials stress that more work is needed to bring down STI numbers, address disparities, and ensure equitable access to health services. All three major STIs were much more likely to be diagnosed outside of STI or sexual health clinics, according to the report, underscoring the need for prevention, testing, and treatment in primary care and other settings.

“There are no shortcuts, and we have to meet people where they are. Some people face tremendous barriers to STI prevention and health services,” Bachman said. “We cannot continue to use decades-old prevention strategies to address today’s STI epidemic.” t

ted to equal justice. As the Bay Area Reporter noted in its Political Notes column last December, the U.S. Senate has approved only nine out judicial nominees since 2021. (The Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing for lesbian attorney Nicole Berner last December; President

Joe Biden nominated her for a seat on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Berner’s appointment has not yet been voted on.)

During the forum, Maya Wiley, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference and the Education Fund, will deliver remarks, along with U.S.

Senator Alex Padilla (D-California), who serves on the judiciary committee, and Judge Edward Chen of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

A panel discussion will follow with Maya Sen, professor at Harvard University; Matthew Campbell, Native

American Rights Fund; and Angel Padilla, National Women’s Law Center.

Jesselyn McCurdy of the Leadership Conference and the Education Fund will moderate.

To RSVP for the Zoom program, fill out a form at http://tinyurl.com/ yc8hyah7 t

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558499

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402319

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402346

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF MIKE S. CRUZ IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-24-306981

Legals>> ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23-558197

In the matter of the application of AYOOLA MITCHELL, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner AYOOLA MITCHELL is requesting that the name AYOOLA MITCHELL AKA AYOOLA HAYNESWORTH AKA AYOOLA HAQIKAH AKA KELLI WATERFIELD be changed to AYOOLA MITCHELL. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 27th of FEBRUARY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558491

In the matter of the application of SHARIF DEY AKA ROSCOE ENDRE LEE DUNCAN AKA ROSCOE DUNCAN, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner SHARIF DEY AKA ROSCOE ENDRE LEE DUNCAN AKA ROSCOE DUNCAN is requesting that the name SHARIF DEY AKA ROSCOE ENDRE LEE DUNCAN AKA ROSCOE DUNCAN be changed to SHARIF BEY. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept.

103N, Rm. 103N on the 18th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558492 In the matter of the application of JOHN PALMER HARCOURT III, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner JOHN PALMER HARCOURT III is requesting that the name JOHN PALMER HARCOURT III be changed to JAY PALMER HARCOURT. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 19th of MARCH 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558497

In the matter of the application of BRUCE JIRO YAMAMOTO AKA JIRO BRUCE YAMAMOTO AKA BRUCE J YAMAMOTO, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner BRUCE JIRO YAMAMOTO AKA JIRO BRUCE YAMAMOTO AKA BRUCE J YAMAMOTO is requesting that the name BRUCE JIRO YAMAMOTO AKA JIRO BRUCE YAMAMOTO AKA BRUCE J YAMAMOTO be changed to JIRO BRUCE YAMAMOTO. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 23rd of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558500

In the matter of the application of FRANCIS DARIAN BRANT, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner FRANCIS DARIAN BRANT is requesting that the name FRANCIS DARIAN BRANT AKA FRANCISCO VILLABLANCA FLOTTS be changed to BEAU DARIAN BRANT. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 23rd of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

In the matter of the application of KASSANDRA MARIE DONNELS, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner KASSANDRA MARIE DONNELS is requesting that the name KASSANDRA MARIE DONNELS be changed to KASSANDRA MARIE NACHT. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 25th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558501

In the matter of the application of JENNIFER IICAR ROWE, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner JENNIFER IICAR ROWE is requesting that the name JENNIFER IICAR ROWE AKA JENNIFER IICAR KIFFOR be changed to JENNIFER AIKA KIFFOR. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 23rd of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024 CHINESE-CHARACTER- BASED NAME STATEMENT NICHOLAS (NICK) BERG IS USING THE FOLLOWING CHINESE-CHARACTERBASED NAME: 柏格.

Nick commenced using this Chinese-character-based name on 12/15/2023. He is an individual living in San Francisco, CA.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402330

The following person(s) is/are doing business as LATINA LASH SPOT, 201 POPE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual and is signed JAQUELINE JOHANA SANABRIA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/17/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402353

The following person(s) is/are doing business as MM BUNUAN CONSULTING, 454 FERDINAND AVE, EL GRANADA, CA 94018. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MAXWELL M. BUNUAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/2024

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402308

The following person(s) is/are doing business as FIBO SERVICES, 1631 LARKIN ST #7, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ROBERT ROEPKE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/21/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/16/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402345

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DANI MARIE INTERIORS, 872A 27TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DANIELLE MARIE PAUTROT. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/18/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

The following person(s) is/are doing business as GREGORY SMITH OFFICE DESIGNS, 1850 32ND AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed GREGORY SMITH. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/17/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402339

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DENIS BARRON, MFT, 4155 24TH ST #2, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed TWO PINES FAMILY COUNSELING, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402241

The following person(s) is/are doing business as KAYLA CARE FOUNDATION, 30 KEMPTON AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KALANI HILLS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/18/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/18/2024.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as PAUL LANGLEY COMPANY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT; PLC; PAUL LANGLEY COMPANY; PLC PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, 4111 18TH ST #1, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed PAUL LANGLEY CO (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/04/2024.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402368

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402252

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

The following person(s) is/are doing business as GUERRERO MARKET, 701 GUERRERO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SUHEIL MALAK. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/15/2001. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/22/204.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402369

The following person(s) is/are doing business as F&G MARKET, 3698 20TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed SUHEIL MALAK. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/1999. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/22/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402362

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

The following person(s) is/are doing business as LET’S GET CUTE SALON, 4907 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed EVSTYLESBRAIDS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/05/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/05/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402309

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BETTOLA, 343 CLEMENT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed CUORE MATTO LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/16/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402363

The following person(s) is/are doing business as NOWHERE, 393 VALENCIA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103.

This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed RYAN RINKER, LEAH MARTIN, & AMBER GAVIN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/22/2024.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DOLGER LLC, 348 CHESTNUT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed DOLGER LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/22/2024.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402304

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402357

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

The following person(s) is/are doing business as HALE AI, 333 1ST ST UNIT N301, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed FIRST STREET VENTURES (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/12/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402281

The following person(s) is/are doing business as KOAST, 388 MARKET ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed KRUJIM, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/10/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ELEVATE FORWARD NOW, 2000 BROADWAY ST #618, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed ELEVATE FORWARD NOW (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/16/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-0401183

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as BEST COAST COLLECTIVE, 1828 PINE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by BLAKELY HULL LLC (CA).

The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/15/2023. The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/16/2024.

JAN 25, FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of MIKE S. CRUZ. A Petition for Probate has been filed by SALVADOR CRUZ in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that SALVADOR CRUZ be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: FEBRUARY 26, 2024, 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 later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined by section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250.

A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: NICOLE C. KELLY (SBN 320379), THE KELLY LAW FIRM, 345 FRANKLIN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102; Ph. (415) 552-0059.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558506

In the matter of the application of ROGER NAISHIN HUANG, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner ROGER NAISHIN HUANG is requesting that the name ROGER NAISHIN HUANG AKA NAI SHINE HUANG be changed to ROGER NAISHIN HUANG. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 30th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558507

In the matter of the application of BRENDA ROBLEDO ARGUELLO, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner BRENDA ROBLEDO ARGUELLO is requesting that the name LIAM HANSEL ROBLEDO ARGUELLO be changed to LIAM HANSEL LOPEZ ROBLEDO. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 30th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

<< Classifieds

12 • Bay Area Repor ter • February 15-21, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558508

In the matter of the application of BIANCA NIGRI, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner BIANCA NIGRI is requesting that the name BIANCA NIGRI be changed to BIANCA ANETE APPEL. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 30th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558509

In the matter of the application of XILIN ZHU, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner XILIN ZHU is requesting that the name WEIDONG ZHANG be changed to KODY ZHU. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 30th of MAY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402328

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DERIC TRANSPORTATION,894 ROLPH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112 . This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KA SHING CHAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/08/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/17/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402367

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DUKE PLANT & DESIGN, 1223 FITZGERALD AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LISA DUKE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/22/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/22/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402396

The following person(s) is/are doing business as SIMPLYMUZING ENTERPRISES, 3161 B 23RD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed THOMAS FERRAIUOLO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/24/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402386

The following person(s) is/are doing business as THIRD THING, 11 CHRISTOPHER DR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LORENZO TAMAYO-LEE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/02/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/23/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402408

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ADUNA ACADEMY, 1535 EDDY ST #315, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed COUMBA DIOUF. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/01/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/25/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402426

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DISCO DOG, 593 HAIGHT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed RACHEL RIGGIN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/12/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/26/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402135

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402390

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ARTISAN TRAVEL, 434 UNION ST #B, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133.

This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed ARTISAN TRAVEL INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/01/2001. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/23/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402398

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ELLAPRINT; ELLAPRINT.COM; ELLAFONT; ZBALANCE; ZBALANCE, INC., 184 PRECITA AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed ZBALANCE, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/29/2003. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/24/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402421

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ACAI R, 1130 OCEAN AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed TANCHAN CORPORATION (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/26/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/26/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402433

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ANXIETY RELIEF CLINIC, 885 CASTRO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114.

This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed WESTON SCOTT FERRER, MD INCORP. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/26/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/29/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402438

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CALIFORNIA DETAILING, 1825 FOLSOM ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed CALIFORNIA DETAILING II, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/29/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402414

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BEST COAST COLLECTIVE, 595 PACIFIC AVE, FL 4, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed AVENUE 8 INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/26/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402207

The following person(s) is/are doing business as YOUTH SF, 4722 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed FRIENDS OF ST STEPHENS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/08/2013. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/29/2023.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402393

The following person(s) is/are doing business as HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS - UNION SQUARE, 235 O’FARRELL ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a limited partnership, and is signed SURESH PATEL GENERAL PARTNER OF RAJPUTANA LODGING LP. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/16/2018. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/24/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402356

The following person(s) is/are doing business as NEVER TOO LATE PROJECT, 110 PORTOLA DR #3, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SABRINA RAPHAEL. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/14/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/22/2023.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ALASKA REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING CO., 1651 27TH AVE, OAKLAND, CA 94601. This business is conducted by a married couple, and is signed DAGOBERTO T. SANCHEZ & ALISON J. SIEGEL SANCHEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/01/1986. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402164

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402358

The following person(s) is/are doing business as MEDESTHETICSRX SF, 2300 SUTTER ST #303, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed RIKKI LAUREN ROBINSON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/27/2023.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402375

The following person(s) is/are doing business as NAILS STORY, 1299 PACIFIC AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed DEAR NAILS INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/22/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/23/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402378

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CAMERON HOME BUILDERS, 450 LINDEN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed CAMERON BUILDERS SF (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/04/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/23/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

The following person(s) is/are doing business as E’PUME STUDIO, 601 4TH ST UNIT 206, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107.

This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed E’PUME STUDIO LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/05/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402379

The following person(s) is/are doing business as KHAO TIEW, 272 CLAREMONT BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127.

This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed OLAGHOA LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/23/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/23/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402391

The following person(s) is/are doing business as TERRAFORM COLLECTIVE, 351 BUENA VISTA AVE E, UNIT 306E, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed TERRAFORM COLLECTIVE STRATEGIES, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/08/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/23/2024.

FEB 01, 08, 15, 22, 2024

NOTICE TO PROPOSERS: SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT (“BART” or “DISTRICT”), REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (“RFP”) FOR WORKERS’ COMPENSATION THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATION AND RELATED SERVICES, RFP NO. 6M4858, ISSUED FEBRUARY 7, 2024 BART is now accepting proposals from Workers’ Compensation Third Party Administration firms, Medical Case Management firms, and Utilization and Bill Review firms. The awarded Consultant(s) will provide Workers’ Compensation Third Party Administration and Related Services to assist BART’s Human Resources Department. Interested firms must register on BART’s Procurement Portal at; https://suppliers.bart.gov All solicitation documents, including the RFP, must be downloaded directly from the Portal. A Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held on Monday, February 12, 2024 at 1:00 P.M.local time via Zoom – instructions on registering are included within the RFP. The District’s Equity Program(s) will be explained, and participants can share contact details to network with other firms. The due date for submission of proposals for this RFP is 2:00 P.M. local time Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

2/15/24 CNS-3782275# BAY AREA REPORTER

SUMMONS SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO NOTICE TO RESPONDENT:SCOTT MOULTON, AN INDIVIDUAL; AND DOES 1-10, INCLUSIVE, YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: STAR ONE CREDIT UNION CASE NO. CGC-23-606473

NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web Site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online SelfHelp 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.

Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. The attorney for Plaintiff: BARRY A. SMITH (SBN 48697), BUCHALTER, LLP, 1000 WILSHIRE BLVD #1500, LOS ANGELES, CA 90017; (213) 891-0700. May 12, 2023, Clerk of the Court, Jeffrey Flores, Deputy.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558519

In the matter of the application of HOANG MY HO, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner HOANG MY HO is requesting that the name HOANG MY HO be changed to MYA HOANG. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept.

103N, Rm. 103N on the 30th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

CNSBI_3782275_1x4_021524.indd 1

2/7/24 11:08 AM

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558505

In the matter of the application of JORDANA TAYLOR MACKENZIE LUSK, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner JORDANA TAYLOR MACKENZIE LUSK is requesting that the name JORDANA TAYLOR MACKENZIE LUSK be changed to GRACE OLIVIA DIAMOND. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 25th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558529

In the matter of the application of TREVOR BRETT HUGHES-WHITE, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner TREVOR BRETT HUGHES-WHITE is requesting that the name TREVOR BRETT HUGHES-WHITE be changed to TREVOR BRETT HUGHES WHITE. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 2nd of MAY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558512

In the matter of the application of QOHLE GREY MARTINEZ, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner QOHLE GREY MARTINEZ is requesting that the name QOHLE GREY MARTINEZ be changed to QOHLE PHOENIX GRAY. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 30th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558537

In the matter of the application of CAROLINE MARSALA HATCH-BERENS & GLENN ANTHONY BERENS, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioners CAROLINE MARSALA HATCHBERENS & GLENN ANTHONY BERENS are requesting that the name AJAX LEE HATCH-BERENS be changed to AJAX JAMES HATCH-BERENS. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 9th of MAY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558476

In the matter of the application of MICHAEL OLUSEGUN EJITOKUN, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner MICHAEL OLUSEGUN EJITOKUN is requesting that the name MICHAEL OLUSEGUN EJITOKUN be changed to MICKAELLE OLUSEGUN ADELEKE. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 11th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558533

In the matter of the application of ANDREENA JANAE NISPEROS REYES, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner ANDREENA JANAE NISPEROS REYES is requesting that the name ANDREENA JANAE NISPEROS REYES be changed to ANDREENA JANAE NISPEROS. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 7th of MAY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558535

In the matter of the application of ANAKIN MATEO SALTO, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner ANAKIN MATEO SALTO is requesting that the name ANAKIN MATEO SALTO be changed to ANAKIN MATEO NISPEROS. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 7th of MAY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402407

The following person(s) is/are doing business as SMAART GALLERY & STUDIO, 1045 SUTTER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed STEVEN M ALLEN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/01/2012. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/24/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402406

The following person(s) is/are doing business as REBELEA PUBLICATIONS, 1379 45TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed STEVEN LEINER. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/24/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402218

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BEST FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, 118 BRIGHTON AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JOHNNY WILLIAMS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/02/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/02/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402480

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DEEP SEA MEDITATION CENTER AND HUMANITARIAN AID, 22 SOUTH PARK ST #220, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed REBECCA LOUISE BRADSHAW. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/16/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/31/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402470

The following person(s) is/are doing business as GOLDEN CLAW AMUSEMENT, 1706 32ND AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed GOLDEN HONG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/31/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402490

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BETA HUANG ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC, 2388 35TH AVE #201, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed BETA HUANG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/01/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402372

The following person(s) is/are doing business as FOHRM INTERIORS, 275 NEVADA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed COURTNEY FOHRMAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/22/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402505

The following person(s) is/are doing business as EAGLE HANDYMAN SERVICES, 307 JUSTIN DR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JOSUE D. ALONZO DEL AGUILA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/05/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on

02/05/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402471

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BINU BONU, 230 WEST PORTAL AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127.

This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed BINU BONU INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/31/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402469

The following person(s) is/are doing business as GATES AND BRIDGES PRESCHOOL, 1601 10TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed INFANT DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF SAN FRANCISCO (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/20/1994. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/31/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402381

The following person(s) is/are doing business as COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY CARE, 1426 FILLMORE ST #207, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed GOLDEN GATE HEALTHCARE LLC (UT). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/23/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402452

The following person(s) is/are doing business as AURA FIRE SAFETY, 1288 COLUMBUS AVE #130, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed BC PROJECTS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/30/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 603792

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CASABLANCA MARKET, 28971 HOPKINS ST #6, HAYWARD, CA 94545. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed IMPORT MARKET & GIFTS, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/12/2004. The statement was filed with the City and County of Alameda, CA on 02/02/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402432

The following person(s) is/are doing business as LEGACY NORTH BEACH BAR, 1326 GRANT AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed SUGAR MACK INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/29/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/29/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402459

The following person(s) is/are doing business as TWO DELULUS LLC, 1177 MARKET ST #1115, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed TWO DELULUS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/30/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402497

The following person(s) is/are doing business as MOTEL 6 OCEAN BEACH, 1234 GREAT HWY,SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed 1270 GREAT HWY, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/18/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/02/2024.

FEB 08, 15, 22, 29, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558515

In the matter of the application of TINAI MILLS, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner TINAI MILLS is requesting that the name ROMEO DEONARD REEVES JR. be changed to ROMEO PAOLI MILLS. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 2nd of MAY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558544

In the matter of the application of CAROL DIMELING GEE, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner CAROL DIMELING GEE is requesting that the name CAROL DIMELING GEE be changed to CAROL DIMELING. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 9th of MAY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558485

In the matter of the application of CHARMAINE GUTU, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner XERXES GUTU is requesting that the name XERXES IOANE GUTU be changed to BRIAN AOE’E GUTU, JR. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 16 th of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-24-558459

In the matter of the application of SHEELA GONJI & HARSHAVARDHAN SABBINENI, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioners SHEELA GONJI & HARSHAVARDHAN SABBINENI are requesting that the name SINDHU SAI SABBINENI be changed to ISHA SABBINENI. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 2nd of APRIL 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402331

The following person(s) is/are doing business as STAR LIGHT, 447 SUTTER ST #800, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed TANYA E. LEKHTMAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/17/2024.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402512

t

SHAWN GROARKE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/05/2024.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402528

The following person(s) is/are doing business as SILVER CAFE, 4300 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JANETTE B. YEAR. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/15/2008. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/06/2024.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402553

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CALVIN GONG CHIROPRACTIC, 2305 VAN NESS AVE #B, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed CALVIN GONG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/02/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/09/2024.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402559

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BUSY BLOOMER, 52 RAUSCH ST #102, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DENISE JOLLY. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/05/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/12/2024.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402515

The following person(s) is/are doing business as SONITROL OF SAN FRANCISCO, 250 EXECUTIVE PARK BLVD #4500, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed KIMBERLITE CORPORATION (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/05/2002. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/05/2024.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402543

The following person(s) is/are doing business as RODEREX MATSARA-P D.LIGHT, 883 46TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by a married couple, and is signed FILOMENA P. BARTOLOME & LOYD L. BARTOLOME. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/07/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/07/2024.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402439

The following person(s) is/are doing business as VANITY BEAUTY LOUNGE, 3 EMBARCADERO CENTER LOBBY LEVEL, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed BEAUTIFULLY DIVINE LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/01/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/29/2024.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402527

The following person(s) is/are doing business as MIGHTY CHIA, 534 NAPLES ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed MIGHTY CHIA (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/06/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/06/2024.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402429

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ELECTRIC WORKS, 131 SEVILLE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed TRILLIUM FINE ARTS PRESS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/28/2007. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/29/2024.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402536

The following person(s) is/are doing business as GOLDEN GATE GOODIES; EEVEE’S LEMON SQUEEZE, 601 VAN NESS AVE #E317, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed TWO DEER LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/06/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/07/2024.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402445

The following person(s) is/are doing business as THE HEALING HEARTH, 1310 MINNESOTA ST #209, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed TASWERKS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/15/2005. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/30/2024.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402563

The following person(s) is/are doing business as LOUDER RESTAURANT SF, 620 O’FARRELL ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109 . This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed ANCHALEE LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/12/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/12/2024.

FEB 15, 22, 29, MAR 7, 2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NO: (PROB C §§19040(B), 19052) IN RE THE ABBY P. CHAPMAN REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST CREATED JULY 17, 2014, BY ABBY P. CHAPMAN, DECEDENT.

Notice is hereby given to the creditors and contingent creditors of the above-named decedent, Abby P. Chapman, that all persons having claims against the decedent are required to file them with the Superior Court, at 400 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, and mail or deliver a copy to Carl E. Borders III, as Trustee of Abby P. Chapman Revocable Trust dated July 17, 2014, of which the decedent was the grantor, c/o B. Kyle Childress, Attorney, 1459 18th Street, No. 301, San Francisco, CA 94107, within the later of four (4) months after February 15,, 2024, or, if notice is mailed or personally delivered to you, 60 days after the date this notice is mailed or personally delivered to you, or you must petition to file a late claim as provided in Probate Code §19103. A claim form may be obtained from the court clerk. For your protection, you are encouraged to file your claim by certified mail, with return receipt requested. By: B. Kyle Childress Attorney for Carl E. Borders III, Trustee of the Abby P. Chapman Revocable Trust dated July 17, 2024

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Daniel Boud

Quintessentially, quixotically queer

Taylor Mac brings “Bark of Millions” to Berkeley

Taylor Mac (center) and the cast of ‘Bark of Millions’

by Jim Gladstone

I

s Taylor Mac’s “Bark of Millions” a pop concert?

A drag show? Rock opera? Political theater?

It’s all of the above, and then some.

But according to the mad maximalist MacArthur fellow who, along with composer Matt Ray, dreamed up the four-hour spectacle which makes its west coast debut in a Cal Performances presentation in Berkeley from February 23-25, it all began with a parade.

Actually, befitting the Blessed Excess aesthetic of the man who created and performed 2016’s 24-hour “24-Decade History of Popular Music,” it began with two parades.

“The catalyst for ‘Bark’ was in 2019, when World Pride was held in New York,” Mac told the Bay Area Reporter in a recent interview.

“There was all sorts of controversy over the parade, and it ended up splitting in two. There was the anti-capitalist queer march, and the capitalist

gay parade with all the floats and corporate advertising, the gogo boys and the Coca-Cola logos.

“The activists told everyone to wear black. So, of course,” Mac said, rolling his eyes, “lots of people ran to H&M to buy black jeans and t-shirts and look homogenous.”

Always a contrarian to conformity, Mac continued.

“Why can’t activism be fun and sexy? I like floats. And I like the colorful mess after the end of a parade. Frivolity and silliness can be a part of activism. I mean, one of the greatest moments of political activism I can remember is when protestors pulled a giant condom over Jesse Helms’ house.”

Mac refers to the 1991 ACT UP/Treatment Action Group’s action when a group of gay men, led by Peter Staley, unrolled an enormous inflatable rubber over the moralistic senator’s Arlington, Virginia home. It was emblazoned with the phrase: “A condom to stop unsafe politics. Helms is deadlier than a virus” and it made national television news.

“‘Bark of Millions’,” explained Mac, “is meant as a sort of re-integration of the two parades.”

Queered vs queer

After culminating his “24-Decade” project with the round-the-clock performance which the New York Times critic Wesley Morris called “one of the great experiences of my life” and which is the subject of a streaming documentary on HBO (by San Francisco filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman), Mac continued to cogitate on that show’s 240 songs, which ranged from “Yankee Doodle” to “Where the Boys Are” and “Born to Run.” “They were songs that were part of the canon,” Mac said. “We queered them, but they weren’t queer songs to begin with. I felt like there were actually very few songs out there that were written as open, not-coded expressions of queer life and queer culture. Where were the songs to convey all of that pain and celebration and survival?

And seeing that lack, Matt and I wanted to do our part to address it. We wrote 55 songs, one for ev-

FX

Naomi Watts as Grace Paley and Tom Hollander as Truman Capote in ‘Feud: Capote vs. The Swans’

‘Capote vs. The Swans’

Truman’s deadly crash landing from high society

by Brian Bromberger

A

lthough dead for almost 40 years, gay author Truman Capote is having his moment. In the last four years, he’s been the subject of two documentaries (“Truman and Tennessee: An Intimate Conversation,” “The Capote Tapes”), as well as two books, one of which, “Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal and the Swan Song of an Era” by Lawrence Leamer, is the basis for the Ryan Murphy anthology series “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans,” which premiered on FX and is now streaming on Hulu. All these works deal only incidentally with Capote’s written oeuvre and center on him as celebrity raconteur and eccentric television talk show guest.

Un-‘Answered Prayers’

This second eight-episode installment of ‘Feud’ (previously about the notorious Joan Crawford and Bette Davis battles in making “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?”) recounts how Capote (Tom Hollander) in an infamous fictionalized story “La Cote Basque, 1965,” published in Esquire magazine, November 1975, betrayed these rich, glamorous, stylish socialites with wealthy husbands, by exposing their naughty behaviors and dirty laundry as well as those of their often philandering spouses.

Although he used pseudonyms, everyone knew to whom he was referring, with this tale being just one chapter in his long-promised book “Answered Prayers,” exposing the outrageous escapades of the jet set glitterati.

To retaliate, the women vindictively exiled Capote, never forgiving or talking to him again,

a kind of social isolation as revenge, and the first cancel culture. It exacerbated his accelerating alcoholism and drug abuse, which led to his death from liver disease complicated by intoxication in 1984. His frenemy Gore Vidal commented notoriously that his death was a “wise career move.”

Capote never finished “Answered Prayers.”

Who were these women who made New York City the social capitol of the world? They included Babe Paley (Naomi Watts), former fashion editor for Vogue, who married William S. Paley (the late Treat Williams in his final role), the CEO of CBS. Considered one of the most beautiful, best dressed women in the world, hostess extraordinaire, with Capote observing, “She had only one fault: she was perfect. Otherwise, she was perfect.”

Slim Keith (Diane Lane) was married to Hollywood director Howard Hawkes and discovered

ery year since Stonewall. And every year moving forward, we’re going to add another one.”

Mac attested to the finite aspect of his new show.

“We’re not going to go on the road and perform them year after year, but the songs will exist for others to perform and sing. As a side project, I’m trying to raise money to produce a book with all the lyrics and sheet music.”

Muses and collaborators

The title of each song in “Bark of Millions” is the name of a queer figure from world history, running a gay gamut from Oscar Wilde to Margaret Cho. But the show is very much not a Google search set to music.

“Most of the songs aren’t literally about the people,” said Mac. “We’re not trying to teach their life stories or to save them from erasure. That’s not this project. They’re our muses.”

See page 17 >>

Lauren Bacall. Later she wed talent agent Leyland Hayward, then finally British aristocrat Lord Kenneth Keith.

Lee Radziwill (Calista Flockhart) was the younger sister of First Lady Jackie Kennedy, but also a failed actress and interior decorator, who married a wealthy Polish aristocrat Prince.

C.Z Guest (Chloe Sevigny), a fashion designer, was married to a cousin of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Because she wasn’t mentioned in Capote’s story, she remained friends with him.

Finally, there was Ann Woodward (Demi Moore), a swan wannabe, rejected by Capote, because in 1955 she shot and killed her rich husband, banking heir William Woodward, at their home, mistaking him for an intruder.

However, Capote believed she did it deliberately because she would make more money as a widow than as a divorcée. Innuendo resulted in her being socially shunned. In a shocking scene, she calls Capote a faggot to his face. She committed suicide by cyanide after learning she was included in Capote’s Esquire story.

Ghost mom

Then there’s Capote’s long-suffering significant other Jack Dunphy (Joe Mantello). They lived together for 30+ years in an open relationship, but here he serves as a kind of humorless, scolding Greek chorus, criticizing Capote (for not writing) and his swans (as a vacuous waste of time).

Jessica Lange, Murphy’s good luck charm, appears here as the ghostly apparition of Capote’s disparaging mother Lillie Mae, who abandoned him as a lonely child, attempting unsuccessfully to become one of these elite social women, but ultimately rejected by them, she committed suicide.

Finally, in a terrifying performance, gay actor Russell Tovey plays John O’Shea, a straight married banker/lover of Capote toward the end of his life, who is emotionally and physically abusive towards him.

This series promises and delivers on glamour, intrigue, sex, and style, the highlight being the sumptuous costumes. One might think this would be an amusing outing in what has been dubbed the original “Real Housewives.” While there are moments of vicious wit, bitchy asides, character assassinations, and scandalous gossip, by and large, this is a sad, somber even moralistic cautionary tale.

See page 19 >>

<< Books

14 • Bay Area Repor ter • February 15-21, 2024

Turned-on town

Damon Scott’s ‘The City Aroused: Queer Places and Urban Development in Postwar San Francisco’ San Francisco Redevelopment Agency Records, San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library

by Michael Flanagan

O

Queer labor

I have written about the bars on the waterfront and the Embarcadero before, and looked forward to this book.

I was not disappointed. Scott, a former intern at the GLBT Historical Society who now is an assistant professor in geography and American studies at Miami University in Ohio, expands knowledge of our LGBTQ past.

A major revelation of the book regards the relationship of labor unions to the queer history of the waterfront.

Scott quotes the late historian Allan Bérubé: “In particular the Marine Cooks and Stewards Union (MCSU) ‘transformed an all-white, all-male union into one that was mostly men of color and included great numbers of visible queens.’”

The bars they patronized were part of both labor and queer history, including the Sea Cow Café: “Formerly known as the Mohawk Café, the Sea Cow Café had been the strike headquarters of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), led by Harry Bridges, during the waterfront strike of 1934. The strike led to the creation of a union-controlled hiring hall system throughout the maritime trades. In the ground-floor commercial space below the union offices, the Mohawk served as one of the ILA’s strike kitchens, feeding dockworkers during a work stoppage that escalated on Bloody Thursday with the killing of two men –a marine cook

Author Damon Scott

and a longshoreman– by the police on the sidewalk next door.”

In the 1950s when the Lavender and Red Scares decimated the unions, it sent a large number of men working on the docks to the waterfront residence hotels and bars: “On the West Coast, the purge effectively destroyed the Marine Cooks and Stewards Union (MSCU), which rightwing critics characterized as ‘a third red, a third black, and a third queer.’ In truth, some members were all three.”

Orgy every day

One of the places these men went to was the Ensign Café, which was one of two places, along with the Broken Drum, patronized by gay men (and butch lesbians according to Scott) in the Merrimac Building at 1 Market.

When I wrote about the Ensign, I could find very little other than a quote an from oral history at the GLBT Historical Society with Bay Area Reporter cofounder Bob Ross, who said, “There would be a thousand bottles of beer and booze on the bar and nobody up there and you would go downstairs to

the men’s room, and there was just an orgy every day.”

Scott’s book reveals why little was written about the Ensign in the 1960s gay press. It was run by Mike Caldaralla, a straight man who was involved in the illicit liquor trade during prohibition. He opened the Ensign in 1934.

As Scott writes, “The Ensign Café was never a part of the city’s network of gay bar operators that came together to fight against corrupt policing practices and a raft of liquor revocations. Caldaralla never advertised in gay newspapers or bar guides, nor did he host any fundraisers for the gay community.”

As a result, the bar was not considered part of the community. Bill Plath, who owned the D’Oak Room and managed several other gay bars, is quoted from another GLBT Historical Society oral history as saying the Ensign “was never part of the gay bar scene. That was a sex operation… [run by a] straight owner that paid no attention to what was going on, and he knew damn well what was going on with the Ensign. But you could never

San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library

At the hiring hall near the foot of Market Street, the Marine Cooks and Stewards Union dispatched crews to the waterfront to honor labor contracts it negotiated with shipping firms. Before the Lavender and Red Scares, this racially integrated union included a significant number of “queens.”

NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE CENTER IN ASSOCIATION WITH

SEASON PRODUCERS: Michael Golden & Michael Levy, Robert Holgate, Lowell Kimble, Ted Tucker EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Jim Taul & Dave Hopmann, Gary Demyen & Les Partridge, Alan Mattacola, Bev Scott & Courtney PRODUCERS: Deb Mosk & Debra Shapiro, Annie Fisher, Maurice Kelly & Eric Jansen

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Jewelle Gomez

Directed by Kimberly Ridgeway

Records, San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library

n April 18, 1962, Jack’s Waterfront Hangout at 111 Embarcadero closed at midnight for the last time. It was closed for construction of the Embarcadero Freeway. But instead of being a being a wake, this bar closure was a celebration. Starting before midnight, the patrons stripped the bar of memorabilia, all the while drinking stronger than usual drinks in order to finish off the open bottles.

Then at midnight the staff and patrons proceeded to the new Jack’s down the street at 226 Embarcadero.

This is the story author Damon Scott uses to introduce us to the waterfront culture of queer San Francisco in his new book, “The City Aroused: Queer Places and Urban Development in Postwar San Francisco” (University of Texas Press). It’s the perfect introduction to a tale of maritime workers, labor unions and the building of a sexual subculture that has its roots in the city before World War II.

t

SP which topped the building). Southern Pacific threatened to fire employees going to Sarria’s lunch service. This harassment led to the formation of the League for Civil Education.

Scott writes, “On the evening of March 21, 1961, Guy Strait and Jose Sarria convened a meeting at 90 Market to discuss forming a new civil rights organization, the League for Civil Education (LCE). Known as ‘Elsie’ for short, the League would bring together ‘all persons supplying food and drink to the Community’ to push back against growing incidents of police harassment and revocation proceedings.”

It also led to Sarria’s run for supervisor. “A threat to his livelihood and that of his lunch counter customers at 90 Market prompted Sarria to mount a political challenge to harassment and discrimination. The defining element of this plan was to demonstrate the electoral strength of the city’s gay population by mobilizing gay bar patrons to go to the polls to vote for him in a bid for a seat on the Board of Supervisors. He envisioned the LCE to be a vehicle to unite gay bar publics that would launch his run for office.”

Sarria served lunch

In the long run it had even bigger consequences. It led to the publication of the LCE News, the first newspaper concerned with the goings on at gay bars in San Francisco. The LCE also eventually spawned the Society for Individual Rights, a lesbian and gay civil rights organization that existed from 1964 to 1977 and published the magazine Vector.

It did not, however, prevent the closing of 90 Market Street, as Scott informs the reader. “Law enforcement treated Jack’s and 90 Market, which formed the nucleus of the League for Civil Education, as ‘centers of resistance.’ These bars had a history of challenging corrupt policing practices and discriminatory licensing procedures.

As a result, they, along with other LCE-affiliated bars, faced the harshest penalties when state and local authorities ejected them from the waterfront.

They were subjected to unlawful property seizures, early evictions and unchecked physical intimidation.”

“The City Aroused” is full of revelations of this sort. For readers interested in early LGBTQ history and its association with labor history and the history of development of a queer community nearly a decade before Stonewall it is essential reading. With around 40 pages of notes and quotes from sources not readily available before this book it expands knowledge of our history in a vital way.t

The story of the Ensign Café/Club stands in stark contrast to the story of 90 Market Street. 90 Market Street became a gay bar called the Castaways in the summer of 1959. After the initial owner ran into trouble with the IRS in 1960 it was taken over by Sol Stoumen, owner of the Black Cat and renamed Talk of the Town.

Along with Stoumen came Jose Sarria, who set up the Five an Ounce food concession which served lunch to the burgeoning population of gay male clerical workers at the Southern Pacific Building (who referred to the building as the ‘swish palace’ for the large neon

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Left: Proponents of a 1955 proposal to raze a large swath of the Embarcadero prominently featured the Broken Drum, a new queer hangout.

classify it as a gay bar. I never think of it as a gay bar. Sex bar, oh yes.”

Caldaralla was involved in criminal activity as far back as the 1920s. In 1928 he was implicated in the murder of a business partner at the Broken Drum when it was a speakeasy. In 1956 he shot a relief bartender five times over back wages, was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and sent to county jail for a year. Yet he was able to continue running the Ensign Club (as the bar was known beginning in 1960) and the Broken Drum with the collusion of city officials in their efforts at “vice containment.”

As Scott notes, “While police and liquor agents cracked down on the Black Cat and several other gay bars in North Beach and the Tenderloin, Caldaralla was able to run the Ensign Club and the Broken Drum with the full awareness of local law enforcement, who turned a blind eye to its more sexual and gender-transgressive crowd. The tacit support of local authorities, rather than Caldaralla’s business acumen alone, explains why the Ensign Café stayed in continuous operation during the height of crackdowns on so-called homosexual hangouts.”

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Above: Jack’s Waterfront Hangout (ca. 1958), located across from the Ferry Building, became a popular gay nightclub in 1957.

After taking over operation of the Edgewater Hotel and reopening his bar on the first floor, George Bauman promoted his new enterprise to out-oftown visitors, particularly gay men who recognized “Jack’s” from reading the LCE News.

Pubs and publications

‘The City Aroused: Queer Places and Urban Development in Postwar San Francisco,’ Damon Scott, University of Texas Press. $45. www.utpress.utexas.edu

t

Film>>

February 15-21, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 15

‘Hundreds of Beavers’

Slapstick comedy’s snowy silliness

Both photos: Ryland Brickson Cole Tews in ‘Hundreds of Beavers’

by Jim Provenzano

S

et in the wintry Wisconsin wilderness, “Hundreds of Beavers” recalls the early silent film comedies of Buster Keaton with a hint of Wile E. Coyote.

Amid its national tour, the wacky film screens at the Balboa Theatre beginning February 23.

Performed with almost no dialogue, except for grunts and exclamations, the film manages to bring an entire landscape of humans, and humans in animal costumes, to cartoonish life in black and white.

Ryland Brickson Cole Tews stars as Jean Kayak, the hunky but hapless hopeful hero of this frostbitten inventive epic, co-written by Tews and Mike Cheslik, who makes his feature directorial debut. The film has won multiple awards at alternative film festivals around the world.

The story tells of applejack seller Kayak, whose ale is popular with local lumberjacks. But when a pack of beavers destroys his orchard and steals a huge barrel full of his beverage, he sets out to seek revenge, that is, if he can survive the winter.

While there’s nothing particularly gay about this film, anyone who enjoys seeing a shirtless (and briefly, comically naked), bearded hunk of a man run around in his longjohns while chasing after costumed animals will get a kick out of it.

Said beavers are clearly people in costumes, and through the magic of modern technological effects, are reproduced into the aforementioned hundreds.

Our hero Jean barely survives the cold winter through one hilarious mishap after another. His attempts to catch fish and rabbits leads to pratfalls and visual effects that are highly creative.

When he visits a fur trader (Doug Mancheski) to beg for food, he meets a fur trapper (Wes Tank) who enlists his company, along with his sled “dogs,” a few who don leather harnesses.

Jean takes mental notes and gets some clues on how to trap animals.

But even those efforts often go to waste until he figures out how to use the traps without getting caught in them himself.

In addition to his mishaps amid survival techniques, he’s up against clever rabbits, raccoons, and wolves, who take an almost gleeful joy in evading his traps.

By and by, he learns the skills of becoming a trapper, with the assistance of a Native American (Luis Rico) and the trader’s flirtatious daughter (Olivia Graves), who makes him a new suede suit out of an animal “skin” after ripping out the guts of animal costumes.

With each new success in capturing, a beaver or a rabbit, Jean exchanges them for more complicated

weapons, from a knife to traps and even a catapult, with the eventual goal of being wealthy enough to offer his hand in marriage to the trader’s daughter.

But what are the beavers planning?

Why the endless chopping down of trees, and building a huge fortress of a dam with a mysterious interior?

For the answers to that, and to enjoy

the wild finale, you’ll have to see this rollicking funny furry silent comedy with a unique style of its own.t ‘Hundreds of Beavers,’ Feb. 23 at

the Balboa Theatre, 3630 Balboa St. Also streaming on Fandor this spring, and available on DVD soon. www.balboamovies.com www.hundredsofbeavers.com

Explore breathtaking artworks that invite you to experience awe, connect with spirituality, and discover the science and craft of neon and glass artwork.

ON VIEW THRU APRIL 28 Major funding for First Light: Rituals of Glass and Neon Art is generously provided by Grants for the Arts, Dorothy Saxe, Anita Wornick, Carla and David Crane, and David Saxe. In-kind support is graciously provided by Loquat Bakery.

Image: Kamila Mróz, Intrinsic Bond Energy II, 2023.

Photo: Zuzanna Czech.

<< Film

16 • Bay Area Repor ter • February 15-21, 2024

‘I.S.S.’

t

In space, no one can hear you кричать.

Bleecker Street Media

Ariana DeBose in ‘I.S.S.’

by Gregg Shapiro

O

ne theory about movies released in the winter wasteland of January proposes that these flicks wouldn’t be able to hold their own against others released during

more popular movie-going months throughout the year. “I.S.S.” (Bleecker Street), starring out Oscar-winning actor Ariana DeBose, does its part to shatter that myth.

Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Nick Shafir’s screenplay is set in

the near (and not totally improbable) future. “I.S.S.” takes place aboard the International Space Station research facility where three American astronauts – Kira (DeBose), Gordon (Chris Messina), and Christian (John Gallagher, Jr.) – and three Russian

cosmonauts – Nika (Masha Mashkova), Nicholai (Costa Ronin), and Alexi (Pilou Asbæk) – get along like old friends. Intended to be a symbol of US and Russian collaboration, the crew is warm and welcoming to Kira, the new addition.

Scientist Kira focuses on the mice that are part of her research, despite being told by one of the Russian scientists that experiments with small rodents don’t end well. Nevertheless, Kira becomes acclimated to her surroundings, and a crew dinner involving the exchange of gifts (as well as the discouragement of political talk) is pleasant.

The next day, while in the cupola, which provides Kira with fantastic views, she sees what appear to be volcanic eruptions on earth. The other crew members join her as more explosions can be seen. Soon Gordon receives a classified emergency transmission that says, “an act of war occurred between the US and Russian military,” with other countries becoming involved. The American crew’s new objective is to take control of the I.S.S. by any means necessary. Of course, the Russians have received a similar transmission.

Additionally, tech trouble, possibly caused by electromagnetic pulses from warheads, has put the I.S.S. in danger, and it begins an unplanned descent to Earth. As the war rages on below them, the crew is suddenly faced with its own smaller-scale war.

Trust and loyalty are put to the test.

Other details begin to emerge, including the romantic relationship between Gordon and Nika. During a private conversation, Kira also comes out as a lesbian to Gordon. Most importantly, it is revealed that part of the research being done by the Russians involves a treatment for, you guessed it, radiation sickness, making it, and the accompanying notes, the most valuable asset on the I.S.S. As you might imagine, there are alliances and clashes, and ultimately, a mounting body count. Long before Russia’s war against Ukraine started, the prospects of the US and Russia ever peacefully coexisting were unlikely. Because of that, Russians make good cinematic adversaries, and except for only one of them on the I.S.S., that holds true. In other words, Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale had nothing on these people. Rating: Bt www.bleeckerstreetmedia.com

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www.cavshate.org/.

Books & Theater>>

t ‘Rescuing Morgan’

February 15-21, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 17

by David-Elijah Nahmod

“R

escuing Morgan,” the new selfpublished book by Dan Perdios, is short and sweet. Clocking in at 155 pages, it tells the story of Perdios and his husband’s relationship with Morgan, an abused golden retriever they rescued.

Perdios has lived with golden retrievers for more than forty years. They have brought him love and companionship, and on at least one occasion, a golden literally saved his life. One day a fire broke out in Perdios’ house, but being hearing-impaired, he couldn’t hear the fire alarm. His previous dog Willy got his attention and got him out of harm’s way. In Perdios’ case, his dogs have been much more than canine companions.

They are service animals, helping him to navigate his way through a world he can’t always hear.

When Perdios and his husband James adopted Morgan, he had al-

Author Dan Perdios with his dog Morgan

photo

ready loved and lost two service dogs.

But Morgan wasn’t another service animal, he was a rescue. Perdios felt that he had been rescued by his two service dogs, and he wanted to return the fa-

vor. So they set about to give Morgan a loving home.

They were going to have to be patient with Morgan. As a result of the abuse he had lived through, Morgan

Daniel Boud

Taylor Mac (center) and the cast of ‘Bark of Millions’

<<

Taylor Mac

From page 13

Mac’s collaborative process with Ray on the show was akin to the way lyricist Bernie Taupin traditionally worked with Elton John. After writing the lyrics as a sort of poem on his own, he would send them to Ray, who would have his way with them.

“I really never tell Matt what I want him to do,” Mac explained. “I trust him totally. I make an offering of lyrics to him, and then he makes an offering of music to me.”

Like Mac, Ray draws on a cornucopia of influences, weaving pop, jazz, blues, opera and even electronica into his compositions, sometimes incorporating multiple genres within a single song.

While Mac willingly runs with almost everything Ray comes up with, he says that the nature of arranging, orchestrating and rehearsing a song organically leads to revisions.

“Every one of these songs has been

crafted within an inch of its life over the course of the creative process,” said Mac. “That’s theater. It’s a collaborative form. If you want your vision not to change, don’t work in theater.”

Mac collaborates in a similar fashion with his longtime costume designer, Machine Dazzle, whose kaleidoscopic sartorial follies have become a visual hallmark of Mac’s shows.

In a 2018 interview with the Bay Area Reporter prior to Mac’s “Holiday Sauce” shows at the Curran Theatre, Dazzle explained that Mac “doesn’t tell me how to do the job…I get to make the decisions. The costumes are in tune with what Taylor wants to say but…I’m a conceptualist, the costumes are full of ideas.”

Multiplicity

Mac, Ray and Dazzle, who also performs in “Bark of Millions,” have worked together for years and find that they can easily get on the same creative wavelength. In “Bark of Millions,” they corral more than 20 other singers and

Daniel Boud

Taylor Mac in ‘Bark of Millions’

musicians into their vision.

Unlike “The 24-Decade History of Popular Music,” in which Mac was the lead vocalist throughout, “Bark”

was an aggressive and destructive animal. But Perdios was confident that by showering Morgan with patience and kindness, they could mellow him out.

In “Rescuing Morgan” Perdios recounts his and James’ efforts to turn Morgan into a gentle and loving animal.

It wasn’t always easy. There were incidents in which Morgan bit their neighbor, which could have led to serious legal repercussions. But the neighbor let it go. There were incidents in dog parks and in dog obedience schools in which Morgan showed aggression to other dogs. There were tense moments between Perdios and James.

But the two men didn’t give up.

They let Morgan know that he was loved. They combined that love with discipline. Slowly but surely, Morgan came around.

Perdios also delves into his battle with HIV in the book. A long-term survivor, he recalls a time when he stopped taking his HIV meds and

began to get sick again. He goes back on his meds and his HIV goes into remission again. He recalls undergoing inner ear surgery, which improved his hearing, though he still needs to use hearing aids.

“Rescuing Morgan” ultimately stands as a heartwarming tale of love and survival. It makes for a lovely read, a good book to enjoy on a lazy afternoon. By the time it ends, you may feel that you’ve gotten to know not only Perdios, but Morgan as well.

Morgan has since passed on of old age, and Perdios now has a golden retriever named Franklin. But his love for Morgan, and his love for Willy and Nicholas, the two dogs he had before Morgan, still fill his heart. Perdios’ book is very much a love story about a man and a dog that you’ll never forget. t ‘Rescuing Morgan’ $16 paperback, $8.99 ebook. www.rescuedbygoldens.com

assembles an eclectic crew of singers from theater, opera and rock backgrounds who move in and out of the spotlight in what amounts to a freeform musical variety show, radically shifting tones from tune to tune.

“There’s no narrative,” says Mac. “It’s song after song after song. One after another for four hours. No banter. You don’t have to stay for the whole time, but it becomes more profound the longer you hang out with it. It’s a meditation on queerness. It requires a lot of different voices and a lot of different perspectives.”

So if you go, please stick around.

You wouldn’t want to rain on his parade.t ‘Bark of Millions,’ February 23-25. $37-$168. Zellerbach Hall, Spieker Plaza, Berkeley. (510) 642-9988. www.calperformances.org

Sarah Walker

Taylor Mac and Matt Ray in 2018’s ‘Holiday Sauce’

<< Theater & Events

18 • Bay Area Repor ter • February 15-21, 2024

‘Sqream,’ queens!

Immersive horror parody coming to Oasis

by David-Elijah Nahmod

“S

cream,” first unleashed as a feature film in 1996, has become one of the more successful horror franchises in cinema history. The franchise has produced six films thus far, with a seventh installment reportedly in the works. But why wait for “Scream 7” when you can get up close and personal when the drag horror parody, “Sqream: A ’90s Musical Drag Parody,” comes to Oasis on February 14? This will be an immersive show, meaning that the cast will be performing all over the club, mixing in with the audience.

“The show happens all around you,” explained drag artist Snaxx in an interview with the Bay Area Reporter. “You are part of the show and the experience. The show starts in the Champagne Room before spilling into the main room. Certain scenes take place by the bar, or on gogo blocks, and throughout the audience. You never know if that cutie that you’re standing next to in the crowd may suddenly become a part of the show.”

Snaxx will be essaying the role

Gooch

The main cast of the 2022 production of ‘Sqream: A ’90s Musical Drag Parody’

played by Neve Campbell in the first film. Also in the cast is San Francisco drag laureate D’Arcy Drollinger, Trev-

t

or March, Lisa Frankenstein, and others. The show was written by Michael Phillis, while Jason Hoover serves as director.

According to Snaxx, the show will be a lot like the films; almost.

“Like any good parody, we definitely stray from the script for a gag,” she said. “Or to modernize the content, or to add something fun and exciting the audience would love. I love this movie, and I watched it no less than eighteen times when we mounted the show in 2022. If you’re a hardcore fan, you’ll be happy to see your favorite moments memorialized in our show.”

’90s pop mix

Since “Scream” is a ’90s movie, the Oasis will incorporate music from that decade into the show. Songs such as “SemiCharmed Life,” “Truly Madly Deeply,” “Celebrity Skin,” and “No Scrubs” are but some of the numbers that will be heard as the evening unfolds.

“Like in any musical, the songs help move the story along, but they also were all chosen because we know the audience knows and loves them,” said Snaxx. “Important note, you’re invited to sing along to every word.”

Snaxx added that while the show has some horrific moments, there will

also be plenty of laughs.

“The show is really funny,” she said.

“With a room full of drag queens and hambones, our primary interest is making each other laugh, and we can’t wait to have an audience join the party.

We definitely try to preserve some of the horror moments, but if you’re a scaredy cat, not to worry. You’ll be able to handle this show.”

There are three entrance times for “Sqream,” 6:30pm, 6:45pm, and 7pm.

All three entrance times on the same night will lead you to the same performance. Snaxx advises people not to be late as “Sqream” will not run on drag time. The staggered entrance times will allow some people to come in and have a more intimate experience with the Drew Barrymore cameo that opens the film and the show. Once that scene is done, people will be ushered into the main room to see the rest of the show. Once the three groups of people are inside, the pre-show will end and the main show will begin.

“This show really does have something for everyone,” said Snaxx. “It’s for the theater crowd, it’s for the drag crowd, it’s for the nightclub crowd. It’s for people that love ‘Scream,’ it’s for people who love ’90s sing-alongs. It’s for people who love dancing or dressing up or a delicious cocktail. It’s for couples, it’s for a girls’ night out, and it’s honestly also a great show to see alone. I’m really proud to be a part of this unique, only in San Francisco experience.”t ‘Sqream: A ’90s Musical Drag Parody,’ February 14-March 23, Thursday-Saturday, Doors open at 6:30 pm, Oasis, 298 11th Street, $45-$100. www.sfoasis.com

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Football season may be over, but you still make a pass and meet some tight ends at nightlife events (like the recent Circuit Papi at Beaux; see photo).

For arts events, too, your goalpost is our online listings, this week and every week in Going Out.

Marques Daniels

D’Arcy Drollinger and ‘Ghost Face’ in ‘Sqream: A ’90s Musical Drag Parody’

t

Music>>

February 15-21, 2024 • Bay Area Repor ter • 19

Hot tunes for cooler temps

by Gregg Shapiro

Winner of the 2023 Polaris Music Prize, Debby Friday is a Canadian electronic music artist who clearly made an impression with her debut album “Good Luck” (Sub Pop). It’s easy to see how, beginning with the empowering titular opening track which sounds like it arrived from the future via musical time machine. “So Hard To Tell” is forward-looking soul music, and “I Got It,” featuring Uñas, and “Hot Love,” are rapid-fire club bangers that are sure to wear you out. Friday’s talent for experimentation can be experienced on “Safe” and “Pluto Baby.” www.debbyfriday.com

C

uddle up next to your stereo, or just plug in your Spotify or iTunes, and enjoy some songs written, in most examples, by, for, and about us.

Gay musician Scott Free has been a protest singer for much of his recording career. From the visceral punk rage of his albums “Getting Off ” (1997) and “The Living Dead” (1999) through “The Last Revolution” (2020).

Therefore, it’s not all that surprising that Free’s new album “Songs to Fight Oppression” (Leather/ Western) continues that tradition by turning some chants heard at protest marches into songs.

In Free’s capable hands, the tunes “This Is What Democracy Looks Like” and “We’re Here We’re Queer” elevate the mantras into anthems, that will easily find a home at rallies during this election year. Other standouts include “Welcome Here,” “Her Body Her Choice,” “We Call On A General Strike,” and “Uprising.” www.scottfree.net It’s been a while since a lesbian singer/songwriter came along who has earned a comparison to the legendary Ferron, but Rachel Garlin deserves the honor, especially on the songs from her new album “The Ballad of Madelyne & Therese.” You can hear what Garlin does with Ferron’s influence and inspiration on “You Don’t Know,” “Louisa,” “Night Time,” “Melancholy Blue,” “Speak,” and “Never Cabaret. The presence of queer musicians Allison Miller and Julie Wolf also adds to the appeal of

this thematic album about queer life in the past.

Rachel Garlin performs on March 23 at The Lost Church, 988 Columbus Ave. www.rachelgarlin.com Singer/songwriter Cidny Bullens may be a familiar performer to some. Bullens, who came out as trans in 2012 (at the age of 62), previously put out eight albums, including the acclaimed 1999 release “Somewhere Between Earth and Heaven,” about the death of their daughter Jessie.

Remastered and repackaged as “Little Pieces” (Kill Rock Stars Nash-

FX

Publicity photo for ‘Feud: Capote vs. The Swans’

<<

Capote / Swans

From page 13

Grim assessment

The series rubberstamps the grim assessment made when Capote died that he had squandered his talent on the pursuit of celebrity, riches, and pleasure with his fatal attraction to power and privilege. The question haunting the series is why did Capote commit social suicide by publishing his “Esquire” article?

Warned by other writer friends that high society would react badly to the story, Capote replied, “Nah, they’re too dumb. They won’t know who they are,” a ruinous miscalculation.

Perhaps he got tired of being the homosexual court jester singing for his supper (Babe Paley’s description), resenting the discrimination and condescension he experienced as a gay man. The series doesn’t posit a theory, leaving it to the viewers, but regardless paints the whole sordid episode as the end of an era, now replaced by celebrities and social media.

“Capote vs. the Swans” is a thoroughly gay enterprise, with not only Murphy as producer, but playwright Jon Robin Baitz (“Brothers and Sisters”) as scriptwriter and Gus Van Sant (“Milk”) as principal director. Our favorite episode recalls the 1966 masquerade Black and White Ball, later dubbed the Party of the Century, that

Capote threw for 540 of his famous closest friends at NYC’s Plaza Hotel.

Luminous mess

The acting is top-notch glorious.

Hollander acquits himself brilliantly mastering his high-pitched voice, mannerisms, and élan. Unlike previous performers, Hollander portrays a Capote in serious decline, a total mess, yet we grieve and empathize with his inability to turn his life around as he hits rock bottom. It’s an authentic performance without going over the top and dissolving into caricature.

Of the swans, Watts is the most lumi-

ville), Bullen’s debut recording as Cidny (previously self-released as “Walkin’ Through This World”) is another powerful personal statement.

The title track, “The Gender Line,” “Call Me By My Name,” “Healing the Break,” and “Walkin’ Through This World,” are all meaningful, necessary, and welcome additions to the growing playlist of songs about the trans experience. The presence of guest artists including out singer/songwriter Mary Gauthier, as well as Rodney Crowell and Beth Nielsen Chapman, makes this an essential listening experience. www.cidnybullens.com nous, mainly because as Capote’s closest friend and the one most devastated by his betrayal, she has the best-written role. Both Babe and Capote loved each other as soulmates minus any sex. A brittle perfectionist, she came to realize how empty and absurd her life was. It may well be Watts’s best performance.

The other actresses are all fine but unidimensional. Williams is heartrending as the husband realizing too late what a stunning jewel he had in his wife, wanting to start over, but permanently scarred, she wants nothing to do with him.

The action jumps back and forth relentlessly, so at times one is disoriented as to what period one is in. It’s also a bit too long; seven episodes would have sufficed.

But overall, the series manages to bring us back to a gorgeous, opulent, cruel world long vanished and helps us understand what a tragic waste it all was. “Capote vs. the Swans” is a dishy delight, appointment television for all queens, which could’ve been a bit more buoyant and less morose in warning us of the danger in confusing performance with reality.t www.fxnetworks.com/shows/feud

FX

Tom Hollander and Jessica Lange in ‘Feud: Capote vs. The Swans’

Where would we be without our allies, especially at this precarious moment in time? On “Thank God We Left The Garden” (Fluff & Gravy), Jeffrey Martin’s first album since 2017, the Portland-based singer/songwriter attempts to answer that question. The song “Red Station Wagon,” confronts homophobes, himself included, as an act of atonement. A beautifully rendered story-song about a youthful betrayal, the harm words can do, and the damage religion is capable of inflicting on queer people (“the church was a boot on your neck since the day you were born”). Talk about redemption! www.jeffreymartinmusic.com

The most delightful, femaleled Japanese band since Pizzicato Five, Shonen Knife, Cibo Matto, or Puffy AmiYumi, Chai is bound for the club on its new eponymous Sub Pop album.

You’d be wise to follow them and drink in the fabulous, spicy, and retro-inspired dance numbers such as “Game,” “From 1992,” “Like I Need,” “Karaoke,” “Para Para,” and “Ne Kawaii, K?.” www.chai-band.comt

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A.C.T.’S ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND TONY AWARD WINNER

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Use code DATA30 to save 30% JOIN US FOR PRIDE NIGHT! WED, FEB 28 AT 7:30PM

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Feb 15–Mar 10 | A.C.T.’s Toni Rembe Theater

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