February 3rd, 2022 edition of the Bay Area Reporter

06

Fund to end LGBTQ program

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Gay SF City College Trustee Temprano resigns for EQCA job

by Matthew S. Bajko

A

fter five years as a City College of San Francisco trustee, Tom Temprano is resigning to become the new political director at Equality California. He is also departing the staff of gay San Francisco Supervisor Courtesy Tom Temprano Rafael Mandelman, having served nearly Incoming Equality four years as his de facto California political director chief of staff.

Tom Temprano Temprano, a gay man, last Thursday stepped down as vice president of the elected community college board. His resignations from the oversight body and his job as a legislative aide at City Hall take effect February 15.

He is one of two new hires the statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization announced Tuesday.

Jorge Reyes Salinas, who is also gay, is joining EQCA as its new communications director; he has been serving in a similar role for state Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara).

Temprano will be based in San Francisco, giving EQCA a presence once again in the city following the departure in November of Josh Strickney, its deputy communications director. In an exclusive interview with the Bay Area Reporter a day prior to the announcement, Temprano said he made the decision to seek the new position because “it is a dream job” he couldn’t pass up.

“I spent my entire adult life, and dating back to high school in Ventura County, focusing on LGBTQ civil rights ... and electing LGBTQ people to office in California,” said Temprano, 35, a former president of the city’s Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club. “To do that with an organization with as much reach and importance as Equality California feels like the culmination of a lifetime’s work of activism and political work.”

EQCA hopes to bring onboard several more people based out of San Francisco. It is hiring for several development positions and a director of national campaigns to oversee its advocacy on such federal issues as modernizing HIV laws and advancing transgender rights.

As for hiring Temprano and Salinas, EQCA Executive Director Tony Hoang stated the organization is “excited” to have them join its “team as we gear up for an historic election and continue our fight for full, lived LGBTQ+ equality.”

“Jorge is an effective communicator and experienced member of the Capitol community who will strengthen our ability to educate, engage, and mobilize the LGBTQ+ community in both English and Spanish,” added Hoang. “Tom brings a diverse background in politics – as a candidate, an elected official, and a strategist – and is the perfect person to lead our community through this critical election cycle.”

See page 2 >>

Parents want gay son’s SF death case reopened

by John Ferrannini

A

lmost 40,000 people have signed a petition asking San Francisco city agencies to reopen the investigation into the death of a 20-year-old gay man, while the offices in question deny accusations that they didn’t do a thorough job.

Angie and Jim Sales launched the change.org petition following the death almost two years ago of their son, Jaxon Sales. He died March 2, 2020 in a Rincon Hill apartment, according to a copy of the medical examiner’s report obtained by the Bay Area Reporter.

The Sales family is alleging that the San Francisco Police Department and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner didn’t do due diligence in investigating the circumstances of Jaxon Sales’ death. They are currently “in the process” of securing an attorney and are planning on filing a complaint before March 2 of this year, according to Angie Sales.

The medical examiner’s report lists the cause of Jaxon Sales’ death as acute mixed drug intoxication, including gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid, cocaine, and methamphetamine. The manner of death is listed as an accident.

The report also says Jaxon Sales suffered from asthma, and the toxicology report shows Sales took ephedrine, an asthma medication, though this was not listed among the drugs to which death was attributed.

Courtesy change.org

The parents of Jaxon Sales are asking the SFPD and the medical examiner’s office to reopen their investigations into his 2020 death.

According to the report, Jaxon Sales, a resident of Oakland, went to the San Francisco apartment of an acquaintance and a friend to have sex. The friend, whose name is not in the medical examiner’s report, left the residence, leaving Sales with the acquaintance. The acquaintance, whose name is not in the medical examiner’s report, said that at 6:30 a.m. he heard Sales snoring on the bed, but as he was

Vol. 52 • No. 05 • February 3-9, 2022

getting ready for work an hour later he tried to awake Sales but was unsuccessful.

Emergency services were called, and Sales was pronounced dead at 7:52 a.m. Sales was found lying on the floor face-up.

Officer Adam Lobsinger, a public information officer with the SFPD, told the B.A.R. in a statement that after an investigation, the agency didn’t find evidence of a homicide.

“On 3/2/[20] at approximately 7:53 a.m. officers responded to the 300 block of Fremont St. regarding a report of a deceased person,” Lobsinger stated. “Officers arrived on scene and met with medics who were on scene and declared an adult male deceased inside a residence. Officers conducted an investigation and did not find evidence of foul play. The medical examiner arrived on scene and conducted an investigation.”

The Sales family states that Jaxon Sales had texted at 11 p.m. the previous night that he’d be home that night.

“Jaxon never came home from that date,” the petition states. “Every parent’s nightmare became our reality. We were told to wait for the police and medical examiner’s reports to get any information. Those reports were finally sent to us months later after repeated follow-up. Only then did we learn that our vibrant, hardworking, gay, Asian American son was found naked and dead See page 8 >>

CA Senate candidate Mei trailed by anti-LGBTQ label

by Matthew S. Bajko

T

he first indication of the hurdles Fremont Mayor Lily Mei is likely to face as she campaigns for an East Bay state Senate seat this year came in January. Her name didn’t appear on the Tri-City Democratic Club’s endorsement ballot in the race for the open 10th Senate District seat.

It followed Mei being the first person deemed anti-LGBTQIA+ by the Alameda County Democratic Party last fall. It means she is no longer eligible to be backed by the local party, while other elected officials and community leaders could face repercussions from the party’s central committee if they personally support Mei. The local party left for further debate what would happen if a Democratic club chartered by it endorses her candidacy. Yet, it appears to already be a factor as clubs begin making endorsements in the contest to succeed termed out Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont).

In his January 28 East Bay Insiders newsletter, Steven Tavares wrote that Mei wasn’t invited by the Tri-City club to take part in its endorsement vote due to the central committee’s action. Her supporters in the club could only vote for a no endorsement, which Tavares noted enough did to thwart Hayward City Councilmember Aisha Wahab from reaching the threshold needed for

√ote by Feb. 15

Courtesy YouTube

Fremont Mayor Lily Mei, a candidate for state Senate, has been labeled as anti-LGBTQ by the Alameda County Democratic Party.

the Tri-City Dems’ backing.

This month, Democrats in the Senate district will cast votes for a pre-endorsement in the race by the state Democratic Party that would be finalized at its convention this spring. Mei’s antiLGBTQ tag is sure to factor into the outcome.

“I think people are taking the committee action seriously,” said Andy Kelley, a gay man who is corresponding secretary of the Alameda Dem-

ocratic party. “Folks don’t want to be on the other side of the Democratic Party.”

Formerly an independent, Mei registered as a Democrat when she ran for reelection as mayor in 2020. Among her transgressions cited by the local party’s committee members were several actions Mei took over a decade ago while on the Fremont school board.

Among them was initially voting against marking Harvey Milk Day in honor of the assassinated gay San Francisco supervisor and not supporting queer authors on an AP English curriculum. As the B.A.R. has previously noted, Mei countered that she never voted to ban any LGBTQ books from being made available to Fremont students and explained that she wanted to honor more local civil rights figures than just Milk on the school calendar, which the school board ultimately did.

As mayor, she pointed to her hiring LGBTQ people for prominent positions and appointments of out members to oversight bodies. Mei also joined a nationwide group for mayors supportive of LGBTQ rights.

“Hopefully, my actions speak louder than this judgment,” said Mei, one of five Asian American female mayors leading one of the country’s 100 largest cities.

See page 10 >>

B.A.R. election endorsements

Consolidated Special Municipal Election SF School Board Recalls Prop A – Measure to Recall Alison Collins Yes Prop B – Measure to Recall Gabriela López Yes Prop C – Measure to Recall Faauuga Moliga Yes

CA Assembly 17th District David Campos San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Joaquín Torres

<< Community News

2 • Bay Area Reporter • February 3-9, 2022

Haas Jr. fund to end LGBTQ investments next year

by John Ferrannini

A

major San Francisco-based foundation that has supported marriage equality, LGBTQ faithbased work, and legal organizations for more than two decades has announced that it will end its grants to queer nonprofits in 2023, likely leaving many of them scrambling to replace the revenue.

The Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund stated January 28 that it is commencing a “two-year wind-down” of its investments in LGBTQ equality. It began its LGBTQ program 21 years ago, according to a letter.

“Recognizing the challenges in achieving nationwide federal protections, and citing a new wave of antitransgender laws in the states, Cathy and Robert acknowledged that the LGBT movement’s work is far from over,” a news release states, referring to Haas Jr. Fund President and CEO Cathy Cha and Vice President of Programs Robert Joseph. “In the coming two years, the fund will be providing its LGBT grantees with the transitional support they need to prepare for the next chapter in their work. This will include unrestricted general operating support and capacity-building support for fundraising.”

Maliha Sadiq, a Haas Jr. fund spokesperson, told the Bay Area Reporter that funding amounts won’t change for at least a year.

“We will be providing the same level of support to current LGBT grantee partners in 2022 as we did in 2021, with all grants as unrestricted general operating support,” Sadiq stated. “In

<<

Temprano

From page 1

Mandelman is now looking to hire a fourth aide in his office. Last year, he brought on Jackie Thornhill, a trans-

Matthew S. Bajko

The Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, which is based in San Francisco, will end its LGBTQ grant program in 2023, officials announced January 28.

the months ahead, we will be talking with grantees about the kinds of capacity-building support that can help them most in their continuing work.

Based on those conversations, we will make our final grants in 2023 for organizational and movement-wide capacity-building. We have budgeted approximately $1 million for this capacity-building work.”

Sadiq told the B.A.R. that the Haas Jr. fund is shifting its focus “to be more rooted in our home state of California.” When asked why this won’t include funding LGBTQ equality efforts in California, Sadiq stated, “We are a policy and outcomes oriented foundation and California already has by far the strongest pro-LGBT laws in the nation.”

The fund has invested a total of $105 million over the years in its LGBTQ program, Sadiq stated.

Matt Foreman, gay man who’s a senior program director with the fund and oversees its work on LGBTQ and immigrant rights, referred the B.A.R.

to Sadiq. He did not answer a question asking if he’s planning to stay with the fund.

Roger Doughty, a gay man who is president of Horizons Foundation, a San Francisco-based philanthropic organization that also makes grants to LGBTQ nonprofits, said the news is a “disappointment, to be sure.”

“At the same time, the Haas Jr. Fund has made a remarkable and lasting difference in its two decades of funding the LGBTQ movement,” Doughty stated to the B.A.R. “They’ve been consistently smart, strategic, willing to take risks, and genuinely connected with the queer nonprofits they supported. If more foundations did even a fraction of what Haas, Jr. has done, it would bring dramatic additional resources to our community in the Bay Area and the movement across the country.”

Doughty said over the last decade, overall philanthropic support for LGBTQ rights has risen, and hopefully this will offset the loss of the fund.

gender woman, and Jackie Prager, the queer former director of the San Francisco Democratic Party, as legislative aides in addition to Jacob Bintliff, a gay former city planning staffer.

“It is definitely a loss for the office,

but I am happy for him,” Mandelman told the B.A.R. He noted that Temprano was a fulltime volunteer on his campaign for the District 8 supervisor seat in the special election in June 2018 and has

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“The bad news is that the exit of any major funder is a loss, since funding for everything from LGBTQ legal equality to LGBTQ health care, from support for LGBTQ elders to empowering queer youth – and so much more – remains terribly underfunded.

This is nowhere more true than LGBTQ organizations in communities of color and the transgender community,” Doughty stated.

“The more positive news is that overall foundation support for LGBTQ nonprofits and causes has been climbing steadily over the past 10 years. According to Funders for LGBTQ Issues’ most recent Tracking Report, total foundation and corporate funding has topped $200,000,000 (annual),” Doughty added. “That’s a healthy increase and an indication that, slowly but steadily, more foundations are making LGBTQ-related grants. Newer funders have entered the field in recent years (e.g., Foundation for a Just Society), while others have increased their commitments. It remains far, far from enough, but is a positive trend.”

Funders for LGBTQ Issues did not respond to a request for comment.

The Haas Jr. Fund is among the philanthropic umbrella group’s roughly six-dozen institutional members.

San Francisco-based National Center for Lesbian Rights is just one of numerous queer nonprofits that have received grants from the Haas Jr. fund.

Imani Rupert-Gordon, its executive director, thanked the fund for its support over the years.

“The Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund has been an incredible partner

and generous funder of NCLR’s work since 1999,” Rupert-Gordon stated to the B.A.R. “We are incredibly grateful for the funding they have provided through the years that has allowed NCLR to provide legal aid and direct services to the most underserved LGBTQ folks in our community. Their leadership, forward thinking, and intentional grantmaking has been instrumental in the coordination of our movement, resulting in enormous victories for the LGBTQ community for over 20 years.

“As they wind down their LGBTQ program, we look forward to continuing to find ways to partner with the [fund] on issues that affect the most underrepresented in our communities,” Rupert-Gordon added.

Sadiq sought to assure the B.A.R. that “we will not be funding LGBT equality work directly beyond 2023 but our commitment to justice, equality, and opportunity for LGBT people will continue across our other issue areas of democracy, immigrant rights, and college access.”

Cha and Joseph offered a similar sentiment.

“To see so many people’s lives – and their rights and opportunities – change in consequential and material ways is a testament to the power of visionary leadership and grassrootsfueled movements for equality and justice,” Cha and Joseph wrote in a joint statement. “For Haas Jr., it has been a privilege to work alongside the people and organizations that have changed hearts and minds and led the way on these issues.” t

worked alongside him since he took his oath of office that July.

“I think this job of being a legislative aide in San Francisco in 2022 is a meat grinder,” said Mandelman. “He has done it for almost four years. I am incredibly grateful for what he has done for me and District 8.”

Temprano, who earned $158,881.92 in total pay and benefits from the city in 2020, declined to disclose his salary with EQCA. (In his former position as EQCA’s managing director, Hoang earned a salary of $160,800 according to its 2020 tax filing.)

Mayor London Breed will need to name someone to fill the vacancy on the college board. The person is expected to seek election on the November ballot to serve out Temprano’s term through early January 2025.

“I would love to see a queer person replace me on the board,” said Temprano, one of two out college trustees.

(Bisexual trustee Shanell Williams, reelected like Temprano in 2020, also stepped down as board president last week. Brigitte Davila is now president, with John Rizzo the new vice president.)

Having moved into the LGBTQ Castro district in 2020, Temprano has long been seen as a likely successor to Mandelman, who will be termed out in 2026 should he be reelected this year. In his new role with EQCA, Temprano will help oversee its political action committee, which endorses candidates across California.

His responsibilities will run the gamut from its endorsement process and financial support of candidates to civic engagement activities and LGBTQ voter registration drives. Thus, it will likely greatly benefit Temprano should he seek higher office someday, affording him connections to political leaders throughout the Golden State.

It will be a handy contact list that could be fruitful for his own campaign coffers. Temprano demurred, slightly, when asked by the B.A.R. about the benefits the new job could bring to any future candidacy of his.

“I think right now, in particular with the aftermath of January 6 and the midterms that are coming and the opportunity to pick up a number of legislative seats,” said Temprano, “to have a position, to have a real impact on the future of our democracy and sort of makeup of our state Legislature and help elect other queer people to community college boards, school boards and city councils around the state, is truly an incredible opportunity and one I couldn’t pass up.”

Having gotten to know “many amazing neighborhood leaders and nonprofit leaders in District 8,” Temprano said, “if an opportunity to serve them again comes up, it is one I certainly would consider.”

Temprano lives with his partner of more than six years, Andrew Sheets, a spokesman for the LGBTQ film festival Frameline, and Val, the Chihuahua, rat terrier, Australian cattle dog mix they got from Rocket Dog Rescue four years ago. He told the B.A.R. they have no plans to leave the Castro, while he is looking forward to now being a constituent of Mandelman’s.

“We will stay active District 8 residents,” said Temprano. “I have saved up some tree trimming and sidewalk repair requests as soon as I leave; I am not joking.” t

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Even prior to his joining the college board in 2017, Temprano had fought to save its accreditation as a leader of the Milk club. Over the past five years he and his fellow board members have weathered fiscal storms and leadership turnover at the college as they dealt with budget deficits and enrollment declines brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Temprano pointed to securing funding for staffing at the campus’ queer student center, updating its policies to better meet the needs of trans students, and advocating for state policy to end the deadnaming of trans and nonbinary public college students as among the highlights of his tenure.

The passage of an $845 million bond for City College and securing $200 million to fund its free tuition program provide a strong foundation for its future, he added.

“I think I have done a good job,” said Temprano. “I think the board has done some really important things during my time.”

t

Community News>>

February 3-9, 2022 • Bay Area Reporter • 3

V TE

JOAQUIN TORRES

Courtesy Queer Silicon Valley

Santa Clara County Superior Court Judges Julie Emede, left, Charles Adams, and Jessica Delgado will speak at a panel in San Jose next weekend.

Panel to feature out Santa Clara judges compiled by Cynthia Laird

T

hree LGBTQ judges on the Santa Clara County Superior Court will participate in a panel discussion presented by History San José and the BAYMEC Community Foundation Saturday, February 12, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at History Park, 635 Phelan Avenue in San Jose.

The judges will discuss their lives and careers, and it marks the first time that out South Bay judges have come together to take part in such an event, organizers said.

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Judge Julie Emede, a lesbian, to the bench in 2010. She received her law degree from UC Hastings College of the Law and practiced family law for her own firm prior to her appointment.

Emede and her partner, Marci Garcia, have been together for 31 years and married in October 2008, just before Proposition 8, the same-sex marriage ban, was passed by California voters.

Judge Charles Adams, a gay man, was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jerry Brown in 2018.

He received his law degree from Pepperdine University. He served as a research attorney for the Santa Clara County Superior Court and worked as a staff member for a U.S. district court judge prior to his appointment. He came out when he checked the box identifying himself as a member of the LGBTQ community when he applied to be a judge, according to a biography on the Queer Silicon Valley website.

The newest out judge is Jessica Delgado, who was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021. A Latina lesbian, Delgado received her law degree from UC Berkeley Law. Delgado was a deputy public defender for the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s office prior to her appointment.

Joining the panel will be moderator Mary Greenwood, a justice with the California 6th District Court of Appeal.

The event is free. To register, go to https://bit.ly/3Glgr1T For more information about the three judges, go to https://bit. ly/34mz08X

Jewish groups to host AD 17 forum

The Raoul Wallenberg Jewish Democratic Club and a coalition of community groups will hold a virtual candidate forum for the special Assembly District 17 race Monday, February 7, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

All four candidates – gay former supervisor David Campos, District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney, small business owner Bilal Mahmood, and City College of San Francisco Trustee Thea Selby – are expected

to participate. The candidates are running in the February 15 special primary to succeed former assemblymember David Chiu, who resigned last November to become San Francisco’s first Asian American city attorney. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a runoff between the top two finishers will be held in April.

According to an email from organizers, the forum is an opportunity to hear from the candidates on issues important to the Jewish community. These include rising anti-Semitism and racism, ethnic studies, and Holocaust education.

Forum co-sponsors are the Jewish Community Relations Council, the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California, Congregation Emanu-El, and Jewish Family and Children’s Services.

The event is free. To sign up, go to https://bit.ly/3ofNJJU

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Spahr Center seeks donors for challenge grant

The Spahr Center, which serves Marin County’s LGBTQ and HIV/ AIDS communities, has received a generous challenge grant and needs new donors to contribute a matching amount.

An email announcement from Executive Director Dana Van Gorder stated that Miguel Ruelas and Sid Hartman, longtime supporters of the center, recently agreed to donate $25,000 if the center can match that gift with an equal amount of contributions.

“This challenge helps us to meet an incredibly important need – to expand our multilingual mental health services for members of Marin’s LGBTQ+ community,” Van Gorder wrote.

He noted that the demand for such services as individual therapy and support groups has increased sharply as community outreach by the center has grown in recent years.

“Today, we have a waiting list of LGBTQ+ people – especially youth – urgently needing therapy,” Van Gorder stated. Additionally, the Spahr Center lacks capacity to support clients who need to work with Spanish-speaking therapists, he stated.

“It is essential that we address this gap,” he wrote.

The terms of the challenge grant call for donations of $12,500 this year and again in 2023 from people who have never given to the Spahr Center, or who have not given in recent years. Van Gorder noted that three new donors have already contributed $4,000 toward the challenge.

To donate, go to https://bit. ly/32MuEY5 See page 6 >>

February 15, 2022

Consolidated Special Municipal Election

by Cast mail or at the poll, your

pla

y s a n important role!

The Department of Elections will automatically mail ballots to all locally registered voters for all upcoming elections. Any voter may still choose to vote in person.

Still need to register to vote?

Register to vote online at RegisterToVote.ca.gov or contact the Department of Elections to request a paper registration form. To receive a ballot in the mail, you must register by January 31, 2022.

After that date, you will need to register and vote in person at the City Hall Voting Center or a polling place.

New!

The Department of Elections will provide 34 official ballot drop boxes in neighborhoods across the City. Ballot boxes will be open 24 hours . a day between January 18 and the close of polls (8 p.m.) on February 15. For locations, go to sfelections.org/BallotDropOff. (415) 554-4375 SFVote@sfgov.org

City Hall, Room 48 sfelections.org

<< Open Forum

4 • Bay Area Reporter • February 3-9, 2022

Volume 52, Number 05 February 3-9, 2022 www.ebar.com

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Bad call by Haas Jr. fund

F

or 21 years, many LGBTQ nonprofits have depended on the generosity of the San Francisco-based Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund. The fund’s grants have enabled these organizations to provide services and kept their doors open. Unfortunately, as we learned last week, executives that oversee the Haas Jr. fund announced that they would be “winding down” its LGBT equality fund over the next two years, with the final grants coming in 2023.

The Haas Jr. fund has distributed $105 million in grants through its LGBT equality fund, so yes, it is a significant chunk of change that will be missing from the budgets of cash-strapped queer nonprofits. This is a bad call that must be rescinded by the Haas Jr. fund.

This decision announced by Cathy Cha, president and CEO of the Haas Jr. fund, and Robert Joseph, vice president of programs, is short-sighted and potentially devastating for nonprofits, which have had their fundraising ability drastically curtailed during the COVID-19 pandemic that is entering its third year. While many groups pivoted to virtual fundraisers, the income generated by these events often is nowhere near the money they would have received at an in-person gala or other activity. That’s just the hard truth. We give tremendous credit to Bay Area LGBTQ nonprofits that are confronting the challenges of the pandemic, many of which have had to do more with less but at least they have remained open. Some of them no doubt have Haas Jr. fund grants to thank for that.

We are also struggling to understand the reasoning behind the executives’ decision. As we first reported online January 28, Maliha Sadiq, a Haas Jr. fund spokesperson, told us that the Haas Jr. fund is shifting its focus “to be more rooted in our home state of California.” When asked why this won’t include funding LGBTQ equality efforts in California, Sadiq stated, “We are a policy and outcomes oriented foundation and California already has by far the strongest pro-LGBT laws in the nation.”

This makes no sense. Yes, California has strong pro-LGBTQ laws, but that certainly doesn’t

Courtesy Haas Jr. fund

Cathy Cha is president and CEO of the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund.

mean life is anywhere near perfect for queers in the Golden State, especially for LGBTQs of color and transgender people. Yes, the community has marriage equality, but as Haas executives themselves noted, the trans community is under attack – literally and figuratively. Immigration issues such as housing for refugees and asylum seekers abound, particularly in California with its high cost of living. Access to health care remains a major obstacle for many.

Schools – even in California – continue to present challenges to trans and nonbinary students. There are LGBTQ-led nonprofits with expertise in each of these areas throughout the state. And while Haas Jr. fund officials said that LGBTQ organizations would continue to receive grants under the fund’s broader non-LGBTQ-specific portfolios, we are concerned that 1) there won’t be as many queer-led nonprofits selected and 2) the money will be less than it is now. In other words, there is no guarantee that LGBTQ-led nonprofits will get any of the funding.

There are hundreds of LGBTQ nonprofits in California, and many of them operate on a bare-bones budget, especially those in rural parts of the state. One could argue that larger organizations based in urban centers like the

A

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Bay Area or Los Angeles could derive resources from a broader base of donors or foundations, but tell that to small community centers and similar organizations in the Central Valley, or those along the Central Coast, to name just two parts of the state. And even in the Bay Area, smaller nonprofits are struggling. Just this week we reported about a $25,000 challenge grant for which the Spahr Center in Marin that serves the LGBTQ community is currently seeking new matching donors. One of the great unmet needs in the county is for mental health services, especially for Spanishspeaking clients and queer youth, the center noted in an email solicitation. Strong legal protections are just one factor that the Haas Jr. fund should be considering, but just because there are laws on the books doesn’t mean that discrimination and inequity cease to occur.

Fund executives ought to know that.

There is another aspect to this that is troubling: The non-LGBTQ-led nonprofits focusing on these issues often have a deep bench of wealthy donors and foundations that queerfocused organizations lack. For evidence, look at the 2018 Tracking Report by Funders for LGBTQ Issues, of which the Haas Jr. fund is among the philanthropic umbrella group’s roughly six-dozen institutional members. This report, published in 2020 and the most recent available, did note that foundation giving for LGBTQ issues hit a record high of $209.2 million in the 2018 calendar year. And the report found the overall field of LGBTQ philanthropy widening, identifying a record number of grantmakers awarding LGBTQ funding. The report analyzed 6,636 grants from a record 450 foundations. However, Funders for LGBTQ Issues stated, “While this report reveals many new record highs, it also reminds us that for every $100 awarded by U.S. foundations, only 28 cents specifically supports LGBTQ issues.”

That’s a depressing figure to be sure, and one that the Haas Jr. fund sought to counter with its LGBT equality fund. With the demise of this equality fund, LGBTQ-led nonprofits will fall further behind, and that’s concerning.

We call on the Haas Jr. fund to reconsider its drastic decision and reverse it so LGBTQ nonprofits can have a fighting chance in these very tenuous times.t

Addicted to supremacy

by Dwayne Ratleff

Bay Area Reporter

t

fter returning home and putting the food away, our mother instructed [my sister and I] to change out of our play clothes and into our school clothes. We had been kept out of school because Tuesday, April 9, 1968 was the day of Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral. Oddly enough, he was being buried on the same day that General [Robert E.] Lee had surrendered to General [Ulysses S.] Grant at Appomattox over a hundred years earlier. The death of Martin Luther King Jr. was a reminder that the Civil War was still raging.

My sisters and I had found two bodies in the street but had never been to an actual funeral. Although the event was only televised, our parents insisted we had to wear our best clothes. After seeing us in our school clothes, our mother decided they were not good enough. We had to change again, this time into our Easter clothes. Our dining room chairs acted as our pews as we sat reverently in front of the TV. I was young enough that funerals were still boring, fidgeting events that I had no emotional attachment to, and I had no concept of the importance of the event.

Sad to say but my most prominent thought during the funeral was, “When will this be over so I can go outside to play?” No matter how deeply I dig through my memories, I can recover nothing but snippets of the event. For some reason I distinctly remember Wilt Chamberlain and Jackie Kennedy entering the church. When a veiled Coretta Scott King entered the church, [my sister] Peanut starting crying. Perhaps I was witnessing the birth of her empathy. ... Sympathy is certainly welcomed at times such as this, but to endure so much of it in such a short amount of

Courtesy Amazon

Dwayne Ratleff

time can overwhelm a person. Perhaps the mask Mrs. King wore under her veil offered her a hidden sanctuary away from the peering eyes of the crowd.

Two months later I added a false memory to the funeral. False, in the sense that I did not view the funeral this way at the time. Future events compelled me to add an addendum to the memory of the funeral.

The memory is false, but the addendum proved to be true. I would view the event as “The Funeral of the Three Widows,” for in attendance were Jackie Kennedy, Coretta Scott King and Ethel Kennedy. Widow of the past, widow of the present, and widow of the near future. The addendum became the stronger memory.

Others had their own view. A coincidence can be so compelling it takes on a life of its own. Shortly after the death of Robert Kennedy, rumors ran that the clan was sending

their followers a secret message through murder, because the first initial of the three slain men’s last names spelled out KKK. So much promise had been murdered in the sixties that any far-fetched rumor seemed possible.

Nearly fifty years later I would sit in the pews of Ebenezer Baptist Church, which by then had become a National Historic Park, and cry delayed tears. I had witnessed events that needed to be mourned but lacked the maturity to do so at the time. After the death toll from the AIDS epidemic, and the ravages of time took their toll among my friends and family, I was able to cry at the place where I witnessed my first funeral. I was thankful I had grown past my stepfather, and men such as him, and could cry in peace without being told to wipe that nonsense out of my eyes.

On Wednesday, we returned to school.

The few soldiers we saw had guns, but none had fixed bayonets. Many businesses also opened, including the city’s seven public markets. As the police had set up a command post in Belair Market, which was our public market, it was not looted or damaged at all.

A food store was not the first store I set foot in. There were only four days until Easter. We were not churchgoers but had to dress the part, because that is what you did on Easter in East Baltimore. After getting out of school a trip to the barber was in order, and the shop was filled to capacity. Most men were there to shoot the breeze, which was a more masculine name for men gossiping.

Despite the crowd, I immediately noticed Mister Willy seated comfortably next to my barber. He looked as if he had already had his hair cut. He wasn’t staying so much to shoot the breeze as to chuckle at it. Mister Willy found it amusing that men sat around See page 7 >>

t

Politics >>

February 3-9, 2022 • Bay Area Reporter • 5

EQCA grades Gov. Newsom, CA lawmakers less than perfect

by Matthew S. Bajko

D

Newsom, AP; Cervantes, courtesy the campaign; Frazier, courtesy Assembly.gov; Boerner Horvath, courtesy Ballotpedia

Those receiving a less than perfect score on Equality California’s 2021 Legislative Scorecard include Governor Gavin Newsom, left, Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, former Assemblymember Jim Frazier, and Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath.

of 88% in his third year as governor.

He had received 100% scores from EQCA during both of his first two years in office.

Wiener’s legislation would have expressly legalized contingency management as a way to treat substance use disorder and authorized MediCal to cover it. Incentives, including financial inducements, are used to help people remain sober.

The Veterans Affairs Administration and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation already utilize such measures, as the B.A.R. noted in its coverage of the bill. Wiener had argued the management strategy has been shown to be an effective with methamphetamine users.

But in his veto message Newsom called the bill “premature” since the state is conducting a pilot project on contingency management with funding through Medi-Cal this year through March 2024.

“The outcomes and lessons learned from the pilot project should be evaluated before permanently extending the Medi-Cal benefit,” argued Newsom for why he did not sign the bill.

Wiener did not respond to an interview request for this article by deadline Friday, January 28. He was among the seven of the eight members of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus to earn a 100% score from EQCA in 2021.

Lawmakers dinged

For the second year in a row lesbian Assemblywoman Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona), who is up

for reelection, fell short on EQCA’s scorecard. She received a 2021 score of 90%, a slight improvement from her 2020 score of 86%.

She was among those lawmakers dinged by EQCA for abstaining on the vote for Wiener’s SB 357, which would decriminalize loitering for adults with the intent to engage in sex work. While it passed out of the Legislature, the bill as of Friday had yet to be sent to Newsom for him to either sign or veto.

As the B.A.R. previously reported, Wiener stated in October that it’d be sent to Newsom in January. With it being the end of the month, it could head to the governor’s desk sometime Monday.

EQCA spokesperson Samuel Garrett-Pate told the B.A.R. last week the organization was unsure when the bill would be sent to Newsom. Should the governor end up vetoing it, his score on the organization’s 2022 Legislative Scorecard would be impacted.

“Throughout his career Governor Newsom has been a champion and ally for the LGBTQ+ community, and we are certainly hopeful he will sign this important legislation to address profiling of the trans community and women of color in particular,” said Garrett-Pate.

The other assemblymembers who abstained on SB 357 and thus received a 90% score from EQCA were Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno); Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park); Adrin Nazarian (D-Van Nuys); Blanca E. Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), and Carlos See page 9 >>

Letters >> Give APE a chance with Castro Theatre

On a positive note, I love the passion my community has for issues that are happening, in this case, at the Castro Theatre [“Cultural district expresses concerns about new Castro Theatre plan,” January 27]. But we also tend to jump the gun, dig in our heels (stilettos?), and get our knickers in a twist. Another Planet Entertainment taking over the programming of the Castro Theatre is a good example of that.

I personally work, or have worked, at multiple venues in San Francisco including the Palace of Fine Arts, ACT, SF Giants ballpark, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Marines Memorial Theatre, and have worked on shows and events presented or produced by APE. They are a local company, fair in their hiring practices, respected in the industry, and fun to work with. I would venture to guess that a lot of Bay Area Reporter readers have attended APE events and may not even be aware of that.

Give them a chance, please.

In case you haven’t noticed, the Castro is hurting. It can use some fresh, new ideas from companies like APE. We should be thanking them for taking a leap of faith, especially in these COVID times, and welcome them to the Castro.

The Castro Theatre stopped being just a movie house decades ago. There have been concerts, drag shows, special events (thank you Marc Huestis ... I got to meet Ann Miller and was there when Christina Crawford made her entrance from the back of the house waving a coat hanger!), tech conferences, movie premiers, etc., some of which APE was

probably involved with presenting.

Yes, two-dozen folks showed up to protest, but I’ve spoken to hundreds of folks in the Castro who are thrilled that this is happening.

When the F Line was put in to the Castro, we heard “there goes the Castro” bringing in tourists (meaning “straight,” don’t get me started on that).

When the palm trees were put in on Market Street we heard “there goes the Castro” (this isn’t Los Angeles – as if palm trees only grow in L.A.!?)

When the sidewalks in the Castro were widened and the rainbow crosswalks were installed at the intersection of 18th and Castro streets, we heard, “there goes the Castro” turning into Disneyland.

When bars and restaurants were allowed to build parklets, literally saving numerous small businesses from permanently closing down, we heard “there goes the Castro,” we won’t be able to park.

And guess what? The Castro survived and will continue to survive as long as we stay positive, stay open to new ideas, and don’t let the negative nellies (said with love) get in the way.

And one more thing – please stop with the “straight bashing.” We (LGBTQ+) didn’t like it when that kind of thing was directed at us, and more than ever, we shouldn’t be directing it at anyone else. F@#king grow up.

Peace, love, and laughter my peeps.

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ue to their not casting votes in favor of various LGBTQ rights bills, 22 Democratic lawmakers failed to receive a perfect score on the 2021 legislative scorecard compiled by a statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization. Governor Gavin Newsom was also dinged on the scorecard for his veto last fall of a substance use treatment bill.

Equality California released its annual scorecard Monday, January 31. It shared a copy of it with the Bay Area Reporter last week ahead of its publication.

Despite the less-than-stellar results on the scorecard for the governor and roughly a third of the Democratic legislative caucus, “great progress” was still made last year on advancing LGBTQ legislation in California, noted EQCA Executive Director Tony Hoang.

“While states across the nation pursued and passed policies attacking the transgender community, the California Legislature invested in the health and well-being of trans and gendernonconforming people and adopted legislation to better respect and affirm Californians’ gender identities,” wrote Hoang in his introductory remarks for the scorecard.

The 2021 scores for the Democrats are an improvement from 2020, when 33 members of the party’s legislative caucus fell short of 100% scores.

It marked the highest number of Democratic legislators falling below a 100% score since 2006, when 22 Democrats in the statehouse earned less than perfect scores from EQCA. Despite vetoing an LGBTQ bill two years ago, Newsom still received a perfect score on the 2020 scorecard because EQCA and LGBTQ lawmakers had asked him not to sign the legislation into law after a last minute issue was discovered with it. He noted the matter in his veto message for the bill and pledged to work with lawmakers to address the problem.

As promised Newsom last year signed into law the revised version of the bill, Assembly Bill 218. Authored by gay Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego), it allows transgender Californians to update their marriage certificates and the birth certificates of their children to accurately reflect their legal name and gender. It was one of eight bills sent to Newsom’s desk in 2021 that EQCA scored him on.

But his veto in October of Senate Bill 110, authored by gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), resulted in Newsom receiving a score

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<< Community News

6 • Bay Area Reporter • February 3-9, 2022

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‘Jeopardy!’ champ Schneider to appear in SF

by Sean Piverger

S

he may have had her “Jeopardy!” winning streak snapped, but champion Amy Schneider will be at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco next week for a virtual and in-person event to talk about her history-making run on the TV quiz show.

Schneider, of course, fell from the top ranks of the popular game show January 26, after 40 consecutive wins and earnings of nearly $1.4 million.

Schneider was bested by Rhone Talsma, a librarian from Chicago, during a Final Jeopardy response that involved this clue: “The only nation in the world whose name in English ends in an H, it’s also one of the 10 most populous.”

Schneider came up with a blank response. Talsma wrote down, “What is Bangladesh?” This earned him $29,600. Thus, Talsma became the new “Jeopardy!” champion, but he lost the next day. Schneider will return for the show’s “Tournament of Champions” later this year.

Schneider, 42, had made a memorable run on the show. Not only was she the first transgender woman to qualify for the Tournament of Champions but she also became the first woman on the quiz show to win more than $1 million. She had the secondlongest winning streak in the show’s history, behind only Ken Jennings, and is ranked fourth to win more

<<

News Briefs

From page 3

New journal to spotlight queer, trans religious studies

UC Riverside will be the host of an unprecedented conference to launch the first academic journal devoted to queer and transgender scholarship in religious studies.

According to a news release, the journal, QTR: A Journal of Queer and Transgender Studies in Religion, will be founded by Melissa M. Wilcox, a religious studies professor at UC Riverside, and Joseph Marchal, a religious studies professor at Ball State University in Indiana. The first papers published in the journal will be selected from presentations at the conference in May. The conference,

Courtesy Twitter

Oakland resident Amy Schneider’s “Jeopardy!” winning streak ended January 26.

than $1 million. Her cash winnings put her behind Jennings ($2,520,700 after 74 games), James Holzhauer, ($2,462,216 after 32 games), and Matt Amodio ($1,518,601 after 38 games).

Jennings is currently hosting the show following the 2020 death of longtime host Alex Trebek.

Schneider could not be reached for comment. She told NBC News that she regrets nothing.

“I got about $1.2 million more than my best case scenario in my imagination,” she told the outlet.

Schneider, a software engineer manager who lives in Oakland, had

“Queer and Transgender Studies in Religion in the 2020s: The State of the Field” is supported by a $30,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation and a $5,000 grant from the UC Humanities Research Institute.

Wilcox, who is queer, stated that the need for the journal is clear.

“Every time we write for a mainstream journal we have to do either queer theory or religious studies 101 to explain our theoretical background,” Wilcox stated. “There’s no go-to journal if you want to read this specific field of work. There’s no place those of us who do queer and trans studies can talk directly to each other.

This journal will be that place.”

QTR will use a fee-free open access publishing model to make its scholarship available to the widest possible

been watching the show since she was in kindergarten. In eighth grade, she was voted “most likely to appear on ‘Jeopardy!’” In an interview with Emily St. James, Schneider mentioned that she got into trivia thanks to her family upbringing.

“As far as trivia, part of it is just the luck of genetics. That’s how my brain works. Things stick in it. I definitely think a lot of it goes to my mother. She was a college professor and a math teacher. She was definitely about what you’d call the life of the mind and intellectual achievement and stimulation as its own reward.”

Schneider auditioned to be on the show back in 2020. Due to delays because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she began taping the shows last September and on November 17 made her TV debut.

In an Instagram Live chat last week, Schneider told Anthony Allen Ramos, GLAAD’s head of talent, that she had her qualms about being on TV. “I definitely was concerned about being trans in public, that can go bad for people sometimes. But once my episodes started airing, I was really surprised by how overwhelmingly positive it was,” she said. “There were definitely negative comments out there, and I definitely read a few more of them than I should have. But there weren’t that many, and almost everybody was just happy for me and excited for me.”

Schneider also mentioned to Ra-

mos that her presence has been positive for parents of trans children. “[I’ve been] hearing from a lot of parents and grandparents of trans people,” she said. “What they’ve told me, and this is what I wasn’t expecting, is that [watching me] made them feel better about their trans loved ones, that they could be out there successful. And I was like ‘Wow yes, they can, and I agree.’”

And she said that being trans had made her a stronger opponent.

“There’s some overlap between being trans and being nerdy, you kind of see that out there. I think that may be because, being trans as a child, I was always trying to put myself in the place of women and watch them, and see what they’re doing, and try to imagine what their life is like,” she said. “And I think that sort of projecting yourself out, you become interested in learning. Whether it’s just facts in general, or maybe getting into a certain fandom really hard, or whatever it may be, I think maybe there’s some connection right there.”

GLAAD did not respond to a request for comment. As the B.A.R. previously reported, Nick Adams, director of transgender representation at the organization, commended Schneider’s impact on the show in a statement. (https://www.ebar.com/ news/latest_news//312052) “Amy Schneider’s incredible run on ‘Jeopardy!’ allows families all over the country to get to know her as some-

one who is great at word puzzles, has in-depth knowledge on a range of topics, and who also happens to be a transgender woman. Amy is using her history-making appearances and new platform to raise awareness of transgender issues and share a bit of her personal story too.”

Schneider told Ramos that her coming out wasn’t so bad.

“I’d say that one thing that was true for me, at least, was that I feared so many things that didn’t end up happening,” she said. “And what I thought it was going to be like, for the most part, didn’t occur, didn’t materialize, those things I was afraid of. There’s a good chance that if you’re in that position, that you’re like I am, and that you’re thinking of everything that might go wrong, that might be hard. I would say that’s not realistic, that’s not the right way to think about it, and that also there’s going to be so many unexpected things that you might get out of it that you’re not anticipating.”

GLAAD announced that Schneider would receive a special recognition honor at its 33rd annual GLAAD Media Awards April 8, which honors media for outstanding representation of LGBTQ people and issues.

Schneider’s Commonwealth Club appearance is set for Thursday, February 10, at 12:30 p.m. The program is free for members. Others can purchase tickets for either in-person or online at https://bit.ly/3sanK7T. t

academic and public audience. Under most open access models, the authors of a paper must pay the journal to make the paper freely available to any reader, the release stated. Typically the fees range from $2,000-$3,000.

“Many scholars in these areas of research are working with little to no grant money,” Wilcox stated. “Some are working outside academia. Feefree open access will help these scholars as well.”

Papers published in QTR will address, among other things, the way queer and trans people are creating their own religious spaces, the release stated.

“When we say a particular religion hates queer people we’re erasing the queer people in that religion,” stated Wilcox. “We’re reducing it to one particular take or one particular branch

and to a certain set of elites who have claimed the right to say what they want by silencing everyone else.”

Wilcox and Marchal believe the journal will help those struggling with the relationships between gender, sexuality, and spirituality.

“This work saves lives. It simply does,” Wilcox stated. “Anybody just Googling to find out who is out there like me or is there space for me in this religion will be able to find the work collected in this journal.

For more on the journal, see the UCR article at https://bit.ly/34hEG3T

access to SSA disability programs for the LGBTQIA+ communities.

The meeting will be held Thursday, February 17, from 10 a.m. to noon (Pacific time).

In an email, Jeffrey Buckner, acting associate commissioner for the SSA’s Office of Strategic and Digital Communication, stated that people can provide comments in advance of the meeting about the challenges the LGBTQIA+ community faces.

People can provide their comments through Engage SSA until Friday, February 4.

To provide feedback through Engage SSA, go to https://ssa.ideascalegov.com/ For more information on the forum, go to https://www.ssa.gov/ndf/ index.htm t

National Disability Forum to spotlight LGBTQs

The Social Security Administration’s upcoming National Disability Forum will focus on equitable

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50 years in 50 weeks: 2014 Winter Olympics

T

he 2014 Winter Olympics were held in Sochi, Russia, and our February 13, 2014 issue reported that the global athletic event included little gay visibility. The games were held amid political upheaval, as the previous summer, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the anti-gay law that made it a crime to “promote” homosexuality to minors. That made plenty of out athletes nervous when it came to donning rainbow-themed attire or showing other signs of inclusivity. Then-President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and first lady Michelle Obama did not attend the games. Obama told NBC’s Bob Costas that they all had “busy schedules.” Obama did choose three openly gay athletes to be part of the 10-member U.S. delegation attending the opening and closing ceremonies and acknowledged to Costas that he was

B.A.R. Archive

sending a message to Putin. This year’s Winter Olympics begin February 4 in Beijing, China, which itself has come under criticism for cracking down on press freedom in recent months. The communist government in China has also worked to squelch dissent among protesters in Hong Kong, and according to the U.S. Department of State is committing genocide against Uighur Muslims. Olympic organizers are limiting attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic and have instituted strict protocols for the athletes. This time President Biden is boycotting the games by not sending an official delegation, though it doesn’t extend to American athletes, many of whom are expected to medal at this Olympiad. Let the games begin.

t

Community News>>

February 3-9, 2022 • Bay Area Reporter • 7

SF trans district announces some 2022 moves

by John Ferrannini

S

an Francisco’s Transgender District is planning on expanding its services and programming in the new year, officials said at a virtual town hall to kick off 2022. It is also working on bringing in more trans- and queerowned businesses to its area of the city’s Tenderloin district.

Juniper Yun, the district’s director of cultural affairs, said that under her supervision there will be more name and gender change clinics and services this year. A number of LGBTQ groups in the Bay Area have been offering such services due to California officials making it easier to update one’s name and gender on state-issued IDs and the process more accessible to the trans community.

“We’re so proud to announce we will be expanding those in 2022 to include not only name changes but programming that is robust and in partnership with many legal partners so we can do more types of documentation change-over, anything from passports to birth certificates, for those who are transgender or gendernonconforming in the San Francisco Bay Area,” Yun said during the January 26 online gathering.

Yun also said that the Tenderloinanchored district is looking for a storefront for the Comfort Collective, a pop-up restaurant co-created by nonbinary chef Christian Washington.

“If you haven’t heard of it, I’m surprised,” Yun said. “They’re the

<<

Guest Opinion

From page 4

talking about solving the world’s problems when many of them had yet to solve any of their own.

His silence was his credential. He rarely spoke so, when he did, his words were deemed extremely important.

Occasionally some foolish man would try to sway the unbiased Mister Willy to their cause in an argument, but he generally stayed in his own camp. He didn’t argue with people, especially about politics, because they often initially baited their trap with civil discourse, only to spring the trap of ignorance and aggression moments later. Experience would teach me that the world is full of strong personalities who defend weak positions. Mister Willy already knew this and didn’t want the responsibility or the headache of trying to change other’s opinions. He claimed that most people’s opinions were bigger than their facts, and his trading facts for their opinions - pearls for pennies - was not a fair exchange rate.

Closed minds generally have already decided what their ears and eyes will hear and see.

When I started paying attention to the conversation, it was mostly talk of the troops leaving. Few of those present wanted to return to business as usual. Certainly, the return of commerce would be welcomed, but gone were the days of waiting for white America to stingily grant us our civil rights in small stipends over centuries. No longer would we beg for permission to breathe; no more explaining ourselves because good behavior does not have to explain itself to bad behavior. Patience was no longer a virtue. It had become a vice that kept us in place.

Many of the older men had done the most radical thing they could, which was to move North, but now there was nowhere else to go. The younger generation had no choice but to move a nation.

One of the younger men had gone too far and insinuated the radical moves of the past were not that

Screengrab

Jupiter Peraza, left, and Juniper Yun talked about future plans and past accomplishments of the Transgender District during a recent town hall.

most inclusively exclusive, Southern comfort food in the East Bay. We are looking forward to a local partnership with Comfort to do a storefront in the district, as well as to continue their beautiful pop-ups with live music, and delicious, well-made soul food.”

Washington, a former chef at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, did not respond to a request for comment.

Yun said that the entrepreneurship accelerator program for queer and transgender people of color, which started in 2020, will also be expanding. The next round is starting in March. The program offers free business tax filings, one-on-one coaching, the creation of a full suite and website, and seed grants.

A boot camp and classes will be offered in the next go-around.

The Fluid Cooperative, which serves coffee and food at 332 Golden Gate Avenue, had graduated from the last business incubator and opened in 2021, as the Bay Area Reporter previ-

ously reported.

Much of the town hall focused on the district’s accomplishments in 2021. Jupiter Peraza, the district’s director of social justice, touted the Housing Opportunities for Trans Tenants, or HOTT, program, which has secured housing for eight trans, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming or intersex people in their 20s and 30s.

“We had eight available slots – eight vacancies we offered to trans tenants residing in the San Francisco Bay Area – and out of those vacancies, we were able to fill all of them,” Peraza said.

Yun noted that all of the tenants identify as Black, Indigenous, or otherwise of color. Three were housed in North Beach, two in the Mission Dolores neighborhood, one by Alamo Square Park, and one in downtown Oakland.

“The beauty of this program is we were able to have an opportunity to create a stipend so folks could be in a place that felt affirming – in a place

daring. He belittled the past and questioned how moving up North had been an improvement.

The older men grew silent and, in unison, turned toward Mister Willy. Of those present, he was the senior veteran of the sorrow wars of the South. After an uncomfortable pause the owner of the barbershop asked, “Mister Willy, why did you move North?”

He had never told me why he had come to Baltimore, but current events would flesh out his story. I hoped it wasn’t my turn to get my hair cut during the telling. Mister Willy had my undivided attention, and I didn’t want the barber turning the chair or my head away from him. A clipped ear or a jagged haircut would be worth the price.

For a moment, Mister Willy’s rough hands began rubbing and sanding the smooth arms of his wooden chair. In his home he was a rather communicative person, but in the barbershop, he was mostly a listener. He was stalling, searching for the shortest possible answer.

When he finally spoke, he didn’t give a detailed answer. “I left the fire for the frying pan, because the pan was a tad cooler.”

Most of the men who had left the South nodded in agreement.

They all had stories they could tell, but one would suffice, and that was Mister Willy’s. ...

Over time I would discover glaring omissions and start to question the vision of others. I was a student in a nearly all white elementary school when I first opened a history book. Very few black people were mentioned by name, and only four or five paragraphs mentioned us at all. I would come to realize that much of what personally influenced my life was on the missing pages from American history. White historians had written our portion of our common history in their books with an eraser. But we were not to be written out, written over, or written off. Something stronger than paper would be needed to bear our story. We wrote our story on the soul of America. America was not America without us. t

Dwayne Ratleff is the author of “Dancing to the Lyrics,” which won the Best Indie Book Award for 2021 and from which this is excerpted. The book is about his experience growing up as a Black gay child in Baltimore during the 1960s. Ratleff, who

that is a step above what could be traditional housing methods and opportunities for trans folks,” Yun said.

HOTT is a pilot program for further advances in finding housing for trans Bay Area residents, Peraza said.

“As we phase out HOTT, it’s so important for us to take away everything we learned from HOTT,” Peraza said.

The district is advised in its work by a community advisory council, according to Ivory Smith, a program associate with the district.

“The CAC is a small group of trans, nonbinary folk and stakeholders,” Smith said. “The CAC helps out with so many things at the district.”

Smith said that the CAC, whose members receive a $150 stipend for their work, advises the district on much of its work.

“For all the events we put together at the Transgender District we always consult with the CAC to see if the direction the district is heading is one where they feel supported and empowered by,” Smith said.

These events included the Riot Party – commemorating the anniversary of the 1966 Compton’s Cafeteria Riot – and the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

The district also facilitated several discussions on the state of transgender visibilities. In 2021, there was one forum on politics and another on entertainment.

“On one side, transgender visibility means progress. It means we’re being seen and noticed,” Peraza said. “One the

down side, transgender visibility can put us in danger and hinder our capacity for feel safe and be comfortable. We wanted to take the opportunity to make an assessment of where we are.”

Peraza encouraged anyone who hasn’t seen the forums to find them on the district’s YouTube channel.

Yun talked town hall viewers through the district’s biennial report, which is also available online. Each cultural district must pen a cultural history, housing, and economic sustainability strategies, or CHESS, report to present to city officials.

The report, sponsored by and written in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, outlines the district’s efforts with workforce and entrepreneurship development, housing, and features interview answers from community members on the district’s actions.

“The report also covers historic conservation, tenant protections, land use, and cultural competence,” Yun said.

Peraza encouraged folks to get actively involved in their communities.

“I’m always an advocate for individuals to get involved in whatever it is they’re passionate about, but especially for the trans community,” Peraza said. “Our community has so much power and innovative thinking.

We must share that with the world.”

There was not a question-andanswer period during the town hall.t

formerly lived in San Francisco, is a long-term HIV survivor and a former special ed student who did not learn to read and write until he was about 10. Excerpt published with permission.

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<< Community News

8 • Bay Area Reporter • February 3-9, 2022

t

SFPD doubles reward money for ‘Doodler’ serial killer

by John Ferrannini

S

an Francisco police are doubling the reward money being offered to solve one of the city’s most infamous cold cases that involved the killings of gay men.

It was announced January 27 that $200,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the “Doodler,” who is suspected of killing six gay men in San Francisco between January 1974 and September 1975.

Only five deaths had been attributed to the Doodler until Thursday, when it was announced that “as a result of a new investigation,” it is now believed that the serial killer is implicated in the death of Warren Andrews, a 52-year-old lawyer.

Andrews was found unconscious after an assault at Lands End on April 27, 1975. He never regained consciousness and died several weeks later.

The dual announcements came on the 48th anniversary of the discovery of the Doodler’s first victim, Gerald Earl Cavanagh, a 49-year-old Canadian immigrant whose body was found fully-clothed, lying faceup at Ocean Beach. He had been stabbed and had defensive wounds.

<<

Parents

Courtesy SFPD

The original 1975 sketch of the “Doodler” suspect, left, was updated in 2018 using age progression to show what the man might look like today.

The Doodler may have killed as many as 16 gay men, according to a 2019 Bay Area Reporter story. At the time police offered a $100,000 reward and a sketch showing what the Doodler might look like today.

The Doodler’s modus operandi was to target gay men in the LGBTQ Castro district and other places, luring them into sexual encounters then killing them and leaving their bodies in parks and beaches around

the city. He is described as Black, about six feet tall, and looked to be between 18 and 25 at the time of the killings.

All of the victims were white, gay males and were found on the city’s Westside: three at Ocean Beach, one at the Spreckels Lake Model Yacht Facility in Golden Gate Park, one at Lincoln Park (best known as the location of the California Palace of the Legion of Honor), and the

gated the circumstances of our son’s death,” the petition states.

The petition goes on to state that the Sales family wants the medical examiner’s office and the police to reopen the case to investigate several issues they say are unresolved, including but not limited to why the acquaintance showered and cleaned his residence before calling 911, why nobody was questioned about possessing illegal drugs, why the mutual friend of Sales and the acquaintance were not questioned.

The family also alleges that the acquaintance’s apartment was the site of another overdose just prior to Jaxon Sales’ death. in the bed of a 41-year-old white male “When Jaxon’s uncle picked up whom Jaxon did not know.”

Jaxon’s belongings at the SF OCME According to the Sales family, an on March 3, 2020, the representative official with the medical examiner’s at the office told him about another office told them “no investigation is overdose (non-fatal) at that male’s needed as ‘the gay community uses apartment only one week prior to GHB,’” a statement they say is disJaxon’s,” the petition states. “A recent criminatory. prior overdose in that apartment “We believe that if Jaxon was hetraises a huge red flag. Why hasn’t that erosexual, both the SFPD and the overdose victim been questioned?”

SF OCME would have fully investiThe family also wants the police to investigate any connection between the acquaintance and the owner of a phone number who exchanged 38 texts with Jaxon Sales the day before his death.

Angie Sales told the B.A.R. that they only decided to start the change. org petition after not getting satisfactory responses from authorities.

“We tried for so long this past year to get the agencies to work with us to reopen the case,” she said.

She said that the family felt the petition could rally the public to put pressure on the city to do that.

“We had done this for so long alone that we felt sharing his [Jaxon Sales’s] story would allow us to honestly get support in places and from people we didn’t know existed,” AnWhen you plan your life celebration and lasting remembrance in gie Sales said. “We saw from other advance, you can design every detail of your own unique memorial petitions just how much public supand provide your loved ones with true peace of mind. Planning ahead When your celebration lasting protectsyou your plan loved ones fromlife unnecessary stress and and financial burden, port there can be in cases like this.”

When you remembrance plan your celebration and lasting in allowing themlife to focus what will matter at design that remembrance time—you.

“I felt we did this for so long alone, in on advance, youmost can every trying to get our answers, and we were advance, you can design every detail of your own unique memorial detail ofusyour owntheunique memorial andlegacy provide Contact today about beautiful ways to create a lasting refused any real investigation and atyour theloved San Francisco Columbarium. and provide loved ones with true peace mind.

Planning ahead your ones with true peace ofof mind.

Planning had no communication at all,” she protects your loved onesProudly from unnecessary stressunnecessary and financial burden, added. “Nobody replied after repeated ahead protects yourserving loved onesCommunity. from the LGBT allowing them focus on whatburden, will matter most them at thattotime—you. follow-ups, then when they did, they stresstoand financial allowing said they wouldn’t investigate.” focus on what will matter most at that time—you.

GAPA, the GLBTQ+ Asian Pacific Contact us today about the beautiful ways to create a lasting legacy Alliance, sent an email to supporters promoting the petition. at the San Contact FranciscousColumbarium. today about the beautiful ways to create “Jaxon deserves justice, not just to have the suspicious circumstances of a lasting legacy at the San Francisco Columbarium. his death left as unanswered quesOne Loraine Ct. | San Francisco | 415-771-0717 Proudly serving our Community. tions,” the email states. “We agree that SanFranciscoColumbarium.com Proudly serving the LGBT Community.

SF OCME’s verbal statement that no FD 1306 / COA 660 further investigation is needed as ‘the gay community uses GHB’ is discriminatory based on Jaxon’s sexual orientation. We also agree that the death of a gay Asian male deserves and should receive the same scrutiny as in any other sudden or suspicious death.”

From page 1

PlanningAhead Ahead isisSimple Planning Simple The benefits are immense.

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Police, medical examiner say investigation was thorough

The B.A.R. put the Sales family’s questions to the police and the medical examiner.

aforementioned Andrews at nearby Lands End. At the same time as the Doodler murders, in July 1975, there were two attacks on gay, white males within a two-week period at the Fox Plaza apartments. Though both victims lived on the same floor, they did not know one another.

San Francisco Police Department homicide inspectors determined at the time that there was a connection between the Doodler murders and the Fox Plaza attacks.

“One of the survivors from the Fox Plaza attacks had met the suspect after the bars closed in July of 1975 at the Truck Stop diner near Market/Church St.,” the SFPD stated in a news release January 27.

“The suspect was drawing animal figures on a napkin. The suspect commented to the victim that he was attending art school and was studying to be a cartoonist. The victim believed the suspect to be skillful in drawing as he himself had a background in art.”

Several months later, in October 1975, this victim – who spent “the most significant amount of time” with the suspect compared to any other known person – provided information that generated a compos-

ite sketch of the suspect believed responsible for the Fox Plaza attacks.

“Soon after, a phone call was made to police with a name and a vehicle plate of a suspect,” the release continues. “After this call, additional citizens contacted police with information naming the same suspect. The person named was interviewed by SFPD Homicide in January 1976 and he was considered a strong suspect. This same person interviewed by police in 1976 is still the focus of our investigation in 2022. We believe there are other persons who may have survived attacks by this same suspect or may have information regarding this suspect and these attacks.”

The SFPD Homicide Detail is actively working this cold case investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the SFPD 24-hour tip line at (415) 575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. Cold Case investigators Sergeant Alan Levy (415 553-9245, alan. levy@sfgov.org), Daniel Dedet (415 553-1450, daniel.dedet@sfgov.org), and Daniel Cunningham (415 5539515, daniel.cunningham@sfgov. org) are seeking tips. Tips can be made anonymously. t

Officer Robert Rueca, another public information officer with the SFPD, did not answer the questions specifically, but gave a blanket statement that the department is not going to conduct a criminal investigation in these circumstances, because the medical examiner’s office didn’t suspect foul play at any point.

“This death investigation is led by the [office of the chief medical examiner] and they determine the cause of death (i.e. overdose, etc.) for death investigations. We do not conduct a criminal investigation if there is no evidence of foul play, which we investigate at every scene of a death,” Rueca stated. “If the OCME suspects foul play at any point in their investigation, our investigators would conduct a homicide investigation.

“For this death investigation officers did not find evidence of foul play during the initial investigation and the OCME did not find evidence of foul play,” Rueca stated. “If there was an overdose in the same location that did not result in a death or involved a crime, medics may have responded to this. We do not investigate or respond to medical calls.”

David Serrano Sewell, the chief operating officer at the medical examiner’s office, wouldn’t confirm or deny “the gay community uses GHB” remark, but denied that Jaxon Sales’ sexual orientation was a factor in determining the death was not a homicide.

“The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner expresses our deepest condolences to the family of Jaxon Sales,” he stated. “The OCME conducted a thorough forensic investigation to certify the cause and manner of death in this case with the highest degree of competence, professionalism, compassion, and consistent with state law. A decedent’s sexual orientation, race, religion, or other factors do not influence our death investigations or conclusions. Details of our analysis are in the business records that we provided to you, and we have no further information to share.”

Sewell stated he could not answer the other questions “as they are outside the scope of our forensic death investigation.”

District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney, a straight ally in whose district Sales died, told the B.A.R. January 31 that his office reached out to the family.

“We reached out to the family and Honey Mahogany from my office met with them today,” Haney stated.

“The family is understandably very

distressed by the lack of follow up and lack of answers. We are reaching out to all the city departments involved, and I will do everything I can to support the family in getting answers for their son and a full investigation.”

Mahogany, a queer, nonbinary trans person who is a legislative aide to Haney, told the B.A.R. that “I would hope that at least in San Francisco, someone’s sexual orientation doesn’t automatically rule them out as a potential victim of sexual assault.”

“I am deeply sorry for the horrific experience the Aquino-Sales family is going through,” Mahogany stated, referring to Angie Sales’ maiden name. “I think that their questions and frustrations with how their son’s case has been handled are completely understandable. It does not seem that this case has received the scrutiny it should have given the circumstances of his death.”

Mahogany believes that the family needs their questions answered so that everyone can have a clear picture of what happened that night. Referring to the potential of a sexual assault, she stated, “I’m not saying this is what has happened here.”

“But it’s very clear to me that at the very least there should have been some basic investigation work and follow up,” Mahogany continued. “I’m not sure why they would not more thoroughly investigate the death of a young person who died in someone else’s bed with GHB in his system. Just because the drug has been used recreationally by some, does not negate the fact that this is also commonly known as the daterape drug. We will do everything we can to help the family get the answers they deserve.”

‘Not acceptable’

In response to these statements, Jim Sales said, “It’s the same blanket statement they gave us when we met with them – even down to the condolences.”

Angie Sales said the statements were “not acceptable.”

“Our goal is a proper and thorough investigation,” she said. “We want to know what happened to our son, period, but we also want an investigation because it’s what’s right for Jaxon, when someone dies.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at 415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. t

t

Community News >>

February 3-9, 2022 • Bay Area Reporter • 9

Hearing wraps in SF Union Square surveillance case

by John Ferrannini

J

udge Richard Ulmer of San Francisco County Superior Court is currently considering whether to side with the city or protesters alleging that police illegally spied on them in Union Square two years ago. The lawsuit comes as Mayor London Breed wants to grant police even more access to security cameras in public areas that have been impacted by an uptick in store robberies and other crimes.

As the Bay Area Reporter previously reported, both sides motioned for summary judgment in the case of Williams v. San Francisco and began making their arguments January 21. The conclusion of the arguments was pushed to February 1.

In the case, lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union allege that police conducted mass surveillance on the Black Lives Matter protests that erupted in late spring 2020 by commandeering private security cameras in the Union Square area.

The plaintiffs in the suit were protesting the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. They are lead plaintiff Hope Williams, a member of the Harvey

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Political Notebook

From page 5

Villapudua (D-Stockton).

Senators Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) and Thomas J. Umberg (DSanta Ana) received 89% scores from EQCA for abstaining on SB 357. Their scores differed from their colleagues in the lower chamber because EQCA scored senators on nine bills versus the 10 used to tally scores for assemblymembers.

Senator Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) received a score of 89% for abstaining on AB 465. Authored

by Nazarian, it requires professional fiduciaries to receive LGBTQ+ cultural competency and sensitivity training during their education and licensing process.

A number of assemblymembers received a 90% score due to their voting against SB 357. They include Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova); Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove); Adam Gray (D-Merced); Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks); Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach); Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona); and Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield).

Assemblymembers Tom Daly

Screengrab

Deputy City Attorney Wayne Snodgrass, lower left, and plaintiffs’ attorney Sara Hussain, lower right, argued their case before San Francisco County Superior Court Judge Richard Ulmer, top left.

Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, Nathan Sheard and Nestor Reyes.

“Our lawsuit defends our right to organize protests against police violence without fear of illegal police surveillance,” the trio wrote in a recent post on the website of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which is also representing the plaintiffs.

Their attorneys are arguing that the use of the security cameras was

illegal under a city ordinance passed by the Board of Supervisors in 2019 that requires any city department obtain board approval prior to acquiring, using, or borrowing any surveillance technologies, except in “exigent circumstances.”

The ordinance states that in such circumstances a city agency must “cease using the surveillance technology within seven days, or when

(D-Anaheim) and James C. Ramos (D-Highland) received scores of 80% for their no votes on SB 357 and for abstaining on AB 1041. Authored by Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), the bill aimed to expand the definition of “family member” for purposes of family and sick leave to cover LGBTQ people’s chosen family members other than a spouse or blood relative.

But Wicks, among the 70 Democrats who scored 100% on EQCA’s 2021 scorecard, shelved the legislation after it passed out of the Assembly. The Senate will take up the bill in the coming months.

Due to abstaining on both AB 1041 and SB 357 Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath (DEncinitas) received 80%, while her colleagues Patrick O’Donnell (DLong Beach) and Sharon QuirkSilva (D-Fullerton) received scores of 78%. The difference in the trio’s scores is due to the latter two only being scored on nine bills due to being excused for missing the vote on SB 258.

Authored by gay state Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), SB 258 specifies that older people with HIV

are to be part of the population of “greatest social need” when it comes to programs and services administered by the California Department of Aging.

Having abstained from the votes on SB 110 and AB 1041 is among the reasons why former assemblymember Jim Frazier of Discovery Bay received the lowest score, 56%, among the Democratic legislators last year. He resigned this month from his 11th Assembly District seat that straddles Solano and Contra Costa counties to seek work in the private transportation sector.

Frazier also lost points for voting no on SB 357 and abstaining from AB 245. Authored by former assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco), the law prohibits public universities from deadnaming trans and nonbinary students on their academic records and diplomas.

Due to being excused for missing the vote on AB 218, Frazier was only scored on nine of the 10 bills EQCA used for assemblymembers.

Independent, GOP lawmakers

Retiring Assemblymember Chad

the exigent circumstances end, whichever is sooner.”

It is undisputed that the Union Square Business Improvement District operates a surveillance camera network that was monitored by police May 31-June 7, 2020.

The city is arguing that the use of the surveillance technology was not illegal under the wording of the ordinance. The city argues that the use of the technology for seven days does not have to be continuous; plaintiffs’ attorneys argue it does.

“I would just like to point out that the bulk of our arguments today has been on this grace period piece, and this is the city’s defense,” said Electronic Frontier Foundation attorney Saira Hussain, referring to the weeklong span when it is legal to use surveillance technology without supervisorial approval due to an exigent circumstance.

“It doesn’t say grace period anywhere,” Ulmer said. “In my order I’m not going to be using ‘grace period’ or ‘grandfathering’ because nobody is using it.”

Hussain had said that there’s precedent from other jurisdictions to back up her interpretation of the ordinance.

“Given that the facts are undisputed about the SFPD’s 2020 use during this protest, plaintiffs are entitled to a permanent injunction and we urge the court to grant the plaintiff ’s motion for summary judgment,” Hussain concluded.

Deputy City Attorney Wayne Snodgrass, who’d previously said that cases not about this particular ordinance shouldn’t bear on the judge’s ruling, said that “this is a straightforward statutory interpretation case” and asked Ulmer to grant his competing motion for summary judgment.

“Thank you both for your arguments,” Ulmer said. “I thought this was well briefed and well argued on both sides. I am going to take it under submission.”

An unnamed clerk at Department 302, where the case was heard, stated to the B.A.R. that Ulmer has 90 days to make a ruling.

Meanwhile, Breed and some of the more progressive supervisors are pushing different approaches to the question of video surveillance, as the B.A.R. reported last month.

The matter will come before the board in the coming weeks. t

Mayes (I-Rancho Mirage), a former Republican, earned a perfect score on EQCA’s 2021 scorecard. Of the 28 members from his former political party, two-thirds earned scores between 49% and 17%.

Three Republican assemblymembers had the highest scores in 2021 among the GOP caucus. Jordan Cunningham (R-Templeton) earned 80%; while Tom Lackey (RPalmdale) and Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita) each garnered 70%.

2021 and 2020 EQCA scorecards.

Rendon angered LGBTQ leaders in the fall when he demoted gay Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) from his committee chairmanship. EQCA said it was “deeply disappointed” by the move, as the B.A.R. reported at the time.

He further raised eyebrows among LGBTQ political circles this month by dual endorsing gay California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara (D) and one of his opponents as he seeks reelection this year, Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-Greenbrae). In December, EQCA was among a number of groups that pledged to raise and spend at least $3 million supporting Lara’s campaign.

Nonetheless, Rendon voting across-the-board for EQCA’s top legislative priorities the last two years means he qualifies for having the LGBTQ group’s support of his reelection bid this year. He is seeking his final two-year term, as Rendon will be termed out of the Legislature in 2024.

The full EQCA 2021 Legislative Scorecard can be downloaded at ADD t

Endorsement considerations

Those lawmakers seeking reelection in 2022 who didn’t receive 100% on EQCA’s scorecards for the previous two years must now seek its endorsement ahead of the June primary. Only legislators who receive perfect scores in the two preceding years of their election are automatically endorsed by EQCA. It is set to release its pro forma endorsements of the incumbents who qualify as early as Wednesday. Among them should be Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Los Angeles) since he earned 100% on both the

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<< From the Cover

10 • Bay Area Reporter • February 3-9, 2022

<<

Senate candidate

From page 1

Attempting to move on

With little recourse for undoing the central committee’s decision about her, Mei is attempting to move past it. She brought on as a campaign consultant Kate Maeder, a bisexual woman and partner at KMM Strategies who serves on the boards of Equality California and the LGBTQ Victory Fund.

“I personally never would work with somebody who is homophobic, full stop,” Maeder, who is married to a woman, told the Bay Area Reporter.

“She is not homophobic, and there is a lot of politics at play here, as you are aware, in Alameda County.”

In the fall, Mei signed on to EQCA’s candidate pledge to eschew donations from the tobacco industry, while Wahab is not listed LINK: https://www.eqca.org/kickbigtobaccoout/ among those who have done so. The statewide LGBTQ group has yet to issue an endorsement in the Senate race.

Asked about Mei’s involvement in the effort, EQCA managing director of external affairs Samuel GarrettPate told the B.A.R. “anyone can take the pledge. Republicans can take the pledge.”

Speaking to the B.A.R. via Zoom late last year, Mei said she intended to continue to seek endorsements

from various groups, including the state Democratic Party.

“Over the years I have sought many endorsements and not gotten some and gotten some too,” she said. “My willingness to be there to answer questions and have a dialogue even if I don’t get endorsed is important.”

She had started off by noting her city was in the midst of observing United Against Hate Week. She recounted her childhood in a suburb outside Philadelphia where she was the only Chinese student in her class. (Her parents had left Taiwan for Canada, then moved to the U.S.) “We were the only Asian family. It was not always the easiest at times,” said Mei, now a mother of two young adults. “I, unfortunately, first hand as a kid experienced a tremendous amount of bullying and targeting.”

Her classmates stuck her in her locker, she recounted, while her parents’ car tires were blown out and the windows shot. She faced questions about why her skin was “yellowish” and her eyes were “slanted,” said Mei, who found refuge in the office of a Black guidance counselor.

“As a child I was wondering why does everyone hate you only for the color of your skin? That’s why it saddens me greatly people think I don’t support every community,” said Mei. “I think people should be

treated well and respected. It breaks my heart when they don’t.”

She then began to repeat the defense she had mounted before the central committee in trying to refute the charge that she is against LGBTQ rights. Thinking back about the heated school board meetings, Mei said it reminded her of the hatred she faced as a child.

“You don’t want people to think I am not an ally or hurt anyone with my vote or decision, that’s not my intention,” she said. “My intention is to be more inclusive, not less.”

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Questions over apology

During the central committee’s deliberations, a number of the members expressed disappointment with Mei for not issuing an apology for the hurt her votes had caused, particularly for LGBTQ youth at the hearings, regardless of the reasoning behind her decision. Asked about the omission of an apology, Mei told the B.A.R. she thought she had done so.

“I understand that. I think I did apologize,” said Mei. “I do remember apologizing. I am sorry for any hate people felt I represented.”

The B.A.R. had covered the meeting and did not hear Mei apologize during it. Asked if her doing so would have resulted in a different outcome, Kelley told the B.A.R. it would likely have come too late in the

t

eyes of most committee members.

“I think if anyone believed she was so genuinely sorry, the charges would never have been filed,” he said. “She has tried to center herself as a victim without acknowledging the harm she has done to the LGBTQ community.”

At another point during her interview with the B.A.R., Mei reiterated, “I am sorry if I hurt anyone’s feelings for my vote. It breaks my heart.”

She also said she had asked if she could speak again prior to the vote in hopes of saying she was sorry, but was told she could not. The reason, as Kelley explained to the B.A.R., was only members of the central committee could speak during that portion of the meeting. Mei does not serve on it.

“She was definitely provided minute-by-minute how that portion of the meeting was going to run,” he said, adding by that point, “she knew her time was up.”

So far no disciplinary actions have been taken against any of Mei’s endorsers of her 2022 bid, who include Congressmember Ro Khanna (D-San Jose) and Fremont City Councilmembers Rick Jones and Raj Salwan. It is possible they could be deemed ineligible to be endorsed by the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee in their own campaigns.

Bisexual Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose), who represents parts of southern Alameda County and thus sits on the central committee, had voted in support of censuring Mei. He is supporting Wahab for the Senate seat, while she is backing his reelection bid this year.

He told the B.A.R. he would support seeing the Democratic Party in Santa Clara County adopt a similar policy to admonish elected leaders in the South Bay who oppose LGBTQ rights.

“The party formally censuring someone who doesn’t share those values, especially core principles, I do think it is appropriate,” said Lee, adding that he felt the evidence was there to warrant the action taken against Mei. “I think the party or central committee should have some accountability mechanism based on values.”

As for Mei, she expressed disappointment in the central committee members who approved the resolution saying she is anti-LGBTQ. She noted she had appointed a number of them to various commissions and endorsed others over the years, while she had earned their endorsements in her past races.

“What is interesting for me is some people didn’t think it was a problem. They had been working with me for years,” said Mei. “They know this to not be true.”t

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039595600

Legals>> SUMMONS (FAMILY LAW) SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO NOTICE TO RESPONDENT: HAMZA BOUDLAL, YOU ARE BEING SUED. PETITIONER’S NAME IS ELORA BELT CASE NO. FDI-22-795873

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-120 or FL-123) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter, phone call, or court appearance will not protect you. If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your marriage or domestic partnerships, your property, and custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay support and attorney fees and costs. For legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. Get help finding a lawyer at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/selfhelp), at the California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), or by contacting your local county bar association.

NOTICE RESTRAINING ORDERS: The restraining orders following are effective against both spouses or domestic partners until the petition is dismissed, a judgment entered, or the court makes further orders. They are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of them.

FEE WAIVER: If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. The court may order you to pay back all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for you or the other party.

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, CIVIC CENTER COURTHOUSE, 400 MCALLISTER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102.

The name, address, and telephone number of petitioner’s attorney, or the petitioner without an attorney, is: ELORA BELT, 561 KANSAS ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107; (415) 350-4644. JAN 04, 2022 Clerk of the Superior Court by DAMON CARTER, Deputy.

WARNING: California law provides that, for the purposes of division of property upon dissolution of a marriage or domestic partnership or upon legal separation, property acquired by the parties during marriage or domestic partnership in joint form is presumed to be community property. If either party to this action should die before the jointly held community property is divided, the language in the deed that characterizes how title is held (i.e., joint tenancy, tenants in common, or community property) will be controlling, and not the community property presumption. You should consult your attorney if you want the community property presumption to be written into the recorded title to the property.

STANDARD FAMILY LAW RESTRAINING ORDERS: Starting immediately, you and your spouse or domestic partner are restrained from: 1. Removing the minor child or children of the parties, if any, from the state without the prior written consent of the other party or an order of the court; 2. Cashing borrowing against, canceling, transferring, disposing of, or changing the beneficiaries of any insurance or other coverage, including life, health, automobile, and disability, held for the benefit of the parties and their minor child or children; 3. Transferring, encumbering, hypothecating, concealing, or in any way disposing of any property, real or personal, whether community, quasi-community, or separate, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court, except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life; and 4. Creating a nonprobate transfer or modifying a nonprobate transfer in the manner that affects the disposition of property subject to the transfer, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court. Before revocation of a nonprobate transfer can take effect or a right of survivorship to property can be eliminated, notice of the change must be filed and served on the other party.

You must notify each other of any proposed extraordinary expenditures at least five business days prior to incurring these extraordinary expenditures and account to the court for all extraordinary expenditures made after these restraining orders are effective. However, you may use community property, quasi-community property, or your own separate property to pay an attorney to help you or to pay court costs.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

In the matter of the application of JESSE RICO WHITE, 3373 CESAR CHAVEZ ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner JESSE RICO WHITE is requesting that the name JESSE RICO WHITE be changed to ANASTACIO FIORE WHITE. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Rm. 103N on the 22nd of FEBRUARY 2022 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-22-556835

In the matter of the application of MICHAEL SACK & JEONG HEE SACK, C/O KATHLEEN ABEREGG, ESQ (SBN 182740), LAW OFFICE OF KATHLEEN ABEREGG, 1034 EMERALD BAY RD #226, SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA 96150, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner MICHAEL SACK & JEONG HEE SACK is requesting that the name JEONG HEE SACK be changed to JEONG HEE SEON, that the name NURI SAN SACK be changed to NURI SAN SEON, and that the name AARON HANEUL SACK be changed to AARON HANEUL SACK. 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 17th of FEBRUARY 2022 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-22-556843

In the matter of the application of ANTHONY RAUL DIAZ, 537 JONES ST #3575, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner ANTHONY RAUL DIAZ is requesting that the name ANTHONY RAUL DIAZ be changed to ANTHONY PARNELL EDWARDS. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Rm. 103N on the 22nd of FEBRUARY 2022 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039589600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as YOUTHGOLD, 2389 DIAMOND ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed CALE ANDERSON. 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 12/29/21.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039589900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as SAN FRANCISCO LOCAL REAL ESTATE; MARIN LOCAL REAL ESTATE; BAY AREA LOCAL REAL ESTATE; EAST BAY LOCAL REAL ESTATE; PENINSULA LOCAL REAL ESTATE; NORTH BAY LOCAL REAL ESTATE; LOCAL COLLECTIVE REAL ESTATE; 1160 BATTERY ST E #100, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111. . This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed REBECCA BROOKS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/21/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/30/21.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039595800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as GLEN PARK NAILS, 74 WILDER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed TUYEN VAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/22.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/06/22.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

The following person(s) is/are doing business as TOOL BOX TOMMY, 300 BADEN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed TOMMY BASSO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/05/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/05/22.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039588400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as LITTLE ELEPHANT DAYCARE, 461 GOETTINGEN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed CELIA ALMANZA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/29/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/27/21.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039595000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as GROOMERS AND MORE, 1524 HAIGHT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MARWAN R. ZEIDAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/05/22.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039596000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CAFÉ GOURMAND, 835 GEARY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MAHER LAKHAL. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/06/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/06/22.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039586000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as FOULADI PROJECTS, 1351 GREEN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ALEXANDRA HOLLY FOULADI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/06/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/22/21.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039596600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SONNY ROOFING, 4659 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SONNY BIMBO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/07/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/07/22.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039577300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BLACK LABEL REAL ESTATE, 1160 BATTERY ST E #100, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed TIMOTHY FARNHAM. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/15/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/15/21.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039590000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as PASTINE PROJECTS, 360 LANGTON ST #201, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed FRANCESCA PASTINE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/30/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/30/21.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039596100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ALICE YEE CHINESE LONGEVITY AND THERAPY HOUSE, 731 SACRAMENTO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed RUILAN ALICE YU. The registrant(s)

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039595900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as US-CHINA LAW COUNSEL; US-CHINA REAL ESTATE; 425 DIVISADERO ST #209, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed YING (NATALIE) ZHANG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/11/08. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/06/22.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039593600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ONWARD AGENCY, 535 MISSION ST FL 14, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed ONWARD PARTNERS (NV). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/04/16. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/04/22.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039593000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as SELECT PHYSICAL THERAPY, 402 DEWEY BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSOCIATES, INC (MI). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/01/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/04/22.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039592400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SPARC, 1735 POLK ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109.

This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed MADRM, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/25/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/04/22.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-038938400

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as GLEN PARK NAILS, 74 WILDER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131.

This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by GLEN PARK NAILS LLC (CA). The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/10/20.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-039452100

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as BLACK LABEL REAL ESTATE, 1160 MISSION ST #2102, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business was conducted by a corporation and signed by BLACK LABEL REAL ESTATE INC (CA). The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/09/21.

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039600100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as DE LEON BEAUTY AND BARBER SHOP, 2138 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed WILMER E. DE LEON YOC. 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 01/13/22.

JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039600200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SWIFT PLUMBING SOLUTIONS, 67 OCEANSIDE DR, DALY CITY, CA 94015. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MUKHTAR ALANSI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/13/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/13/22.

JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022

The following person(s) is/are doing business as TIKAL BAR, 3441 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ANA LOPEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/05/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/05/22.

JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039598100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as VMEI VMEI, 625 LEAVENWORTH ST #302, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed VILMA ANG. 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 01/11/22.

JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039598700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ALL SET TALENT ADVISORY, 861 FELL ST #A, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SELASI SETRANAH. 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 01/11/22.

JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039590700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as BALLROOM COMP EXPRESS, 1221 HARRISON ST #4, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DANIEL BOMAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/01/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/03/22.

JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039599500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as MACONDRAY TAYLOR AND JONES II, 1288 COLUMBUS AVE #182, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133.

This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed STEVEN P. OKUHN & JACKSON P. OKUHN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/05/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/12/22.

JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039586600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as FREEPRESS FAMILY, 86 WHITTIER ST, SF CA 94112.

This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed MARIO VELASQUEZ & ADAM VAZQUEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/15/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/22/21.

JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039599000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DOUBLE SHOT EXPRESS, 400 PARNASSUS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed EL TOMATE INC (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/15/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/11/22.

JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039596400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as PEDRITOS, 3254 23RD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed EL TOMATE INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/03/15.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/07/22.

JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022

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Legals >>

February 3-9, 2022 • Bay Area Reporter • 11

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039593700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as GRAND CENTRAL STATION ANTIQUES, 360 BAYSHORE BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed ANTIQUES FOR SEVEN LTD (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/10/90. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/04/22.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039603800

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039605500

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

The following person(s) is/are doing business as LUISA ANDERSON ENROLLED AGENT, 580 CALIFORNIA ST 12TH FL, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LUISA C. ANDERSON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/25/07. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/22.

JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039592900

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039607200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as THE VITAMIN SHOPPE, 2300 16TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed VITAMIN SHOPPE INDUSTRIES, LLC (NY). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/13/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/04/22.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as OAKWILD RANCH; TOBONI VINEYARDS; 3364 SACRAMENTO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JOSEPH P. TOBONI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/21/22.

JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039600700

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039598300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as POESIA CAFÉ, 4076 18TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed ASPROMONTE 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 01/13/22.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as FUNG SOONG REFLEXOLOGY–TY, 1623 POLK ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed XINRU LUAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/11/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/11/22.

JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-22-556857

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039605800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CURRY IN A HURRY, 845 MARKET ST SPACE #FL12, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LATIF SHAH. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/20/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/20/22.

In the matter of the application of JEAN GROMER, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner JEAN GROMER is requesting that the names JEAN GROMER AKA JEAN DORNHOEFER GROMER AKA JEAN ANN DORNHOEFER AKA JEAN CRYSTAL GROMER AKA CRYSTAL GROMER AKA JEAN D. GROMER AKA CRYSTAL DORNHOEFER GROMER AKA JEAN CRYSTAL D. GROMER be changed to JEAN CRYSTAL GROMER. 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 1st of MARCH 2022 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039593900

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-22-556861

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CEDAR LINE STAGING, 1667 32ND AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed TAMI FARA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/03/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/11/22.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039608500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as LC AUTO DETAILING, 7 PERSIA AVE #11, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed ALAN YAIR LOPEZ CASTANEDA, IRVING GABRIEL LOPEZ CASTANEDA & GABRIEL LOPEZ GARCIA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/21/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/21/22.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-22-556866

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

In the matter of the application of BEVERLY JOAN SCHLENKER AKA JESSE JOAN SCHLENKER, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner BEVERLY JOAN SCHLENKER AKA JESSE JOAN SCHLENKER is requesting that the name BEVERLY JOAN SCHLENKER AKA JESSE JOAN SCHLENKER be changed to JESSE JOAN SCHLENKER. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Rm. 103N on the 3rd of MARCH 2022 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039604600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CREPES ON COLE, 100 CARL ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed CREPES ON COLE INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/03/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/09/22.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

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The following person(s) is/are doing business as TWIN PEAKS HOTEL, 2160 MARKET ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed AMISH PROPERTIES, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/09. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/22.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039609500

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BATHING CULTURE, 1975 BRYANT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed BATHING CULTURE PBC (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/30/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/30/21.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039604200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as MONTESACRO MARINA, 3317 STEINER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed AGV VENTURES, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/13/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/22.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039594700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as FABRIX, 432 CLEMENT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed FABRIX SAN FRANCISCO LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/16/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/05/22.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039602300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as THE SAGE & DRIFTER, 1368 IRVING ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed SEVIN AND KO LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/17/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/18/22.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039609300

O F

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ROYAL INN, 130 EDDY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed URAVI LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/21/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/24/22.

SAN FRANCISCO

Prepared by The Office of the Clerk of the Board Pursuant to Admin. Code 2.81

Community Outreach Public Notice

February 2022 The Redistricting Task Force has begun!

Every ten years, the boundaries of San Francisco’s Supervisorial Districts are redrawn to ensure that each district maintains equal numbers of residents. Members of the public are encouraged to participate in the redistricting process.

The Task Force needs your input!

Tell the Task Force where to draw the San Francisco Supervisorial District lines!

As they convene, they will look to YOU and collect your opinions, ideas, and concerns around your District lines and the impacts to our communities. ● Please visit the website for the meeting schedule: https://sf.gov/publicbody/2020-census-redistricting-task-force ●

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039605200

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022 C

The following person(s) is/are doing business as PERRAMONT HOTEL, 2162 MARKET ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed JESITA, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/09. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/22.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039590200

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

In the matter of the application of ANA SILVIA ARBUES DE CUELLAR & ROBERTO ANTONIO CUELLAR MORALES, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner ANA SILVIA ARBUES DE CUELLAR & ROBERTO ANTONIO CUELLAR MORALES is requesting that the name JASON ANTONIO CUELLAR be changed to JASON ANTONIO CUELLAR ARBUES. 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 5th of APRIL 2022 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039605100

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039609100

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039598600

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-22-556860

The following person(s) is/are doing business as REGENCY HOTEL, 1214 POLK ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed POONAM, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/09. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/22.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as SOTAHOE; SOTAHOE COMPASS, 891 BEACH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JILL TEAKELL. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/29/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/05/22.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as PRISM PASTRIES, 1395 22ND ST #247, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ROBIN LUU. 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 01/24/22.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039605000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as THERAPY DEVA, 582 MARKET ST #1008, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed DEVA SEGAL, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY AND CONSULTING, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/10/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/24/22.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

In the matter of the application of RACHEL TSE-WAN GEARY-SHEN, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner RACHEL TSE-WAN GEARY-SHEN is requesting that the name RACHEL TSE-WAN GEARY-SHEN be changed to RACHEL AIGUL MATSON. 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 APRIL 2022 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ED DANNY MARKET, 999 SOUTH VAN NESS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed SOUTH VAN NESS MARKET INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/19/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/20/22.

Create your own map using the Mapping Tool! Please visit the Redistricting website and look under the Mapping Section.

● ●

Don’t have internet access? Visit your local Public Library!

You can find your local library and hours by visiting the redistricting website and looking under “Information”. ● Patrons can make computer reservations at https://pcbooking.sfpl.org/ easybooking/ and entering their library card number and PIN. Bookings are available 120 minutes (2 one-hour sessions) per day. ● The SFPL Web Services Team has added a link to the Redistricting Mapping Tool on their homepage, which will appear on all Library computers for access.

Please check with the Office of the Clerk of the Board for information regarding window flyers.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETINGS: ● Attend meetings Please see the website for specific directions. https://sf.gov/ public-body/2020-census-redistricting-task-force ● Submit comments by emailing rdtf@sfgov.org or calling (415) 554-4445 ● Join the email list to receive updates issued by the Redistricting Task Force. To sign up, go to sfelections.org/rdtf ● Follow the Redistricting Task Force on Facebook and Twitter: @RedistrictSF The City and County of San Francisco encourages public outreach.

Articles are translated into several languages to provide better public access. The newspaper makes every effort to translate the articles of general interest correctly. No liability is assumed by the City and County of San Francisco or the newspapers for errors and omissions.

SF.GOV/ES CNSB#3548699

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-039550900

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as CREPES ON COLE, 100 CARL ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117.

This business was conducted by an individual and signed by HAIL S. JWAINAT. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/16/21.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-038214200

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as THERAPY DEVA, 582 MARKET ST #302, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by DEVA SEGAL. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/10/18.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ROBERT M. CRONHOLM #PDW-21-061210 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

Notice is hereby given to the creditors and contingent creditors of the above-named decedent, that all persons having claims against the decedent are required to file them with the Superior Court of the State of California for the City and County of San Francisco, Department 204 Probate, 400 McAllister St., Rm. 202, San Francisco, CA 94102, and deliver pursuant to Section 1215 of the California Probate Code a copy to Susan S. Cronholm and Charles A. Lowenhaupt, as trustees of the trust under indenture dated August 13, 2010, wherein the decedent was the settlor, at 1401 S. Brentwood Blvd., Suite 100,

St. Louis, MO 63144 within the later of four months after Feb. 3, 2022 (the date of the first publication of notice to creditors) or, if notice is mailed or personally delivered to you, 60 days after the date this notice is mailed or personally delivered to you.. 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. SUSAN S. CRONHOLM AND CHARLES A. LOWENHAUPT, TRUSTEES, C/O LOWENHAUPT & CHASNOFF, LLC, 1401 S. BRENTWOOD BLVD., STE 100, ST. LOUIS, MO 63144

FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-22-556878

In the matter of the application of JADE AUGUST, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner JADE AUGUST is requesting that the name JADE AUGUST be changed to FARON EMIL CARVER. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Rm. 103N on the 8th of MARCH 2022 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-22-556885

In the matter of the application of ALFIELLI CUNADA VILLARMEA, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner ALFIELLI CUNADA VILLARMEA is requesting that the name ALFIELLI CUNADA VILLARMEA AKA ALFIELLI MIRANDA CUNADA be changed to ALFIELLI CUNADA LUCA. 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 10th of MARCH 2022 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-22-556884

In the matter of the application of EMMANUEL CORDOVA VILLARMEA, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner EMMANUEL CORDOVA VILLARMEA is requesting that the name EMMANUEL CORDOVA VILLARMEA be changed to EMMANUEL GERSOM LUCA. 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 10th of MARCH 2022 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039613100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as J&E INSURANCE SERVICES AND REGISTRATION SERVICES, 2390 MISSION ST #101, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed RAMON ERNESTO LOPEZ OCHOA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/27/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/27/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039607000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as RUTH’S, 3050 24TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KAREN FINNEY LYONS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/22/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/21/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039609200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as MOE’S FOOD MART, 2400 SAN BRUNO AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MOHAMED AZIZ AHMED. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/24/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039613000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as ORGYMUSIC TOURING, 3012 16TH ST #201, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103-5933. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LOU GORDON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/27/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/27/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039591800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as LB&M CONSTRUCTION, 1325 EVANS AVE #13, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JOHN MIXON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/04/97. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/04/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039592700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as POLK-N-POST SNACKS, 1101 POST ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ESIHAQ AL MURISI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/03/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/04/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039613700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as DISTRIBUTION WAREHOUSE CONSULTANT, 8100 OCEANVIEW TERRACE #206, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JOSE A. ESCOBAR. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/01/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/28/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039615800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as FAMILY EQUITY PARTNERS, 739 BRYANT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LATOYA PITCHER. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/04/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/31/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039616100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SOUR CHERRY COMICS, 3187 16TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LEAH MORRETT. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/18/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/01/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039612700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ECHOS HAIR DESIGN, 555 SUTTER ST #217, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed EDUARDO LAZO & KUKHI LAZO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/27/97. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/27/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039613400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as ACME’S TRUCKING INC., 696B AMADOR ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed ACME’S TRUCKING INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/26/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/27/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039612000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BELOW THE SURFACE, 701 GOLDEN GATE AVE #802, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed BELOW THE SURFACE (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/26/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039615500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CHAAT CORNER INDIAN GROCERY, 320 3RD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed CHAAT CORNER SAN FRANCISCO INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/31/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/31/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039615600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as GRAPHITE, 8 DELLBROOK AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed YNWA INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/31/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/31/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039610000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as EXPRESS TRANSPORTATION LLC, 196 MENDEL ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed EXPRESS TRANSPORTATION LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/21/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/25/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039612200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as MCCARTHY MOVING & STORAGE, 2118 26TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed STATEWIDE MOVING LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/25/22. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/26/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039612300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CHICANO NUEVO, 1166 GENEVA AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed NUEVO INDUSTRY GROUP LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/26/22.

FEB 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022

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415.821.1792

Billy Porter’s memoir

by Brian Bromberger

‘Unprotected’

A

Billy Porter as Pray Tell in Pose

Praised and punched

Born in 1969 at Pittsburgh’s impoverished Hill District to a mother disabled at birth because of a botched delivery, her disastrous marriage ended after Porter’s birth. She later remarried.

Porter’s stepfather initially taught him how to fight off schoolyard bullies but started sexually molesting Porter for the next five years. It prevented him later from romantically loving Black men.

His Black Pentecostal church recognized his extraordinary gifts as a soprano singer. However, the sexual abuse and “religiosity” of his relatives resulted in internalized shame and self-hatred he’d spend a lifetime purging. For years his mother tried to convince Porter his homosexuality was a sin.

He notes, “Every time I showed up at church, the sermon would turn to the abomination of men lying with men. There was no apparent reason for this topic to surface so relentlessly. I couldn’t help feeling that somehow they knew about me.”

At age 11, after watching Jennifer Hudson perform a song from Dreamgirls on the Tony Awards, he craved a theater career. His incredible voice, and relentless pursuit of his craft (“Can’t have nothin’ if you don’t work for it”) opened up opportunities that otherwise never would have happened.

Broadway to broke, and back

He made his Broadway debut in 1990’s Miss Saigon while still in college. In 1992 he won $100,00 on the talent show Star Search, but didn’t invest the money. He played Teen Angel in the 1994 Broadway revival of Grease, yet it led to no other shows, resulting in his being homeless and poverty-stricken.

He lost roles to straight white guys be-

The cast of Swept Away at Berkeley Rep.

Kevin Berne/Berkeley Repertory Theatre

ctor and singer Billy Porter begins his autobiography with the following disclaimer: “This is not a comingout story. It’s not a down-low story either. I never could have passed for straight, even if I’d wanted to, and so I never had the dubious luxury of living a lie.”

After reading Unprotected, Porter’s frank, blunt, raw memoir, no one can ever accuse him of dissembling on a 30-year rocky circuitous journey to reach his current level of fame.

“There have been times in my career when I deserved jobs I didn’t get, for various reasons.

Too Black, too gay, too specific, too much.”

But it was Porter’s talent that sustained him through so much unspeakable pain and bigotry. “My art is my calling, my purpose, dare I say my ministry.”

Unprotected is his testimony of how that art helped him overcome adversity and heal trauma. Porter is a long-suffering charismatic survivor. A friend/understudy had prophesied in 1992, “The world’s not ready for you yet, Billy. But they getting’ ready!

Ain’t nobody like you. You just gotta be patient. Never give up.

It’s gonna be hard on you, but know this–you are the head and not the tail, you are above and not beneath. The power of the divine is all over you. I can feel it.”

By the time readers finish Unprotected, they will also feel Porter’s unbreakable determination to claim his dignity and worth has finally brought him to the top of his game.

‘Swept Away’

Avett Brothers’ musical sets sail at Berkeley Rep

by Jim Gladstone

T

here are sparkling bits of beauty bobbing on the surface. There are treasures that one hopes will eventually be salvaged.

But like the 1888 shipwreck and its aftermath that are chronicled in Swept Away, an earnest, eventually engrossing new musical with songs by the Avett Brothers now in its world premiere at Berkeley Rep, the production in its current form feels like a tragic mishap.

This may not immediately occur to you in the wake of the show’s closing moments, because, in and of itself, the intermission-less staging’s second half –four survivors adrift on a lifeboat, reckoning with mortality– largely succeeds as a dark experimental chamber musical.

Director Michael Mayer (American Idiot, Head Over Heels) exacts meticulous physical performances from his castaways through this passage. Played by John Gallagher, Jr., Wayne Duvall, Stark Sands and a revelatory Adrian Blake Enscoe, they subtly shift their dwindling weight and rearrange their limbs in the close quarters of their small wooden limbo, a floating human jigsaw puzzle. When Little Brother (Enscoe), growing weaker before our eyes, leans back over the gunwale, arcing his slender neck toward heaven, we feel the sorrow of a sea-born pieta.

To keep us visually engaged with this neartableau, Rachel Hauck’s stunning scenic design places the survivors’ boat atop an unseen vertical axle that slowly rotates 360 degrees,

exposing the men’s agony from every angle.

Kevin Adams’ lighting, too, focuses our attention, setting the fragile craft amid an endless expanse of subtly shifting blues.

Given the foursome’s long days and nights of introspection, terror and, surely, boredom, singing makes sense as a way to pass time and vent emotion. And the Avett Brothers intricately crafted Americana –played by an offstage ensemble of violin, banjo, cello, guitars and drums– feels appropriate to the show’s 19th-century period.

But with very few exceptions, the lyrics of these songs, plucked from throughout the Avett catalog by prolific book writer John Logan (last represented in San Francisco by Sting’s marine muddle The Last Ship), don’t align with

cause others thought him “too flamboyant.”

Then there’s the “unspoken roadblock” of race, such as being told during his Miss Saigon audition to “sing something a little less R&B.” His debut solo album, Billy Porter on A&M Records in 1997 was badly marketed and sold miserably.

Porter’s setbacks included being diagnosed in 2007 with type-2 diabetes and HIV. He filed for bankruptcy in March 2007.

He continued to work through his personal traumas, so eventually his fortunes turned when he was cast as drag queen Lola in Broadway’s Kinky Boots in 2013, winning the Tony award for Best Actor in a Musical, followed by a Grammy for Best Musical Theater album.

In 2018 he auditioned for the role of Pray Tell, the gay emcee of the gender-nonconforming 1990s drag ball culture in Pose, and won the 2019 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Emmy, the first Black gay perSee page 13 >>

an increasingly harrowing plot, and the intricate picking and often lively tempos are more reflective of the Avett’s overall sound than individual characters’ moods or personalities.

Still, Gallagher’s hallucinatory, soul-bearing rendition of “Satan Pulls The Strings” demonstrates the full theatrical potential of an Avett song more tightly yoked to a character; the quartet’s intertwined harmonies carry metaphorical as well as musical weight; and the reedy plaint of Enscoe’s tenor evokes a beacon cutting through the men’s dark night of the soul.

Unfortunately, this spare existential meditation arrives only after a lengthy dockside and decktop preamble that’s a jumble of yoho-ho nautical clichés: the cornfed farmboy seeking a big adventure, the stern and solitary captain, the cleancut, god-fearing voyager among the ship’s coarse and horny crew.

For an unreasonable portion of the show’s running time, the crewmen toss gunnysacks, sing shanties, haze newbies and dance jigs to no particular end. The tonal shift that follows is a disaster, like Pirates of Penzance colliding with The Old Man and the Sea, or Broadway piling on to the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

The talent involved is impressive even in these early sequences. Choreographer David Neumann elegantly evokes the sway of the sea in performers’ shifting postures, and there’s an intriguing hint of homoeroticism amidst deceptively casual footwork by the strapping all-male cast of eight (If you’re a fan of dancing bears, you’ll certainly be entertained). The lighting, sets and maritime sound design, by Kai Harada, are all polished to a sheen.

The rift between Swept Away’s two modes is marked by a spectacular feat of stagecraft, which literally tears the musical asunder, obliterating a life-sized whaling ship and casting our protagonists to sea. The most talkedabout moment among audience members on opening night, it also suggests two possible futures for this still-in-development production: Swept Away is either irreparably broken or will find coherence and make its way to shore. For now, it’s fascinating flotsam.t Swept Away, through March 6 at Berkeley Rep, 2025 Addison St. $50-$125. (510) 6472949. www.berkeleyrep.org

t

Books>>

February 3-9, 2022 • Bay Area Reporter • 13

White out Edmund White faces the future in ‘A Previous Life’

a wary reader’s chief concern: “What he fears most is that he’ll be remembered chiefly as the man who ruined Edmund White’s life.”

White holds off as long as he can, but it’s when his metafictional counterpart takes over the novel that things go south. We hear about his tiny penis as often as we’re reminded of Ruggero’s big schlong, and the descriptions of White’s morbid obesity run to the pornographic. The central concern, however, is that White had been “careless to grow so old.”

Big biography

Andrew Fladeboe

Edmund White

by Tim Pfaff

W

ith the publication of his latest novel, A Previous Life (Bloomsbury), Edmund White joins the ranks of the great prolific artists who end their careers on a note of high ribaldry.

Before they’re kidnapped in a metafictional heist, the main story lines of A Previous Life are everything a long-term White reader could want.

Looking back on their lives before they met and were married, Sicilian Ruggero and American Constance decide to tell each other all in written tales they will read aloud to one another, once, before destroying the manuscripts. Both are convinced their previous relationships were ruined by their disclosing too much of themselves along the way.

There’s no lack of seriousness in their accounts of their previous

<<

Billy Porter

From page 12

former to win that category. He’s been happily married to Adam Porter-Smith since 2017.

Gowns and glory

Porter remains forthright throughout the book with tirades, resentments, and settling scores.

But he also praises his Angels, people who gave him opportunities and confidence “to cultivate my own agency and be my own advocate.”

Porter discusses how his devotion to fashion helped him develop his own distinctive voice and style, such as the Christian Siriano black tux/black gown he wore at the 2019 Oscars (“activism in black velvet that won the red carpet)” or his sensational arrival at the 2019 Met Gala on a litter carried by six shirtless men in a “Sun God” ensemble.

Vogue called it the most fabulous entrance in Met Gala history.

He wrote, “I think we as artists have the power to change the mo-

Billy Porter in Kinky Boots

lives, and the reactions of each to the revelations of the other only confirm the problems that would have arisen had they revealed some of their secrets. But, seemingly freed of the constraints of futurity, both recall their past loves and liaisons with relish. Chaucer and Boccaccio at their raciest didn’t spin better yarns.

Predictably enough, Constance’s history boasts the most scars, though her relish for the younger, fitter body of her successor husband, Jason, is as palpable as it is genuine.

Ruggero’s seems tarnished most of all by his worries that his partners, or the future, will think ill of him.

A standout among his relationship misfires is fellow musician and dedicated amazon Brunnhilde. But, cumulatively, his stories, bisexual in nature as they insist on being, seem like prolegomena (he’s a philosopher

as well as harpsichordist) to a career as gay top.

As ever, White’s sex-drenched prose is his strongest refutation of Ruggero/White’s comment that “All writing about sex sounds as if it’s going for the Bad Sex Award.”

Writerly reflections

Both narrators are writers or wannabes, and their world allows time for writerly reflections on the nature of fiction itself. “The only problem with reading fiction,” White gives it to Ruggero to say, “is that it doesn’t prepare us for the opacity of real life nor its tedium. The thrill of fiction is that it gives us the illusion that life is legible, character integral, cause and effect logical, love central, and the pace breakneck.”

Like his creator, Ruggero is obsessed with how he will be remembered by history, even if the regular allusions to his big, dark, thick Sicilian dick, a “two-hander,” make it clear that he won’t mind being remembered for his most prominent physical feature, too.

One of his worries quickly becomes

lecular structure of people’s hearts and minds.”

Porter recognizes he doesn’t appeal to everyone’s tastes, but doesn’t worry whom he might offend. His memoir is a testament to art as a mode of survival, learning from an early age that “just because a stage was rightfully mine didn’t mean I would be allowed to mount it ... that if I wanted to stand in that light, I would have to fight for it, wage a fierce and tireless struggle with all my heart, Billy Porter in the Christian Siriano black tux/ black gown he wore at the 2019 Oscars soul, and might.”

What makes Unprotected so rivet“My desire to be seen and heard ing is his declaration that he is in spaces where my humanity was enough, just as he is. He didn’t consistently diminished or dishave the luxury of missed was my unconscious goal. passing as gay and This unnamed burning in my soul instead learned to would turn out to become the enlean into his truth, gine that fuels my focus and my his queerness, his dreams to this very day.” authenticity, which It was never easy for Porter to became assets inbe himself unabashedly, but readstead of liabilities. ers of his exhilarating but exhaustUnprotected is ing, occasionally uncomfortable, the no-holds barred harrowing journey will be glad he unfiltered tale of an “respected myself enough not to at-times-difficult let bitches take advantage of me” diva’s travails and and fought to share his artistic intriumphs, with Portegrity with the world.t ter sounding like a Baptist preaching Unprotected: A Memoir by Billy truth but also love Porter. Abrams Press, $28.00 and forgiveness. His www.abramsbooks.com battles have broken ground for younger Read the full review queer POC peron www.ebar.com formers.

Narrative lines become hopelessly entangled. Constance gets involved with another, straight writer’s “big biography” of White –the real White being one of the great big biographers of our time-- unable to resist the requests that she fill in the blanks surrounding the dissolution of White’s relationship with Ruggero.

The real-life White’s telltale namedropping picks up steam, as he expresses his anxiety that David Sedaris will be better remembered, or “Garth What’s his name.”

What never works is author White’s overlay of the metafictional future. From the start he tries to get us to buy that Constance and Ruggero begin their reminiscences in

the year 2050, but nothing about that future seems much different from our present. It’s post-pandemic, but COVID is named. Gay liberation is said to be a bygone concern, but it’s left unclear whether that’s a good or bad thing, if either.

If, like me, you owe an unquantifiable debt to the real-life White, and you want to leave your memories intact, it’s up to you where you stop reading this increasingly oppressive book.

The arid realization that he may want to be remembered most as good sex is suffocating, and there’s only pale consolation in Ruggero’s claim: “Lots of people were good sex, a very few of them lovable, most of them hateful or boring. To Edmund being good sex was neither a necessary nor sufficient condition for being lovable, though God knew it helped.”

In addition to naming it A Previous Life,” White’s chilling subtitle for the book is “Another Posthumous Novel.”

At least for now, his legacy is in the hands and minds of the reader.t A Previous Life by Edmund White, Bloomsbury Publishing. $26. www.bloomsbury.com

Read the full review on www.ebar.com

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<< Music & Obituary

14 • Bay Area Reporter • February 3-9, 2022

Q-Music: sounds like the past

by Gregg Shapiro

N

eil Young may not be on the top of the list of many LGBTQ folks’ favorite singer/songwriters, but if you’ve been paying attention, he led the growing boycott of Spotify for streaming anti-vaccination and conspiracy theories on Joe Rogan’s show.

Young’s longtime colleague Joni Mitchell joined and had her songs removed, as have Bruce Springsteen, Nils Lofgren and other musicians.

Also, some of our favorite divas have been singing his praises and songs for years. Bette Midler’s cover of Young’s “Birds” can be heard on her Live at Last album, the second

Trio album by Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt finds the threesome covering “After The Gold Rush.”

Saint Etienne (featuring lead vocalist Sarah Cracknell) recorded a memorable version of “Only Love Can Break Your Heart.” Additionally, Young’s song “Philadelphia,” from the Tom Hanks film of the same name, is actually a better song than the Oscar-winning Bruce Springsteen tune.

These three songs have something else in common – they can all be found on Young’s breakthrough third album After the Gold Rush (Reprise/Neil Young Archives), also reissued in 50-year anniversary editions, including expanded CD and deluxe, numbered limited edition 180-gram vinyl with bonus materials. After The Gold Rush is also notable for the song “Southern Man,” in which Young takes the American South to task for reparations, and also inspired Lynyrd Skynyrd’s answer song “Sweet Home Alabama.”

Even though The Band was only technically in existence for ten years, they managed to achieve legendary status during that time. So much so that their “farewell concert appearance” was made into the acclaimed concert film/documentary The Last Waltz, directed by Martin Scorcese.

Originally formed as a backing band for Bob Dylan and others, the Canadian-American quintet was renowned for its distinctive brand of folk-rock. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of The Band’s third album Stage Fright (Capitol), the 1970 album has been reissued in multiple formats in a remixed and remastered edition.

The double CD set includes the original 10-song album (featuring the title cut, “The Shape I’m In,” “The Rumor,” “Time to Kill” and “Sleep-

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Neil Young

ing”) as well as nine bonus tracks.

The second disc, “Live at The Royal Albert Hall, June 1971,” features 20 songs including “The Weight,” “Up On Cripple Creek,” “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” and Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released.”

Groundbreaking singer and songwriter Peggy Lee, who died in 2002, would have turned 100 in 2020. In honor of that momentous occasion, as well as to complement the PBS doc Fever: The Music of Peggy Lee, the 40-track double-disc set Something Wonderful: Peggy Lee Sings The Great American Songbook (Omnivore) has been released. A compilation of heretofore unissued live performances from Lee’s early 1950s radio show, the package includes Lee performing originals such as “Mañana,” “It’s A Good Day,” and “I Don’t Know Enough About You,” as well as tunes

t

by Cole Porter and Hoagy Carmichael, in addition to Johnny Mercer and Frank Loesser (both of whom accompany Lee on a few songs).

Would there even be a Duran Duran if not for David Sylvian’s groundbreaking synth-pop band Japan? Quiet Life (BMG), Japan’s newly remastered and reissued third album from 1979, pre-dates Duran Duran’s eponymous debut album by about a year and a half, and there’s no denying that you can both hear and see Japan’s influence on them.

Quiet Life opens with the titular song which is anything but quiet.

In fact, it boasts one of the most persuasive beats and synthesizer riffs you’ve ever heard. “Fall in Love with Me,” “In-Vogue,” and “Alien,” also have their dance floor charms. A cover of the Velvet Underground’s “All Tomorrow’s Parties” is also outstanding.

In the mid-1980s, before there was alt-country (see early Wilco and the Bloodshot Records catalog), there was cowpunk. Many of the bands, including Lone Justice, Rank and File, and The Long Ryders were SoCal-based. The Beat Farmers, led by the late Country Dick Montana, is another example. Tales of the New West (Blixa Sounds), The Beat Farmers’ acclaimed 1985 debut album has just been given the double-disc deluxe expanded reissue treatment.

True to its punk roots, only one of the songs on the original album crosses the three-minute mark. In addition to a pair of outstanding covers –the Velvet Underground’s “There She Goes Again” and Springsteen’s “Reason to Believe”– the album boasts memorable originals including “Lost Weekend,” “Goldmine,” “Selfish Heart” and the goofy “Happy Boy” (which features a kazoo and gargling!). The second disc of the set features the 21-track “Live at the Spring Valley Inn, 1983.”t

James Bidgood 3/28/1933 – ​​1/31/2022

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James Bidgood

by Jim Provenzano

K

nown mostly for his underground gay art film Pink Narcissus, artist James Bidgood died in his New York City apartment on January 31. He was 88.

As a child, Bidgood already showed a creative spark, and enjoyed dressing up dolls and watching Ziegfield Follies films. When he moved from his Madison, Wisconsin home to New York City in 1951 at 18, he worked as a female impersonator, window dresser, fashion, costume, and graphic designer, photographer, stylist, and filmmaker.

Bidgood developed a unique style with a homoerotic flair, which was dangerous at the time.

“I knew my film could be confiscated being processed by Kodak if they spotted too much flesh color while they scanned the processed film,” Bidgood said in an interview

for Another Mag. “However the surrounds in my photography were usually so elaborate those making these judgments were I think often confused. I usually covered the dangly bits with something like organza or china silk or stretch fabrics.”

Considered a classic of gay underground erotic cinema, his 1971 film Pink Narcissus, shot entirely in his home over seven years, wove the fantasies of a gay prostitute, and became an underground hit when it was released. Performers included Bobby Kendall in the leading role, with Don Brooks and stage actor Charles Ludlam.

But after a disagreement with his producer, Bidgood removed his name from the credits, and it was released without his permission.

The ‘Anonymous’ director credit was for years wrongly attributed to Andy Warhol.

Bidgood continued to work in obscurity until the late 1990s when writer Bruce Benderson located him and helped produce Bidgood (Taschen) in 2009, the artist’s first complete monograph.

Pink Narcissus was re-released in 2003 by Strand Releasing and its cult status grew even more. In his later years, Bidgood’s art was exhibited by Brian Clamp at Clamp Art gallery in New York City.

Bidgood’s use of lush color and style, created with self-aware camp, later inspired artists Pierre & Giles, David LaChappelle and even Lil Naz X. In his last years, despite living in near poverty, Bidgood maintained hearty conversations with his numerous fans and friends on Facebook (www.facebook.com/james.

Bobby Kendall in a still from Pink Narcissus

bidgood.5), where many people continue to offer tributes.

“Art only stimulated by praise or profit is not art,” said Bidgood in an interview. “If it is not born from pain or anguish or pride or shame or desire or overwhelming joy, it is only something of decorative value.

What is art should never be determined exclusively by those who can afford it. You have to feel art. It demands a physical response.”

A GoFundMe account has been set up by his friend and estate manager Kelly McKaig to cover funeral expenses and the archival efforts for Bidgood’s art. McKaig plans for a burial site at Cedar Park Cemetery in Hudson, New York. A memorial will take place in New York City at a later date.t www.gofundme.com/f/jamesbidgood-deserves-to-live-on

t

Films, 50 in 50 & B.A.R.Talk>>

February 3-9, 2022 • Bay Area Reporter • 15

Minyan coming out kosher in the ’80s

by Gregg Shapiro

E

ric Steel’s feature debut, Minyan (Strand Releasing), for which he also co-wrote the screenplay, should be added to anyone’s list of outstanding LGBTQ films. Set in an orthodox Jewish enclave in Brighton Beach in the mid-to-late 1980s, the movie opens fittingly enough, with family and friends reciting the mourner’s prayer for the late wife of Josef (Ron Rifkin).

Declaring that he can’t stay in the house because there are too many memories, Josef ignites one of the major plot points – the search for suitable subsidized housing for a devoutly religious man and heroic soldier.

Josef ’s grandson David (Samuel H. Levine in a breakout performance), to whom he is very close, lives with his parents Rachel (Brooke Bloom), a dentist’s receptionist, and Simon (Gera Sandler), a boxer turned physical therapist.

Both of David’s parents gave up their careers (Rachel was a dentist) when they immigrated to the US from Russia when he was a young boy. They send David to a religious school because they fear for his safety in a public school. As Rachel puts it, “in Jewish school, no one can hurt you for being a Jew.”

Alex Hurt and Samuel H. Levine in Minyan

That, of course, isn’t true and David keeps getting into trouble and into fights at his school. He’s also becoming increasingly aware of his attraction to other guys. In fact, Nowhere, a Manhattan bar becomes a source of fascination for him. So much so that he, while underage, enters the bar where a customer buys him a drink.

It’s in this bar that he first encounters hot bartender Bruno (Alex Hurt), a man who will, pardon the pun, play a seminal role in David’s life. But that’s not all that is occupying David’s mind.

In addition to securing an apartment for Josef, David learns that his best friend in the world, Nathan

(Zane Pais), is planning to enlist in the Israeli army after graduation.

David also discovers the active tearoom at a local library. He enrolls in a public high school where he excels and is taken under the wing of a teacher. He meets and befriends Alicia (Carson Meyer), a classmate who is far more interested in him than he is in her.

But perhaps the most important relationship of which he becomes aware is that of Herschel (Christopher McCann) and Itzik (Mark Margolis), an elderly, closeted gay couple whose apartment is next door to Josef ’s. The relationship is alternately heartbreaking and affectionate (as it can possibly be under the circumstances), and David observes them closely and respectfully.

As coming out stories go, Minyan is atypical. True, 2018’s Disobedience had a similar setting, but its main characters were lesbians, and the time period was more contemporary.

The fact that Minyan is set during the 1980s, as AIDS deaths were mounting, is another significant plot point. The ensemble cast, especially Levine, Hurt, Rifkin, Bloom, and McCann, does a convincing job of establishing place, time, and mood. Rating: A-t www.strandreleasing.com

50 years in 50 weeks

Ronnie Spector ruled in 2014

by Jim Provenzano

“G

ay people made us. I love it. People have caught up. People have a chance to be who they are.”

That’s just one of many great quotes writer Andre Torrez got in his July 3, 2014 interview with music legend Ronnie Spector. The Ronettes singer performed at Burger Boogaloo, Oakland’s fun outdoor music concert that summer.

As Torrez wrote, “In her book, Spector explains how gays (this being before LGBT was a term) were some of The Ronettes’ biggest supporters. To this day she attributes that to what she suspects is their

shared experience of being considered other.”

While Torrez tactfully dodged questions about her tumultuous marriage to famed music producer (and later, convicted murderer) Phil Spector, he did cover the singer’s career with insight.

“The group, born out of Spanish Harlem, consisted of herself as the lead singer with sister Estelle and cousin Nedra on backup. The audience wasn’t really sure if they were Black, white or “Spanish” (she’s Black, white and Cherokee) and early on, record companies didn’t really know how to package them for marketing purposes.

“We felt different in junior high and in high school. People would pick on me before we became The Ronettes. ‘What am I?’” she thought of herself. Surely that otherness was the identifiable quality the gay community warmed up to.

Ronnie Spector died on January 12, 2022.

Read the interview at www.ebar.com/arts_&_culture///225376 Read the full issue at issuu.com/bayareareporter/docs/july_3_2014

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Tenth B.A.R. Talk to focus on crime reporting

by Jim Provenzano

C

rime reporting through the history of the Bay Area Reporter will be the focus of the tenth online panel discussion, part of the newspaper’s 50th anniversary commemorations.

The B.A.R. has an impressive history of reporting –and breaking– news stories often overlooked by the mainstream media. Many of our crime stories have later been sourced by other outlets. Some have even helped solve cases.

Current and former journalists will discuss coverage of the Harvey Milk/George Moscone assassinations, the White Night Riots, anti-gay crimes, the Castro Halloween shootings, and some gruesome murders through the years.

Reporter Ed Walsh, Transmission columnist Gwen Smith, and former news writer Dennis Conkin will share their experiences and insights on some of the B.A.R.’s most notorious stories over the years.

Arts and Nightlife Editor and panel producer Jim Provenzano moderates.

The panel will take place online Thursday, February 10, 6pm PT on the B.A.R.’s Facebook page, and will be archived there and on the B.A.R.’s YouTube channel. www.facebook.com/BayAreaReporter

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