January 27th, 2022 edition of the Bay Area Reporter

Mandelman seeks 2nd term

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Former B.A.R. reporter Pettit dies

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Vol. 52 • No. 04 • January 27-February 2, 2022

City agencies rally to support beleaguered Tenderloin by John Ferrannini

Rick Gerharter

A fundraising campaign is underway to honor the late Ken Jones.

Fundraiser aims for bench to honor Ken Jones

by John Ferrannini

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caregiver for the late gay activist Ken Jones is raising $15,000 via an online fundraiser to have a bench installed and dedicated to him at the National AIDS Memorial Grove in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The fundraiser has raised $3,710 toward its goal as of the afternoon of January 25. As the Bay Area Reporter reported last January, Jones was a Black man who was key to the desegregation of LGBTQ activism. Jones was a core volunteer at the Kaposi’s Sarcoma Research and Education Foundation, which became the San Francisco AIDS Foundation; created and managed the first hundred-mile AIDS Bike-a-Thon from San Francisco to the Russian River; was the first Black chair of the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee; brought visibility to disenfranchised groups as part of Pride’s outreach; and served on the citizen review board of the BART Police Department following the BART police killing of Oscar Grant. At the time of Jones’ death from cancer, Sanjai Moses – who Jones helped to raise – was taking care of him. Moses, who is queer, told the B.A.R. last week that the inspiration for a bench came from advice Jones’ friend and fellow gay activist Cleve Jones (no relation) told her during Ken Jones’ illness. “When Ken was really sick, Cleve was encouraging me to take a moment to catch my breath and take a moment of solitude and he said the grove was a great place to do that,” Moses said. “So it made sense to have a remembrance to Ken and his dedication to HIV activism there.” Cleve Jones told the B.A.R. that the bench would be a great way “to honor the dedication of service [Ken Jones] gave in the fight against HIV and AIDS.” Cleve Jones said that it has been a difficult year for him, having lost Ken Jones and gay singersongwriter Blackberri: both longtime friends. Blackberry died December 13. “Ken and I worked together a lot. He was one of the first people at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. He also worked at the quilt, and we spent a lot of time together,” Cleve Jones said, referring to the AIDS Memorial Quilt that he cofounded. “Ken ended every conversation, every call, and every conversation with ‘peace and love.’ That’s what he was about.” The AIDS grove was first established in 1991. It became a national memorial by federal law in 1996. In 2019, the grove took over stewardship See page 6 >>

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rian Basinger, a gay man who serves as the executive director of the Q Foundation, wants readers to know that his neighborhood – the Tenderloin – is the real heart of queer San Francisco. “The Castro’s a fad. Polk is a fad,” Basinger boldly declared in an interview with the Bay Area Reporter. “We’ve been a queer community in the Tenderloin for over 100 years. ... People don’t understand just how endemic LGBTQ people are to the Tenderloin, because so much of the other things going on eclipse that, and also how many cool LGBTQ folks and interesting LGBTQ folks are here. I’ve been such a booster for the Tenderloin for such a long time, because it’s lovely.” Indeed the Tenderloin – nestled between Union Square to the east and Civic Center on the west, and Market Street to the south and the slope of Nob Hill on the north – has long been one of the most diverse communities in the United States, which led to a tolerance for LGBTQ people before they could be visible elsewhere. In 1966, three years before the Stonewall riots in New York City launched the modern LGBTQ liberation movement, a riot at the Compton’s Cafeteria at Turk and Taylor streets was one of the first queer upris-

Basinger, Rick Gerharter; Sa’id, courtesy Facebook

Brian Basinger, left, and Aria Sa’id are two queer Tenderloin residents who generally praise the health-related actions the city has taken in recent weeks.

ings against police harassment and violence in American history. The Transgender District, the world’s first cultural district of its kind, has been anchored in the Tenderloin since 2017. Aria Sa’id, a trans woman who is the co-founder and executive director of the district, is also a Tenderloin resident. “We are the most diverse neighborhood in

San Francisco, and a lot of people forget we are the densest population-wise,” Sa’id told the B.A.R. “There are more children under 18 than any other neighborhood in San Francisco.” But both Basinger and Sa’id have noticed that although the neighborhood has always had a tough reputation, things have changed for the worse lately. See page 7 >>

Cultural district expresses concerns about new Castro Theatre plan by John Ferrannini

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ith the recent news of the management and programming changes at the Castro Theatre, the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District made a list of demands of the new management in a letter it published January 20. As the Bay Area Reporter reported January 19, it was announced that the co-producer of the Outside Lands music festival – Another Planet Entertainment – will be in charge of programming at the Castro Theatre after the hundred-year-old movie palace is renovated. Programming will be expanded to include live music, comedy, and community events in addition to films. Another Planet Entertainment CEO and co-founder Gregg Perloff said that he wants to maintain the theater’s role as a community space, but longtime neighborhood denizens and theater fans are very concerned about what they see as another example of gentrification in the Castro. For example, Marc Huestis, a gay man who has put on 55 shows at the theatre in the past 40 years, said he was “very sad.” “The way I and others were able to do events there – it was not cheap, but it was affordable,” Huestis recently told the B.A.R. “Castro is a place like no other. But the world

√ote by Feb. 15

Sari Staver

The Castro LGBTQ Cultural District has expressed concerns about management and programming changes announced for the Castro Theatre.

is changing – COVID certainly has facilitated changes like we’ve never seen. The theater as a repertoire house was no longer sustainable.” These concerns were echoed by a protest of over two-dozen people in front of the theater January 23 urging the continuation of repertory film programming. They were also outlined in the district’s letter.

“On behalf of the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, congratulations on the commencement of your operation of the historic Castro Theatre,” the letter states. “That said, we are deeply concerned about the potential loss of regular film programming, sing-alongs, the Silent Film Festival, low-cost rentals accessible to specialty producers like Marc Huestis and Peaches Christ, and above all, the strong LGBTQ programming focus that has been a source of connection, education, and delight for many thousands over the decades.” The letter goes on to state, “We urge you to meet with our organization at your earliest opportunity.” It included a list of actions the district would like Another Planet Entertainment to take, such as sharing with the district the specifics of the renovation plans; hiring and supporting an event programmer “with deep and broad knowledge of the LGBTQ community, who will work closely with other LGBTQ community organizations on bookings, scheduling, and permits, including on diversity of LGBTQ programming;” and prioritizing LGBTQ community organizations’ existing calendar of annual events. See page 3 >>

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

<< Obituaries

2 • Bay Area Reporter • January 27-February 2, 2022

Leatherwoman Rachele Sullivan dies by Cynthia Laird

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achele Sullivan, a leatherwoman who once served on the board of San Francisco-based Folsom Street Events, died January 17, according to the nonprofit that produces the Folsom Street Fair and other activities. She was 54. A cause of death was not released. Ms. Sullivan passed away at home in the Bay Area surrounded by friends and family, Angel Adeyoha, a queer nonbinary person who is executive director of Folsom Street Events, told the Bay Area Reporter in an email. Ms. Sullivan had relocated to Washington state, but Adeyoha said that she returned to the Bay Area for end of life care. Demetri Sparks, a gay man who is the former executive director of Folsom Street Events, told the B.A.R. that Ms. Sullivan’s contributions were many and varied. She served on the Folsom Street board for about a decade, he said. “She was instrumental in establishing Venus’ Playground,” Sparks said in a phone interview, referring to the woman’s space at the Folsom Street Fair that is now known as the Playground. “I met Rachele at the first board

Liz Highleyman

Rachele Sullivan, center, cut the ribbon outside the old Stud bar June 12, 2018 to celebrate the designation of San Francisco’s Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District.

retreat in January 2006,” Sparks said. “I had just started as executive director, and she came up to me and shared concerns of the women’s community.” Sparks recalled that those issues included too many pictures being taken without consent. Ultimately, Ms. Sullivan’s concerns were addressed by the establishment of Venus’ Playground. “The first year it was Betty Page’s Secret,” Sparks recalled, but he said

the name had to be changed due to legal issues. “Rachele was always there, she led about every department at one point or another – every aspect of the fair she touched – she was the glue,” Sparks said. Ms. Sullivan identified as a cis straight ally but was “very much part of the Folsom community,” Sparks added. “She was an ally beyond measure.” “She had such great ideas to en-

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gage people and make them feel sexy,” Sparks said. Race Bannon, a gay man who has long been involved in the leather community and is a former leather columnist for the B.A.R., also knew Ms. Sullivan. “Rachele Sullivan was a remarkable human being,” Bannon wrote in an email. “She lit up every room she walked into. She dedicated her life to helping others. She embodied and inspired community contribution. Much of what’s good about the Bay Area leather and LGBTQ communities had her hand in it in some way. She consistently walked her talk and was respected in every realm in which she worked. She was universally loved and will be truly missed.” Gayle Rubin, Ph.D., who specializes in leather history, praised Ms. Sullivan. “Rachele was a quiet but very active and extremely effective presence across a number of leather community institutions and initiatives,” Rubin wrote in an email. “I didn’t know her well, and wish I had known her better. But in the time our paths crossed, I realized what a treasure she was.” Ms. Sullivan was a big supporter of the Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood. Her Facebook page has several posts from years ago urging people to support the district when it was being considered by the Board of Supervisors. Rubin wrote that her interactions with Ms. Sullivan were primarily around the formation of the leather district. “My experience working with her was primarily around the process of getting the Leather and LGBTQ

with a Bachelor of Science degree in adminishe San Francisco tration of justice. He had Police Department worked for a small police has assigned its first out department in the Gargay captain to oversee its den State as a dispatcher Community Engagement and police service aide. Division. Housed out of After college he was emMission Station, the diviployed as a probation sion works closely with officer, and a vacation to Rick Gerharter the community liaisons Northern California conSFPD Captain assigned at all 10 of the Christopher Del vinced him to apply with department’s district sta- Gandio the SFPD. tions and oversees such He moved to San Franefforts as youth-oriented cisco in December 2007 afprograms and annual ter being accepted into an holiday donations of turkeys, toys, SFPD academy class. He is the first in and Christmas trees. his family to seek a law enforcement As the Bay Area Reporter first recareer. ported online January 19, Captain This is Del Gandio’s third promoChristopher Del Gandio is the first tion in the department. After makknown gay man to make that rank. ing lieutenant he was assigned to He is also currently the highestMission Station, which is responsiranking out LGBTQ police officer ble for patrolling much of the city’s in the department. LGBTQ Castro district. Del Gandio has been undergoing He then was assigned to the comtraining to become a captain and his munity engagement division at the assignment overseeing the commustation before being sent to Cennity-focused division will become tral Station, which covers the city’s official Saturday, January 29. He tourist areas like Union Square and told the B.A.R. he was pleased with Fisherman’s Wharf. Most recently his being sent back to oversee a divihe had been its night watch comsion where he had been assigned as mander overseeing the swing shift. a lieutenant. He told the B.A.R. that he sees “I think it will give me the opporcommunity policing as integral to tunity to help connect all communihow SFPD approaches it mission of ties, including my community (LGprotecting the public. BTQ), so that we can work together “We can’t do the work without toward a safer future,” said Del Ganthe community. It is part of our dio, who had passed his captain’s blood now,” said Del Gandio. “We test in July 2020. need the community to help us. I The native of Teaneck, New Jerthink collaborating really helps us sey, who will turn 42 on January 22, move forward and keeps everyone graduated from Rutgers University safe.” t

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Cultural District formed, and she was a key player in that movement,” Rubin stated. “Among other things, she was a liaison between those of us working on the leather/LGBTQ district, and the already established Soma Pilipinas Filipino Heritage District. But there were a lot of challenges in getting the district off the ground, and she was tireless in meeting them and moving forward.” On June 12, 2018, it was Ms. Sullivan who cut the ribbon outside what was then the Stud bar to mark the designation of the district. She also supported city landmarking for the Eagle bar, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors last year. “Rachele was a rare treasure who was focused on quietly and efficiently (and brilliantly) doing the work rather than on getting recognition,” Rubin wrote. “A lot of people who are public figures want the adulation; in contrast, Rachele seemed motivated to get things done that would benefit the communities to which she was so committed. Working with her on the district was a joy.” Ms. Sullivan was born December 18, 1967. She is survived by her son, Sebastian, and a huge family, both blood and chosen, Adeyoha wrote. Ms. Sullivan worked professionally as a registered nurse and healer. According to the website Healers of Color Movement, her lineage includes traditional healers from the province of Aklan, Philippines. Sparks said that her training as a nurse was beneficial at Folsom Street and she helped with medical aspects of the fair. “She brought so much,” he said. “I’m going to miss her.”t

SFPD gay captain to oversee community engagement efforts by Matthew S. Bajko

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Community News>>

January 27-February 2, 2022 • Bay Area Reporter • 3

Openhouse hires development head compiled by Cynthia Laird

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penhouse, which provides housing and services to LGBTQ seniors, has hired a new director of mission engagement who will oversee the nonprofit’s fundraising. Jacob Ittycheria, a gay man, will start in the position of director of mission engagement February 1. Most recently, he was the associate director of major gifts at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, where he held a significant portfolio and produced community and mini-documentaries that helped bring to life the stories of San Franciscans who are HIV-positive and who found health and solace in the programming at the foundation, a news release stated. Ittycheria, 44, stated he hoped to bring his experience to the aid of LGBTQ seniors. “My reason for coming to Openhouse was because I wanted to lift up and center the stories and life experiences of our community’s LGBTQ+ adults,” he stated. “Many LGBTQ + older adults fought for equal rights and representation of our gay, queer, and transgender, gender-nonconforming/nonbinary members and my desire is to share their stories with the world.” Ittycheria was also a successful fundraiser for the AIDS/LifeCycle, the 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, the release stated. He worked in L.A. out of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, which co-produces the event. (During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ride has been canceled the last two years. This year it is expected to take place in person June 5-11.) “We are thrilled to have Jacob join the Openhouse family,” stated Kathleen Sullivan, Ph.D., a lesbian who is executive director of the agency. “He has proven success at connecting donors and the mission of the organization, which is always a powerful way to invite individuals to invest in the good work the staff is doing.”

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Castro Theatre

From page 1

The district would also like the promoter to make a commitment that it will decline booking major acts who are not LGBTQ “during key weeks,” such as around Pride in June and the Folsom Street Fair in late September; work closely with the district regarding traffic and neighborhood street closures; upgrade the theater’s organ; and continue repertory film screenings when the theater is not otherwise in use. “As we learn more about the theater’s needs, your operational constraints, and the shape of tourism in the post-COVID era, we look forward to developing a shared understanding of what is feasible and how we can further LGBTQ-centered programming and innovation in a mutually beneficial way,” the letter concludes. The letter was authored by District Manager Tina Valentín Aguirre, board co-chairs Stephen Torres and Corey Fusco, and Land Use Chair Jesse Oliver Sanford. The letter was copied to gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman and was also sent to the theater building’s owners, the Nasser family. When reached by the B.A.R., Another Planet Entertainment stated, “We can confirm that we had a conversation with the Castro cultural district after receiving the letter and that APE is meeting with all stakeholders.” When asked about details of the meeting, the

Courtesy Openhouse

Jacob Ittycheria is the incoming director of mission engagement at Openhouse.

Openhouse has a strong base of longtime donors and corporate and foundation support, the release stated. As the Bay Area Reporter previously reported, the agency has joined with On Lok, another senior service provider, to launch the Openhouse + On Lok Community Day Services. It is the nation’s first communitybased adult day program co-designed for and with the LGBTQ+ community. The program soft launched last fall.

2 forums to feature AD 17 candidates

Ahead of the February 15 special primary election for the 17th District state Assembly seat, two groups will hold forums featuring the candidates who hope to represent the Eastside of San Francisco. The Castro/Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association will hold its online forum Thursday, January 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. According to an email announcement, three of the four candidates have confirmed their participation: gay former supervisor David Campos, and straight allies Bilal Mahmood and Thea Selby, an elected member of the City Col-

company responded, “We appreciate you checking back in and will be in touch when we have some newsworthy items to share.” Aguirre, in a statement to the B.A.R. January 25, wrote that the district had “a preliminary meeting with representatives from APE on Friday to outline our concerns and open a channel of communication.” “While I am happy about the communication, I acknowledged in that meeting that I am very unhappy that they botched the rollout of their management plans and they need to build trust after the Nasser family refused to communicate with us for the past two years,” Aguirre said, adding that no specific agreements were made and “we agreed to speak again soon, either this week or next week.” The Nasser family did not return a request for comment by press time.

Mandelman: Changes ‘potentially very good’

Mandelman told the B.A.R. that the changes proposed for the theater could have a positive impact on the neighborhood, especially its businesses if the new programming results in an influx of customers to their establishments. “The changes for the Castro Theatre are potentially very good for the neighborhood, but we need to better understand what the plan is,” he told the B.A.R. “The benefit is bringing in more foot traffic, and See page 8 >>

lege of San Francisco board of trustees. (At press time, the fourth candidate, straight ally District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney, was not listed as confirming.) Joe Eskenazi of Mission Local will moderate the forum, which will focus on a variety of policy positions and priorities. To join the free forum, go to the Zoom link at https://bit. ly/3KH9mwj or the Facebook page at https://bit.ly/3qYiKUw The second event is sponsored by the Golden Gate Business Association and three other co-sponsors. This forum is scheduled for Thursday, February 3, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. and will also be virtual. According to a news release from GGBA, an LGBTQ chamber of commerce, all four candidates are expected to participate. The forum will focus on small businesses. Manny Yekutiel, a gay man who owns the eponymous cafe and event space in the Mission, will moderate. (Yekutiel is also an appointed member of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s board of directors.) In addition to GGBA, co-sponsors are the Hispanic Chambers of Commerce of San Francisco, the San Francisco Filipino American Chamber of Commerce, and the San Francisco Council of District Merchants Association. The free event will take place on Zoom. Pre-registration is required at http://ggba.com/event-list. Registrants will receive a link one hour in advance of the forum.

Jack London park holds young writers contest

Jack London Historic State Park has announced its seventh annual young writers contest that coincides with the 146th birthday of the park’s namesake. The program encourages middle school students (grades 6-8) to exercise their writing skills by creating an original 2,000-word fictional story inspired by the life and works of London, a news release stated. Last year, the program had 47 entries, coming from as far away as Maine and New Jersey. This year’s theme is “Building Brighter Communities.” According to the release, the theme reflects London’s own hopes for the land he purchased in Sonoma County, which eventually became the state park. Today, visitors can experience both history and nature in the park’s 1,400 acres. All students who enter the contest will receive one free day pass for admission to the park, which includes one carload of guests (up to nine passengers). The contest prizes are $200 for first place, $150 for second place, and $100 for third place. The contest is judged blindly by a panel of volunteers who are not employees of Jack London Park Partners, which operates and funds the park. Complete contest rules and entry forms are available at https:// bit.ly/3Ix3tjr. The deadline is March 31.

SF civil grand jury seeks candidates

The San Francisco Superior Court is seeking volunteers for civil grand jury service for the 2022-2023 term. Judge Susan Breall, chair of the court’s civil grand jury committee, encouraged interested San Franciscans to apply. “The civil grand jury offers the opportunity to contribute to our community by examining city government to identify efficiencies, to suggest reforms, or to highlight things that are not working well,” she stated in a recent news release. In order to serve, the release stated, volunteers must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years of age; have lived in San Francisco for at least the past 12 months; have no felony convictions; and be able to communicate in English. A requirement of the state constitution, the civil grand jury provides a “watchdog” function and has broad latitude to examine city departments, agencies, and officials. After an initial screening, volunteers are interviewed by the judges of the civil grand jury committee who select a pool of 30 jurors. From that pool the 19 sworn jurors and 11 alternates are randomly selected, the release stated. The upcoming term runs from July 1 to June 30, 2023. The civil grand jury usually meets once a week, with additional meetings and interviews scheduled as necessary. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 13. For more information and to apply, go to https://civilgrandjury. sfgov.org/join.html. t

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

4 • Bay Area Reporter • January 27-February 2, 2022

Volume 52, Number 04 January 27-February 2, 2022 www.ebar.com

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Biden still has much to do

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resident Joe Biden marked his first icans, a group at higher risk of dying year in office last week and while from COVID-19, over 85% have been he, Vice President Kamala Harris, and fully vaccinated. On the other hand, the administration have made progthe administration has had problems ress on some LGBTQ-related issues, adjusting to the changing realities of there is still much to do. Unfortuthe pandemic. It was too slow to renately, the continued polarization in spond to both the Delta variant and Washington, D.C., especially in Conthe highly transmissible Omicron gress, likely means that significant variant with adequate supplies of test achievements for equality look uncerkits. The ones being mailed out now Courtesy Reuters tain. Biden only has until the Novem- President should have been sent in late November midterm elections to work with Joe Biden ber when the variant was first discova Democratic-controlled Congress, ered. Vaccine shortages marred the and even that is largely in name only. rollout last year, though that has sigThe Democratic majority is slim in the House nificantly improved; now unvaccinated people of Representatives and non-existent in the Senjust need to get the shot and get over all the bogus ate, where bisexual Senator Kyrsten Sinema (Dclaims made by supposed “experts” like Green Arizona) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-West VirBay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and ginia) are determined to thwart Biden’s domestic conspiracist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The adminisagenda at every turn. tration has been especially slow collecting sexual Upon taking office last January, Biden quickly orientation and gender identity data (SOGI), reversed the military’s ban on trans service memnot only for COVID, but for myriad bers. In coordination with Defense Secretary matters. Lambda Legal Defense and Lloyd Austin, Biden issued an executive order to Education Fund issued an LGrescind former President Donald Trump’s ban, BTQ+ progress report on Biden’s ending the yearslong nightmare for transgender first year (https://www.lambdalegal. troops who were already serving our country org/blog/us_20210120_year-oneor who wished to serve. In terms of health care, of-the-biden-administration-fullBiden appointed Dr. Rachel Levine, the highestreport). It lists data collection on ranking and first Senate-confirmed openly transLGBTQ+ people and people living gender government official in U.S. history. Biden with HIV as a major goal for Biden’s also appointed out federal judges (although so second year. “The administration far only one has been confirmed by the Senate) must collect additional data, proand other high-ranking officials, such as former vide analysis, and release to the pubOutRight Action International Executive Direclic findings on HIV-related disparities in stigma, tor Jessica Stern as the U.S. special envoy for LGdiscrimination, new infections, knowledge of BTQ rights. status, and more among marginalized segments With the news Wednesday that U.S. Supreme of our society,” Lambda Legal’s report states. The Court Justice Stephen Breyer will retire this sumadministration should initiate new rulemaking mer, the conservative-dominated court will lose to reinstate the national collection of data on one of its staunchest allies for advancing LGBTQ tribal and LGBTQ+ foster youth and reinstate equality. Biden needs to nominate a jurist who the collection of information about trans older will also defend the equality of LGBTQ Ameriadults in the National Survey of Older Americans, and the Senate Democrats need to unite to cans, the legal group noted. Health and policy ensure the person is confirmed. inequities can only be corrected and improved The administration has a mixed record adbased on comprehensive data collection of the dressing the COVID-19 pandemic. It did succeed population. at its promise of rolling out vaccines efficiently, Protecting voting rights is at the top of and today 210 million people – 63.7% of AmeriLambda’s list, and ours too. Last week, Senate cans – are fully vaccinated. Among elderly AmerDemocrats failed to pass voting rights legislation

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– thanks to Sinema and Manchin, who voted against a filibuster rule change requested by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York). Voter suppression tactics primarily used in red states work to silence LGBTQ+ community members, especially those who are people of color. Biden waited too long to make a major speech on the issue and he didn’t employ Harris, whom he tasked with protecting voting rights, in an effective way. Though to be fair, Harris is often stuck in Washington in case she’s needed to break a 50-50 tie in the Senate. Looking ahead, we hope Biden ramps it up – in words and action – especially in key areas like protecting trans and gender-nonconforming youth. According to Lambda Legal, the Department of Education is expected to issue proposed non-discrimination Title IX rulemaking in the spring. This should revoke the final regulations made during the Trump administration and clarify Title IX’s prohibition on sex discrimination that protects trans students in educational programs and activities. The administration must issue new regulations to improve the ability of refugees, including LGBTQ+ and those living with HIV, to seek asylum in the U.S. This is a major problem right now, especially in Afghanistan and at a large refugee camp in Kenya. Lambda Legal stated that the administration must end the “Remain in Mexico” policy and stop deporting immigrants who are otherwise legally entitled to asylum or other forms of relief. Overall, Biden is an improvement over the last president, but his achievements so far are not being effectively communicated to the public and he doesn’t speak forcefully enough to our nation’s problems. Conservatives will never like him, but Democratic voters, which includes most LGBTQ+ people, need results from this White House. The time for half-hearted responses is over. As long as the Senate remains a huge barrier against action, the Biden administration must deploy the power of executive orders and other mechanisms to rescind the remainder of Trump’s hideous policies in education, health care, and immigration.t

The price of banking by Charlie Hunts

folks live without a driver’s license/ state ID that matches their gender hat if using a credit card identity and true names.* It is commeant being deadnamed evmon for the process of legal transiery time that you pulled it out. Due tioning to cost thousands of dollars. to defunct security practices at traFor a community that is already ditional banks, for most of the trans economically vulnerable and grapcommunity that’s reality. pling with massive health care costs, If you ask yourself what money and given the social and emotional means to you, I bet you’d say freeburden that accompanies legally Courtesy Charlie Hunts dom, access, and opportunity. Untransitioning, the financial hit is esCharlie Hunts fortunately, if you’re trans, safety is pecially devastating. a part of that mix as well. Nearly After a year of navigating the every trans and nonbinary person acutely health care and legal system to become Charlie knows the fear of anticipating the other party’s Hunts, I spent another four years working to response to a perceived mismatch between the change all of my accounts to reflect my true name on their credit card and the way that pername. The last places I updated were my bank son is read. accounts because of the amount of docuI’ll never forget the first time I heard a camentation and personal lobbying necessary shier call me by my true name. They were to meet the companies’ policies. Changa barista at a Washington, D.C. coffee shop. ing my name legally was easier than When I began living publicly as a transgenchanging my name financially. der man, I was embarrassed whenever visiting When I first called my traditionshops that pulled customer names from their al bank to change my first name, cards. The otherwise mundane experience of the representative on the other waiting for my oat milk latte made me feel end heard my deep voice and exposed, humiliated, and invalidated when thought I was trying to defraud deadnamed by a piece of plastic that had not the account holder ... who was been updated due to bureaucratic red tape. So me. I learned quickly that to make when I heard “Oat milk latte for Charlie!” my progress, I had to start speaking heart sang. in a high-pitched voice when I called, which My transition was and is a period of conmade me feel like an actual fraudster. And I’m flicting emotions ranging from happiness, not alone. Seventy-one percent of trans people anxiety, and relief to determination. While have attempted to avoid discrimination by navigating my journey, one of the greatest joys hiding their gender or gender transition. I was has been being acknowledged for the person I mentally exhausted by the gender gymnastics I am. The trouble with acknowledgment is that had to perform and making very little progress it usually comes from other people – think at that. It got so bad that I even had my wife family, friends, even baristas. Beyond being pretend she was me on the phone. Because of truly seen by others, I have had to also ask for antiquated and biased “security” measures, I validation from authoritative strangers like had to resort to recruiting others to impersondoctors, judges, psychiatrists, and a thousand ate me. companies’ policies. Even banks with the most lenient policies According to a joint study by the National will greet a trans person by their chosen first Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National name in some communications, but their Center for Transgender Equality, 41% of trans underlying protocols for debit cards, credit

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Bay Area Reporter

<< Open Forum

cards, mobile apps, support tools, and credit applications are all built around birth names and cisgender definitions. If you call in, you’re going to get deadnamed to verify you’re you. But don’t worry, there’s no identity verification process to get their free branded products at Pride parades. I had always chalked up my negative experience with banks as a necessary hurdle of transitioning until I joined the online-only nonbank financial institution One Finance. Traditional banks will tell you that, for security reasons, they can’t let trans folks change their first names without matching their governmentissued ID. Changing your first name with a bank doesn’t need to be daunting or exhausting. The security of your account is rooted in verifying your identity across a number of personal identifiers, which may include your Social Security number, date of birth, full name, address, and phone. Theft of assets via an imposter changing your first name should not be the bank’s only or primary way of detecting when something’s not right. Your name is important for financial and government institutions, but the underlying Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance regulations that they use to protect against identity theft have inherent biases. Most policymakers should be aware of those discriminatory prejudices but don’t have the support (or pressure) to adjust their standards. That’s where your bank should come in. But while fancy user improvements in tech are great, banks need to make space for LGBTQ+ customers to build emergency savings, access affordable credit, share money in nonheteronormative family structures, and budget for the future. I’m not a fraud expert; I am a marketer of trans experience who stumbled into fintech and found an amazing team at One who figured out a way to be inclusive using the tools See page 8 >>

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Politics >>

January 27-February 2, 2022 • Bay Area Reporter • 5

Gay SF Supervisor Mandelman seeks 2nd term

by Matthew S. Bajko

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or much of the COVID-19 pandemic gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman had avoided contracting the virus. Living with diabetes, he was at heightened risk if he had caught it. Fully vaccinated and having also gotten a booster shot in November, Mandelman started off his board recess for Christmas seeing friends and family in the Bay Area. In one photo posted to his Instagram account, he is seated with his close kin unmasked while dining at Hayes Street Grill on Christmas Eve. After receiving several notifications in the following days that he potentially was exposed to someone who had COVID, Mandelman tested positive himself a few days prior to New Year’s Eve. Luckily, he had mild symptoms such as a sore throat, some congestion, and a little fatigue. “It was like a relatively mild cold for me,” Mandelman, 47, told the Bay Area Reporter during a recent phone interview. Unlike most other politicians who have gotten COVID, Mandelman didn’t release a press statement or post about his positive test result on social media. Until now, his having the virus has gone unreported. “I alerted my housemate to the problem,” said Mandelman, who largely kept to his bedroom for the next week other than for solo walks he took. “I tried to stay out of the common spaces and wear masks. Friends brought me food.” His not turning a COVID diagnosis into a social media moment is par for the course for Mandelman. Since winning his seat in a special election in June of 2018, Mandelman rarely posts about his personal life online and offline only holds the rare news conference to tout a legislative initiative. It is a style of holding public office at odds with this digitally charged era of politics. Now, as he seeks a final four-year term this November, Mandelman is trying to up his online presence. “I think some of my colleagues are honestly better at communicating on an almost minuteby-minute basis not just what they are doing in terms of our jobs but their lives,” said Mandelman, who formerly served on the city’s community college board and worked as an attorney for the city of Oakland. “It is honestly something I have to work on. It seems to be people want to be in more constant contact with their elected officials in that social media way. One of my goals for 2022 is to try to get more comfortable on social media.” Mandelman, the lone LGBTQ person currently among the 11 supervisors, had been on the board roughly a year and a half when the COVID pandemic broke out, upending the usual

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Supervisor Rafael Mandelman spoke in November in support of tenants living on 19th Street in the Mission fighting their impending eviction.

routine at City Hall. The building shut down to the public, the board moved to meeting virtually, and addressing the impacts of the health crisis took precedence. “It is not what I had expected. I did not imagine there would be a global pandemic,” noted Mandelman. “I think, also, the reality is with a job like this you don’t actually understand it until you are in it doing it. I think you don’t really understand the ways in which you can make change and also don’t truly understand the ways in which change is complicated.” Even with the complications wrought by the pandemic and the myriad demands of being a supervisor, Mandelman said it is “the best job” he’s ever had and is hopeful his constituents in the city’s Castro, Noe Valley, Diamond Heights, and Glen Park neighborhoods will elect him to a second term. “It is endlessly interesting,” he said. “I am able to help people with problems they may be having with the city and I am required to try to figure out problems and answers to the bigger city challenges.” His top priorities remain homelessness and the mental health needs of those living on the city’s streets. He commissioned a report last year on how to build more affordable housing throughout his district, with recommendations he plans to pursue this year. And Mandelman has been a vocal proponent for a new approach and increased funding for how the city addresses the needs of unhoused people. It is an issue that has long bedeviled Castro leaders and has only grown more pronounced during the pandemic. “Their needs are a real challenge, not just for themselves but for the small businesses trying to operate and residents. The biggest challenge, in my view, facing the Castro are the unhoused folks with very serious mental health challenges living in the neighborhood in public spaces,” said Mandelman. “It is related to the relatively high vacancy rate. I would place those

Letters >> Praise for new SFPD captain

Barry Schneider Attorney at Law

What a wonderful and wonderfully written story about Captain Christopher Del Gandio [“SFPD gay Captain Del Gandio makes history,” January 20]. He is the type of San Francisco Police officer – gay or straight – that you would want to show up if you were in trouble. Moving to San Francisco, rising through the ranks, and attaining the esteemed position of captain is impressive – all as an out gay man. What makes me sad is that he works out of Central Station in my neighborhood, and that he could have been one of the officers attempting to get a meal at a new restaurant a couple of blocks from the station, but instead were humiliated and asked to leave. It breaks

two, sort of related, issues at the top of my unfinished business list. I think there is a lot going on in the Castro that is exciting and there remains a lot of potential.” So far no one with wide name recognition has pulled papers to run against him, meanwhile Mandelman has already raised more than $150,000 for his reelection effort. The filing deadline is June 14, so there remains a possibility someone considered more progressive than Mandelman, one of the more moderate supervisors, will seek to oppose him. “I have to make the assumption I am going to have a challenger. Where that person will come from, or what their ideological background will be, I don’t know,” said Mandelman. “I need to assume I will have a challenger and view this year as an opportunity to reconnect with voters and hear from them what they are happy about and what they are not happy about.”

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Since the return of district elections in 2000, no elected District 8 supervisor has been defeated at the polls. The lone officeholder to not win was gay supervisor Jeff Sheehy, who had been appointed to fill a vacancy but lost to Mandelman. When he first sought the seat in 2010 Mandelman was seen as too progressive for the historically moderate District 8. More than a decade later he is now seen as more centrist and often aligns on issues with Mayor London Breed. Another moderate local elected, gay state Senator Scott Wiener (DSan Francisco), to whom Mandelman lost in the supervisor race 12 years When you plan your life celebration and lasting remembrance in ago, had endorsed Sheehy in the speadvance, you can design every detail of your own unique memorial cial election for the seat. Today, Wieand provide your loved ones with true peace of mind. Planning ahead ner and Mandelman are often aligned When your celebration lasting protectsyou your plan loved ones fromlife unnecessary stress and and financial burden, on various issues. When you plan your celebration and lasting in allowing themlife to focus on what will matter most at design that remembrance time—you. remembrance in advance, you can every This month, Wiener praised Manyou can design every detail of your own unique memorial delman for pushing for zoning advance, updetail ofusyour owntheunique memorial andlegacy provide Contact today about beautiful ways to create a lasting dates to allow more bars to openand in provide atyour the San Francisco Columbarium. loved ones with true peace of mind. Planning ahead your loved ones with true peace of mind. Planning the LGBTQ Castro district and for protects your loved ones from unnecessary stress and financial ahead protectsProudly yourserving loved onesCommunity. from unnecessary burden, gay bathhouses to operate in more arthe LGBT eas of the city. In a tweet he calledallowing the them focus on whatburden, will matter most them at thattotime—you. stresstoand financial allowing changes “way overdue” and gave “big focus on what will matter most at that time—you. kudos” to Mandelman “for leading.”

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my heart that in San Francisco, and especially in North Beach, that such disrespect for our people in uniform exists. It may not have been Capitan Del Gandio, but after reading your profile of him, just the idea that it could have been him, or an officer just like him, disgusts me. I will, and my friends will and most of my neighbors on Russian Hill will never patronize Hilda & Jesse. Their apology was shallow and only felt necessary to save their business. Keep up the good writing. Daniel Detorie San Francisco

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<< Obituaries

6 • Bay Area Reporter • January 27-February 2, 2022

Former B.A.R. reporter Bruce Pettit dies by Cynthia Laird

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ruce Pettit, a City Hall and political reporter with the Bay Area Reporter from 1977 to 1979, died January 20, just 11 days shy of his 77th birthday. He had been suffering from long-term heart disease and was in hospice care at his Noe Valley home. Pastor Sadie Stone of Bethany United Methodist Church was with Mr. Pettit and said he died peacefully. Mr. Pettit, who compiled this obituary before his death, started The Pettit Report newsletter on San Francisco politics in 1980, hosted the “Viewpoint” cable TV show on San Courtesy Bruce Pettit Francisco politics from 1991 to 2006, and wrote for other mainstream and Bruce Pettit, circa 1987 LGBTQ publications. At the B.A.R., he covered such stovin Pettit, was a commander of a PT ries as the 1978 passage of Supervisor boat that sank a Japanese submarine Harvey Milk’s gay rights ordinance. off the Solomon Islands in 1944. Mr. The headline and byline of that story Pettit was raised in Missouri and appeared in Gus Van Sant’s 2008 Iowa. After a divorce, his mother, the “Milk” movie that starred Sean Penn. former Anna Paulson, struggled to Mr. Pettit was born in Milwaukee support her two boys with the aid of on February Did 1, 1945. His father, MarYou Overspend During

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her mother. Mr. Pettit didn’t see his father for seven years, but they later reconciled as his father became an advocate of gay rights. Mr. Pettit graduated summa cum laude in English and political science from Upper Iowa University in Fayette in 1967. He received a lay ministry degree from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri Mr. Pettit used to say the proudest moment of his life came at the military recruiting center in St. Louis in 1968 when he stood up to the contempt of a psychiatrist who doubted his claim of being gay. Mr. Pettit won a silent stare-down contest with a recruiter that lasted a seemingly-eternal 15 seconds. Mr. Pettit moved to Chicago to be with a gay high school friend. There he became an editorial assistant for the Chicago Sun-Times news syndicate, helping edit the Gallup Poll and Anne Landers for wire distribution. With a lover, Charles Durham, Mr. Pettit moved to San Francisco in 1974 for its more receptive gay climate.

<<

Ken Jones

From page 1

of the AIDS quilt, and the panels are stored in a specially-designed warehouse in San Leandro. John Cunningham, a gay man who is CEO of the grove, said that there are two other ways besides a bench to honor an individual person at the site. “There’s a Circle of Friends engraving and individuals or organizations can do boulders, or in this case, a bench,” Cunningham said. Engravings cost $1,000 and boulders cost $10,000, Cunningham said. Moses said that Cunningham got her fundraiser set up with the grove’s website.

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He was one of the journalists on the pioneering cable show “City Desk.” The Pettit Report newsletter launched the polling career of David Binder when it published the first poll that foresaw Assemblymember Art Agnos defeating Supervisor John Molinari in the 1987 mayoral race. Binder is now a nationally recognized pollster. Mr. Pettit also briefly wrote a weekly column for the San Francisco Examiner in 1983-84 and was later a City Hall reporter for the now-gone Progress and Independent newspapers. He personally knew both Milk and his assassin, Dan White. In the B.A.R. in 1977, he brought citywide attention to the barely concealed homophobia of White’s campaign brochure. His varied career also included working for then-Supervisor Louise Renne, a survey firm, the census bureau, and the St. Anthony Foundation. Mr. Pettit was administrative assistant for the Golden Gate District of the United Methodist Church from

1999 to 2010. He received the Bishop’s Award, the highest honor a layperson can receive, for his work there and in the UMC’s pro-gay Reconciling Ministries Network. A Noe Valley resident since 1985, Mr. Pettit joined Bethany UMC in 1996. His activities there included performing with the bell choir. Mr. Pettit’s former lover, Durham, died in 1986 by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. A later, official domestic partner was George Mendenhall, a political reporter for the B.A.R. and the Advocate. Mendenhall died from AIDS in 1994. Predeceased by his parents and brother, Mr. Pettit is survived by many cousins in the Midwest and friends in San Francisco. Stone said that a memorial service will take place when the current COVID-19 surge subsides. Mr. Pettit asked that any memorial donations be sent to Bethany UMC, the United Methodist Committee on Relief in New York City, or to the American Civil Liberties Union. t

“I think that Ken of all individuals, who’d been in the fight as long as he was, regarding not just HIV and AIDS but social justice, is so deserving of a dedicated space where those who loved Ken can visit and people can learn more about Ken,” Cunningham said. Moses said another reason for the bench is because Jones was unable to get a proper memorial celebration due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I know many people want to pay tribute to him and I was thinking of a big blowout party with disco music, but that’s not happening, it’s not possible, so what better way than this great public space,” Moses said. Moses’ goal is to have the bench in place by Pride this June.

“The money is trickling in in small amounts and that’s what it means for a community to come together,” Moses said. “When the bench is installed, we wanted to invite people for that installation. We’d like to have some type of celebration to invite people to come to the installation. I actually asked SF Pride if they’d like to be involved in the fundraiser ... but they didn’t respond.” After the initial publication of this story on the afternoon of January 25, Moses stated to the B.A.R. that SF Pride did respond and is helping to promote the fundraiser. As of the next morning, SF Pride had not responded to the B.A.R.To make a donation, go to https://bit. ly/32zEkFmt

<<

Political Notebook

From page 5

Thinking he could be a bridge builder between the board’s moderate and progressive camps, as well as between the board and the mayor’s office, Mandelman admitted to the B.A.R. he has not been successful in that arena. Despite the various policy fights at City Hall, there is often more agreement than disagreement between the city’s elected leaders, he argued. “When I was elected, I was pretty much center of the board – maybe center left,” he said. “I don’t think I have shifted in my politics but I do think the board has shifted a lot. I don’t believe the relationship between the mayor and the supervisors has been as productive as I wish it could have been. There’s probably blame to go around for that.” Much of the reported differences among the board and mayor are based on “artificial” categorization of where they stand in the city’s political landscape, Mandelman contended. “There are no Mitch McConnells in San Francisco politics. We don’t even have Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin,” said Mandelman, referring to the Republican minority leader in the U.S. Senate and the two most moderate Democratic senators. “We should be able to work together in a respectful and productive way.” Rather than being mocked for its liberal values, Mandelman hopes City Hall can come together this year in tackling the myriad issues confronting San Francisco as proof that “progressive governance can be effective.” And he hopes to be involved in doing so not only in 2022 but also during a second term. “I have been able to work and contribute to trying to solve some of these hard, big problems,” said Mandelman. “But I don’t think my work is done and would like to make more progress

in the next four years.” To learn more about Mandelman’s reelection bid, visit https://www.rafaelmandelman.com/

SF’s ‘WIMP’ candidacy

A self-dubbed wimpy candidacy has been launched for the citywide municipal office on San Francisco’s February 15 special election ballot. Longtime gay activist Michael Petrelis received approval January 19 from elections officials to be a write-in candidate for assessor-recorder. Thus, he has dubbed his campaign WIMP: Write-In Michael Petrelis. Since his name doesn’t appear on the official ballot mailed out to voters this month, however, it is highly unlikely he will come anywhere near the votes cast for Assessor-Recorder Joaquín Torres. He is seeking to serve out the remainder of former assessor-recorder Carmen Chu’s term through early January 2023. After Mayor London Breed named Chu as the new city administrator, she appointed Torres as her successor. Since his name is the only one on the ballot, Torres is expected to easily retain the position and will need to run for a full four-year term in November. It is Torres’ not being officially opposed that led Petrelis to seek to be a write-in candidate. “I cannot remain on the sidelines for this race and because the filing fee was over $4,000, beyond my no-budget method of campaigning, I want to give voters the chance to cast a writein ballot for an opponent to Torres,” he told the B.A.R.t Web Extra: For more queer political news, be sure to check http:// www.ebar.com Monday mornings for Political Notes, the notebook’s online companion. This week’s column reported on efforts to officially recognize three LGBTQ historic sites in California.

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From the Cover>>

January 27-February 2, 2022 • Bay Area Reporter • 7 Linkage center opens its doors

Tenderloin

From page 1

“People say, ‘the Tenderloin has always been this way,’” Sa’id said. “I say, ‘it hasn’t always been this bad.’ … We love to complain about poop on the street, drug-induced psychosis episodes on the street, and even though this is a mecca for tech where people can create self-driving cars, we can’t figure out homelessness, which is really sad.” Conditions on the street have been “feeling a lot more sinister” since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago, Basinger said. In the last year, Basinger said his apartment complex was broken into 24 times. “Someone was shot underneath my window,” Basinger said. “We can’t get a night’s sleep.” Basinger said he’s walked past at least two dead bodies in recent months. And so when Mayor London Breed declared in the waning days of 2021 that she was going to get “more aggressive” with “all the bullshit that has destroyed our city” – and followed that up with a declaration of a state of emergency in the Tenderloin – she found support with Basinger and Sa’id. “I’m 100% supportive of the mayor in this,” Basinger said. “It’s gotten out of hand and something needed to happen, because I was falling out of love with the Tenderloin.” Sa’id said that representatives of other neighborhoods have spent decades pushing the effects of homelessness and the drug war into the Tenderloin, yet “there’ve never been more shootouts and violence on the street” in the 15 years she’s lived there off and on. Much of the controversy over the emergency declaration came from Breed’s tough-on-crime posturing, which progressives such as District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen said was too reminiscent of rhetoric from the 1980s and 1990s, when even Demo-

Courtesy SF DEM

A poster alerts people visiting the Tenderloin linkage center that Narcan, which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, is available.

crats such as then-President Bill Clinton and then-Senator Joe Biden were bullish on police funding and mass incarceration. During the 10-hour supervisors’ meeting (https://www.ebar.com/ news/latest_news//311649) that ratified the emergency declaration December 24, for example, Ronen said that “what [Breed] has expressed to the public is a doubling-down on a century-old failed drug war.” “Truth be told, I want to vote in favor of this health emergency,” Ronen said. “Because of the way that this has been described in the media, I don’t have faith that we’re talking about the same thing.” However, Ronen did end up voting in favor of the emergency declaration (only supervisors Dean Preston and Shamann Walton voted against) once it became clear to her that Breed’s law enforcement interventions were separate. Sa’id has similar concerns. “I don’t support the over-extension of law enforcement,” Sa’id said. “I know Mayor Breed said a lot of things, but the bulk of what we’ve seen from the Board of Supervisors side is the participation of all kinds of city departments to help our neigorhood.”

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One of the most oft-repeated arguments in favor of the emergency declaration was that it would allow the city to expedite the opening of a linkage center that would connect people living on the street with needed services. Mary Ellen Carroll, the head of the city’s Department of Emergency Management, told the Board of Supervisors December 23 that the linkage center would take nine months without emergency powers, and only three weeks with them. Carroll wasn’t kidding – she presided over the opening of the linkage center January 18. Located at 1172 Market Street near United Nations Plaza, the center will initially operate 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily before moving to a 24/7 model. Due to the COVID-19 surge caused by the Omicron variant, there are limits on staffing capacity, but DEM officials state that eventually there will be enough staff to serve 100 people at a time. Carroll spoke to the B.A.R. the day the center opened, saying that it will be home to “all kinds of services – access to housing, shelter, behavioral health services, Project Homeless Connect is here. You can get a dentist, clothing. HealthRIGHT 360 is here. There’s an area to talk about harm reduction and also for people who are really trying to get off drugs.” Carroll stressed the non-judgmental nature of the center. “This is a very safe, very low barrier place where everyone is welcome to come as they are,” she said. “We’re going to have showers here, we have laundry. We’re serving two meals a day.” The center will provide testing and vaccination for COVID-19, as well as testing for hepatitis C and HIV. Carroll said that the linkage center is “not a shelter,” but that when people come “we should be able to

find them a place to stay.” The Department of Public Health is in the process of hiring hundreds of behavioral health workers, Carroll said. “My understanding is they already hired 50,” she said. The health department told the B.A.R. it plans to make 200 hires by March 30. “Approximately 90 of the 200 positions being hired are candidates for the expedited process under the Order. The remainder will be filled through the normal hiring process,” a DPH spokesperson stated in an email. “The list of positions targeted for expedited hiring include: psychiatric physician specialists; behavioral health clinicians; health program coordinators; pharmacists; epidemiologists; [and] program managers and analysts.” DPH subsequently stated that 84 of the 200 positions have been hired as of January 25. Even with the extraordinary powers granted city agencies by the emergency declaration, Carroll said opening the linkage center so quickly was a Herculean effort. When asked how it was done so quickly, Carroll told the B.A.R. “because we’re really, really good.” “We’ve worked every day, 12 hours a day, since before the holidays,” Carroll said. “We didn’t have holidays. The emergency was declared and we responded.” Vitka Eisen, a lesbian who is the CEO of HealthRIGHT 360, stated that Breed “has recognized the overdose crisis we are facing as a city” and “we are committed to doing everything we can to help stem the tide and tragedy of these deaths, and connect people to care, with love and compassion.” Jeff Cretan, Breed’s communications director, said that the linkage center idea was based on advice from people on the ground. “Back in November, the mayor asked the Department of Emergency Management to develop a CO-

VID-level plan for the Tenderloin,” Cretan told the B.A.R. “So DEM staff did a lot of work: they went into the community, talked with people, and came up with plans. One of the first things they identified was they needed a place to go, a safe place, for people to go to get connected to services in the community. So early on, we decided we needed something like that.” District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney, a straight ally who is also running for state Assembly in the February 15 special election and lives in the Tenderloin, said that the linkage center will help the city respond to the drug epidemic. “A drop-in center where people can get off the streets and immediately linked to services, placements and care, without delay or bureaucracy is something we desperately need,” Haney stated in a news release. “The city is facing a deadly, devastating drug epidemic, and we must do everything we can to save lives and provide relief and healing to a part of the city that has been so heavily impacted. The Tenderloin Linkage Center will absolutely support us in doing that.” (The other candidates in the race, gay former supervisor David Campos, and straight allies Bilal Mahmood and Thea Selby also support the linkage center.)

Declaration was about health issues

Cretan was careful, too, to make a distinction between increased law enforcement activities in the Tenderloin and the initiatives being covered by the emergency declaration. “You have the declaration of emergency – the actual policy the board was considering. That was the policy the board had to approve. It was all about health, expediting the linkage center. That is what they were voting on,” Cretan said. See page 8 >>

<< Community News

8 • Bay Area Reporter • January 27-February 2, 2022

<<

Tenderloin

From page 7

“There’s also a component about enforcing the laws in the Tenderloin, too, not as part of the declaration.” Cretan sent out a news release at the time the linkage center was opened touting that from December 13 to January 17, joint operations from both city and non-city staff had placed 114 people living on the streets into shelter including hotels, congregate, Navigation Centers, and emergency shelter; referred or transported 378 people from the Tenderloin to treatment; repaired, assessed, or hardened 26 street lights in the neighborhood; and responded to 2,373 requests for service in the Tenderloin, including removing 1,147 tons of waste and power washing 758 locations. Police also made 52 arrests for drug-dealing related offenses in the Tenderloin, and seized 5,267 grams of fentanyl – the high-risk synthetic opiate that is responsible for a large portion of the city’s overdoses in the past several years. Cretan said that the city has to “have police there to enforce basic laws because people are scared to leave their homes” and “law enforcement is a necessary part of a solu-

<<

Castro Theatre

From page 3

of having events that are a draw and not only folks in the neighborhood are excited about but folks around the city and the region are excited about.” While a diverse schedule of events and films “could be great,” added Mandelman, the concerns of the theater’s longtime LGBTQ patrons and event producers must be taken into consideration by the new management. “We need to make sure they are a good neighbor and that they preserve, protect, and defend the LGBT identity of the theater and its ties to the neighborhood,” said Mandelman, who applauded the

tion in the Tenderloin.” The San Francisco Police Department has not responded to multiple B.A.R. requests to interview Chris Canning, captain of the Tenderloin’s police station, to ask more details about law enforcement interventions. Matt Dorsey, the director of strategic communications for the SFPD, stated in a December email to the news media generally, however, that across all shifts there are 30-40 on-duty police officers in the Tenderloin and Mid-Market neighborhoods. The release touting initial successes in the state of emergency got a skeptical response from the San Francisco Standard – which reported (https://sfstandard.com/city-hall/ tenderloin-response-data/) that the numbers of 311 calls for service that were addressed, drug dealing-related arrests, and clients taken to the hospital by the street crisis response team were all at highs in 2021 before the emergency declaration. Cretan responded to this by telling the B.A.R. that “the first step is to say what we’re doing so we can communicate to the public, so that we can hold ourselves to account and so the public knows what’s going on there.” Drawing a parallel with the COVcompany for pledging to do just that. “I think, I hope they will take seriously the concerns they are hearing from folks.” Cleve Jones, a longtime gay activist who lives in the Castro, offered his take to the B.A.R., saying “a lot of people are expressing anger, but I think we should express our gratitude to the Nasser family for keeping it going for so many years.” “Some of the greatest nights of my life were at the Castro Theatre,” Jones said. “I’ll never forget any of it.” t Matthew S. Bajko contributed reporting.

ID-19 state of emergency that Breed declared in February 2020 before there was a diagnosed COVID case in the city, Cretan said, “The fact that the city opened a linkage center in three to four weeks – with COVID I don’t know if we had testing up that fast. It’s moved faster than bureaucracy ever does.”

Overdose deaths declined slightly

The B.A.R. pushed back on another news release from Cretan that announced that drug overdose deaths in 2021 had declined 7% from 2020’s numbers (there were 700 recorded in 2020 compared with 650 in 2021). “As we continue to implement Mental Health SF and invest in critical services like our Street Overdose Response Team, we must look ahead and build on the progress we have,” Breed said in the release. “We know that every overdose death is preventable, and we know that we still have a long way to go, but we must act aggressively to ensure that every resident receives the support and services they so desperately need.” The B.A.R. asked if the decline can really be attributed to Breed or city policy. “The decline can be attributed to

<<

Guest Opinion

From page 4

we already had and at no cost to the company outside of our time. One’s My Name initiative is the first account to have your chosen name reflected on your card, your account, your documents, shared accounts with others (chosen family, family by birth, or even your roommates), even when you need a line of credit. We don’t collect your gender, and consciously work to never assume gender by always addressing customers with genderneutral terms, including if our support team needs to discuss customer needs among each other. We’re continuously working to im-

a number of causes,” Cretan said. “We’re still at a crisis level. The levels are way too high. The reason levels are the way they are beyond any one single thing. In 2020, we lost a lot of city services. Those came back, but fentanyl is on a different level, so it’s hard to state how much worse it could be without those interventions, but I have to see the numbers as at least flattening out instead of going up.” The SFPD, in the aforementioned email to the media, stated that in 2020 Tenderloin police seized 5.449 kilos of fentanyl. “Through the first 51 weeks of 2021 (through December 19), Tenderloin police officers’ seizures of fentanyl in just one neighborhood has surpassed last year by more than four-fold – with a year-to-date haul that exceeds 24.5 kilos through December 19, 2021,” the email stated.

Trans businesses needed

Sa’id told the B.A.R. that she wants to see the Tenderloin become a hub for trans-led businesses, but that landlords are still assuming that tech workers who fled during the COVID pandemic lockdown are going to return. “I’m saying, ‘girl, they’re moving to Austin,’” Sa’id said, referring to a

t

number of tech workers who have decamped to the Texas city. Basinger said that sometimes he feels like a heretic for challenging policies he views as responsible for the Tenderloin’s current conditions. “It just seems like too many people are projecting their hopes, dreams, and aspirations into a set of policies that they think will save the world, but what they are doing is condemning the tens of thousands of people in the Tenderloin to a life that is increasingly difficult and toxic,” Basinger said. “They don’t live here.” Sa’id said that for better or for worse, San Francisco residents in general and Tenderloin residents in particular have gotten used to conditions that maybe they shouldn’t have. She recalled a common refrain from her grandmother, “When you sit in shit so long, it stops smelling.” “That’s especially true in politics. We’ve put these problems under the rug,” Sa’id said. “People want to know why there’s poop on the street? There’s nowhere to go to the bathroom. I think it’s important for San Franciscans to remember that the societal issues we’re experiencing are very bizarre for many cities.” t

prove the program, for example, by integrating your chosen name during the application process so you enter as your true self from the get. By enabling trans folks to change their first name on their account, including providing access to credit without requiring matching legal documentation, we can expand economic opportunity and safety for trans and nonbinary customers. Changing your first name on your bank account may seem like a small step, but it cascades into a rainbow of opportunities for our community. One is building something pretty special. Let’s make real progress towards legal change. No deadnaming at the coffee shop required. t

Charlie Hunts is the senior manager of brand marketing at the One, which is based in Sacramento and partners with Coastal Community Bank, where he oversees a brand reinventing how people save, spend, share, and borrow money so they can stress less and focus on what matters most. At home, Hunts is the director of vibes and caffeination. Hunts holds an MBA from Santa Clara University. For more information on One, visit www. joinone.today/MyName

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.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039595800

* Footnote: Grant, Jaime M., Lisa A. Mottet, JD Justin Tanis, and D. Min. “Transgender Discrimination Survey.” Washington, D.C. (2011).

Legals>> ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-21-556821

In the matter of the application of RENAE WILBORN, 196 MENDELL, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner RENAE WILBORN is requesting that the name RENAE WILBORN be changed to RENAE ROYALE. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Rm. 103 on the 10th of FEBRUARY 2022 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 06, 13, 20, 27, 2022

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-21-556825

In the matter of the application of PAUL ROBERT BYRNE, 1301 FELL ST #3, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner PAUL ROBERT BYRNE is requesting that the name PAUL ROBERT BYRNE be changed to AIDEN HUNTER BYRNE. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Rm. 103N on the 10th of FEBRUARY 2022 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

JAN 06, 13, 20, 27, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039575800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as POSTPARTUM DOULA SUPPORT BY KATY, 7021 GEARY BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KATELYN DETRICK. 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 12/14/21.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039588100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as A LITTLE X, 1443 QUESADA AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MARTIN LUTHER MCCOY. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/01/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/23/21.

JAN 06, 13, 20, 27, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039573500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as LA MEXICANA BAKERY, 2804 24TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed JESUS JAIME VALLE APAEZ, ALEXIS ENRIQUE TRINIDAD MORENO & FRANCISCO HERNANDEZ VALLE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/01/20. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/09/21.

JAN 06, 13, 20, 27, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039586400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as THE LAUNDRY, 3359 26TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed UPLIFT VENTURES, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/04/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/22/21.

JAN 06, 13, 20, 27, 2022

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

The following person(s) is/are doing business as MC AUTO RESCUE, 5550 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed CARLOS MADRID. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/18/21. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/20/21.

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.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039589000

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039589600

JAN 06, 13, 20, 27, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039590100

JAN 06, 13, 20, 27, 2022

The following person(s) is/are doing business as SOUR CHERRY COMICS, 3438 16TH ST #C, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. 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 12/29/21.

JAN 06, 13, 20, 27, 2022

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

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

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

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

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

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039595300 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

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.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039588400

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-22-556839

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039595000

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

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

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

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

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Classifieds>>

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

January 27-February 2, 2022 • Bay Area Reporter • 9

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 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.

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.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039590000

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

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

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.

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

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039596100

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039600100

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) 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 01/06/22.

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.

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

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039595600

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

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

Public Meetings to provide an opportunity for the public to give input and comment regarding the redistricting of the BART election districts. Following each federal census, the BART Board of Directors is required to adjust the boundaries of the election districts so the districts shall be as equal in population as practicable. Using the 2020 United States Census as a basis, the Board of Directors must adjust the boundaries of the election districts. Attend one of the virtual meetings listed below to give your input. Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Noon Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 9 a.m. Saturday, January 22, 2022, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at 6 p.m. Translation services available if requested 3 days (72 hours) before the meeting by calling Language Assistance Services at 510-464-6752. For more information, please go to www.bart.gov/redistricting For more details about the meeting Board of Directors email: redistricting@bart.gov Or phone: 510.464.6080 Spanish Translation Reuniones públicas para la redistribución de los distritos electorales de BART La Junta Directiva del Distrito del Transporte Rápido del Área de la Bahía (BART) de San Francisco está realizando reuniones públicas para brindarle al público la oportunidad de ofrecer sugerencias y comentarios con respecto a la redistribución de los distritos electorales de BART. Luego de cada censo federal, la Junta Directiva de BART tiene la obligación de ajustar los límites de los distritos electorales para que estos tengan igualdad de población en la mayor medida posible. La Junta Directiva debe ajustar los límites de los distritos electorales tomando como base el Censo de los Estados Unidos del 2020. Para dar su opinión, asista a una de las reuniones virtuales según se indica a continuación. Se dispondrá de servicios de traducción si estos se solicitan 3 días (72 horas) antes de la reunión a Language Assistance Services (asistencia de servicio de idiomas) llamando al 510-464-6752. Para obtener más información, visite www.bart.gov/redistricting Chinese Translation 重新劃分 BART 選區的公開會議 舊金山灣區捷運局 (BART) 董事會正舉行多場公開 會議，讓民眾有機會針對 BART 選區的重新劃分提 供看法和建議。 每當聯邦政府完成人口普查後，BART 董事會需按 規定調整選區邊界，在切合實際的原則下讓各區人 口盡可能均等。董事會必須以 2020 年美國人口普 查為基準，進行選區邊界調整。請參加下列一場虛 擬會議，踴躍提出您的看法。 如需翻譯服務，請於開會前 3 天 (72 小時) 致電 510-464-6752，向語言協助服務組 (Language Assistance Services) 提出申請。欲知詳情，請瀏覽 www.bart.gov/redistricting Vietnamese Translation Các Buổi Họp Công Cộng Về Việc Tái Phân Chia Địa Hạt Các Địa Hạt Bầu Cử Của BART Hội đồng Quản trị của Khu vực Giao thông Nhanh Khu vực Vịnh San Francisco (BART) đang tiến hành các Cuộc họp Công khai để cung cấp cho công chúng cơ hội đóng góp ý kiến và nhận xét về việc tái phân chia các khu vực bầu cử BART. Sau mỗi cuộc điều tra dân số liên bang, Hội đồng Quản trị của BART được yêu cầu điều chỉnh ranh giới của các khu vực bầu cử để các khu vực này có dân số tương đương nhau nhất có thể. Sử dụng kết quả Điều tra Dân số Hoa Kỳ năm 2020 làm cơ sở, Hội đồng Quản trị phải điều chỉnh ranh giới của các khu vực bầu cử. Quý vị vui lòng tham dự một trong các cuộc họp trực tuyến được liệt kê dưới đây để đưa ra ý kiến đóng góp của mình. Có sẵn các dịch vụ phiên dịch nếu được yêu cầu 3 ngày (72 giờ) trước cuộc họp bằng cách gọi cho Ban Dịch vụ Hỗ trợ Ngôn ngữ theo số 510-4646752. Để biết thêm thông tin, vui lòng truy cậpwww.bart.gov/redistricting

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

BECOME A PART OF HISTORY IN BRINGING RAIL SERVICE TO DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO APPLICATIONS DUE FEBRUARY 25, 2022 OR UNTIL FILLED The Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) is soliciting applications from Bay Area residents to serve on the TJPA Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to help shape the discussion in the development of Phase 2 of the Transbay Program and provide input in the operation of the Salesforce Transit Center and rooftop park. The Phase 2 project includes the Downtown Rail Extension (DTX), which will connect Caltrain’s commuter rail service and the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s statewide system to downtown San Francisco. Past CAC members have contributed to the successful planning, development and construction of Phase 1 of the Transbay Program, which includes the Salesforce Transit Center and the Salesforce rooftop park. The TJPA seeks to appoint Committee members that represent the diversity of the Bay Area. There are seven full-term seats available representing the following constituencies: Local Resident from District 6 (zip code 94105 or 94107), Local Business from District 6 (zip code 94105 or 94107), Environmentalist, Member of a planning or good-government non-profit organization, Bicycle advocate, and 2 Regional transit advocate seats. CAC full-terms are for a period of two-years and each member is eligible to serve a maximum of three consecutive terms. The TJPA CAC meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Due to the Stay Safer at Home order, meetings are currently held remotely. Meetings are normally held at the TJPA office at 425 Mission Street, Suite 250, San Francisco, CA. Consistent attendance is required. Applicants are encouraged to apply for all seats listed on the application that they qualify for. If you are interested in being considered, please submit an application to the TJPA via e-mail at cac@tjpa.org or by mail: 425 Mission Street, Suite 250, San Francisco, CA 94105. Applications are available on the TJPA website at https://www. tjpa.org/tjpa/cac/cacrecruitment and are due February 25, 2022 or until filled. 1/27/22 CNS-3548205# BAY AREA REPORTER

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 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039607200

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 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039598300 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 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 1-039605800

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.

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.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039593700

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039593900

JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022

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.

JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039592900

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 VMEI VMEI, 625 LEAVENWORTH ST #302, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT by an individual, and is signed VILMA ANG. The FILE A-039593000 JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022 registrant(s) commenced to transact business under The following person(s) is/are doing business as FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT the above listed fictitious business name or names SELECT PHYSICAL THERAPY, 402 DEWEY BLVD, SAN FILE A-039600700 on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted California Service Bureau. County of San Francisco, Date:01/07/2022 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CA on 01/11/22. by a corporation,Newspaper and is signed PHYSIOTHERAPY POESIA CAFÉ, 4076 18TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA ASSOCIATES, INCFirst (MI). The registrant(s) commenced JAN 20, 27, FEB 03,Number:CNS-3545141# 10, 2022 915 East Street Order 94114. This business is conducted by a limited liabilto transact business under the above listed fictitious Los Angeles CA 90012The statement Newspaper:BAY AREA REPORTER FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT ity company, and is signed ASPROMONTE LLC (CA). business name or names on 07/01/21. FILE Notice A-039598700 The registrant(s) to transact business was filed with the City 229-5524 and County of San Francisco, Phone:(213) Type:GBART - B.A.R.T. BIDcommenced NOTICE The following person(s) is/are doing business as under the above listed fictitious business name or CA on 01/04/22. ALL SET TALENT ADVISORY, 861 FELL ST #A, SAN Fax:(213) Run Dates:1/20/22 names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City JAN 13, 229-5481 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022 FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is – conducted and County of SanAD Francisco, ***PLEASE VERIFY THIS AD IS FOR YOUR NEWSPAPER DO NOT RE-TYPE THIS *** CA on 01/13/22. by an individual, and is signed SELASI SETRANAH. JAN 20, 27, FEB 03, 10, 2022 Bay Area Rapid Transit The registrant(s) commenced to transact business Public Virtual Outreach Meetings For The ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE under the above listed fictitious business name or Redistricting Of BART Election Districts OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City The Board of Directors of the San Francisco Bay OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/11/22. Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is conducting

JAN 13, 20, 27, FEB 03, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039603800

FRANCISCO FILE CNC-22-556857

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

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

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.

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-22-556860

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

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

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.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

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.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039609100

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-039598600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CEDAR LINE STAGING, 1667 32 ND 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

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039609500 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

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039590200 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.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039609300 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.

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

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

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039605500 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.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-039605000

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.

JAN 27, FEB 03, 10, 17, 2022

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Making a pointe Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo returns to Zellerbach Hall

by Philip Mayard

A

lthough he’s only 33 years old, dancer Joshua Thake’s life journey has brought him from a self-described “low-key suburban childhood” in rural Massachusetts to some of the world’s most revered stages, as a member of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, the celebrated all-male drag ballet troupe. Having started dance classes at age 5, Thake spent the next 15 years preparing for a career in dance, including his final years of training at San Francisco Ballet School. Not surprisingly, making ends meet in one of the most expensive cities in the world was challenging for a young ballet student. “I was working at Starbucks 35 hours a week and on Sundays I worked at Calvary Presbyterian’s child care program, looking after 20 rambunctious two-year-olds,” said

Thake. I don’t think I could do that anymore. Back then it was fun, but it was really hard work. And I was doing this while taking a full load of ballet classes.” When he moved to the city, he lived at the SF Ballet’s Jackson House, a large Victorian home near the Presidio, where the company’s older ballet students were housed at that time. He said, “It was a lot of fun if you didn’t mind living with 20 young people all sharing one small kitchen. I’d bring back leftover pastries from Starbucks. I remember unwinding in the living room late at night and hearing the ballerinas scurrying down the stairs like little mice to get their pastries.” When he finished his training at SF Ballet School, he says there were no job prospects for him with the company. “I met with the director of the trainee program and he said, ‘If Béjart (the famed French choreographer who ran Béjart Ballet Lausanne) were still alive he would hire you, he loved

string beans.’ They were looking for linebacker, big muscle types and I did not fit that mold.”

Gogo-ing strong

But Thake loved living in San Francisco and thought his lean body might be suitable for other kinds of performance. “Ballet wasn’t working, so I started gogo dancing at Q Bar and working other jobs, just trying to make a living,” Thake said. “Then I did my first drag performance at the Cinch Saloon on Polk Street. I did ‘Mein Heir’ from Cabaret, and I guess people liked that I could lift my leg above my head! After that, I started booking gigs at other clubs.” Thake found himself embraced by the city’s sisterhood of drag. “The first queen who looked out for me was Honey Mahogany (San Francisco’s first-ever contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race),” Thake recalled. “She and Peaches Christ sponsored me to do a one-woman show. I lip-synched the

Brian Hutchison’s gay noir tale

by David-Elijah Nahmod

O

penly gay actor Brian Hutchison, most recently seen in the 2018 Broadway revival of The Boys in the Band, as well as in its 2020 film version, is what is known in theater circles as a journeyman actor. Though he never became a star, Hutchison has worked steadily over the years, “journeying” from one role to another. He’s a familiar face not only in theater, but on television and in film. Hutchison is also well known for his recordings of audio books, lending his voice to more than one hundred of them. Like many during the pandemic, Hutchison found himself in isolation, which gave him plenty of time to think. And what he thought of has emerged as I Still Think About You, a dark film noir-styled podcast done as a dramatic reading starring himself and featuring a number of his actor friends in supporting roles. I Still Think About You tells the story of Adam (Hutchison), a gay actor in New York

Clure, starting off on his journey in New York, City who enters into a relationship with a the people that he meets. A lot of it is based in slightly older bestselling novelist. All is well truth. I had to change around a few things, I between the two, until an old friend from changed names and locations and a little bit of their past comes back into their lives in a the timeline, but the basis of the story is true.” most disturbing way. Recording the story was relatively easy, as The story is told in seven parts, with each Hutchison has all the equipment he needs in chapter running slightly more than thirty his voiceover recording stuminutes, and is presented dio. Many of his friends are in the style of the old-time actors, and they donated radio dramas which were their time to play the story’s popular in the years before various characters. television. The series is dark, Hutchison noted that the even spooky, and can be story of the podcast comes looked upon as a gay variafairly close to what had haption of film noir. pened to him in real life In an interview, Hutchisome years ago. The story son admits that the story follows 25-year-old Adam was taken from an experiupon his arrival in New York ence he had in his own life City and introduces listeners some years ago. to the various people who “It starts off as a mystery come into his life. memoir,” Hutchison said. Years later, some of these Brian Hutchison “We hear a version of myself, people come back into his this young actor Adam Mc-

entire Judy Garland Carnegie Hall concert. It was the very last performance at Supperclub in SoMa. I did the Desperate Divas pageant that Donna Sachet emceed. I was living in an SRO on Hayes Street, so I’d walk over to do the Saturday night drag shows at Marlena’s. San Francisco’s drag community is incredible.” Thake’s ballet training and his knack for campy drag came together before he became a part of the world-famous Trockaderos, when he auditioned for a smaller company that used men on pointe. “Luckily it was just me and another person,” he said. “I had no formal pointe training and I didn’t have any ribbons or elastics to keep the pointe shoes on, so they kept falling off. I made the ‘ouch pouch’ (typically a carefully constructed bundle of cotton used to pad the toes) out of some old socks. But I guess it went well. I remember the person See page 12 >>

life in distinct and very impressionable ways. One comes back into Adam’s life in a kind and benevolent way, while another comes back in a dark way. The podcast focuses on these stories and how they affect Adam’s life. “I was in a relationship with a guy, an older writer several years ago,” Hutchison recalls. “When we were out of town on a work trip, someone showed up on the street, someone I knew from the past, and it was a very strange encounter. This is someone I was friends with from a job that I had maybe ten years prior. He started questioning me about why I was there, who I was with, was I with this writer, and before he left he asked me, ‘How well do you know him?’” This friend proceeded to ‘warn’ Adam about his boyfriend. “And that was the jumping off point of the whole series,” Hutchison said. “It ended up becoming a sort of strange, dark, ominous, unsettling tale that stretched out over several months, which included more obsessive behavior, more stalking. There were some really dark elements. There was nothing necessarily criminal about it, so it wasn’t about going to the police, so much as it was about my experiences in the psychological chipping away at what I was dealing with.” Due to the pandemic, the cast recorded their roles remotely. Feedback from people who have listened to the podcast has been uniformly positive. The audience, Hutchison reports, has been a mix of LGBTQs and straights. “People are finding that it really is universal,” he said. “The themes of memory and faulty memory or coincidence, of the people we meet early on who come back in to affect our lives; I think all of those things are part of this. If those things are interesting to somebody, it would be a great thing to take a chance on.”t I Still Think About You can be heard free at Apple podcasts and other platforms. https://www.istillthinkaboutyou.com/

Read the full article on www.ebar.com

t

Music & Books>>

January 27-February 2, 2022 • Bay Area Reporter • 11

Karen Mason lets the music play by Gregg Shapiro

I

f you’ve ever listened to a Karen Mason album or been fortunate enough to attend one of her concerts, you can be sure of two things. One, is that you will be blown away by her interpretive skills, and the ease with which she makes even the best-known song all her own. The other thing is that she will make you laugh. Her sense of humor is always on the surface and her laugh is as infectious as can be. If you missed her Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, or other Broadway roles in Hairspray, Mamma Mia! and other musicals, watch her recent acting in the miniseries Halston. On Let the Music Play (Zevely), her wonderful new album, she lifts our spirits with songs of hope and love at a time when we need it most. Gregg Shapiro: You are someone who made the most of the COVID-19 lockdown by regularly livestreaming performances. What did it mean to you to be able to connect with your followers in that way? I have to say three things. It was out of boredom. My husband Paul’s life didn’t change at all because we have a studio in the office. As a record producer, he’d go into the studio and do his work. His life never changed, and I was bouncing off walls. I really wanted to learn a new skill. I knew from the way that the business was going that self-taping was going to be the future and the present. So, I better start learning something new. I took a couple of classes and then I thought, “Why not just jump in and see what it’s like to do it from my living room?” I started doing these little giglets, as I called them. I was surprised, first of all, by how many people showed up, and were so generous with me. I gave money to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and then also paid my musicians. Even though these were (taken from) CDs from the past, they were tracks Chris (Denny) played on and Barry (Kleinbort) collaborated on. It was lovely to be able to do that, but to be able to actually

Karen Mason

connect with people far, far away I don’t see all the time. (As well as those people) when I’m performing in a town, I don’t usually get to see because I’m busy or just living like a nun, trying to be quiet [laughs]. The power of the Internet is overwhelming. It really is. It was a lovely gift to me to be able to just feel like, “Are you out there?” It was a lovely connection to people feeling the same way that I was. I need that relationship. After so many years of live performance, that’s my staple and what I’ve been doing for so long, to not have that immediately, was jarring to me. To be able to even have that much of a connection, where I’m staring into this little hole in my computer and people are writing back and letting me know that know they’re out there and really appreciate what I’m doing. It was very powerful. The uplifting title song of your new CD is both a celebration and a declaration of beginning to return to normalcy over the course of the pandemic. I think it’s one of the first songs I’ve heard to address the subject and you infuse it with musical optimism. First of all, musical optimism … I’m a Midwesterner! That optimism never goes away, no matter what. It’s really funny how this whole thing happened. We started doing Zoom conversations with David Friedman, who co-wrote the song with my husband Paul, and David’s husband Shawn (Moninger) every Tuesday.

I’ve been friends with them, but never close, close friends and then suddenly we’re doing these Zoom meetings and laughing and giggling and getting to know each other and becoming good friends. Paul asked David if he ever wanted to write a song (together). Paul had this idea going through his head. It was after a period of time, and there was always this glimmer of hope (for things to reopen). It’s gonna happen and then it wouldn’t. Paul had the “Let the music play” hook in his head, and maybe a verse or two. He sent it to David. David finished the song. They collaborated back and forth and when I heard the song it was everything that I was thinking, everything I was feeling. It’s not just music, but music is certainly the engine for me of emotion and expression. To be able to have a song that really clarifies it for me; what I’m feeling. I’ve been feeling alone and hopeless, locked into my apartment, not being able to go out [laughs] and be able to connect on a very real, live, inperson, moment with anyone. This song just clarified and expressed it all for me when I heard it. Paul and I had been working on a CD. With the idea of doing something with these tracks we had. When I heard the song “Let the Music Play,” I had no choice. To me, that was the title cut because it said exactly what all of us are feeling. I’ve done it in performance in Chicago and New York. People are crying over it because they’re so ready. It’s not going to be getting back to normal. It’s going to be getting back to a new appreciation, I think, of the things we couldn’t take advantage of during the lockdown. Live performance, going out, sharing. Sharing is such a huge important part of art. We weren’t allowed to do that. The song says it perfectly in three minutes.t

www.karenmason.com

Read the full interview, with music clips, on www.ebar.com

’80s awakening by Jim Piechota

A

fter a novel and a short story collection, Ken Harvey’s latest effort chronicles the life of a young gay man in the 1980s as he wanders stateside and internationally in search of love and adventure. Being that it’s the pre-dawn era of the cell phone revolution, absent is electronic communication via email or text messaging; there is only the written word. The use of handwritten missives and journal entries form the bulk of Harvey’s novel. While this epistolary narrative style doesn’t always translate well in terms of emotional heft and story flow, it does tell an interesting tale of a man’s inward glance at his own motivations and queerness. The story begins in Madrid in 1980 where innocent fresh-faced Casey Adair, a postgraduate student in Spain doing theatre research, begins penning updates to, among many others, his best pal Poppy, a privileged, well-traveled Toronto-born female confidante. To her, he confesses his most intimate emotions and perspectives on life abroad and the complexities of a seemingly endless search for true love.

Love and luck do indeed come knocking, organically even, and not the by-product of those first few nostalgic forays into crowded gay bars where “a silver disco ball spun from the ceiling while a DJ in cutoffs played records.” The passion he craves arrives in the form of Octavio, a sexy hustler intent on stealing Casey’s virginity, though his method of unceremoniously lathering up with hand soap to “make it less painful” forms nothing short of a cringeworthy visual. Casey falls into a fog of unrequited love, while his roommate Gustavo proves a source of inspiration as a political doctorate candidate. Marring these carnal and intellectual joys is the increasing unrest in Spain as the region undergoes a major political upheaval. Fast-forward three years to Casey returning to America, Boston specifically, to work as an educator. As the novel progresses from this point, Casey incrementally loses the innocence he held so dearly back in his Madrid days. He carries over his burgeoning interest in political activism and social justice first formed in Spain to begin protesting

against the American government’s inaction in relation to curative intervention in the AIDS epidemic. As Casey discovers that AIDS took Octavio’s life and is now systematically decimating an already gravely discriminated population, author Harvey injects some very timely details into the mix like the work of Boston’s AIDS Action Committee and Fenway Community Health Center, the political outrage and leadership of Larry Kramer, Ronald Reagan’s inaction, and the hypocrisy of hyper-monetized televangelism. He also deepdives into making up for lost time in his role as an absent father to daughter Grace. The result is a colorful, eventful, vividly written yet bittersweet whirlwind of emotional conflict, intensive introspection, and the kind of self-analysis many readers will easily relate to. This author-reader connection will seal the deal in creating a book that is memorable, relatable (particularly for readers who have lived through the AIDS epidemic), and resonant. Though the novel ends rather abruptly, it resolves many of the loose ends in Casey’s life as he begins to enjoy life as a loving partner, father, and a relatively content gay man.t The Book of Casey Adair by Ken Harvey, Univ. of Wisconsin Press, $18.95 https://www.kenharvey.net/

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<< TV & 50 in 50

12 • Bay Area Reporter • January 27-February 2, 2022

Skating into History The Lavender Tube on sports, SVU and M&Ms

t

appearing on national television, I wanted to represent that part of my identity accurately: as important, but also relatively minor. But I also didn’t want it to seem as if it was some kind of shameful secret.” According to the New York Times, in eighth grade, Schneider was voted “Most likely to appear on Jeopardy!” by her classmates. Schneider is the first openly transgender contestant to qualify for the Tournament of Champions.

Fox Madness Ryan Buggle and Mariska Hargitay in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Figure skating pair Ashley Cain-Gribble and Timothy LeDuc

by Victoria A. Brownworth

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imothy LeDuc is set to become the first openly non-binary athlete to compete at a Winter Olympics. U.S. Figure Skating announced Jan. 22, that 31-year-old LeDuc has been paired with Ashley Cain-Gribble to compete in Beijing. “My hope is that when people see my story, it isn’t focused on me and saying, ‘Oh, Timothy is the first out non-binary person to achieve this level of success in sport,’” LeDuc said during a news conference January 22, according to NBC Sports. “My hope is that the narrative shifts more to, queer people can be open and successful in sports,” LeDuc said. “We’ve always been here, we’ve always been a part of sports. We just haven’t always been able to be open.” In 2019, LeDuc became the first openly gay athlete to win gold in a U.S. pairs’ event, according to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. “I stand on the shoulders of so many amazing queer athletes,” said

<<

Ballets Trockadero

From page 10

running the audition saying, ‘Let me see a little Liza in that pirouette combination!’ I know I was in pain, but when you’re ‘swimming in the river of denial’ you don’t really feel anything.”

Dance and drag

After performing with that company for two years, he auditioned for and was offered a contract with the Trockaderos in 2011. He believes that the dance world is evolving. “Nowadays, it’s more common for boys to have pointe training. Schools are starting to see that it accesses a different muscle group and strengthens them in their own technique. For the Trockaderos, it’s now almost a prerequisite that they have some pointe training.” Although the Trocks are primarily known for their spoofs of the big ‘story ballets’ – in particular Swan

Zoran Jelenic

Joshua Thake as Eugenia Repelskii

LeDuc, who, at 18, told their evangelical Christian parents that they were gay before coming out as nonbinary this year. LeDuc has faced some homophobia as an out athlete. LeDuc hopes that by taking part in their first Olympics, they can open doors for others. “My hope is now being openly non-binary and being outspoken about this, maybe it will make a path for other non-binary and queer athletes that come into pairs in ice dance,” LeDuc said in a video interview with the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “I’m very proud of Timothy, for the journey that they’ve been on. I’m really proud to be their partner, and I will forever support them,” said Cain-Gribble to Reuters. The games are scheduled from February 4 to 20 in Beijing and will be aired on NBC and Peacock.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Comes Out

We have loved Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), the Lake – over the years the company has performed works inspired by choreographers ranging from Balanchine to William Forsythe. “I think it’s important for the Trockaderos to always be a commentary on the ballet world,” Thake said. “When the company started in the ’70s, audiences would come from the Met Opera House for a midnight performance by the Trocks in a loft in the Village. They came for something that was openly mocking what they just paid a lot of money to see. We are still artists who are actively commenting on the ridiculousness that ballet can be. Swan Lake and Paquita will always be part of our repertoire. But we have to shift gears, venture out and create new things. The ballet world is evolving and so are we.” Thake, whose Trockaderos drag persona is Eugenia Repelskii, is excited to return to the Bay Area, having already performed with the company twice at Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall. “The audiences in that auditorium are electric,” said Thake. “They are ready to party! Everyone goes in with an open mind. Whatever fierceness you want to serve them, whatever synapses are being fired from that stage, it’s all accepted by the audience unconditionally. They love you for exactly who you are. It’s one of the best feelings an artist can have.”t Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley campus. $35-$104. February 4 and 5. www.calperformances.org www.trockadero.org

lead detective on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since forever. Now in its 23rd season, the show is the longest-running primetime drama and Hargitay the longestrunning primetime star. Since 2014, Olivia has been raising her adopted son Noah (Ryan Buggle), who was the birth child of a trafficked sex worker whose murder Olivia investigated. They have a very close and open relationship that is quite endearing. On last week’s episode, “Burning with Rage Forever,” bisexuality and nonbinary identity were raised when Noah came out as bisexual to his mother after an intense bullying incident with his friend Hudson. It was a momentous series of scenes that put the lie to the claim that kids don’t know their own identity from an early age. We certainly did. SVU has a complicated history with LGBT+ characters and divested of their bisexual detective Kat Tamin (Jamie Gray Hyder) in 2021. Detective Fin Tutuola (Ice T) also has a gay son, who recurs occasionally. The series has had many LGBTQ storylines, both queer and trans, dating back years. Watch the full episode on demand on NBC or on Peacock.

on Jeopardy! during Trans Awareness Week and she may now be the best known trans person in the U.S. due to her stellar winning streak. Schneider, an engineering manager from Oakland, is now one of only four contestants to win over a million dollars, and is the first woman to do so. She is tied for second place in the number of games won. As of January 21, 2022, Schneider is on a 38-game winning streak. She wrote on Twitter, “The fact is, I don’t actually think about being trans all that often, and so when

Jeopardy! Makes History

Amy Schneider on Jeopardy!

Amy Schneider started her run

It’s outrage week on Fox News where they are torn between laughing at people’s COVID diagnoses and being upset that M&Ms might be androgynous. Yes, it’s all parody all the time over there, where Laura Ingraham announced that Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff, had tested positive for COVID-19–and applauded as she did so. Then Tucker Carlson got riled over M&Ms changing the shoe styles of their anthropomorphized candies so that the green M&M was no longer wearing white gogo boots, but will now sport sneakers. “M&M’s will not be satisfied until every last cartoon character is deeply unappealing and totally androgynous,” Carlson said shrilly. “Until the moment you wouldn’t want to have a drink with any one of them. That’s the goal. When you’re totally turned off, we’ve achieved equity.” Yes, Carlson is talking about which M&M’s are hot enough to have a drink with. Carlson said, “If you look at him, the orange M&M does appear very anxious. Maybe he doesn’t like all the ugly new shoes he sees around him. Maybe he liked the sexy boots.” Maybe Carlson and the orange M&M share the same kink.t

Read the full column on www.ebar.com

50 years in 50 weeks

2013’s heroic hunks by Jim Provenzano

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his week, we’re showcasing two admirable men in very different community subcultures, because we can. Both were featured in our June 13, 2013 issue, and both share a connection to gay erotic liberation. Filmmaker and poet California native James Broughton (1913-1999) was the subject of the documentary film Big Joy: The Adventures of James Broughton. In our feature, he quotes a poem describing his first night with lover Joel Singer: “At Beck’s Motel on the 7th of April we went to bed for three days disheveled the king size sheets never changed the Do Not Disturb ate only the fruits of discovery drank semen and laughter and sweat.” Read David Lamble’s tribute, with excepts from earlier interviews with Broughton, at www.ebar.com/arts_&_culture/ movies/228622 Also California-born, Andy Cross rose through the leather community titles and eventually won the International Mr. Leather contest, all while remaining humble, affable, and one of the most popular leathermen of his era (possibly aided by his occasional gogo dancing in a jock strap at The Powerhouse). In an interview, Cross shared his introduction to the leather/kink community. “I first came into the scene from a sex story online that took place at the Powerhouse, and after I moved here I found out there really is a Powerhouse bar,” said Cross. “I got up the nerve to go with a friend of mine. It was 4 p.m. on a Tuesday! Carlton [now his partner] was bartending. He told me to come back that weekend. I did. I also started going to the Leathermen’s Discussion Group meetings.” Andy also shared the inspiration for his attraction to leather (hint: motorcycles are part of it). Read Scott Brogan’s Q&A with Andy Cross at www.ebar.com/bartab/leather-kink/news//225007 View and download the issue at www.issuu.com/bayareareporter/docs/june_13_2013