Oasis, a San Francisco nightclub known for its bawdy drag shows, announced July 21 that it’s closing its doors January 1. The news was surprising, as it had been viewed as part of the revitalization of the city’s South of Market neighborhood.
“Life is about transformation,” D’Arcy Drollinger, the owner and artistic director of Oasis, stated in a news release. “We transformed a historic building into a safe, joyful, and groundbreaking space for queer art and nightlife. Now, it’s time to transform again. This has been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but also one filled with hope for what comes next.”
Oasis was opened by Drollinger, the late drag performer Heklina, and others in 2014. Heklina had been a part-owner till 2019. It was home to a number of well-attended and iconic continuing San Francisco drag shows, such as “Shit and Champagne,” “Princess,” “Sex and the City Live,” “Reparations,” “Star Trek Live,” and “Baloney.”
Drollinger didn’t return a request for comment July 21 asking for more specific information as to what precipitated the closure. Drollinger was San Francisco’s first official drag laureate, and though her term has ended, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has yet to announce a new one.
Gay Supervisor Matt Dors ey, whose District 6 includes Oasis, called the closure a “heartbreaking loss” in a statement to the B.A.R. July 21.
“I know D’Arcy and the entire team at Oasis worked so hard to hang on through the pandemic,” Dorsey continued. “Their ‘Meals on Heels’ dinner and drag delivery service during the COVID lockdown even earned national attention in the New York Times. I obviously root for the success of all our LGBTQ+ community institutions, but we were especially rooting for Oasis in the District 6 office.”
Dorsey stated he contacted the city’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development and let Drollinger know that, “we’ll convene a meeting with them and all of Oa-
See page 6 >>
Despite weather, revelers will party Up Your Alley
by John Ferrannini
San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood is gearing up to welcome leatherfolk and kinksters to this year’s iteration of the Up Your Alley street fair Sunday, July 27. The smaller event is a warm-up for the larger Folsom Street Fair in late September.
This year, perhaps the biggest obstacle to the fair are weather conditions, as the city’s traditional “No-Sky July” has become the most literal it has been in decades. Only two days this summer have been above historic averages, and weather instruments at San Francisco International Airport have measured the coldest beginning to summer since 1965.
Downtown San Francisco should be partly cloudy, with a high of 66 degrees, on Sunday, according to Apple’s weather forecast. The cloud cover should dissipate mid-afternoon.
“It looks like it’s going to be medium spring for anywhere else in the country,” Folsom Street Executive Director Angel Adeyoha, who is queer and nonbinary, said in a phone interview. “I always tell people to bring layers. Whether or not they listen, it’s San Francisco. Make sure you have a hoodie in your bag, or it can be a little chilly – but that means wearing latex is really on! You won’t overheat.”
The Folsom Street nonprofit that produces Up Your Alley also puts on the more attended Folsom Street Fair, which this year will be September 28. Robert Goldfarb, a gay man who’s the executive director of the Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District in SOMA, said, “We will be out there, rain or shine.”
SF’s Compton’s site allowed to continue as prison reentry use
by Eliot Faine
San Francisco activists lost ground in reclaim-
ing a site of historical resistance by trans people against police violence. The San Francisco Board of Appeals voted July 16 to uphold a letter of determination that allows a prison reentry company to continue operations out of the building that once housed Gene Compton’s Cafeteria.
The 4-1 vote means that GEO Reentry Services, a subsidiary of GEO Group Inc., can continue to utilize 111 Taylor Street as a halfway house for formerly incarcerated people. Transgender activists had hoped the board would deny the letter of determination; GEO Group contracts with the state of California and has operated out of the site for 36 years.
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After city zoning officials granted GEO Reentry Services’ request for the property to continue to be classified for use as group housing, LGBTQ activists appealed the decision. Although they had missed the deadline to do so, the appeals board in the spring had allowed the matter to move forward so they could vote on it.
Sister Anya Streets, a formerly-incarcerated trans woman and member of the Comptons x Coalition aiming to reclaim the building, called the appeals board vote “a betrayal.”
“GEO has no conditional use, no community trust, and no moral claim to this site. The city has
“I don’t think we have any direct contingency plans. I’ve been going to Dore Alley since 1989,” Goldfarb said, using the street fair’s informal name. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a weather event so terrible anything has to close.”
See page 6 >>
Tapia spoke against the GEO Group using the 111 Taylor Street building for its reentry facility during a July 16 news conference held in San
just sanctioned carceral violence in a trans cultural district,” Sister Anya Streets stated in a news release.
The building at 111 Taylor Street in the city’s Tenderloin neighborhood is historic. The ground floor commercial space had housed
Gene Compton’s Cafeteria, where one night in August 1966 a drag queen reportedly threw a cup of hot coffee in the face of a police officer
who tried to arrest her without a warrant. The exact date of the altercation has been lost to time. But the incident sparked a riot between trans and queer patrons of the 24-hour diner and cops, as detailed in the 2005 documentary
“Screaming Queens” by transgender scholar and historian Susan Stryker, Ph.D.
See page 6 >>
Oasis, an LGBTQ nightclub specializing in drag performances, announced it would close January 1.
Rachel Z Photography
Santana
Francisco City Hall.
Eliot Faine
The crowd at last year’s Up Your Alley street fair enjoyed warm weather and plenty of kink. Gooch
Last ‘gay grifters’ defendant sentenced to life
by Ed Walsh
The final defendant in the infamous “gay grifters” murder case was sentenced Friday to life without the possibility of parole. Disbarred gay San Francisco attorney David Replogle whispered quietly to his attorney Peter Morreale as Riverside County Superior Court Judge Anthony R. Villalobos imposed the expected sentence.
Before the July 18 sentencing, the judge heard Replogle’s requests for a new trial but denied the motions. Replogle maintained his innocence throughout his two trials and said that he acted under duress.
Replogle, 76, was convicted of conspiring to murder Palm Springs retiree Clifford Lambert, 74, in 2008. Prosecutors say he was involved in the conspiracy along with four other Bay Area men to kill Lambert in an effort to steal his property and the deed to his home. Lambert was stabbed to death in his kitchen.
Lambert’s remains were found in northern Los Angeles County in 2016 and 2017 but weren’t identified until 2020
In an exclusive interview with the Bay Area Reporter in May, Replogle main-
tained his innocence and said he would have more to say about the case sometime after his sentencing.
“This is right out of Putin’s Russia, and you can quote me on that,” Replogle said at the time, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin and comparing that to his treatment by the legal system in Riverside County.
Another man convicted in the murder, Miguel Bustamante, who identifies
to life without the possibility of parole in April.
McCarthy told police that he and Bustamante were surreptitiously let into Lambert’s home by Niroula, who was meeting with Lambert in his home. Niroula was pretending to be a lawyer who was arranging an inheritance for Lambert. Lambert heard noises in his kitchen and confronted the men there.
Bustamante then stabbed Lambert to death, McCarthy said.
vestigated and tried the defendants during the first trial in 2012. She won convictions but those were thrown out in 2018 because of judicial misconduct. Garcia’s laptop recorded the judge in the case saying to his clerk in what he thought was a private conversation that he didn’t want to open envelopes from Niroula because he was HIV-positive.
as bisexual, told the B.A.R. in an exclusive interview from state prison earlier this month that he believes that Replogle acted under threat from his co-defendant Kaushal Niroula. He said Niroula once showed him a photo of Replogle’s mother and implied to Bustamante that he threatened to harm Replogle’s mother if he didn’t cooperate with him. Niroula was murdered by a cellmate in 2022.
Prosecutors alleged that Replogle, Bustamante, Niroula, Daniel Garcia, and Craig McCarthy were involved in the conspiracy to kill Lambert. McCarthy avoided a life sentence by pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and testifying against the other men. He will be eligible for parole next year.
Garcia, who is gay, was sentenced
McCarthy has since recanted his testimony. In the recently released podcast, “American Hustlers,” he told producer Kim Kantner that he wasn’t in Lambert’s house when he was killed. In a 2021 declaration seeking to have his manslaughter conviction overturned that Bustamante’s wife forwarded to the B.A.R., McCarthy wrote that there were “inconsistencies in my details because the cops fed me bullshit to say. I made up a lot just to be left alone.”
Investigators combed through about 32,000 text messages between the defendants that implicated them in the conspiracy. In an exclusive interview with the B.A.R. in February, Garcia said the texts that implicated him in the murder were falsified. Bustamante told the B.A.R. that he wasn’t in possession of the phone when prosecutors said he received texts from Niroula implicating him in the murder. He said he was not in Lambert’s house when he was murdered.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Lisa DiMaria was in attendance for Friday’s sentencing. She tirelessly in-
Outside court, DiMaria told the B.A.R., “It is one of the most unusual cases in California history. The number of defendants, and largely the amount of resources spent on this case, really rivals no other case.”
Morreale, Replogle’s attorney, left without speaking to reporters.
Niroula, Replogle, and Garcia were dubbed the “gay grifters” because of a number of cons they were alleged to have orchestrated in the Bay Area. Niroula was called the “Dark Prince.” He was born in Nepal and falsely claimed to be Nepalese royalty.
He helped contribute to the closing of New College in San Francisco in 2008. He was given a student visa by the college and had promised the school a $1 million donation. That donation never happened, and the school closed due to financial issues. He also was accused of swindling a Japanese woman he met in Hawaii out of more than a million dollars, and prosecutors say he was involved in a con to steal three condominium units at the One Rincon Tower building in San Francisco. t
New biannual PrEP injectable option rolls out in San Francisco
by John Ferrannini
Patients are already receiving the new PrEP injectable option lenacapavir in the Bay Area, though issues with insurance are complicating the process of getting shots. The new injectable was approved last month by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
As the Bay Area Reporter recently reported, lenacapavir, made by Gilead Sciences Inc. under the brand name Yeztugo, is the longest-acting HIV prevention method yet. While the other injectable option, Apretude, by ViiV Healthcare, approved in 2021, requires injections every two months, lenacapavir only requires injections twice a year.
But as the B.A.R. also recently reported, at least one San Francisco patient reported difficulty getting Apretude from his primary care provider. Dr. Nas Mohamed, a gay man working with the San Francisco AIDS Foundation to increase access to HIV preventative care in the LGBTQ community, said that there are logistical issues with medicines not commonly used by the general population.
“A lot of insurance plans pick one specific pharmacy they want to work with,” Mohamed told the B.A.R. last month, because “ordering, storing, and dealing with the medication” is more difficult than for oral PrEP. Further, a navigator to remind people to return for HIV tests and appointments for injections is something companies would have to pay for themselves, he said. PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, refers to the use of antiviral drugs to prevent people exposed to HIV from becoming infected. The pill Truvada was first approved for PrEP use in 2012 by the FDA; since then, the agency has also approved the pill Descovy for some groups, Apretude, and Yeztugo. Mohamed, who runs Osra Medical in San Francisco, provided what are believed to be the first Yeztugo injections in the Bay Area, and among the first in the country. He told the B.A.R.
July 14 that as of that time, only nine doses had been administered in the entire U.S.
Yeztugo has an annual price tag of $28,000 without insurance coverage, leading some advocates to express concern that the cost could limit availability as HIV prevention funding is being slashed in the U.S. and worldwide.
Asked if it is rolling out Yeztugo or deferring to Mohamed’s practice, Stephanie Rivera, the assistant vice president of clinic administration for SFAF’s Magnet clinic at its Strut health center in the Castro, stated that, “SFAF’s Magnet clinic will provide Yeztugo to new and existing PrEP clients. We are currently developing clinic protocols to offer this new injectable PrEP option. The opening of our pharmacy at Strut will also allow us to increase our capacity to offer injectable options for PrEP. We look forward to bringing this game-changing method of PrEP to our community.”
A spokesperson stated she will try to get more specific information about when exactly Yeztugo will be rolled out. SFAF’s pharmacy is expected to open this year.
For now, Osra Medical appears to be the first in the Bay Area to provide the new PrEP.
“Gilead told us we were the first in the Bay Area to give the shot,” Mohamed said.
Patients are pleased
A 30-year-old gay man from Oakland who wishes to remain anonymous because he’s not out to his family was the first of Mohamed’s patients. He said it only took a couple of weeks from when he found out about Yeztugo from news reports to when he got the shot.
The man said he “sometimes flat out” forgot to take daily oral PrEP pills. “So it was that entire side of the equation for me, to ensure I have coverage,” he added.
The man also described the experience of getting the injections.
“You get two injections on each side of the abdomen – little to no pain,” he said in a phone interview. “It feels red for a day or two, but now if I touch the spots I can feel capsules under the skin, so it’s nice not to have to think about it.”
He had been on Apretude in between the transition from oral PrEP to Yeztugo, he said.
“It reduces my number of visits,” he said. “It’s the level of peace and protection one would get with a vaccine. I’m going to see my doctor on a semiannual basis anyway, so if I get it done on that visit, I’m good to go. I love it from that perspective.”
In terms of insurance issues, he was rejected by Aetna, his provider, initially, but Mohamed put in an appeal.
A spokesperson for Aetna stated to the B.A.R. simply that, “Given the product was recently approved, we are still evaluating our longer-term coverage policies for Yeztugo.”
“I’m pleased with that outcome,” the man concluded. “I don’t know how other insurance companies will handle it. In my case, it went smoothly.”
A 26-year-old gay man from Sacramento, who also wished to remain anonymous, got the injection July 16. He went to Mohamed after his primary care provider – One Community Health – wouldn’t prescribe him Yeztugo.
Disbarred San Francisco attorney David Replogle, left, talked with his attorney, Peter Morreale, at his July 18 sentencing hearing in Riverside County Superior Court.
Ed Walsh
Dr. Nas Mohamed has started providing the new twice-yearly PrEP to patients.
Courtney Lindberg Photography
New parent org planned for Peninsula LGBTQ center Community News>>
by John Ferrannini
The San Mateo County Pride Center will be moving to a “more sustainable” parent organization after fiscal sponsor StarVista announced July 17 it will be shuttering August 1. San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President David Canepa called the news “disappointing.”
The Peninsula center’s Executive Director Francisco “Frankie” Sapp, a disabled, biracial, queer, transgender man, said in a phone interview with the Bay Area Reporter July 21 that “by-and-large the Pride center is absolutely going to be OK.”
Sapp said the center was already in the process of finding another fiscal sponsor – the announcement StarVista would be closing in a matter of weeks “has only changed our timeline.”
The center is going to have to move, though, by August 1. The center stated in a July 22 email, after the phone interview, that it will have to leave its space at 1021 S. El Camino Real and needs a new home.
“Do you have an alternative location for the Pride Center to use? At a discounted rate or for free?” the email stated. “The Pride Center needs a new home after August 1. If you have an office space, or may know someone who does, please connect with us! Our needs are small. Ideally, we need a main drop-in space with 1-2 administrative offices. However, we can be flexible and creative. We ARE LGBTQ+ after all – it’s in our nature.”
To that end, the center is having two packing parties, July 26 and 27, from noon to 6 p.m.
In an email July22, Sapp stated that StarVista’s news “did abbreviate our timeline.”
“I’ve been working closely with the StarVista’s executive team since the beginning of their financial crisis,” Sapp
Obituaries >>
Richard Walton “Dick” Hewetson
March 31, 1930 – July 19, 2025
On July 19, 2025, at the age of 95, Richard Walton “Dick” Hewetson died by doctor-assisted suicide at Brookdale Senior Living in San Jose, California. Born near Chicago on March 31, 1930, he grew up in a world where homosexuality was considered illegal, immoral, and an illness. For the first 42 years of his life, he did everything to fit in. From ages 16 to 20, he had a girlfriend, even though he was never in love with her. He chose the Episcopal priesthood as his career, where he thought he would be accepted as an unmarried man.
At the age of 42, he became involved in the budding gay rights movement. He emerged from the closet (“ripping the door off its hinges,” according to a friend). He championed a gay rights ordinance that passed in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1977. As an active union member, he helped ensure Minnesota state employees had the first union contract protection for LGBTQ+ employees in the nation.
He helped his then-partner David Irwin establish Quatrefoil Library. Opening in February 1986, it became one of the largest LGBTQ+ libraries in the country, and the de facto LGBTQ+ center for the Twin Cities. Concluding that the greatest enemy of LGBTQ+ people was religion, in 1978, he joined the Freedom From Religion Foundation and continued a life of activism including mental health issues, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the separation of state and church. He was a lifelong avid bridge player.
At the age of 80, he met the love of his life, John Vu, a Vietnamese refugee.
In addition to Vu, Dick is also survived by his beloved niece and nephew,
added. “It’s because of their transparency that the Pride Center has already been actively working on our sustainability plans even during their merger negotiations. The work we’ve been doing has included sourcing a new fiscal sponsor, an alternative location, and pursuing our own 501(c)3 status. Our goal is to become an independently operating nonprofit by next fiscal year, July 2026.”
Speaking to the B.A.R. by phone Thursday, July 17, Canepa added when asked about the future of the LGBTQ center, “The county is probably going to take it over for now. That’s my understanding.”
Asked if there was enough money to do that, he said, “I don’t know. We’re still looking into it. It’s really chaotic. We are trying to figure it out still.”
Before saying he had to go, Canepa said he wanted to call for a hearing to find out what happened at StarVista. But he was unsure as of yet on the timing.
Asked if the county would be the fiscal sponsor, Sapp said as of July 21 that’s not needed after all.
“The county, when I was able to
Kim and Ron Spawn, and countless cherished friends.
Much more about Dick is available at dickhewetson.net.
Donations can be made to Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org and Quatrefoil Library, the Facebook page for which is at www.facebook. com/QuatrefoilLibrary/.
Lisle Richard Taaje
June 15, 1953 – June 3, 2025
Lisle Taaje, 71, artist, activist, author, and beloved friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Palm Springs, California on June 3, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born in Palo Alto, California, Lisle dedicated his life to compassion, creativity, and community. He was the founder of City Model Management, where he mentored countless models with warmth, integrity, and a deep belief in their potential.
Lisle was a tireless advocate for those living with HIV/AIDS. He founded Make Love Not AIDS, a nonprofit that mobilized the fashion and arts communities to raise awareness and support. Diagnosed with HIV in the 1980s, he lived with strength and purpose.
For over a decade, he spent every Christmas Day volunteering in homeless shelters, serving meals and dignity to those in need.
He was preceded in death by his partner, Paul Baldacci; his parents; siblings; and beloved dog, Red. He is survived by his aunt, cousins, niece, nephews, loyal dog Rex, and a wide circle of devoted friends and chosen family.
A memorial picnic will be held on Sunday, October 26, from noon to 3 p.m. at the National AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
At the time, he was hopeful StarVista could continue in some form, saying that while he is not personally privy to these conversations, he knew “conversations are taking place among nonprofit providers” and that “it’s too early to begin” discussions about what happens if a proposed merger failed.
“We want to make sure the social safety net services continue to be provided,” Canepa said. “We’ll get there. I don’t know if we’re there yet. … There may be an announcement in the next several weeks.”
valid fear and worry about the ‘end of StarVista,’ the uncertainty for its programs, and the potential loss of services for the thousands of clients served across the county,” Sapp previously stated to the B.A.R. “Within the organization’s legacy are the great leaders, clinicians, and staff members that I have had the great privilege of working with, who are also worried about their programs, clients, and now, individual futures.”
meet with them … they were willing to fiscally sponsor our programs if needed,” Sapp said. “It seems [now] it is not needed, but I would like to highlight the incredible response and support we are getting from the county, and county officials.”
Sapp said he is in conversations with a number of nonprofits to take over fiscal sponsorship, including over the weekend, but was not willing to say which ones in order to avoid putting people “on the spot” without their permission during ongoing negotiations. Sapp expressed his disappointment and sadness about StarVista services and staff, unrelated to the center, that may be on the chopping block.
The B.A.R. had previously reported on the imminent changes to the Pride Center, which has been a project of Star Vista since its opening in 2017. Canepa had told the B.A.R. earlier this month that, “We have no intention of shutting down the [LGBTQ] center. We put a lot of resources and money into it. Continuing to see that it delivers services is important.”
“We are heartbroken to share this news,” said Shareen Leland, LMFT, the acting CEO of StarVista, stated in a news release. “Our team, our potential merger partner, and our San Mateo County partners worked together in good faith to navigate StarVista’s complex situation. We are deeply grateful for their time, care, and thoughtful consideration of our programs, clients, and staff. While this was not the outcome we had hoped for, we remain committed to supporting a thoughtful transition.”
StarVista has been serving the Peninsula for six decades. In its announcement, it stated it had “pursued a merger in the last month with another nonprofit organization in San Mateo County,” but that this and other options were unsuccessful.
The Pride Center, along with StarVista’s crisis center, “will be moving to more sustainable homes within the county and will continue operations throughout this process,” the announcement stated.
“We will continue to share updates on the progress of these transitions,” the announcement continued.
As the B.A.R. reported in its ongoing series about LGBTQ centers, Sapp stated that the center has a budget of $1.5 million and that it serves 12,000 people annually.
“I know there has been a lot of
On June 27, the center sent out a statement of reassurance to the Peninsula’s LGBTQ community via email.
“As you may be aware, after facing significant financial challenges StarVista (parent agency of the Pride Center) is pursuing a merger with a larger, more financially stable nonprofit organization,” it states, in part. “We want to assure you that the Pride Center will not be closing. We remain committed to supporting you, our community, and are dedicated to prioritizing your needs as best we can.”
The statement continued that, “Sadly, however, the Pride Center will be operating in a reduced capacity. As such, we will unfortunately need to shift and limit some of our current programs and services. Currently, we are strategizing on how best to meet the needs of our clients and community as the details about the merger and the impact of the losses to our center become more clear.”
Caminar, a behavioral health organization that supports 41,000 youth and adults across seven counties, provides similar services to those provided by StarVista. Asked if Caminar would consider a merger, a spokesperson stated to the B.A.R. in late June that, “Caminar is always exploring ways to strengthen our impact and better serve our communities, but at this time we have no updates to share.” t
The San Mateo County Pride Center will continue operating after its fiscal agent, StarVista, ceases operations August 1.
Matthew S. Bajko
Volume 55, Number 30
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A rare win for LGBTQ nonprofits
In the face of relentless attacks by the Trump administration on the LGBTQ community over the last six months, it’s nice to celebrate a win. Last week, the community got a victory when Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund announced that the federal government had restored $6.2 million in funding to nine LGBTQ organizations that had filed suit against President Donald Trump for rescinding their grants. In addition to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, the lead plaintiff, two other local nonprofits are involved: the San Francisco Community Health Center and the GLBT Historical Society.
The restoration of funding is critically important so that the nonprofits can continue their work. In the case of SFAF, which just announced the elimination of 34 staff positions in order to address a $5.71 million deficit, the news is welcome indeed. As Lambda Legal noted, the restored funding follows a ruling in June from the U.S. District Court for the Northern California District of California granting a preliminary injunction blocking three of Trump’s executive orders. The court held in San Francisco AIDS Foundation v. Trump that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in showing that multiple provisions of two anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion orders and an anti-transgender executive order are unconstitutional.
Specifically, as we reported online last week, the suit challenges executive order No. 14168, which states that, “It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female,” and defines sex as “an individual’s immutable biological classification” and not a synonym for gender identity. This order on gender identity also prohibits federal contractors and grantees from recognizing and respecting their identities or advocating for their civil rights. The lawsuit also challenges executive orders Nos. 14151 and 14173, which terminate equity-related grants and prohibit federal contractors and grantees from employing DEI and accessibility principles in their work.
The San Francisco AIDS Foundation, San Francisco Community Health Center, and the GLBT Historical Society were three local nonprofits that had federal funding restored after a preliminary injunction against President Donald Trump was issued in their federal lawsuit. Courtesy the agencies
“We have confirmed that our plaintiffs – LGBTQ+ organizations providing critical services to their communities – have seen their threatened funding restored,” stated Jose Abrigo, a Lambda Legal senior attorney and HIV project director. “When we fight, we win. We know the battle is far from over and there will be setbacks along the way, but the cause is too important, and the need too great, for us to lose heart.”
While the court case continues to proceed, it’s good news that the federal money has been restored.
Unfortunately, other federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have given the president everything he wants. Recent orders from the high court allow Trump to proceed with dismantling the Department of Education and fire other federal workers.
The Supreme Court last month upheld a Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors. In its next term, the justices will hear arguments about trans women and girls playing on female sports teams. So, by no means can the LGBTQ community count on the courts to protect it during this absolutely dismal period of attacks on our democracy. However, some federal judges have shown they will follow the law, and that’s what has happened so far in San Francisco AIDS Foundation v. Trump.
In addition to the San Francisco nonprofits, the other plaintiffs are the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Prisma Community Care in Arizona, the New York City LGBT Community Center, the Bradbury-Sullivan Community Center in Pennsylvania, Baltimore Safe Haven in Maryland, and FORGE in Wisconsin.
Roberto Ordeñana, a gay man who is executive director of the GLBT Historical Society, stated to the B.A.R., “The GLBT Historical Society was previously notified that a National Endowment for the Humanities grant awarded to support critical archival storage had been canceled. Following the court’s preliminary injunction, that cancellation notice has been rescinded, and we now anticipate receiving the remaining available funds before the grant term ends.”
We have seen some federal courts serve as the last line of defense against some of the Trump administration’s hideous orders and policies.
Nonprofits are critical to American society, as they provide services that either supplement public services or replace them. For the LGBTQ community, that means programs and services that serve our own, which is important in this age of MAGA voices trying – and in many cases succeeding – to gut funding. In terms of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, back in the 1980s the “San Francisco model” saw nonprofits spring up when the federal government did nothing. Thankfully, that has changed with federal programs such as the Ryan White CARE Act, but those dollars are not enough to serve everyone, hence, the need for nonprofit organizations, which also receive private donations, grants, and funding from state and local governments. In the first six months under Trump, we have also seen HIV prevention dollars drastically curtailed, which is a shame since there are effective prevention strategies such as PrEP that could dramatically reduce transmission of the virus. Federal money for the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS has also been decimated in the One Big Beautiful Bill that Trump signed July 4. While the restoration of federal dollars among the nine plaintiffs in Lambda Legal’s case isn’t nearly enough, it does send a message to Trump that not all of his baseless executive orders stand up to legal scrutiny. As Lambda Legal indicated, there will be other setbacks along the way, some of them likely severe. But, for the moment, we’ll take this win and the federal funding that was appropriated to the nine nonprofits in the first place. t
California funds 6 more months of LBTQ care
by Maritza Martinez
“Six more months!” I shouted as a group of my Horizons Foundation colleagues screamed with excitement.
We were gathered at Mission Dolores Park the evening of Friday, June 27, preparing to embark on this year’s Trans March when the foundation’s president, Roger Doughty, showed me a news release on his phone. The California Budget Act of 2025 had passed and – to my surprise – a continuation of funding for the LBTQ health equity contract we manage had survived the budget negotiations, guaranteeing six more months of funds to address health inequities experienced by Californians who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer.
The poignancy of the time and place of receiving this news struck me. Marching in San Francisco against a flurry of attacks on the trans community, including denying gender-affirming care for trans youth, censoring LGBTQ voices in classroom curriculum, and defunding queer youth support through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – all devastating blows to the LGBTQ community nationwide – I couldn’t help but reflect upon how California’s support of LGBTQ communities continues to be critically important, not only for Californians but for all who see the state as a safe haven.
We had all been holding our breath awaiting the fate of our contract with the California Department of Public Health’s Office of Health Equity (OHE).
In the governor’s May Revision of the state budget, these funds were stripped and contract cancellation procedures were initiated. It was a rollercoaster of uncertainty as we all rushed to come up with contingency plans and our partners began to offboard clients and let their staff know their positions may no longer exist. Thanks to the advocacy from California’s Health Equity Coalition, the budget that was approved by the state Legislature in late June
restored these funds. Despite the disruption, it’s encouraging to see the state of California holds steady as President Donald Trump and the U.S. Supreme Court systematically strip away access to critical health care for LGBTQ youth, families, and communities.
The OHE contracts fund vital services like peer support, mental health, community building programming, resource navigation, and much more. These services are provided by anchor organizations throughout the state. In the case of our contract, those include: El/La Para TransLatinas, Gender Health Center, Lyon-Martin Community Health, Pacific Center for Human Growth, San Francisco Community Health Center, and Young Women’s Freedom Center. During my time managing this contract, I have witnessed the incredible work made possible by this funding. That only makes the uncertainty of losing this resource in our community all the more nerve-racking. These organizations provide transgender and gender-nonconforming clients with individual and
relational counseling, translation services to clients accessing health care, case management for LBTQ elders, safe spaces for connection and skill-building for youth, and much more. They are a home and a lifeline for so many in our community.
Had these funds not been reinstated, our work would have ended June 30 – unexpectedly six months ahead of schedule – reducing access to essential care for people of all ages. And as we watched the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill travel through Congress – it was approved and Trump signed it July 4 – we brace for another round of destructive cuts to health care and benefits that will continue to erode our social safety net. Time and time again, I have seen that it is our community organizations who fill the gap in services and uplift our LGBTQ community.
Undoubtedly, the flood of legislation restricting access to health care will drive LGBTQ individuals and families to our state, given its history and reputation as a refuge. Our partner organizations offering direct services have seen an increase of clients from outside of the state in recent years as other states restrict access to care. Right now, California is a beacon of hope in an otherwise bleak period of our country’s history.
While we are relieved and thankful that the essential funding for LBTQ services remains in the state budget, additional funds are needed to maintain and grow key services for our community to meet the moment. We cannot stand down, but instead must hold our elected officials accountable, support our LGBTQ organizations, and make our voices heard. We’re going to need a lot more than just six more months of funding. t
Maritza Martinez, who identifies as queer, is the LBTQ initiative manager at Horizons Foundation, an LGBTQ philanthropic organization based in San Francisco. This piece was first published on Horizons Foundation’s blog. https://www. horizonsfoundation.org/
Maritza Martinez
Courtesy the subject
CA suicide line LGBTQ training details sparse
by Matthew S. Bajko
More than a month after Governor Gavin Newsom ballyhooed California would step up to train counselors at a state suicide support line for youth on LGBTQ issues, his office and state agencies have few specifics to share on how they plan to do so. Meanwhile, such support for LGBTQ youth provided by a national helpline has ended.
As of July 17, the Trump administration canceled the specially trained LGBTQ crisis counselors youth under the age of 25 could request when calling the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It was known as the “Press 3 option,” as when prompted, youth could press the number three (or text it) to be connected to one of the counselors.
The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration had announced June 18 the counselors would no longer serve queer and trans youth come this month, as the Bay Area Reporter had reported.
That same Wednesday, Newsom’s office touted how California was “stepping up with historic mental health investments, including a $4.7 billion Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health and continued partnerships with organizations like The Trevor Project to provide LGBTQ suicide prevention for youth.”
A separate news release that day from gay Assemblymember Mark González (D-Los Angeles), that also quoted Newsom and Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, noted the Legislature had backed Newsom’s allocation request for $17.5 million to support the 988 State Suicide and Behavioral Health Crisis Services Fund. It noted the funding would “ensure calls are directed to trained, culturally competent counselors who understand the needs of the communities they serve.”
fication about something they say.”
But Henson said it was too soon to discuss specifics about the LGBTQfocused training module for the California-based helpline counselors, such as what it would entail and when it would be rolled out.
“As quickly as humanly possible,” he pledged. “We recognize this is a pressing need. California recognizes this is a pressing need.”
A month later, Newsom’s office announced on July 16 that the California Health and Human Services Agency, known as CalHHS, and the LGBTQyouth focused nonprofit Trevor Project had formed “a new partnership” to train the counselors staffing the dozen 988 call centers around the state on how to best address the needs of LGBTQ youth calling the helpline. The goal, per the gubernatorial announcement, is “to provide the state’s 988 crisis counselors enhanced competency training from experts, ensuring better attunement to the needs of LGBTQ youth, on top of the specific training they already receive.”
Yet, how soon the 500-plus statebased counselors will receive the training remains unclear. Nor is it known how much doing so will cost, as officials with several state agencies, Newsom’s office and The Trevor Project all told the B.A.R. in recent days they could not provide a price tag for the training.
During a phone interview last week with the B.A.R. Trevor Project interim Vice President for Advocacy and Government Affairs Mark Henson had said he didn’t know the specifics in terms of the cost for the training. He did say the agency would not be getting all of the $17.5 million allocation.
Henson stressed that LGBTQ youth in the Golden State needing assistance now should feel comfortable calling 988. The Trevor Project training will be “supplementing” the California counselors’ “existing competence and knowledge” they already possess, he explained.
“The key here is 988 counselors across the U.S. are trained in suicide prevention techniques,” said Henson. “We want to make sure LGBTQ youth who call are met with affirmation and support instead of inadvertently met with confusion or being asked for clari-
Sent a follow-up email with questions on how long the training would take to complete and if it would be conducted in-person or online, Hanson reiterated his initial response in an emailed reply July 21 to the B.A.R. “We’re at the earliest stages of this partnership that will ultimately result in the hundreds of crisis counselors across California’s 12 centers receiving extra training and skills development to support LGBTQ+ youth in crisis and improve their outcomes. We encourage more states to follow California’s example,” wrote Henson.
A spokesperson for Newsom directed the B.A.R. to contact CalHHS with its questions regarding the state’s partnership with The Trevor Project.
The agency last week declined to make its secretary, Kim Johnson available for an interview and told the B.A.R. that no staffer could speak with it. A spokesperson did disclose it will be “months” before the LGBTQ training for the state helpline counselors is rolled out.
“CalHHS and The Trevor Project will partner to work with California 988 Crisis Centers to effectively address the needs of all Californians who contact 988, inclusive of LGBTQ+ young people. In the coming months, The Trevor Project will provide trainings to equip 988 crisis center staff with welcoming, culturally competent, and risk-informed skills to serve LGBTQ+ young people, on top of the training they already have,” wrote public information officer Vincent Martinez with the agency’s Office of External Affairs in an emailed reply to the B.A.R. July 18.
In response to follow-up questions about specifics on the training, Martinez told the B.A.R. July 21 that CalHHS and The Trevor Project are “in the process of developing a workplan” for it. As for the paper’s funding related questions, he directed the B.A.R. to inquire with the state’s Department of Health Care Services on how the $17.5 million will be spent.
A spokesperson for that agency told the B.A.R. it would be unable to respond to questions prior to the paper’s July 23 print deadline.
To address inflated rates of suicidal ideation in LGBTQ youth, González is the author this year of Assembly Bill 727, which will require The Trevor Project’s 24 hours per day, 7 days per week suicide hotline 1-866-488-7386 be included on student identification
cards given to those in grades 7 to 12 and enrolled in the state’s public colleges and universities. (The line also can be accessed by texting START to 678-678.)
Newsom this spring pledged to sign the bill into law once it hits his desk. The impacted schools would have un til July 1, 2026, to update the design of their ID cards for pupils.
In a recent phone interview with the B.A.R. González faulted the Trump administration for not only ending the dedicated counselors for LGBTQ youth via the national helpline but also for the myriad actions it has taken to defund critical programs “for folks across the board.”
“It sucks this is what they want to do federally. Lives are at stake, but this administration does not care,” said González, adding that when it comes to protecting vital programs for Californians, “Our job here is to keep, keep, keep.”
Via both passage of his bill and the funding allocation for the state’s suicide crisis services fund, González said the goal of California lawmakers is to ensure LGBTQ youth facing a mental health crisis are provided the life-saving assistance they require.
“As it relates to my bill, we are mak ing sure that number is accessible. We would not put a bill forward and get it signed and then have the number not be accessible,” said González. “I know the Governor made a commitment early on to keep this line alive, at least here in California.”
Youth anywhere in the U.S. can call The Trevor Project’s own helpline number and receive support. As for the 988 number, a youth needs to be located in California in order to be connected with a counselor at one of the 12 call centers in the Golden State.
Thus, a youth from a different state who happens to be visiting California and calls 988 would be routed to one of the state-based counselors who will be receiving the LGBTQ cultural competency training. Henson told the B.A.R. the Golden State is, so far, the only one to engage it in providing such training.
He noted that The Trevor Project’s experts are “equipped with a care model developed over the last 27-plus years” and stressed to the B.A.R. that they “are available to support crisis counselors at any center, in any state, across the country.”
And Henson reiterated his agency’s “gratitude that California’s state government has stepped in to help fill the gap in crisis care for LGBTQ+ youth in their state by partnering with The Trevor Project to provide the state’s 988 general crisis counselors with critical LGBTQ+ competency training. This is a step in the right direction and a signal that California understands the premise that high-risk groups like LGBTQ+ youth require specialized care to meet their unique needs.” t
If you are experiencing a crisis, call The Trevor Project at 1-866488-7386 or visit thetrevorproject.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced a new partnership with The Trevor Project to train counselors at a state supported crisis line for youth on LGBTQ issues but has offered few details about the plan.
Bill Wilson
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Up Your Alley, centering on Dore Alley, will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., bound between Howard Street on the north, Harrison Street on the south, Ninth Street on the west and 11th Street on the east.
There have been a few changes from prior years, Adeyoha said.
The fair originally started on Ringold Street in 1985 and moved to being centered at Dore in 1987, which had led to the small alleyway being used as the event’s colloquial nickname by kinksters and BDSM enthusiasts the world over.
Coat check will be near Powerhouse, at Dore and Folsom Street. Powerhouse is also serving drinks, along with Folsom Street Foundry, for attendees to consume in the event’s gated footprint.
Adeyoha said that parking may be “even trickier” this year because of construction on Folsom Street, due to the ongoing Folsom Streetscape project.
Oasis
From page 1
sis’ employees to make sure they’re plugged into job placement and workforce services.”
“My whole office is committed to helping them however we can. I know I’ll personally miss their ‘Drunk Drag Red Carpet and Oscar Party,’ and will need to find a new Academy Awards tradition next year,” Dorsey concluded. “But we’re just all saddened by the closure.”
A spokesperson for the Office of Economic and Workforce Development stated to the B.A.R. July 22 that it “has been engaging with Oasis to ensure that they are connected with
<< Compton’s site
From page 1 << Up Your Alley
The property earlier this year became the first one of its kind, granted federal landmark status specifically for its connection to the transgender movement in the U.S. It is also now on the California Register of Historical Resources.
In 2022, San Francisco officials had landmarked the intersection of Turk and Taylor in front of the building in recognition of the uprising by the LGBTQ Compton’s patrons. The city’s 307th landmark also included portions of the structure’s exterior walls containing the commercial space that had housed the Compton’s eatery on both the Turk and Taylor street facades.
In their appeal, local activists, historians, and scholars claimed alleged errors in the city’s Planning Department determination. Chandra Laborde, author of the appeal, cited the lack of investigation into, or oversight of, GEO Group’s operations at the facility at the hearing.
Besides allegations of abuse, surveillance, and overcrowding, organizers of the appeal claim that as a federally recognized landmark, the site should reflect its original historical impact.
The appeal came just after the expiration of GEO’s contract with
PrEP
From page 2
A spokesperson for One Community Health stated that, “We are fully committed to ensuring equitable access to the most effective and up-todate care options—including PrEP— for all who need them.
“As with any newly released medication, operational and regulatory steps must be taken before it becomes available at our health center,” the spokesperson continued. “Our clinical and pharmacy teams are actively working with the drug manufacturer and our pharmaceutical distributor to secure access
“We’re having a walk through to make sure it’s as clear as possible, but there’s still digging,” along Folsom, Adeyoha said. The project, which began in May 2024, is expected to take more than two years to complete.
“The project scope of work consists of sewer and water replacement, curb ramp reconstruction, pavement reno-
resources and programs to support them and their staff in the weeks and months to come.”
“We will also continue to advance policies and programs to support nightlife and entertainment businesses as they help drive San Francisco’s comeback,” the spokesperson added. “Our nightlife industry is vital, not only to San Francisco’s economy, but to its heart and soul.”
Honey Mahogany, a Black queer trans person who is a drag performer in addition to being executive director of the city’s Office of Transgender Initiatives, stated that Drollinger is “a hero” who “dreamed big and worked hard and made [Oasis] one of the most renowned drag venues in the country and a star of
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation at the end of June. The GEO reentry facility operated on a previous letter of determination to keep its contracts. With the approval of the latest letter of determination, GEO will be able to renew its contract with the state for another three years.
San Francisco zoning administrator Corey Teague, who signed off on the letter of determination, said at the hearing that the scope of the letter of determination is “narrow.” It reaffirms, as it has the past 10 years, that GEO Group is operating a group housing facility out of 111 Taylor Street. Teague, along with senior building inspector Joseph Ospital, confirmed two “ongoing” complaints about the facility.
Coincidentally, identifying as group housing allows a loophole from Assembly Bill 32. The bill, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019, prohibits the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from renewing or entering new contracts with private, for-profit prisons by 2028. Under the law, the state will not contract for detention facilities with GEO Group Inc. But, as Stryker pointed out during public comment, providing medical or rehabilitative services allows the facility to remain.
to Yeztugo. Additionally, we are working through insurance and reimbursement channels to ensure patients can access it affordably and safely.”
The Sacramento man said that, “I did the research before FDA approval. … I contacted my primary care in Sacramento, and they would not provide it, but Dr. Nas [Mohamed] popped up on a Google search. I talked to him and, from there, I got rejected by insurance.”
The man said he paid $200 out of pocket that he was told he might be able to get reimbursed.
Asked why he decided Yeztugo was right for him, he said, “I’ve been on PrEP – Descovy – for four of the last five years. … Taking the pills every single day is a
and grading of the corner sidewalks, as well as curb/gutter replacement, should be done by July 25 on Folsom Street between Eighth and 11th streets. Work on demolition and restoration on the curb and gutters on the north side of Folsom Street began July 22.
Asked of any major differences from prior fairs, Adeyoha said this year there are more exhibitors, so much so that, “We are considering expanding the footprint next year.”
Leather district’s gear swap
Goldfarb said that the leather district’s booth – which will be on Folsom Street between Dore Alley and 10th Street, across from the Hole in the Wall Saloon – will have a gear swap.
vation landscaping, street lighting, and traffic signals,” San Francisco Public Works stated. “We are aware of the inconvenience caused by construction and apologize in advance. We will do everything possible to minimize the impact of our activities on your neighborhood.”
Public Works stated that demolition
the San Francisco nightlife, theater, and drag scene.
“Thank you to D’Arcy for giving so many queens, kings, and creatures a home, a stage, and a chance to live their wildest, most epic dreams,” Mahogany continued. “We know there are many more chapters to come for you, and we’re so excited to get behind your next big adventure. To all of the many talented, dedicated, and wonderful OASIS staff – THANK YOU! You all are part of the magic that makes SF so special. Oasis isn’t closed yet though! I hope to see many of you there over the next few months.”
Drollinger stated that Oasis is “more than a nightclub – it’s a movement. And movements don’t need
Public comment
Del Seymour, a Tenderloin resident and advocate, voiced his support for the historical significance of the building, but talked about the help residents have received at 111 Taylor Street.
“I work with 111 Taylor, been working with them through my job training,” he said. “We have got so many people and given them their life back… It’s a lot of Black and Brown people in there that wouldn’t ever have any other way to go.”
Cherry Javier, resident and city employee with the Office of Transgender Initiatives, spoke about her father’s recent experience at GEO’s reentry facility.
“When he told me that he was going [to 111 Taylor Street], it wasn’t ‘I’m going to a group home’ or ‘I’m gonna be free,’ it’s, “I’m going to another institution to serve out the rest of my sentence, and I’m looking forward to maybe getting to be outside once a week for a few hours,’” she said.
Miss Janetta Johnson, TurkxTaylor Initiative member and a former resident at 111 Taylor Street, recalled during a news conference Wednesday evening that residents would work three jobs a day to stay out of the facility as long as possible.
David Blackwell, attorney for GEO Group Inc., argued in his testimony during the appeals hearing that the determination of the site as a group house had nothing to do with how the facility actually operates.
hassle, but I don’t want to take the risk.”
Robert Szulc, a 51-year-old gay man from Oakland, told the B.A.R. July 15 that he is waiting to receive the shots.
“It’s coming within a week,” he said, adding he’d been on Descovy oral PrEP pills for seven years.
“Because of the side effects of the pill, I sometimes feel nauseous or have an upset stomach, sometimes headaches,” he said. “A friend of mine was approved and is getting an injection this week.”
Twice a health clinic in Oakland rejected Szulc’s request to be given Yeztugo. It was then that he found out about Mohamed’s practice.
Szulc, who has Aetna insurance, said he has “no idea” why they didn’t approve
“People can donate items or give us items for consignment, and there are used items available for purchase at reasonable prices, so it’s an opportunity for people to have their leather move on to other people who may use it more, or the younger generation,” he said.
There will be bondage and kink performances on stage from 1 to 5:30 p.m. More information is available on the Folsom Street website.
four walls to keep going. Oasis Arts, our nonprofit, is where the heart of our mission will live as we move forward in 2026.”
Oasis Arts will “focus on presenting work in other venues across the Bay Area” and “continue to celebrate and elevate queer artistry without the limitations of a single location,” the release stated.
“By closing the doors of the club, we’re opening up a world of new possibilities,” Drollinger stated. “We’re pivoting like we always have – boldly, creatively, and with community at our core. Necessity is the mother of invention, and we’re already imagining what’s next.”
Oasis Arts is asking for donations at oasisartsinc.org/donate. The club
“It’s important to understand the distinction between what this proceeding is for, the LoD (letter of determination), and the enforcement. And the enforcement looks back to, ‘are these guys doing what they say they’re doing, or are we doing something else.’ ... But for this discreet issue, there’s no question that this LoD is consistent with LoDs for the last 36 years.” Blackwell said.
Laborde and other TurkxTaylor Initiative members argued that, because of the alleged conditions and treatment of residents at 111 Taylor Street, GEO Group was in violation of its land use determination.
“I would argue that it’s reasonable to say that there has been an error… when GEO Group submits ‘work furlough program,’ it’s understood that people are required to stay there,” San Francisco resident Radon Rosborough said during public comment. “This is not normal housing, and I think that’s the error in that classification. And the precedent does not mean that that’s not an error. It just means it’s been an error for a long time.”
Hunter, who identified themself with one name, spoke in favor of the appeal.
“GEO didn’t deny the abuse, they just said, ‘You can’t prove it yet,’” Hunter said during public comment.
The Board of Appeals didn’t see it that way. During deliberation, members
it because “there was no follow up.”
“I hear he [Mohamed] has a better [insurance] approval rate,” said Szulc.
Insurance issues
Mohamed told the B.A.R. “There are always issues with insurance with a brand new drug. Always.”
In this case, there are often two particular hurdles, he explained. One is that oral PrEP is treated like a medication, so it falls under insurance pharmacy benefits; but an injection is a procedure, “a medical benefit, not covered by the pharmacy,” Mohamed said.
“So, you need to figure out how insurance categorizes the drug, and where to dispense it,” he said. “This is why it’s
Gay Supervisor Matt Dorsey, whose District 6 includes the fair footprint, told the B.A.R. he “actually used to live on Dore Street, and I think it’s a great event.”
“Years ago, Dore Alley was marketed as the Folsom Street Fair’s ‘dirty little brother,’ and I’ve occasionally borrowed that line to describe District 6 as the *other* LGBTQ+ district when I’m in District 8 with board President Rafael Mandelman,” Dorsey stated, referring to his gay colleague. “Folsom Street Events does such great work, and they’re responsible for a lot of economic activity that’s incredibly important to our city and especially the neighborhoods I represent.”
Of course, the fair brings in revelers from all over the world for the weekend, and there are several popular house music and circuit parties, such as BRÜT at The Great Northern, 119 Utah Street, on July 26, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., and ROMP T-Dance: Animal Farm at 1015 Folsom Street on July 27, at 6 p.m.
The cost of admission to the street fair is free, but donations at the gate of $10-$20 are suggested. t
itself, at 298 11th Street, will continue having events for the rest of 2025.
“The hardest part of all of this is losing a physical space that means so much to so many people,” stated Snaxx, Oasis’ director of programs and staff. “From our staff, to our performers, casts, crews, and patrons, Oasis has created a culture unlike any other venue. This is all very painful and sad, but I can’t help but smile through the tears for getting to be a part of something so important, so transformative, so ‘only-inSan Francisco.’ And it couldn’t have existed without every person who’s come through our doors to tip, to take the stage, to hug, to sing, to be in community.” t
shared their sympathies and encouraged the organizers to take their effort to the Board of Supervisors. All but one, Vice President JR Eppler, voted to uphold the letter of determination.
At a news conference afterward, Stryker, Johnson, and other organizers expressed their disappointment in the outcome, but their collective inspiration to keep going.
“The hearing today was not just about reclaiming a space that holds unequivocable significance tethered to transgender history, but it was also a hearing, calling for a body like the Board of Appeals to uphold due diligence, bureaucratic accountability, and full transparency from corporations…,” said Jupiter Peraza, outreach coalition manager at Openhouse, an LGBTQ senior agency.
The 111 Taylor Street building is a site of deep cultural significance within the boundaries of the world’s first Transgender District. While there is no exact date of the Compton’s riots, trans community members will mark the 59th anniversary of the event August 23.
In September 2023, the state of California passed a resolution designating August as Transgender History Month, which was first recognized last year. Former San Francisco mayor London Breed also declared August as Transgender History Month in 2021. t
tough to logistically do it.”
The second is an effect of the drug being new.
“Whenever there’s a new drug, they [insurance companies] clearly use templates to avoid distributing the drug, frankly,” Mohamed said. “For the first patient, the automated template was not applicable at all, because the patient had to fail other options. Well, failing PrEP means getting HIV. I had to go in and tell them that, that’s not applicable, actually.”
Thankfully, Yeztugo does not require refrigeration. Mohamed hopes it will one day be easier to acquire.
See page 7 >>
A bondage demonstration was a highlight at last year’s Up Your Alley street fair.
Steven Underhill <<
Bby Philip Campbell
erkeley-based West Edge Opera has built a memorable brand by making good on its meaningful name. Since 2014 risk-taking and adventure have marked every production and the East Bay organization on the western edge booms as a cultural hot spot.
The company’s Festival 2025 opens in early August with three exciting shows playing in repertory. The typically daring lineup includes a world premiere commission about a living legend, a brutal tragedy of a man forced to serve the people he hates, and a baroque biblical bromance.
The festival starts with “Dolores,” composed by Nicolás Lell Benavides with a libretto by Marella Martin Koch, and plays August 2 and 10 with matinees, and an August 16 evening performance. If any contemporary figure deserves the overused accolade of iconic it is surely labor leader and feminist Dolores Huerta. Seeking civil rights and justice for farm workers during the 1968 Delano Grape Strike took her to the highest seats of power in Washington, D.C. The evolution of her stance on women’s right to choose and mature understanding and support of LGBT issues also mark a tireless life devoted to making change.
“David & Jonathan,” composed by MarcAntoine Charpentier, with a libretto by Father François Bretonneau, plays August 3 and 16 in
matinees, with an August 9 evening performance. It could be argued the most transgressive work in the summer repertoire is a production of Charpentier’s 1688 French Baroque masterpiece, which takes a deep dive into the political, emotional and, personal aspects of male loyalty and love.
Directed by WEO’s General Director Mark Streshinsky and conducted by award-winning early keyboard specialist Adam Pear, we are guaranteed a new take on a much-discussed scriptural same-sex relationship.
Don’t tell the funders at the reshuffled NEA, but it is probably safe to expect a more romantic and homoerotic slant on the biblical story of David, slayer of Goliath, and Jonathan, son of King Saul.
According to the Hebrew Bible’s Books of Samuel, the two men formed a covenant, taking a mutual oath. In Samuel 2 (1:26), David declares Jonathan’s love was, “sweeter to him than the love of a woman.” Jonathan’s father Saul showed thinly disguised disdain for the bond between the pair. There has always been historical debate about the true nature of their love. Composer Charpentier addresses their anguish and joy with beautifully serene and dramatic music.
Two out and proud tenors, Grammy Award winner Aaron Sheehan as David and Derek Chester (a memorable Macheath in WEO’s “The Threepenny Opera”) as Jonathan, bring subtle authenticity and impressive artistry to their roles. Another Grammy winner, San Francisco Conservatory of Music Voice Faculty Member baritone Matthew Worth performs as King Saul. The third work is “Wozzeck” with music and libretto by Alban Berg. Its three performances are August 9, a matinee, and evening shows August 14 and 17.
Who’s afraid of Alban Berg? His music may have decisively broken with tonality in the 1920s, but it can be lyrical, jazzy and, in the expressionist opera “Wozzeck,” deeply moving. The shocking impact of the score has assured its place as one of the greatest operas of the 20th Century.
Poverty, mental instability, and societal cruelty plague the luckless anti-hero Wozzeck. His story and that of Marie, the pathetic mother of his child, cannot have a happy ending. Berg seizes on their hopelessness and creates an unflinching narrative of human suffering and inequality.
WEO Music Director Jonathan Khuner will conduct a cast that includes some popular regulars. Out bari-hunk Hadleigh Adams essays the title role, and remarkable lesbian Emma McNairy returns as Marie. Both are real lookers, but they are willing to get dirty for their art.
All Summer Fest performances will be held at WEO’s new home venue, the historic Oakland Scottish Rite Center in Oakland. The Lake Merritt BART station is a ten-minute walk to the Center or a free shuttle, which also stops at the station, can be used before and after the performances. t
Read the full article on www.ebar.com.
West Edge Opera’s Summer Festival, $22$172, Aug. 2-17, Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. www.westedgeopera.org
by David-Elijah Nahmod
Afilm for drag fans of all ages, “Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-shero” offers a new spin on drag entertainment. “Maxxie” is a cartoon. Yes, you read that right, it’s a feature-length animated film which offers all the glitz, glamour and fun audiences expect from a good drag show.
The film comes with a bit of a San Francisco pedigree. The screenplay was written by Michael Phillis, co-creator and director of the gay male revue “Baloney.” Phillis is also the author of “Jurassiq Parq,” the drag parody currently playing at Oasis. And no less than San Francisco drag laureate D’Arcy Drollinger is credited as an associate producer.
In the movie, we meet Simon (voiced by Grant Hodges), a gay, shy, nerdy barista celebrating his
21st birthday. After Simon finds a magical wig that colors his hair pink, he finds that he can magically transform himself into Maxxie LaWow, a drag super hero, or shero, as the film’s title states.
Maxxie must do battle with Dyna Bolical (Terren Wooten Clarke), an evil queen who lives in a spooky old castle. Dyna is kidnapping drag queens and forcing them to watch a tearjerker movie so she can collect their tears, which she uses to create an anti-aging formula. Dyna believes that this formula will make her rich.
The movie that the queens are forced to watch is an amusing spoof of the Bette Midler classic “Beaches,” in which two female friends tearfully tell each other that they have cancer. These two ladies are voiced by drag superstars Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme.
And just to give “Maxxie” even more star power,
Laraine Newman, an original cast member from
“Saturday Night Live,” voices Claire, a spunky old lady who regains her youth thanks to Dyna’s antiaging liquid.
“Maxxie LaWow” is an infectious, joyous film that celebrates drag culture with good humor while also offering a message of acceptance. The characters are all great fun to watch, especially Maxxie and her alter-ego Simon. One scene in particular may hit close to home with older viewers. In the scene Simon nervously stumbles over his words as he attempts to talk to his secret crush. The scene is sweet and surprisingly true to life. Simon’s friendship with fellow barista Jae (Erika Ishii) is also nice to see. Loyal and supportive, Jae is the best friend a gay man could have.
Dyna Bolical makes for a delicious villain. She’s so over-the-top evil that it becomes comical in the best
sense. Her lip-synch battle with Maxxie is the film’s campy high point, a to-the-death match between two fierce queens in a dizzying, show-stopping sequence. The film is bright and colorful (except for Dyna’s mansion of course) and has a terrific soundtrack featuring the singing talents of Grammy-nominated vocalist Angie Fisher.
Considering what’s going on in the world these days a little escapism is sorely needed. “Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-shero” is just what the doctor ordered. Invite a few friends over and watch it over cocktails. t
‘Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-shero’ is now streaming at Google Play, Fandango at Home, Apple TV and Amazon Prime. www.maxxie.com
Aaron Sheehan and Derek Chester in ‘Jonathan and David’
Playing against type
Hend Ayoub’s ‘Home? A Palestinian Woman’s Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness’
by Jim Gladstone
“Someone should sue America for false advertising,” says Hend Ayoub, playing a lightly fictionalized version of herself in “Home? A Palestinian Woman’s Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness,” which opens a four-week run at Z Space on July 26 as part of the San Francisco Playhouse’s Sandbox Series of works in development.
To Ayoub, who spoke to the Bay Area Reporter recently, the most obvious falsehood, particularly in light of our current political regime, is the notion of America as a cultural melting pot, with opportunity for all.
The allure of that ideal was a major factor in her Ayoub’s to immigrate to the U.S. just over 15 years ago, during the Obama administration.
In Ayoub’s native Israel, it was virtually impossible for her to find work. Just as the U.S. has long promoted itself on the global stage as a land of harmonious diversity; Israel has built its international identity on being a Jewish state.
But approximately 21% of Israel’s population is of Palestinian or other Arab descent. That’s higher than the percentage of either Blacks or Latinx in the U.S. While the U.S. and Israel each attempt to tighten borders, false advertising seems to have no bounds.
“I don’t think I had to code-switch a lot as a small child,” said Ayoub, who grew up in Haifa, Israel’s third largest city. “But then when I went to university to study, I could feel the Jewish Israelis looking at me differently. All I had to do is open my mouth for them to know that
Performer & playwright Hend Ayoub
I was different. I have an Arab accent.”
In “Home?,” a solo show, Ayoub plays a range of characters, crossing ethnicities, ages, and genders. But perhaps the piece’s most formidable acting challenge, which Ayoub takes particular pride in meeting, is playing herself from age five to the present.
In her post-collegiate years in Israel, despite great efforts to refine her Jewish Israeli accent, Ayoub discovered that few parts were available to her on stage or screen.
“They never give Arabs Jewish roles,” she said of the Israeli entertainment industry, and they don’t write Arabs unless they’re terrorists. There’s no representation of us.”
Ayoub briefly moved to Egypt, hoping to advance her career by working in that country’s Arab-dominated media. Instead, the experience –parts of which are painfully reenacted in “Home?”– left her feeling even further adrift.
“Then I chose to come to the United States because in entertainment media it was portrayed as a place with all
Katurah Topps & Sabiyah Broderick
by Laura Moreno
“Survivor” has been on the air for 20 years and has garnered seven Emmy Awards for CBS, but just this summer Katurah Topps and Sabiyah Broderick became the show’s very first Black queer couple. Back in 2023, “Survivor 45” delivered a dramatic season full of raw emotion featuring Katurah and Sabiyah, two of its standout contestants. It’s hard to believe, but the women’s paths never crossed oncamera on the show. Sparks were not ignited until after the cameras stopped rolling.
They met on the plane ride to Fiji where the season was filmed, but didn’t really become friends until they started talking until after filming ended. Their off-screen historic romance went public during Pride month on June 22, 2025. It has added a triumphant dimension to the “Survivor” legacy that is resonating far and wide. Their joint Instagram post observed, “On Survivor, we both struggled with fire. I couldn’t make it and she went a week without it. But what we’ve built together? That’s a fire that finally lit itself.”
Skillful underdog
Katurah Topps, a 35-year-old civil rights attorney from Brooklyn, entered the reality show competition with a quiet intensity that belied her strategic prowess.
From the Belo tribe, she quickly established herself as a skilled social chameleon, navigating alliances with charm. Her feud with returning player Bruce Perreault was a highlight, showcasing her ability to negotiate risks to eliminate threats, even at the cost of her own game.
Her journey to the final four was a testament to her staying power.
sorts of people, different colors, ethnicities, nationalities, all getting along” recalled Ayoub. “The reality was completely different.”
While her television parts leaned on stereotypes, it was playing another, far more authentic Afghan woman that brought Ayoub the opportunity to develop her solo show and bring it to San Francisco.
Ayoub was cast as Mariam, one of the two leads in an adaptation of novelist Khaled Hosseini’s “A Thousand Splendid Sons” at Washington, D.C.’s esteemed Arena Stage. The show was directed by Carey Perloff, former longtime artistic director at San Francisco’s A.C.T.
Ayoub had been working on her script for “Home?” over several years and decided to share it with Perloff, who was sufficiently impressed to put Ayoub in touch with her friend San Francisco Playhouse artistic director Bill English.
English, too, felt the show merited further development, and after shepherding it through two writing workshops with Ayoub and Perloff is producing this debut production to mark the long-awaited return of the Playhouse’s Sandbox Series, a showcase for new playwrights that has been on hiatus since the pandemic. t
Read the full interview on www.ebar.com.
‘Home? A Palestinian Woman’s Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness,’ $46, July 26-Aug. 16, Z Space, 470 Florida St. www.sfplayhouse.org
The first Black queer female couple on ‘Survivor’
Despite aligning with the dominant Reba Four, Katurah’s last-minute decision to renege on a deal with Jake O’Kane to blindside Dee Valladares backfired, and she lost to Jake.
Katurah didn’t play a perfect game, but it made for compelling television and earned her a spot as the eighth jury member and longtime fan favorite.
Sabiyah Broderick is a 29-yearold trucker and former Marine from Jacksonville, North Carolina. She soon became known for bringing positive energy to the ill-fated Lulu tribe, considered one of the worst tribes in “Survivor” history.
Lulu’s string of losses put Sabiyah in a tough spot early on. Yet, she emerged with resilience and strength, and helped tribe mate Emily Flippen to truly shift her perspective and become a fan favorite.
Converged paths
While Katurah and Sabiyah never co-starred in a scene on “Survivor 45,” their paths converged after filming during a trip with the entire
cast to Cape Cod. What began as daily phone calls and friendship had deepened into romance by August 2024.
Sabiyah proposed to make it official on January 20, 2025, a huge source of joy. This marked the start of their relationship. Their joint Instagram announcement, complete with beach holiday and romantic dinners, celebrated their love as they marked this milestone as the reality show’s first Black queer female couple.
The groundbreaking couple’s visibility is proving to inspire others to live authentically. Online support for the couple has gone viral online from both fans and “Survivor” alumni like Austin Li Coon and Eliza Orlins. The show’s official Instagram featured a heartfelt “Happy Pride.” Watch Katurah Topps and Sabiyah Broderick on CBS’s ‘Survivor 45,’ streaming on Paramount+. paramountplus.com/shows/survivor/ instagram.com/hautekatur/ instagram.com/_thesoularpapi/ t
Katurah Topps and Sabiyah Broderick
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival 45, part 2
by Brian Bromberger
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, currently screening through August 3, responds to the Gaza conflict at a time when many people in this country and the world are horrified at what is happening to the Palestinians there.
In “There Was Nothing Here Before,” Swiss-Palestinian filmmaker Yvann Yagchi travels to the West Bank to explore the personal and political fallout of a childhood friendship with a Jewish peer who became a settler. And in “Rule of Stone,” the story of prominent architects enlisted to develop modern Jerusalem reveals how urban planning became a tool for displacement, appropriation, and the erasure of native Palestinian homes.
With four more LGBTQ-themed films (see last week’s issue for more), and one special mention, there are plenty of movies to enjoy.
“The First Lady” tells the harrowing but inspiring story of Efrat Tilma, one of the first transgender women in Israel. She was forced to flee Israel as a teenager in the 1960s after a police officer raped her and then threatened to drown her in the
sea if he ever saw her walking the streets of Tel Aviv in women’s clothes again.
The richly observed domestic drama with hints of a thriller is an unexpected surprise in Nir Bergman’s “Pink Lady” about the dismantling of an Orthodox
Hasidic Jewish couple. Bati (Nur Fibak) and Lazar (Uri Blufarb) seem happily married with three children, until she opens a letter with compromising photos of Lazar and his male study partner kissing each other.
The tempestuous life of Actress Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) is chronicled in the French drama “The Divine Sarah Bernhardt,” which is less a biopic and more a portrait inspired by her life. The film focuses in nonlinear fashion on two
Adam Roberts is a ‘Food Person’ Cookbook
by Gregg Shapiro
Adam Roberts has mined his time working in the food blog and entertainment industries in order to produce his first tasty and humorous debut novel, “Food Person” (Knopf), which was published in late May. The book is a deliciously campy insiders’ look at celebrity cookbooks and the folks who toil behind the scenes to create them. What, you thought Snoop Dogg and Chrissy Teigen actually slogged through the kitchen?
Gregg Shapiro: “Food Person” is your first novel, but certainly not your first book. As someone who has written several cookbooks, what inspired your passion for food and cooking?
Adam Roberts: I grew up in a family that loved food. My mom’s love language was making reservations, but nobody in my family cooked, so when I was in my early twenties (and a miserable law school student), I became obsessed with The Food Network (back in the Sarah Moulton days) and began my experiments in the kitchen. At the time, food blogs weren’t really a thing, so I started one (“The Amateur Gourmet”) to document my adventures/ failures in the kitchen and the blog fed the cooking and the cooking fed the blog as I fed myself.
Do you still watch the Food Network?
To be honest, Food Network is no longer my jam; I much prefer PBS cooking shows. I obsessively watch “America’s Test Kitchen” (if I met Bridget or Julia on the street, I’d faint), “Cook’s Country” (love the addition of cookbook legend Toni Tipton-Martin), “Lidia’s Kitchen” (Lidia was an early champion of my last cookbook), Diana Kochilas, Patti Jinich. They’re all rock stars to me and they embody the traditional “stand and stir” format that you really don’t see on Food Network anymore, Ina notwithstanding. I watch Food Network for Ina exclusively.
You share a background with your main character Isabella in working in food journalism. Have you met many Isabellas?
Oh yes. In fact, I was one [laughs]! It was really funny, I was at a dinner with my husband, Craig, and some friends, and I was talking about how proud I was of myself for inventing a character out of thin air like Isabella. And Craig said, “What are you talking about, Isabella is you.” I mean, yes and no. I’m not as shy as Isabella or as self-defeating. But the world of cooking is full of introverts; people who’d rather hide out in the kitchen than be at the dinner party. I bet 90% of food journalists would recognize something of themselves in that.
Cookbook shops are a favorite haunt of Isabella’s and yours. Why do you find them such enjoyable places?
I could spend years in a cookbook shop and never get bored. Where do I begin? I love the weirdness of cookbooks; how they capture the larger culture of a specific time-period and tell the tale through the prism of food. Take, for example, one of my cookbook treasures: “The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous Cookbook” by Robin Leach. It’s a time
capsule of the eighties – glass block, Dynasty-style hairdos, Brooke Shields –and the food is as awful as the fashion.
Or another favorite: “A Treasury of Great Recipes” by Vincent and Mary Price, a collection of all the menus that the famous horror maestro and his wife collected over their world travels in the 1940s and ’50s and the meals that they hosted for their friends in their exquisite Hollywood home. If I could jump into the pages of a cookbook, it might be that one.
key episodes: the amputation of her leg due to gangrene in 1915, after which she continued to act, and the French government’s declaring Sarah Bernhardt Day to celebrate the “Priestess of Poetry” in 1896 at the height of her fame.
“Come Closer” confronts family tragedy in dramatic form based on real life events. Initially, Eden copes with the loss of her brother through alcohol, drugs, and a sexual affair with her married boss. She stalks and finds Maya, developing a desperate obsession, as she pulls Maya into a seductive, joyous and intoxicating and at-times risky sexual relationship with the only other person who loved her brother as deeply as she did.
The legendary screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky (1923-1981) wasn’t gay, but a straight ally. On almost any critic’s list of the five greatest screenwriters, Chayefsky’s name would be on it. His masterpiece, “Network,” is being screened at the festival, including “Paddy Chayefsky: Collector of Words,” the new documentary. t
Read the full reviews, with trailers, on www.ebar.com. www.sfjff.org
author serves up a novel
You currently on a book tour? Are you planning anything foodrelated for the readings?
Nothing food-related yet, but if someone bakes me brownies, I won’t be mad. t
Read the full interview on www.ebar.com.
www.adamrobertsfood.com
‘Come Closer’ at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
