October 3, 2019 Edition of the Bay Area Reporter by Bay Area Reporter

LGBTQ History Month

Supreme Court preview

ARTS

1, 8, 10, 12

Mill Valley Film Fest

Michael Longoria

The

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Vol. 49 • No. 40 • October 3-9, 2019

Liz Highleyman

Congresswoman Barbara Lee, left, joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and AIDS 2020 co-chairs Cynthia Carey-Grant and Dr. Monica Gandhi at a kickoff news conference Monday.

Rick Gerharter

Crowds filled Castro Street at last year’s Castro Street Fair.

Castro Street Fair returns to Market St.

by John Ferrannini

or the first time since 2016, the Castro Street Fair will once again include the block of Market Street between Castro and Noe streets. “We heard from the public that Market Street was a classic way to experience the Castro Street Fair, and after a couple of years without, we decided to go back to it,” said Fred Lopez, a gay man who was the fair’s executive director last year. That block will include the main stage, which last year was located on Castro Street between 18th and 19th streets. See page 18 >>

Leaders kick off AIDS 2020

Folsom fair has Sisters at the gates

by Liz Highleyman

L Rick Gerharter

ister T’aint a Virgin, left, and Sister Guard N O’Pansies, right, joined other Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to once again staff the entrance and donation gates at the Folsom Street Fair Sunday, September 29. Last month, shortly before the annual leather and fetish extravaganza, the Sisters pushed back against Folsom

Street Events’ contract changes that would have seen them have less of a presence at the fair. Fortunately, both sides reached agreement and the Sisters once again collected gate donations, something Sister Selma Soul, abbess and president of the order, told the Bay Area Reporter that they implemented.

ocal organizers and elected officials launched registration for the 2020 International AIDS Conference at a media kickoff Monday, September 30. The biennial confab will take place July 6-10 in San Francisco and Oakland. Upward of 20,000 participants from more than 170 countries are expected to attend. This year’s conference is the first to be jointly hosted by two cities. That decision by the International AIDS Society is meant to highlight San Francisco’s pioneering response to the epidemic over the past four decades, as well as the disparities that still persist in the Bay Area, nationwide, and across the globe. See page 19 >>

History Month Gay StayLGBTQ Jolly and For curators,this garments offer stylish storytelling Holiday!

sisters, to accession from her estate a numUse our low-rate credit card ber of her famous sibling’s outfits to add to Editor’s note: This is the first infor a five-part your holiday purchases* the archival group’s collection. The pieces

by Matthew S. Bajko

series for LGBTQ History Month. For more about the series, see page 10.

selected represent the fine craftsmanship that went into creating the outfits for the iconic performer, who famously corrected purchases the late comedian and television host Joan Rivers that he wasn’t a drag queen but simply “Sylvester.” “The detail of the work such as with the sequins, people don’t bother with this kind of stuff anymore,” said GLBT Historical Society Executive Director Terry Beswick. “It’s not just an artifact that was sewn and used once. It was worn many times.”

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• Earn 1% cash back for everyday urators working with the Oakland Museum of California on its first ma• No Annual Fee jor LGBTQ exhibition, dubbed “Queer California:•Untold Stories,”Balance displayed a blue No Transfer Fee sequined jacket created by San Francisco deNo Foreign Transaction Fees signer Pat• Campano and worn in 1985 by the gender-bending gay disco diva Sylvester. • No charged for 25 days The garment, on loanInterest from the San Francisco-based GLBT Historical Society, Apply today! provided a bit of glam and visual whimsy to the Call 415-775-5377, stop by a branch or visit SanFranciscoFCU.com show, which closed in August. The coat is one of Yet to be shown publicly Rick Gerharter a number of costumes, antique gloves, jewelry, Much of the society’s Sylvester holdings and personal items that once belonged to the have yet to be shown publicly. As it works toOne of Sylvester’s performance costumes is part of the collections at the GLBT “Queen of Disco” now housed in the society’s ward one day erecting a permanent museum Historical Society in San Francisco. archives. The Sylvester collection, in museumin San Francisco far larger than the jewel-box speak, measures more than eight linear feet. exhibit space it now operates out of a leased a peach-and-silver-sequined ensemble that instains. This came in like this,” said Kelsi Evans, Among the items is a black and white blazer storefront in the heart of the city’s Castro LGcludes a top and jacket adhered via Velcro strips director of the society’s Dr. John P. De Cecco also by Campano, whose other design clients inBTQ Cultural District, society staff envision and snaps. It features an Asian-inspired design Archives & Special Collections, as she showed cluded the Supremes. One outfit, donated to the one day being able to properly tell Sylvester’s with a white phoenix made out of sequins. off the intricately made costume. society in 1991, three years after Sylvester’s death story in a multi-faceted way. “Unlike a lot of designer pieces these are Society staff last year visited the home of at the age of 41 due to AIDS complications, is performance pieces. You can see the sweat Bernadette Hurd, one of Sylvester’s younger See page 10

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<< Community News

2 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

1 dead, 1 injured after apparent OD at Steamworks by John Ferrannini

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ne man died and another was taken to the hospital after an apparent drug overdose at the Steamworks Baths in Berkeley on Friday, according to Officer Byron White of the Berkeley Police Department. The front desk called the police at 12:22 p.m. September 27. The injured person was taken to the hospital and the coroner later came for the deceased. The man who died was identified as Charles King IV, a 31-yearold resident of Sacramento, according to the Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau. The exact cause of death is still under investigation, according to the coroner’s office.

Aviva Kirsten

Police cordoned off Steamworks Baths in Berkeley on Friday after an apparent overdose.

Steamworks Baths has not responded to multiple requests for

comment as of press time. t

Founder of Sonoma LGBT youth agency needs help by Veronica Dolginko

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ommunity is not always an easy concept. In theory, the idea of having a core group that supports and looks out for each other sounds great, but in practice it can be challenging. The LGBTQ community has often had to keep eyes out for their fellow members, and in the Bay Area, an epicenter for so much gay history, it can be hard to imagine a staple of said community struggling to find support. For Jim Foster, founder of Sonoma County nonprofit Positive Images, and his caretakers, this is the situation in which they find themselves. Earlier this year, Foster, 77, was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare immune disease that happens when the immune system starts to attack the peripheral nervous system. People suffering from Guillain-Barre start to lose sensation in their extremities, and sometimes paralysis of the entire body. The recovery process is long, requiring extensive physical therapy and caretakers as most patients are not able to do much on their own. “Guillain-Barre is a bit of a mystery for how long it will take someone to recover,” said friend and caretaker JT Bymaster, a gay man who met Foster when he was a homeless queer youth. “Jim is totally disabled and reliant on others for care.” Foster founded Positive Images in 1990 when he felt like he was missing a sense of community in Sonoma County. “I started Positive Images because I was just fatigued to the eyeballs of being lonely,” Foster said in a phone interview. “I knew from some contacts at the junior college that there was a lot of junior college age youth that was just floundering, you know, starved for friends and friendships.” A small meeting took place in Foster’s office in Santa Rosa where he worked as a marriage and family therapist. Five young gay men attended that first meeting but soon the demand grew. In a year, the groups were becoming weekly, and by 1994, Positive Images had its first official office in Santa Rosa. Reaching the LGBTQ youth and creating a sense of community within that population was the initial goal of the nonprofit, but friend and caretaker Christopher Bowers remembers how Foster impacted him as a young straight man. “I met Jim 27 years ago when he came to do a panel for our peer

Courtesy Alicia Wicks

Jim Foster started Positive Images in Sonoma County.

counseling class,” Bowers said. “The speakers spoke candidly and movingly about their experiences with homophobia. This was really a shift for me and made me examine my own privilege and experiences.” The two started to work together as Bowers started doing workshops and panels with Positive Images. Bowers considers Foster his mentor and has spearheaded the fundraising for Foster’s medical bills. Watching the illness take its toll on someone he cares so much about has been trying for him. “He went from being an active 77-year-old man with a thriving therapy practice, who hiked daily and went to Africa for two-three months every year to being wheelchair- and bed-bound in a matter of months,” he said. “It’s simply devastating.” Bowers, Bymaster, and Nancy Vogel have been working as Foster’s caretakers as well as reaching out to the Sonoma County community at large for support and donations. A GoFundMe page managed by Bowers for Foster’s care has raised $9,700 out of the $10,000 goal. As the people who know Foster extend their help, Bowers wonders why it has to be so hard for someone to receive treatment for a serious condition. “When Jim got sick I already knew how inadequate our systems of care are,” Bowers said, when asked about the struggles facing Foster and his caretakers. “I also have a deep conviction that community takes care of people better than institutions.” For a disease and recovery as intense as Guillain-Barre, there’s a lot that needs to be provided for beyond just medical bills: they’re

also looking for people to help as caretakers, which accounts for a large chunk of the money spent. “We used much of what was raised in order to pay for the 24-hour-a-day care that Jim needed to live safely at home,” said Bymaster. Like Bowers, he is upset with the quality of care Foster has received. “Jim was prematurely released from Park View Post-Acute skilled nursing facility, even after we filed a formal complaint against his release,” he said. Park View officials declined to comment. The length and uncertainty of recovery weighs on Foster and his friends. “The most pressing problem has been how to deal with my impatience with me,” Foster said. “Being pretty sick ... being literally shut down.” For Bowers, seeing such a respected and important member of the community struggle with an uncertain and painful future is taking its toll on him. “The amount of grief for him and for us is sometimes unbearable,” he said. “He is a cornerstone of the queer community in Sonoma County.” t To donate to the GoFundMe campaign, visit https://www. gofundme.com/f/jim-foster039smedical-fund. For more information about Positive Images, visit https://posimages.org/.

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PRESENTS

Paul Eulalia

The 2019

GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY Gala

REUNION CHOSEN FAMILY October 18th | Friday | 6-9PM Ohana Room | Salesforce Tower | San Francisco

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2019 SPONSORS

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All photos courtesy of GLBT Historical Society. Gay American Indians parade contingent, Gay Freedom Day 1978. Photograph by Elaine Gay Jarvis. Elain Gay Jarvis Papers (#2018-90). Gay Freedom Day 1977. Photograph by Joffre Clarke. Jofre Clarke Photographs (#2003-17). Dykes on Bikes participant, Gay Freedom Day 1978. Photograph by Elaine Gay Jarvis. Elaine Gay Jarvis Papers (#2018-90). Party 1977. Photographer unknown. Collection of Black Gay Event Slides (#1997-39).

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<< Community News

4 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

PRC gala to feature Frenchie Davis compiled by Cynthia Laird

times, costume contests and impromptu dancing. Organizers said that if people don’t think they can swim a mile, they are welcome to walk in the shallow end or shorten their distance. People can form a team, find a team to participate with, or swim as an individual. For more information, visit http:// www.wcrc.org.

rammy nominee Frenchie Davis will deliver a special musical performance at PRC’s Mighty Real gala Friday, October 11, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel, 757 Market Street in San Francisco. PRC helps people affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use, or mental health issues by providing integrated legal, social, and health services that address a broad range of social risk factors that impact wellness and limit potential. A few years ago, when it was known as Positive Resource Center, it merged with the AIDS Emergency Fund and Baker Places and now provides services out if its new facility at 170 Ninth Street. The evening will also feature a video presentation from six-time Grammy winner Dionne Warwick. Brett Andrews, CEO, said the evening would celebrate the agency’s new location. “We are excited to welcome Frenchie Davis as our signature entertainment for the evening to help us celebrate the opening of our new integrated service center,” Andrews said in a news release. “This facility helps us expand our vital community services to those who need them most. Frenchie is a consummate performer who exemplifies many of the same values as PRC. We are looking forward to her performance and to hear her share her story.” The PRC release noted that Davis rose to popularity in the early 2000s with her debut on “American Idol.” After being disqualified from the show, Davis refused to let this adversity impact her future. In

SF early voting starts Monday

Courtesy Wikipedia

Courtesy Photo Evidence

Frenchie Davis will perform at PRC’s Mighty Real gala.

Brian, from Montreal, is one of the subjects of 2016 Mikael Owunna’s book, “Limitless Africans.”

2011, she reached the top five in the singing competition “The Voice,” and later performed on Broadway. Following her debut on “The Voice,” Davis shared her experience as a bisexual woman of color, performing regularly around the country at Pride festivals and marches. The evening begins with a cocktail reception and will be followed by dinner, drinks, entertainment, a raffle, and auction. An afterparty featuring music by DJ Lamont rounds out the evening starting at 9:30. Four of PRC’s clients will be recognized during the event and will be presented with a special award by one of the agency’s sponsors: Gilead Sciences, Quest Diagnostics, Morgan Lewis, and Chevron. Individual tickets are $300. For tickets and more information, visit www.prcsf.org.

Queer Nigerian photog to discuss new book in SF

Queer Nigerian photographer Mikael Owunna will be discussing his new book, “Limitless Africans,” Thursday, October 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Museum of the African Diaspora, 685 Mission Street (at Third) in San Francisco. As a gay African immigrant who grew up in Philadelphia, Owunna has spent most of his life feeling rejected by American society due to his blackness and immigrant status and by African circles because of his sexuality and the commonly held belief that it is “un-African” to be gay. According to a news release, Owunna began work on his book in 2013. For four years, he traveled to 10 countries across North America, the Caribbean, and Europe on a journey to learn about himself by documenting the LGBTQ African immigrant experience of others. Taking photos and interviewing dozens of LGBTQ African immigrants and asylum seekers he found that every individ-

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ual he met had experienced a similar sense of rejection from all sides. On National Coming Out Day, October 11, over 30 of the narratives Owunna produced during his travels are being published by FotoEvidence in “Limitless Africans,” which is listed at $45. Owunna describes the book as “a collaborative response between me and my community to redefine what it means to be an immigrant, African, and queer at this time.” For more information, visit https://www.moadsf.org/.

WCRC Swim a Mile event

The Women’s Cancer Resource Center will hold its 24th annual Swim a Mile for Women with Cancer Saturday and Sunday, October 5-6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland. Swim a Mile is a fun activity in which swimmers raise money for a wide range of free programs and services offered by Berkeley-based WCRC. The all-ages pool party includes food, music, and some-

Early voting starts Monday, October 7, for San Francisco’s consolidated municipal election. Between October 7 and November 4, the voting center on the ground floor of City Hall will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The voting center will also be open the two weekends before the November 5 election, October 26-27 and November 2-3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. “All eligible San Francisco residents, including non-citizens eligible to vote in the Board of Education election, may visit the voting center to register to vote, update registration information, mark and cast ballots, or obtain replacement ballots,” Department of Elections director John Arntz said in a news release. “Voters may choose to vote a ballot in English, Chinese, Spanish, or Filipino, each available in paper, accessible touchscreen, and audio formats.” The department provides ballot facsimiles in Vietnamese and Korean for voters to use as reference when marking their official ballots. The elections department has begun mailing the voter information pamphlets, which is expected to be completed at the end of this week. Absentee ballots will start going out early next week. See page 18 >>

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR A PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFF?

Do you have an emergency kit with nonperishable food, one gallon of water per person per day, medications, flashlights and batteries?

If you own a generator, is it safe to operate?

If anyone in your family depends on electricity for their medical needs, have you made preparations?

Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS, is a safety program that proactively shuts off electric power lines when there is an elevated fire risk. All PG&E customers should be prepared for possible power outages that could last for multiple days. If power is temporarily turned off, customers should consider these questions:

Are your mobile phones fully charged? Do you have a portable back-up charger or a solar charger?

Can we reach you in the event of a Public Safety Power Shutoff? Update your contact info at pge.com/mywildfirealerts.

Do you know how to open your garage door manually?

Do you have a personal safety plan for all members of your family, including your pets?

Make sure we can reach you in the event of a PSPS. Please update your contact information at pge.com/mywildfirealerts.

WHAT EVERY PG&E CUSTOMER NEEDS TO KNOW

<< Open Forum

6 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

Volume 49, Number 40 October 3-9, 2019 www.ebar.com PUBLISHER Michael M. Yamashita Thomas E. Horn, Publisher Emeritus (2013) Publisher (2003 – 2013) Bob Ross, Founder (1971 – 2003) NEWS EDITOR Cynthia Laird ARTS EDITOR Roberto Friedman BARTAB EDITOR & EVENTS LISTINGS EDITOR Jim Provenzano ASSISTANT EDITORS Matthew S. Bajko • John Ferrannini CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ray Aguilera • Tavo Amador • Race Bannon Roger Brigham • Brian Bromberger Victoria A. Brownworth • Philip Campbell Heather Cassell • Belo Cipriani • Dan Renzi Michael Flanagan • Jim Gladstone David Guarino • Liz Highleyman Brandon Judell • John F. Karr • Lisa Keen Matthew Kennedy • Joshua Klipp David Lamble • Max Leger David-Elijah Nahmod • Paul Parish Lois Pearlman • Tim Pfaff • Jim Piechota Bob Roehr • Gregg Shapiro • Gwendolyn Smith Sari Staver • Tony Taylor • Charlie Wagner Ed Walsh • Cornelius Washington • Sura Wood ART DIRECTION Max Leger PRODUCTION/DESIGN Ernesto Sopprani PHOTOGRAPHERS Jane Philomen Cleland • FBFE Rick Gerharter • Gareth Gooch Jose Guzman-Colon • Rudy K. Lawidjaja Georg Lester • Dan Lloyd • Jo-Lynn Otto Rich Stadtmiller • Kelly Sullivan • Fred Rowe Steven Underhil • Bill Wilson ILLUSTRATORS & CARTOONISTS Paul Berge • Christine Smith ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATION Colleen Small Bogitini VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVERTISING Scott Wazlowski – 415.829.8937 NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media – 212.242.6863

LEGAL COUNSEL Paul H. Melbostad, Esq.

Mayor Breed deserves full term

hen San Francisco Mayor London Breed arrived at our office for an editorial board meeting last week, she was visibly irritated. From a conference room window, Breed could clearly see a homeless encampment that had taken over a vacant City College building across the street, prompting her exasperation that homeless outreach workers had not been on site to offer the people help. She noted that the last time she had met with us there were homeless tents outside our building, which is a short walk from City Hall. The mayor quickly contacted city personnel to get to the scene. “Where’s the Hot team?” she asked, referring to outreach workers. Breed is widely expected to easily win reelection next month which will give her a full four-year term to implement her vision for the city. With only minor candidates challenging her, Breed told us that it’s a sign “people really want to give me a chance – even some board members.” The San Francisco Board of Supervisors may tilt more progressive than she’s inclined, but Breed has found common ground on a number of initiatives with supervisors since becoming mayor last July to fill the remaining term of the late mayor Ed Lee. Breed has a long to-do list that starts with homelessness, which she has already started to tackle in her first year. She broke ground for 167 new affordable homes in the Sunnydale neighborhood. Last month, she announced a new mental health initiative with Tipping Point Community and UCSF to support behavioral health initiatives. As an initial response to the recommendations in the report, Tipping Point will fund 15 new Hummingbird beds, which provide psychiatric respite and a place where clients can be linked to care, services, and treatment. The city will also pursue implementation of a managed alcohol facility to help those suffering from alcohol use disorder. She added 60 new beds to the Division Circle Navigation Center. She has been resolute in her plans to open more Navigation Centers, the most recent among them along the Embarcadero, which has been stalled by NIMBY neighbors. (They recently lost a court fight, allowing the city to proceed.) Breed is focused on the housing crisis. She will have an opportunity to hire a new planning director and she told us that she wants a “reformer,” someone who can get more housing units constructed at every affordability level, from below-market-rate to affordable

Jane Philomen Cleland

San Francisco Mayor London Breed

units for educators and other workers to market rate. “I want to really change the culture of the department,” she said, including making it more efficient and less bureaucratic. That will likely take some time, as the city is notoriously permit-heavy. On LGBT issues, the mayor is a tremendous ally. Months after taking office, she was invited to Alabama by the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors for the launch of the Mayors and Business Leaders Center for Inclusive Compassionate Cities, but she declined because the state is on the city’s banned travel list for having anti-LGBT laws on its books. Breed hired LGBT department heads, including Dr. Grant Colfax, a gay man, to lead the Department of Public Health, and Jeanine Nicholson, a lesbian, as the city’s first out fire chief. Under her administration, gay men Matthew Goudeau and John Caldon were named director of Grants for the Arts and managing director of the War Memorial, respectively. She named several LGBTs to seats on city boards and commissions and told us that her appointments secretary is keenly aware of the need for nominees to reflect the diversity of the city. Breed supports our neighborhoods and values. In March, she signed the national Open to All pledge at an event in the Castro to promote the gayborhood and signal that the city encourages businesses and residents to oppose discrimination and declare that they are open to all regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, or disability.

News Editor • news@ebar.com Arts Editor • arts@ebar.com Out & About listings • jim@ebar.com Advertising • scott@ebar.com Letters • letters@ebar.com Published weekly. Bay Area Reporter reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement which the publisher believes is in poor taste or which advertises illegal items which might result in legal action against Bay Area Reporter. Ads will not be rejected solely on the basis of politics, philosophy, religion, race, age, or sexual orientation. Advertising rates available upon request. Our list of subscribers and advertisers is confidential and is not sold. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, and writers published herein is neither inferred nor implied. We are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork.

Breed supports city projects that commemorate LGBT history. She cut through the red tape to get construction started at Eagle Plaza, the centerpiece of the city’s leather cultural district. This summer, she signed legislation creating the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District. On trans issues Breed has set herself apart, although in at least one case she praised Lee for a personnel decision: “I would like to take credit for Clair but that was Ed Lee,” she said, referring to Clair Farley, a trans woman who is director of the Office of Transgender Initiatives. The women work well together and it shows. Last year, the mayor issued a directive to all city agencies and departments that collect demographic data to update their paper and electronic forms to include the option of nonbinary in addition to male and female when recording gender identity. The mayoral directive, which took effect immediately, also ordered that the forms expand on title options beyond Mr. and Ms. and include additional choices for pronouns other than just she/her/hers and he/him/his. The forms must also include a line for a person’s chosen name and use gender-neutral labels such as “parent/ guardian” instead of “father” and “mother.” Partly in response to the Trump administration’s continued push to strip federal recognition of trans people, Breed declared Trans Awareness Month last November and raised the trans flag outside City Hall for the first time. Most significantly, Breed recognizes that trans people are almost 18 times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population in the city, and embraces the Our Trans Home SF Coalition’s request for rental subsidies. Her fiscal year 2019-2020 budget – at $12.3 billion is the city’s largest – includes $2 million to fund a two-year pilot program to provide housing subsidies for 75 transgender households. That program is expected to start soon. “It’s the first time we’ve ever done anything like this,” she told us. “It will be a game-changer for the community.” Another $1 million is budgeted for other trans initiatives and the LGBTQ Host Homes program being launched by the LGBT Community Center for transitional aged youth, including queer youth. During her first year as mayor, Breed has sought creative and new ideas to help marginalized people and to address complex issues facing San Francisco. The city is far from perfect, and we don’t think Breed is satisfied either, especially regarding homelessness and mental health care challenges. We endorse Breed because she has initiated a record of accomplishments that she can build on in the next four years. t

Time to correct SF rent ordinance’s inequity by Eric Lifschitz

Bay Area Reporter

he San Francisco Rent Ordinance (SFRO), enacted in 1979, is recognized for having arguably the strongest pro-tenant protections in the country. However, you may be surprised to learn that if your home was built after 1979, you are 100% excluded – this includes all protections added through legislation and ballot measures since. Further, as city officials and developers work to create more housing, they are thereby diluting the percentage of tenants protected by the SFRO and ultimately will diminish the support of residents for the values it represents. Now, on the SFRO’s 40th anniversary, it is time to reset the eligibility clock and expand SFRO protections to all tenants in San Francisco no matter when their home was built.

The evolution of the ordinance

In 1979, pressure from the tenant activist community led to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors enacting the SFRO to restrain rapidly rising rents and create stability in San Francisco’s diverse communities. Antagonistic to the cause, developers argued that fewer homes would be built if their profits were constrained. Repeatedly disproved in practice, this lost-profit narrative is dragged out every time a legislative body seeks to protect housing rights, even to this day. However, as an act of legislative compromise, the SFRO covered only the existing housing, leaving the occupants of homes not yet built out in the cold. While the SFRO is known primarily for rent

Eric Lifschitz

control, additional protections and rights for its protected class have been added over the decades that have kept San Francisco a world leader in the battle for housing rights. For example, what if your landlord decides to move themselves or a family member into your home? In a pre-1979 home, [Section 37.9 (a)(8)], you are entitled to relocation payments, rent board oversight, and a requirement your landlord “offer back” your home at prior rent if the family member doesn’t stay the required minimum of three years. Stiff penalties are in place to compensate the displaced tenant if a fraud was committed to re-rent the home at market rates. However, if your home was constructed after 1979, a landlord’s Notice to Vacate is all you get.

What if your landlord isn’t maintaining the property and a failing roof or leaky pipes have resulted in toxic mold in your home? If the remediation needed leaves you temporarily displaced from your home, Section 37.10B provides relocation payments, mandates prompt repairs, and ensures the right to return to your home. Tenants in post-1979 housing are not afforded any of these protections and the umbrella of tenant protections leaves them out in the rain. What if your landlord doesn’t respect your rights as a tenant? In 2008, city voters passed the Tenant Anti-Harassment Statute (Proposition M, codified as RO section 37.10B) to create a treasure trove of protections when a landlord acts in bad faith (i.e., knowingly mistreats his tenants). This includes broad conduct such as ignoring your right to privacy by entering your home without notice, holding your rent checks for over 30 days, delaying necessary repairs, or generally disrupting your right to peaceably live in your home. The battle over this ballot measure was fierce, and the victory of its passage was cause for celebration. That fellow residents (our neighbors), who happen to live in post-1979 constructed units, are left with none of these protections remains a stain on our conscience. The above are just a few examples of the breadth of our SFRO. While our community cannot alone overcome the statewide rent control restraint of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, we can, and should, unify San Francisco’s entire community of tenants within the myriad championed protections. Forty years after it’s historic passage, it is time to remove this unjust restriction, unite our community and ensure that every tenant is a beneficiary of the SFRO. See page 16 >>

Politics >>

t Appointed education leaders seek SF voters’ support

October 3-9, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 7

by Matthew S. Bajko

n San Francisco’s November ballot will be a pair of local education leaders seeking voters’ support for the first time. Both are expected to win, as they face either no to little opposition for their seats. Community college board member Ivy Lee is running unopposed, having been appointed by Mayor London Breed in August 2018 to a vacant seat on the oversight body for City College of San Francisco. School board member Jenny Lam, appointed by Breed in January to fill a vacancy, is facing two challengers, Kirsten Strobel and Robert K. Coleman, for her seat. Lee and Lam are both seeking to serve out the remainder of four-year terms that expire in 2020. Thus, if elected this fall, they would both need to run next November for full four-year terms on their respective boards. In a sign of the broad political support both candidates have received, Lee and Lam each won endorsements from the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club and the more progressive Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club. In separate editorial board meetings with the Bay Area Reporter, Lee and Lam both said they hope to have voters’ support to continue serving on their respective boards in the coming years and indicated they weren’t interested in running for higher office. The two straight allies also noted that they bring Asian American representation to boards that otherwise would not have Asian members on them. (On the school board there is now also a member with Pacific Islander heritage.) “I wasn’t really surprised that no one chose to run against me. And I think it’s because the time period was just so short,” said Lee, 47, who is raising three children with her husband, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Victor Hwang, in the Sunset District. “I also think there’s something about the city that respects representation on bodies that make decisions.” Lam, 44, noted her appointment is a culmination of her professional work over the last two decades. She has worked for various nonprofits focused on education issues and the rights of Chinese Americans and now serves as Breed’s education adviser. Over the years she also served on advisory committees for the San Francisco Unified School District. “This is just truly a combination of both my professional and personal life, but also just embedded in my own upbringing and values around public service and particularly around public education,” said Lam, who lives with her husband, Keith Parker, and their two children in Diamond Heights. Both women have weathered public controversies since being appointed. Lam found herself and her colleagues at the center of global outrage after the school board voted in June to paint over Russian artist Victor Arnautoff ’s 1937 mural “Life of Washington” inside Washington High School. Students and parents upset by the artwork’s depiction of African American slaves and Native Americans have clamored to see it removed. But the public outcry over the board’s decision led it to reverse course in August and vote to instead cover over the mural without destroying it. The seesawing stance upset the mural’s detractors but won support from those fighting to preserve it. “I made a decision based upon students and families who have

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School board member Jenny Lam, left, and community college trustee Ivy Lee are both seeking election to their respective boards.

been raising this as an issue for several years now,” Lam explained when asked about her initial vote. Lam pointed to her working with her board colleagues to implement an ethnic studies curriculum in the city’s public schools that will ensure that students are learning about various cultures in their classrooms and will teach about the history of the mural. It will also ensure that, for instance, school libraries are including books written by authors of color, noted Lam, and that the district’s various policies enacted over the years to diversify the curriculum are being carried out. “I think one thing for me and my perspective around public art, is that, you know, I am supportive, completely supportive of arts in our schools, and completely supportive around ensuring that our young people have a much broader exposure to history,” said Lam. Asked about the mural controversy, Lee told the B.A.R. that she has her own “personal opinion” but didn’t want to second-guess the school board members. She said if voters are unhappy with their decision, they could make that known at the ballot box. “But we put them there to make decisions exactly like this,” noted Lee, adding that the decision, like so many made by oversight panels, is never as easy as being black and white. “That’s not how policy works; that’s not how most decisions work. With these things, the details really do matter; the nuances really do matter. And so they investigated this, they sat through hours and hours of testimony and research and reports back, you know, so I don’t want to second-guess their decision.” Her views on the issue, said Lee, are based on her previous civil rights work. “I think the most important thing is when, when there is hateful speech or hateful imagery, I would always side on more speech, you know, versus taking it away,” said Lee, who is a City Hall aide to District 7 Supervisor Norman Yee, the board’s president. Over the course of this year Lee has found herself and her board colleagues at the center of budgetary fights at the community college, which had to slash course offerings and reduce staff positions in order to resolve a $32 million budget deficit. It is the first balanced budget at the college in 10 years. But in recent weeks it was learned the college’s chancellor, Mark Rocha, had incorporated significant raises for administrators into the budget documents. It came as a surprise to students and staff, whose protests led the college

board to reduce the amount of the raises. Lee was the lone vote on the board for withholding the salary boosts until an audit of the plan could be conducted. The episode was illustrative of an issue Lee had brought up about Rocha when asked by the B.A.R. how she felt the chancellor was doing in the job. Although she expressed support for the chancellor, who was hired in 2017, Lee acknowledged he could do better in communicating with the campus community. “I think he’s doing as well as anyone could do. I think it’s a very, very challenging environment for anyone to do that job,” she said, adding that, “I think a successful chancellor at this school, they have to invest the time to really talk to and hear the different community groups.” The two controversies are early lessons for the two education officials, who will be facing heated issues over the next year if they continue serving on their respective boards as expected. For Lam, the school board is working to reform the hot-button issue of the district’s school assignment system, while Lee will be pushing for passage of a $850 million bond for City College expected to be on the March ballot amid ongoing concerns about its enrollment and finances.

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Breed last week appointed Sophia Andary to the Commission on the Status of Women. Andary, a queer activist and organizer, should be sworn onto the panel later this month. She will be one of two out women serving on the oversight committee. A first-generation Lebanese American, Andary works as a senior analyst for Levi Strauss & Co. and co-chairs the clothing company’s Levi Women’s Employee Resource Group. She was a founding member and now serves as a co-chair of the Women’s March San Francisco. Andary also serves as an at-large member on the board of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club. t

Web Extra: For more queer political news, be sure to check http:// www.ebar.com Monday mornings for Political Notes, the notebook’s online companion. This week’s column reported on the various out candidates running for CA legislative seats in 2020. Keep abreast of the latest LGBT political news by following the Political Notebook on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/politicalnotes. Got a tip on LGBT politics? Call Matthew S. Bajko at (415) 8298836 or e-mail m.bajko@ebar.com.

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<< LGBTQ History Month

8 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

Castro Sweep recalled amid police scrutiny by John Ferrannini

‘When do we stop apologizing?’

he 30th anniversary of the Castro Sweep police riot comes at a time when LGBT and police leaders disagree about how far the San Francisco Police Department has evolved in the ensuing decades. On October 6, 1989, police cleared the streets in the Castro, seemingly in retaliation for a protest against federal inaction on the AIDS epidemic that occurred earlier that day near City Hall at what is now called the Phillip Burton Federal Building at 450 Golden Gate Avenue. The Castro Sweep deepened divisions between the LGBT community and the police, which had already been frayed by decades of harassment in bars, the assassination of gay Supervisor Harvey Milk by former police officer and disgruntled ex-supervisor Dan White in 1978, and the subsequent White Night riots the following year. The downtown protest was put on by the local chapter of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, or ACT UP, a national group of predominately gay activists who used theatrical demonstrations to call attention to the plight of gay men during the darkest years of the epidemic. “This was an AIDS protest,” said Terry Beswick, a gay man who was in the Castro that day. “We were fighting for our lives.” Beswick was one of the founders of ACT UP/San Francisco, but he had stopped being active with the group by the time of the sweep. Nevertheless, he ran into the protest as it was making its way up Market Street to the Castro and decided to join in. Tensions between the protesters and police rose throughout the march until it reached the Castro,

Rick Gerharter

Terry Beswick sits in the middle of Castro Street as San Francisco police march in riot formation down the street on October 6, 1989.

when some demonstrators sat down in the middle of the street as part of a “die-in.” “What they were doing – it was a peaceful protest,” said Beswick, who is now executive director of the GLBT Historical Society. It was then that the police made the move to clear not only the street but also the sidewalks, forcing people to stay inside of restaurants, bars, and other businesses for about an hour and injuring people who got in the way. “People that were there were yelling at (the police), trying to keep their neighborhood,” Beswick said. “I was pretty angry.” Beswick said he kicked the tires of a police motorcycle in front of the Twin Peaks Tavern at Market and Castro streets before deciding to resist in another way. “In all my AIDS activism, I never did something that was violent, so I decided to do nonviolent resistance by sitting in the middle of the street,” he said. Beswick expected to get ar-

rested, but the phalanx of police moving toward him were quickly distracted by something else and he was not. “This was an egregious attack on our community that was built on decades of police oppression,” Beswick said. All told, 53 people were arrested and 14 were injured, including four police officers. The next night 1,500 people came out to the Castro to symbolically reclaim the street. Then-Police Chief Frank Jordan, who became mayor three years later, responded to the incident by demoting his own brother, Deputy Chief Jack Jordan, for how he handled the affair. Jack Jordan suddenly resigned from the SFPD a month later. Tom Ammiano, a gay former school board member, supervisor, and state assemblyman, said he was at the ACT UP protest that day with his lover who subsequently died of complications from AIDS. “We left before the shit hit the fan,” Ammiano recalled.

Thirty years after the sweep, however, SFPD and community leaders still find themselves at odds about how far the department has gone in the direction of equality. Ammiano said that when Jordan was elected mayor, “we had to square off given that history,” but that he feels the two of them helped move the needle on LGBT issues together even considering Jordan’s more conservative reputation. “He came in as very moderate and I always thought that was out of touch, but we did good,” Ammiano said. Ammiano said that the SFPD has improved since 1989, mentioning increased numbers of LGBT representation on the force. “But the orientation of any officer takes second place if there’s police malfeasance,” he added. “Whether they’re straight or gay, you’re still getting the shit beat out of you.” Tony Montoya, a gay man who’s president of the San Francisco Police Officers Association, stressed the improvements of the past decades, citing this year’s SFPD Pride patch, increasing numbers of LGBT officers, and straight recruits no longer bothered by the presence of LGBTs on the force. The SFPD Pride Alliance, an affinity group in the department, unveiled the Pride patches this spring. Through sales of the patches, about $19,000 was raised for Larkin Street Youth Services, a nonprofit that provides housing and other services to youth, including LGBTs. “When I first came on you had a lot of cops who had been hired in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, so you weren’t as comfortable being open,” Montoya said. Still, the police and community leaders butted heads earlier this

year when two protesters against police participation in this year’s LGBT Pride parade were taken into custody after blocking the parade and allegedly scuffling with police. In late August, Police Chief William Scott held a “reflection and reconciliation listening session” at Glide Memorial Church in the Tenderloin where he apologized for the SFPD’s historical mistreatment of LGBT people. The timing of the meeting was the anniversary of the Compton’s Cafeteria riots, which took place in August 1966. Transgender women, hustlers, and queer youth who frequented the all-night eatery became fed up with routine harassment from the police, which sometimes included arrests for female impersonation, and fought back. At the August meeting, some people appreciated the chief ’s apology while others remained critical of the department. Montoya said that while “the chief did what he felt he needed to do,” he doesn’t think the apology was “completely necessary.” “He takes direction from above his pay grade, meaning Room 200 of City Hall,” Montoya said, referring to Mayor London Breed. “When do we stop apologizing? Are my children going to be apologizing for something that happened before they were born? “If some people needed to hear that for a sense of closure, I’m OK with that too,” he added. For her part, Breed, during an editorial board meeting with the Bay Area Reporter last Friday, said she did not know about Scott’s apology at Glide Memorial until she was told by the paper. She did not order the chief to apologize. See page 18 >>

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<< LGBTQ History Month

10 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

LGBT artifacts display possibilities by Matthew S. Bajko

here to build a new, fullscale LGBTQ Museum and Research Center in San Francisco remains an open question for the GLBT Historical Society. Not in question is the myriad curatorial possibilities a larger facility would present. The 34-year-old archival group has a vast collection of materials documenting the history of the LGBT community. But it is limited in how much of its holdings it can display for the public in the 1,600 square foot storefront it leases in the heart of the city’s LGBT Castro district. For this year’s LGBT History Month, the Bay Area Reporter asked the historical society to delve into its archives and select objects it envisions could one day be used

Garments

From page 1

“I can see an entire gallery dedicated to Sylvester,” said Beswick, “and not just about Sylvester but contextualizing his time and era.” The Los Angeles native, who was born Sylvester James Jr. in the city’s Watts neighborhood, grew up in a large, middle-class African American family. He headed north to San Francisco in 1972 and soon fell in with the celebrated genderfuck performance troupe The Cockettes. A year later Sylvester launched his recording career. His biggest hit came in 1978 with the release of “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real).” Last October, NPR declared it a national anthem, noting that the LGBT community in particular has embraced the song due to its lyrics openly celebrating liberation.

Courtesy GLBT History Museum

The GLBT Historical Society, which operates the storefront GLBT History Museum in the Castro, is looking for a permanent location for a larger cultural institution.

as the centerpieces of exhibitions in a future, permanent museum. Most of the items featured in the

five-part series running weekly in October have yet to be put on exhibit for the public.

The song was one of the 25 American recordings inducted into the Library of Congress earlier this year. Sylvester bequeathed the royalties from his music to the benefit of AIDS charities in San Francisco, but it wasn’t until 2010 that two local nonprofits selected by the executors of his will to be the beneficiaries saw any money. First the $350,000 in advances the singer had accrued needed to be paid off, then a number of legal issues had to be ironed out. Scarce video recordings of Sylvester performing his music are part of the archival group’s holdings, which also includes his personal memorabilia, photographs, and posters. The variety of objects preserved in the society’s Sylvester collection provides curators an opportunity to create a compelling installation about the performer. “It could be a multi-medium type of display, which is very compelling to

visitors,” Evans noted. “We have a lot of textiles we preserve because they tell a story in a way that paper artifacts wouldn’t tell.”

The items illustrate the diversity of the LGBT community and represent different mediums museum curators work with in designing and organizing exhibitions. The series kicks off with garments worn by gay disco diva Sylvester and a married female bisexual couple. Subsequent stories will feature a transgender pioneer’s diaries, leather textiles, artwork, and political ephemera. They are representative of the holdings stored away in the stacks of the society’s archive housed in a downtown building. In 2018, the society received a $30,000 grant from the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workplace Development’s Historic Preservation Fund to assess its art and artifacts collection, create a detailed inventory of the items, and photograph each one so the images can be

posted online. More than 800 objects have already been documented, and the society aims to finish cataloging the remaining items by the end of 2020. In terms of its museum, the society received a lease extension for the 18th Street space through 2022. As for where to build the new museum, the society would like to find a suitable site somewhere in the Castro, or perhaps partner with a developer that has a project in the Central South of Market neighborhood. Later this month it will be releasing a 140page detailed analysis of the proposed museum project. “The museum is going to be a destination regardless where it goes,” predicted GLBT Historical Society Executive Director Terry Beswick. t

Fabrics of our lives

Costumes and garments not only add tactile, visual elements to historical exhibitions, the clothing is also a draw for museum attendees. One of the society’s most revered articles of clothing in its collection is the suit the late gay Supervisor Harvey Milk was wearing the day he was assassinated in 1978. Then there are the garments that evoke more joyous occasions, like the wedding dresses donated to the historical society by Emily Drennen and Lindasusan Ulrich, bisexual activists who have been together nearly 22 years and exchanged wedding vows three times over the span of five years.

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Rick Gerharter

The wedding dresses worn by Emily Drennen and Lindasusan Ulrich are part of the collections at the GLBT Historical Society.

Their first marriage was a private affair in 2003, followed by a public ceremony in 2004 during the “Winter of Love” in San Francisco when local officials defied state law to perform same-sex weddings. The state’s supreme court annulled those marriages, so the women married a third time in 2008 following a legal ruling that California could wed same-sex couples. (The decision was overturned that November by the passage of the ballot measure Proposition 8, though the marriages performed remained valid. Prop 8 was eventually struck down by the federal courts, leading to the resumption of samesex weddings in the Golden State in the summer of 2013.) Drennen and Ulrich, who moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2015, wore their wedding dresses on at least eight occasions, including at Pride parades and marriage equality protests, documented in photos that ran in the press. They were also decked out in the white garments for an “unVEILing injustice” action protesting LGBT leaders’ usage of language that erased bisexual people out of the marriage equality movement. The couple had bought the gowns embroidered with floral patterns and lined in toile off eBay, with Drennen’s costing $250 and Ulrich’s $79. Because the dresses had morphed from being bridal wear into activist garb, the women never had them dry cleaned, preferring instead to preserve the stained fabric and dirty hems for posterity. It was how the pair of dresses was displayed during the special exhibit “Biconic Flashpoints: Four Decades of Bay Area Bisexual Politics” that opened in May 2014 at the historical society’s Castro museum space. The women co-curated the yearlong show with fellow bisexual leaders Lani Ka’ahumanu and Martin Rawlings-Fein. “There was something about them; they took on more meaning than just one couple’s wedding

dresses. And I think, especially because of the fact we ended up being so visible as two women who are bisexual, it brought a lot of visibility to a population that tends to be very invisible,” said Ulrich. Drennen, who was arrested in her dress for blocking a city street near San Francisco City Hall during one marriage protest, said over time the meaning imbued in their dresses changed. “They became activism wear,” she said. Because the garments weren’t worn solely for a few hours on their wedding day and then cleaned and boxed up, the women came to think of them as “working dresses,” said Ulrich. “They did duty beyond just a party and a ritual.” The gowns struck a chord with attendees at the opening of the special exhibit, who either took photos of Drennen and Ulrich standing beside their dresses or asked to have their photo taken with the women and their garments. “A lot of people were delighted to see them,” recalled Ulrich. The couple looks forward to the day where they can return to San Francisco, which they called home for two decades, and see their wedding dresses as part of a marriage equality exhibit in the historical society’s future museum. “It would be pretty awesome to see my wedding dress is in the museum,” said Drennen. “We didn’t need the dresses, so this is a way to contribute to history by donating them.” Their dresses, added Ulrich, are a visual reminder that bisexual people stood alongside their gay, bisexual, and transgender compatriots fighting for marriage rights from the very beginning. “We were there throughout the whole thing, even though we were so often left out,” she said. “Our dresses are our way of saying don’t erase us. We were there and we got the dirt on our hems to prove it.” t

<< LGBTQ History Month

12 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

Authors and activism: A history of LGBT bookstores by Jason Villemez

ter’s Bookstore in Vancouver – both took their cases through Canadian courts. The censorship came during a time when queer booksellers distributed items that could be found no place else, including information that much of society wished to remain hidden.

ntil the 1970s, when LGBT publishing began and activists like the late Barbara Gittings pushed for representation in libraries, the few queer books available were limited mostly to anti-gay medical texts. So, as the first wave of bookstores like Giovanni’s Room opened in Philadelphia, getting hold of quality LGBT titles was a necessity. “It was unbelievably fun,” Ed Hermance said about his time operating Giovanni’s Room, one of the first queer bookstores in the world. “You weren’t there for the economics, and it would be exhausting if you were in it for the politics. We were starved.” According to Hermance, “Every book in the store from 1973 into 1976 the owners had bought for cash at a wholesaler in the West Village, where Craig Rodwell helped them pick out the few dozen titles available on gay subjects.” When Hermance and Arleen Olshan bought Giovanni’s Room in 1976, the two continued to make trips to New York and received the same guidance. “[Craig] knew everything, really,” Hermance said. Rodwell, who had moved to New York in 1958, did much more than help booksellers like Hermance find stock. A longtime activist and organizer, he opened the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop in 1967, the same year as the Stonewall Inn about a mile away. The store occupied a space on Mercer Street in the heart of New York University, and for those students and professors who passed by, everything could be seen. “Unlike most gay bars,” said Ellen Broidy, one of the first to work in the bookshop, “the Oscar Wilde had a standard-issue plate glass window, so once you were in, you were vis-

AIDS years

Courtesy Ed Hermance

Ed Hermance shown standing in front of Giovanni’s Room in the 1980s.

ible from the street. We actually had more than one ‘customer’ say they were there doing a sociology or psychology project.” As the first of its kind, the shop served as part bookstore and part gathering space, housing meetings for the Homophile Youth Movement and a bulletin board for group and event listings. On the shelves were titles ranging from lesbian pulp fiction to poetry to psychiatric texts that disputed the anti-gay establishment. Broidy, who coorganized the first gay Pride march along with Rodwell, remembers well the Alma Routsong novel “Patience and Sarah,” which generated excitement at the time “because nobody died at the end.” Within a few years, the shop increased its offerings and Rodwell opened a second store on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, right in the center of the city’s gay beating heart and surrounded by the counterculture that infused the activism of the era. Visitors in-

Jason Villemez

Gay’s The Word opened in London in 1979.

cluded locals and tourists, people from abroad and gay writers such as Tennessee Williams and Patricia Nell Warren, who gave readings. (Warren died in February at the age of 82.) Another of the Oscar Wilde’s early visitors was Jearld Moldenhauer, a Cornell University student who traveled from Ithaca during school breaks to peruse the shelves and walk the Village streets. Moldenhauer founded the Cornell University Student Homophile League in 1968 and, after moving to Canada a year later, the University of Toronto Homophile Association. He was disappointed that Canadian bookstores failed to stock the new wave of postStonewall books, so he ordered the titles himself and began to sell them out of his knapsack at various community meetings. The knapsack period was the first for the Glad Day Bookshop, which then operated out of Moldenhauer’s apartment along with The Body Politic, one of the country’s first gay periodicals.

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“The reality was that I was a fulltime gay radical,” Moldenhauer said, “one who wore many hats at the same time.” After finding a more permanent space for Glad Day in Toronto, he went on to open a Boston location in 1979, the same year that A Different Light in Los Angeles was cofounded by his former staff member. After early success, iterations of A Different Light soon appeared in San Francisco and New York. Lambda Rising, which first opened in Washington, D.C. in 1974, followed a similar expansion strategy, creating a store in Baltimore and later on in Norfolk, Virginia and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The shops, which supported each other by sharing news and ideas, became cornerstones of the communities they served, hosting political organizations and providing safe spaces for people to explore and embrace their sexuality. Such inclusiveness, along with the spirit of anti-war, anti-establishment revolution that fanned out before and after Stonewall, encouraged others to build upon the idea started by Rodwell and the Oscar Wilde. By the mid-1980s, queer bookstores were in more than 20 cities across North America, as well as venues in Germany, France, Australia, the Netherlands, and the UK. Gay’s the Word, London’s queer bookshop, opened in 1979 on Marchmont Street, a few blocks from the British Museum. Like the Oscar Wilde and all of its brethren, the shop and staff endured harassment both verbal and physical, so much so that wooden shutters were put up each night to protect the windows. But the extent of the threats did not begin or end with bricks: Her majesty’s government had a larger, more dangerous legal threat aimed at the store. In 1984, customs officers raided Gay’s the Word on multiple occasions and confiscated all imported publications. The shipments, many of which had come from Giovanni’s Room (which had begun wholesaling to stores abroad), included 144 titles such as novels by Gordon Merrick and Armistead Maupin; “The Joy of Gay Sex” by Charles Silverstein and Edmund White; a French weekly newspaper; and a 14th-century devotional book authored by a nun. The shop’s directors and assistant manager, whose homes were also raided, faced 100 charges including “conspiracy to import indecent and obscene material.” It took two years for the case to go through the courts before the staff was acquitted. During a pretrial hearing, the leader of the operation admitted that officers were given guidelines to confiscate work dealing with homosexuality. Such seizures, which relied on archaic customs laws, happened to bookstores in other countries, including Glad Day and Little Sis-

In the early years of the AIDS crisis, most medical and government establishments refused to share the most up-to-date information for fear of promoting or associating with homosexuality. Groups such as ACT-UP created pamphlets that explained transmission, symptoms, and how to get tested. Giovanni’s Room printed a bibliography of all known books on the disease. A person caught with such literature, even if they were not infected, could be fired from their job or ostracized in their community, so bookstores such as Gay’s The Word, according to longtime manager Jim MacSweeney, gave people a protected environment to take in the information. “Sometimes, when people came in and asked about different books, they were also perhaps outing themselves as being HIV-positive, knowing that they were doing it in a safe, non-judgmental space,” he said. “At the height of the epidemic, when newspapers and society were savage in their fear and loathing of gay people and people affected by HIV/AIDS, we managed to retain our sanity and provide a welcoming environment.” The AIDS crisis reminded the community to rally around each other, both in times of celebration and in times of stress. Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, as queer bookstores continued to help people weather the storm, a new generation of publishers and writers came into its own. Giovanni’s Room often hosted up to 50 writers a year, including stalwarts like Rita Mae Brown, whose novel “Rubyfruit Jungle” went on to sell over 1 million copies; Alan Hollinghurst; and Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore. LGBT publishers like Alyson Books began to widen their scope of releases to include history texts, more work by queer women, and children’s books. Classics like “Giovanni’s Room” (the 1956 novel by James Baldwin), which at times had fallen out of print in the U.S., were reprinted and celebrated. And gay celebrities wrote memoirs, among them Olympic diver Greg Louganis, whose 1995 effort “Breaking the Surface” became the top seller for many queer bookstores that year. Many storeowners recorded their highest sales ever during the decade between 1987 and 1997. Dorothy Allison, whose 1992 novel “Bastard Out of Carolina” was a finalist for the National Book Award, credited LGBT bookstores with shaping her work and her life. “I well remember the Oscar Wilde Bookstore in downtown NYC, wandering in there as a sort of baby dyke and being closely observed by the gay man behind the counter. I was concerned that he thought I was a shoplifter but actually he was admiring my leather jacket,” Allison said. “That was a tiny, but wonderful, bookstore. Without gay and lesbian bookstores, and the many feminist bookstores of my youth, I would never have found my people, my community, never had the encouragement and commentary of other gay and lesbian writers. I would not be who I am without those voices, those closely watching eyes, those critical and understanding perspectives.” See page 18 >>

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t Lesbian files complaint after denied service at SF salon by David-Elijah Nahmod

lesbian has filed a complaint with the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, claiming that a hair salon recently denied her service. Monica Talavera, a 51-year-old resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was visiting Yvette Robles in San Francisco August 12. According to both of them, the two were walking down Mission Street when they stopped inside Salon de Belleza at 2260 Mission. Talavera said that she looked at photos of different styles of haircuts in the shop to decide what kind of cut she wanted for herself. The sign by the shop’s front door states “Para Toda La Familia” (for all the family), and in English “Haircuts for Men, Women and Children.” “My sister, Yvette, and I were walking down Mission and I needed to get a haircut,” Talavera told the Bay Area Reporter, referring to her close friend. According to Talavera, the pair walked into Salon de Belleza and said hello. She claims that no one responded. “We stood there looking at all the pictures of the haircuts,” Talavera said. “I’m trying to figure out the kind of cut that I want, because I wanted a trim, but I wanted it to be styled.” Talavera said that there was a man and a woman working in the shop. The man was working on a cut while the woman swept up. Talavera said that the man turned around and said, “I don’t cut women’s hair.” Robles then, according to Talavera, spoke to the man in Spanish and pointed to the cut that Talavera wanted, telling

SFPD+090519+100319.indd 1

Courtesy Monica Talavera

Monica Talavera said she was denied service at a Mission district hair salon

him that she wanted her hair cut like a man’s – Talavera identifies as a butch dyke. The man suggested that they ask the woman who was working –Talavera said that the woman shook her head no. “This feels like discrimination,” Robles said, as Talavera continued recounting her story. Robles then pointed to the sign in front of the store that stated that they do cut women’s hair. “He said, ‘I don’t do that,’” Talavera said. “And Yvette said ‘That’s discrimination, shame on you. You came here knowing what discrimination is like, and now you’re doing it to your own people.’” Talavera spoke about how the incident made her feel. “This is my city too,” she said. “I lived in San Francisco for almost 20 years, I just left in 2012. With all the changes that’s going on in the country, it just felt really sad to me, this is how we’re treating each other.”

Talavera added that the incident felt awkward to her. She said she feels that the store refused to serve her because she’s a lesbian and because Robles is a trans woman. “There’s no hiding who we are,” she said. “And here you’ve got the two of us walking down the street together – you can’t miss us!” Robles corroborated Talavera’s story. “That’s discrimination,” Robles said. “Monica gets up, she was upset, and she flashed her money at him. And I said this is not the last you’re going to hear from us. We went next door, there’s another hair salon two doors away and they were really nice. They cut her hair the way she wanted.” Robles noted that she’s been in San Francisco for 30 years, and said that she’s seeing more discrimination these days. “It made me angry,” she said. “It made me feel confused because I’ve never experienced that kind of discrimination. It made me feel bad for Monica because we were in there for a long time – why didn’t they say something before? Why didn’t they greet us? And he said, ‘I don’t cut women’s hair.’ But it’s a masculine haircut that she wanted. So I felt like that was discrimination. And when he asked the woman if she would do it she just turned her head. So we ended up feeling that we didn’t belong in the city anymore.” Robles pointed out that she doesn’t want anyone to lose business. “There has to be a time where people need to realize that everyone’s human,” she said. “Even if you have discrimination, keep it to yourself and do your job. You’re See page 18 >>

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<< National News

14 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

High court preview: ‘The stakes could not be higher’ by Lisa Keen

ere’s the blunt reality from LGBT legal observers: The U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings on three cases it will hear arguments about Tuesday, October 8, could have the most profound consequences for LGBT people. The three cases ask whether an existing federal law that prohibits discrimination in employment “because of sex” applies where discrimination is motivated by an employee’s sexual orientation or transgender status. The existing law in question is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. That law states: “It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer [of 15 or more people] to ... discriminate against any individual ... because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. ...” LGBT legal activists say that discriminating against an employee because his or her spouse or sexual partner is of the same sex constitutes discrimination “because of ... sex.” They say discrimination against an employee whose gender identity differs from the sex attributes ascribed to them at birth constitutes discrimination “because of ... sex.” Attorneys for the other side, who are supported by the Trump administration, say Congress did not intend to include sexual orientation and gender identity under “because of ... sex,” and sex discrimination is when “members of one sex are exposed to disadvantageous terms ... to which members of the other sex are not exposed.” Both sides believe an explicit reading of the law favors them. “If the court reads the Title VII statute properly – and simply applies the literal words on the page – we will win,” said Jennifer Pizer, senior counsel at Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, which has submitted friend-of-thecourt briefs on behalf of the gay and transgender employees in the three cases. “Having the Supreme Court confirm that understanding ... will have enormous, powerful deterrent and remedial effects.” And because similar language is used in federal laws covering housing, education, credit, and health care, said Pizer, a win in these Title VII cases “will be tremendous precedents for future litigation in those areas.”

Courtesy Aimee Stephens

Aimee Stephens was fired from a Michigan funeral home after she transitioned.

Or, as Jon Davidson, chief counsel at Freedom for All Americans, said, “The stakes for our community could not be higher.” Davidson, former national legal director for Lambda Legal, characterized the three cases before the court as “the most consequential cases for LGBTQ people since the Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality and the most important cases about transgender people ever heard by the high court.” The Alliance Defending Freedom, a group that has spearheaded numerous lawsuits to diminish equal protection for LGBT people, has been sending out e-mails telling its supporters that the decisions will have enormous consequences, too. ADF says that, if the court allows “sex” to include “gender identity,” the result could “undermine equal opportunities for women and girls” in athletics, force women’s shelters to accept men, and force schools to “open locker rooms, restrooms, and showers to men who claim a female identity.” Many Supreme Court observers expect the trio of Title VII cases to be the most watched cases of the 2019-20 term, which begins Monday, October 7. The arguments will begin at 7 a.m. Pacific Time October 8, at the U.S. Supreme Court. The first hour will be spent on two cases involving sexual orientation discrimination; the second hour will be spent on transgender discrimination. People who live in the Washington, D.C., area can spend many hours waiting in line and maybe get into the court chambers to see and hear a few

minutes (seats reserved for visitors are rotated). The proceedings are not televised, so the next best bet is to read a transcript of the arguments, which will be made available at www.supremecourt.gov later in the day. Audio recordings are available at the same site later in the week.

The cases

Two of the cases ask whether Title VII covers sexual orientation discrimination. They are Altitude Express v. Zarda, from New York and the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals; and Bostock v. Clayton County, from Georgia and the 11th Circuit. Arguments in these two cases have been consolidated. The Zarda lawsuit began in 2010, when a Long Island skydiving company called Altitude Express fired one of its instructors, Daniel Zarda. The company said it terminated Zarda over a customer service problem; Zarda said it fired him because he disclosed to a jumper that he was gay. Zarda filed a lawsuit and, though he died in a skydiving accident in 2014, his estate carried on the litigation with the help of Lambda Legal. It won at the 2nd Circuit, but the employer has appealed to the Supreme Court. The Bostock lawsuit began in 2013 when the Clayton County Juvenile System in Georgia fired a longtime employee, Gerald Bostock, after he openly acknowledged joining a gay softball team. The county said it fired him for “conduct unbecoming a county employee;” Bostock said it fired him because he is gay. The 11th Circuit dismissed his lawsuit, noting it had previously ruled sexual orientation is not cov-

Courtesy Facebook

Gerald Bostock was fired from his job after joining a gay softball team.

ered under Title VII. Bostock appealed to the Supreme Court. The third case, which will be argued in the second hour, involves discrimination based on transgender status. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC originated in 2014 when funeral home director and embalmer Aimee Stephens filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Stephens said Harris Funeral Homes fired her after seven years on the job two weeks after she informed the employer she would be transitioning. The funeral home said it fired Stephens because she refused to abide by the company’s dress code, requiring that male employees wear a company-furnished men’s business suit. The EEOC found Harris Funeral Homes in violation of Title VII, and the 6th Circuit agreed. Harris Funeral Homes appealed to the Supreme Court.

The prospects for victory or defeat

To win a case at the Supreme Court, one must have the support of at least five justices. In the past, LGBT people could pretty much rely on getting that majority from the court’s four generally liberal members (Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan) and the moderate Justice Anthony Kennedy. Kennedy, in fact, became legendary for providing the critical fifth vote on marriage equality and striking down a key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act. He also led 6-3 majorities in striking down sodomy laws and laws seeking to gut nondiscrimination ordinances.

But Kennedy retired last year and, with the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016, the new court has a solid five-person majority of very conservative justices. The new justices include Brett Kavanaugh, whose answers around LGBT issues during his confirmation hearing were alarmingly evasive to LGBT activists. The other new justice is Neil Gorsuch, who wrote an article criticizing “liberals” for filing lawsuits on “everything from gay marriage to assisted suicide” to achieve their “social agenda.” Hence, observers noted, the prospects for victory have diminished in the past year. One thing leaning in favor of the LGBT parties in these cases is precedent – previous Supreme Court rulings – in two cases. In one case, decided in 1989, the Supreme Court ruled that discrimination based on sex included discrimination based on gender-based stereotypes. The case was Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins, in which a female employee at the accounting giant Price Waterhouse was rejected for partnership because some top officials at the firm considered her too masculine. The Supreme Court plurality said the employer’s refusal to promote the woman was “motivated by stereotypical notions about women’s proper deportment” and that it constituted a violation of Title VII unless the employer could prove “by clear and convincing evidence” that it would have refused the promotion regardless of the employee’s gender. In the second case, decided in 1998, the Supreme Court, led by Scalia, said Title VII’s prohibition against sex discrimination, including a prohibition against sexual harassment, could be used to protect an employee from sexual harassment by an employee of the same sex. The case was Oncale v. Sundowner. The caveat is that while lower courts must abide by U.S. Supreme Court precedent, the high court itself does not. The court has famously reversed precedent in cases involving segregation, interracial marriage, and corporate financing in elections. Most relevant here, of course, is that the Supreme Court, in 2003’s, Lawrence v. Texas, reversed its 1986 ruling in Bowers v. Hardwick, which had upheld state bans on same-sex sexual relations.

Complications and See page 18 >>

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<< Community News

16 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

Activists urge Newsom to sign cannabis bill by Sari Staver

tate Senator Scott Wiener (DSan Francisco) and more than a dozen cannabis activists urged Governor Gavin Newsom to sign Senate Bill 34, which will make it possible for indigent patients to receive free cannabis. Such programs, known as compassionate care, have suffered over the past 18 months because they have been forced to pay taxes, typically at least 25%, on the goods they have received as donations. A similar bill, also by Wiener, was vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown last year. At a news conference held at the “Castro Castle,” the former home of the late gay marijuana advocate Dennis Peron, Wiener said the bill was necessary because one of the “unintended consequences” of Proposition 64, which passed in 2016 and legalized adult use of cannabis, was that the bill imposed new taxes, making it very difficult for indigent patients to continue receiving the free cannabis they’d gotten for the past two decades. Prior to passage of Prop 64, numerous organizations were able to donate free cannabis to patients without paying the government any taxes. Following passage of Prop 64, local governments had discretion in setting tax rates, which have added an average of at least 25% to the cost of retail cannabis, driving many people to the black market. Wiener, a gay man, noted that he has lived in the Castro, near Peron’s home on 17th Street, for the past 22 years. “An entire generation of activists” risked their own safety to provide medicine to people who were getting sick and dying of AIDS, he said. “We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.” According to Wiener, the authors of Prop 64 probably “didn’t intend to wipe away the gains” made in the past two decades, when many groups were launched to help patients get medicine. But it did have that consequence, a number of activists

Sari Staver

David Goldman, left, president of the Brownie Mary Democratic Club, spoke at a news conference with state Senator Scott Wiener about an indigent cannabis bill.

said. David Goldman, a gay man who is president of the Brownie Mary Democratic Club, said that before Prop 64 was passed, he was able to regularly supply free cannabis to 25 patients in meetings at his home in the Castro, thanks to donations from growers. The $2,000 worth of cannabis often available for each patient would now cost Goldman about $500 in taxes, he explained, causing him to cancel the program. If the bill passes, Goldman hopes to restart the program, he said. Another activist, Joe Airone, a straight ally who founded the Sweetleaf Cooperative in 1996 to distribute free cannabis to AIDS and cancer patients in San Francisco, described the current dire situation many patients face, now that most compassionate programs have had to close their doors. “Patients have told me they have to choose between buying food or buying cannabis,” Airone said at the news conference. “It’s a

horrible predicament.” Airone introduced Ed Gallagher, a visually impaired man with AIDS and cancer, who has been getting cannabis from Sweetleaf for many years. “I couldn’t function without it,” said Gallagher. Sean Kiernan, representing Weed for Warriors, an organization of veterans who are cannabis activists, said the proposed legislation won’t solve all of the problems of cannabis access for veterans, “but it’s an on-ramp,” he said. Kiernan, who described himself as a “suicide survivor,” pointed out that Veterans Affairs is one of the largest purchasers of pharmaceuticals in the nation, including psychiatric drugs and opioids. “We should be giving our veterans a choice,” by also providing cannabis, he said. Wiener’s bill is backed by the cannabis industry, said Eddie Franco, who represented the California Cannabis Industry As-

Guest Opinion

From page 6

Costa-Hawkins is no bar to achieving this equality

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Always fearful that laws benefiting communities will diminish profits, real estate developers and landlords have continuously sought to solidify barriers to community-supported protections. In 1995, Governor Pete Wilson gave them a win when he signed the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, establishing that no local regulations to limit rent increases could be enacted for any housing built after February 1995 – setting a statewide age-based cap as put in the SFRO. Ordinances like the SFRO remained in effect but the law froze in place their cut-off dates to prevent them from advancing to the new limit. However, the Costa Hawkins constraint applies only to rent control and has no impact on the many expanded rights achieved through legislation and ballot measures. Thus, the remedy – removal of this housing age-based

sociation. According to Franco, indigent patients are increasingly buying from black market dealers to avoid the taxes levied by retail cannabis shops. According to Franco, under SB 34 all of the donated cannabis will still fall under the “track and trace” umbrella mandated by Prop 64, which requires the products to undergo the same testing as those for sale at retail locations. “This is not a loophole to get free cannabis,” he said. Wiener authored a similar bill, SB 829, last year, which Brown vetoed. Like SB 34, activists and industry representatives also backed that proposal. After its defeat, Wiener vowed to try again. At the news conference, when asked why Brown vetoed the bill last year, Wiener said he “never understood the reasoning” behind the decision. Brown’s veto message stated that SB 829 contained provisions that conflicted with Prop 64, which prohibits giving away products free of charge. A number of speakers voiced optimism that Newsom, who replaced Brown after he was termed out of office, would sign the bill, which had wide bipartisan support. Wayne Justmann, a longtime cannabis activist who worked closely with Peron to distribute free medical cannabis, said that Newsom has been a “longtime supporter” of cannabis. According to Justmann, Newsom signed a letter of recommendation to a landlord when Justmann opened a dispensary in the mid-1990s. “We believe we have his support,” he said. Newsom has until October 13 to sign bills.

Amber Senter, a manufacturer and distributor who launched her company, LLProducts Inc., earlier this year. In San Francisco, Senter said the tax is 1.5%. The push to eliminate the tax began last year, said Senter, a lesbian, and threatens businesses like hers that take in less than $1.5 million in revenue. “The tax is crushing,” said Senter, who said she might have to move to San Francisco if it’s not eliminated. “But this isn’t the solution,” she explained. “Oakland must be sure their policies encourage new business” not chase them away, she said. “Larger businesses may be able to survive” with the tax, she said. “But for small businesses, that can be our total profit margin. We’re asking that we just be taxed at the same rate as other businesses.” If Oakland “wants to be a national model for equity business, as we all hope they will,” there has to be tax relief, she added. People who are interested in supporting small cannabis businesses should let City Council members know their feelings, she said. The council could take up the issue as early as October, she added. t Bay Area Cannasseur runs the first Thursday of the month. To send column ideas or tips, email Sari Staver at sfsari@gmail.com.

Taxes in Oakland

Taxes on cannabis are also an issue in Oakland, where activists and business people are hoping the City Council will eliminate the 10% tax on pot that goes directly into the city’s coffers, said inequity for the non-rent-controlled protection – is attainable.

San Franciscans deserve equal treatment under the SFRO

Year after year our Board of Supervisors, mayor, and activists have worked to add protections under the existing rent ordinance. The hard-fought and varied protections added to the SFRO can, and should, be provided to all tenants. SFRO Section 37.2(r) defines broadly “rental unit” as “all residential dwelling units in the City and County of San Francisco ...” then reduces this through subsection (5) that states “[t]he term ‘rental units’ shall not include Rental Units located in a structure for which a certificate of occupancy was first issued after the effective date of this ordinance [i.e. 1979].” My proposed carve out exception to overcome the CostaHawkins limitation could include subsection 37.2(r)(5)(D) and state “[E]xcept as used in Sections 37.9(a) & 37.10B et. seq. where the date of issuance of the certificate of occupancy is of no conse-

quence.” An amendment of one sentence can extend the blanket of protection from the diminishing percentage of the overall housing stock back to the super-majority of citizenry included in 1979. Unifying all tenants of San Francisco with comparable housing protections is emblematic of and consistent with our internationally recognized model for housing justice. t Eric Lifschitz is managing partner of LEDA Law Firm, a tenants rights firm with a focus on toxic mold and tenant harassment litigation. Lifschitz recently stepped down as board president of the Eviction Defense Collaborative nonprofit, the lead partner in SF’s historic 2018 ballot measure to provide a Right to Counsel to anyone being evicted from their home. Lifschitz has now redirected his energy to advocating with his peers for pro-tenant legislation. He also provides a free “Tenants Rights Made Easy” seminar to communities with a focus on empowering tenants to self-advocate and utilize allies in protection of their rights.

International News >>

October 3-9, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 17

Gay Peruvian congressman resigns

lberto de Belaunde, who was one of two openly gay congressmen in Peru, stepped down late Monday night after Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra dissolved the South American country’s Congress. De Belaunde is one of six nominees for this year’s LGBTQ Victory Institute Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough Award, the organization announced September 26. “Thank you so much for allowing me to serve my country and all of you,” de Belaunde tweeted September 30. “I apologize for what I could not do and if at any time I was not up to your expectations, know that I left my heart and soul, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity and support.” The Bay Area Reporter contacted de Belaunde over the weekend but wasn’t able to connect for an interview. Carlos Bruce, who represents Lima, Peru’s capital city, is the country’s other gay congressman. In a message to the Bay Area Reporter, Bruce wrote, “For President Vizcarra, I’m not a congressman anymore. For us [members of Congress], we are still congressmen and the true president of Peru is our vice president Mercedes Araoz.” Late Monday night, Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra dissolved Peru’s Congress to force elections in his anticorruption campaign. Congress appointed Vizcarra, who had served as vice president, in March 2018. He succeeded Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who, at the time, was facing an impending impeachment for alleged graft and votebuying. Peru has been rocked by ongoing political scandals since 2016. It’s tied to the fallout from Brazilian construction conglomerate Grupo Odebrecht’s corruption scandal where company officials spent millions of dollars bribing public officials to gain lucrative contracts. The company’s bribery of political leaders involved 10 countries, including Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Odebrecht officials confessed to corruption and, in 2016, signed a deal with United States and Swiss authorities paying out $2.6 billion in fines, reported the BBC. However, the scandal didn’t end with the payout. According to experts, it has uprooted Peru’s political system. It has brought down some political leaders, such as Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, who is currently in jail. Vizcarra’s political maneuver comes after months of calling for general elections. The New York Times reported that the opposition party that rules Congress has repeatedly delayed holding an election. Some lawmakers attempted to suspend the president for 12 months, nominating Araoz as the new head of state on Monday.

For the people

Earlier this year, it was reported that de Belaunde called for an investigation of all “congressmen, politicians, and personalities” connected to Odebrecht. De Belaunde is focused on overhauling Peru’s justice system. He is also is a leading figure in the South American country’s marriage equality campaign and was working on legalizing medical cannabis, according to a Victory Institute news release. De Belaunde told Reuters that his same-sex marriage bill, which he introduced in Congress for debate in 2016, and a gender identity bill were “doomed” for this year. He made the remarks while attending a Victory Institute event in Bogota, Colombia in May. “Our bill for marriage equality and

Courtesy Enfoque Derecho

Peru’s gay former Congressman Alberto de Belaunde

our bill for gender identity, well they are, like, doomed,” said de Belaunde. He added, “We are still fighting. I think every time we talk about this issue we move forward, but the thing is, we don’t have the votes.” The constitutional lawyer, university professor, and author, who lives with his boyfriend of seven years, noted that a conservative Congress in the majority Catholic country and a growing evangelical movement in Peru are making progress on LGBT rights challenging. The couple live like roommates, de Belaunde told Reuters. “We have no legal recognition,” said de Belaunde, who pushed for the legalization of same-sex marriage for three years in Congress. Peru is one of three South American countries, including Paraguay and Venezuela, that hasn’t legalized same-sex marriage. Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay have achieved marriage equality. De Belaunde also served as secretary of the Congressional Committee on Science, Innovation and Technology and contributes to the newspaper, Correo. Other political leaders nominated for the Baldwin award are Maryland Delegate Gabriel Acevero, North Carolina state Representative Deb Butler, Colorado state Representative Leslie Herod, Nebraska state Senator Megan Hunt, Pennsylvania state Representative Malcolm Kenyatta and Eau Claire, Wisconsin school board member Joe Luginbill. Victory Institute supporters can vote for a nominee to be awarded the Baldwin award by going to https://bit.ly/2lZCvvW. Voting closes October 7. The winner will be announced October 9 and honored with the award at the International LGBTQ Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., November 13-16.

Polish police protect Lublin’s Equality March

Polish police officers used water cannons and tear gas to protect LGBT marchers during Lublin’s second Pride parade September 29. About 1,000 police officers also patrolled the parade route and detained nearly 30 anti-gay demonstrators. United Press International reported that the Equality March, as it was called, attracted an estimated 1,500 attendees. They watched rainbow flags wave as marchers chanted and carried signs with slogans, “Love is love,” as they walked through the streets of the southeastern Poland city, reported United Press International. In 2018, former Lublin Mayor Krzysztof Zuk banned the Pride parade, citing security concerns. A court overruled the ban days later. Pride organizers were concerned the ban would happen again, but Friday, the Court of Appeal upheld the district court’s decision allowing the march to go forward.

Poland’s LGBT community has become a political target by the country’s conservative ruling Law and Justice party (PiS), leading up to general elections October 13. The party is leading in the polls. PiS leaders have spoken out against Poland’s LGBT community and growing number of Pride parades, calling homosexuality an invasive foreign influence and claiming it undermines traditional Polish values in an appeal to conservative, mostly Catholic Poland. Reuters reported that PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski urged Poles to resist the “traveling theater” of Pride marches, describing them as a “real threat to ... the Polish state.” In August, global market research firm Ipsos conducted a survey for a Polish website OKO press. The survey found that Poles rank the LGBT movement as one of the most serious threats to the country, second only to climate change, reported Reuters. According to the Associated Press, in 2017, there were only seven Pride events. The number of events more than doubled to 15 in 2018. This year set a record of 25 pride events in the country so far.

French lesbians one step closer to legal families

the backlash when former President Francois Hollande legalized samesex marriage. In 2013, France legalized assisted reproductive technology

for straight couples but continued banning the practice for gay couples and single women. Surrogacy was banned for both straight and gay individuals. t

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Members of France’s National Assembly burst into applause as they extended access to reproductive technologies to queer and single women September 27 in a 55-17 vote. The bill will now go to the Senate to be voted on before it can become law. Currently, only heterosexual couples in France can legally use reproductive technologies, such as utilizing sperm donors or in-vitro fertilization. Queer women couples and single women have to travel abroad to access fertility clinics to have children. It is the biggest social reform of President Emmanuel Macron’s administration since he took office in 2017. If approved, France will join other European nations, such as Belgium, Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Scandinavian countries that have legalized medially assisted reproductive procedures. Not everyone is happy about the bill’s passage. The Guardian reported that a planned October 6 rally in Paris against the bill has been called by a coalition of about 20 conservative groups, stating it will “deprive children of their fathers.” Even some members of Macron’s own centrist party are against the bill. Macron has acknowledged the “political risk” of the legislation and

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AND

by Heather Cassell

<< Community News

18 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

Castro Street Fair

Acts on the main stage begin at 11 a.m. and will include performances from the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band (the city’s official band), CHEER SF, and Cindy Sparks. Sparks, who is bisexual, is part of a group called Dolores Flow. Dolores Flow meets in Mission Dolores Park every week to practice and teach glow arts, juggling, and hula hooping. “We are basically a group of friends. We’ve known each other for five years and want to share the bright and colorful magic we do at Dolores Park with the Castro Street Fair,” Sparks said.

LGBT members of the group will be scattered around the fair. “Look for the shiny rainbows around the whole fair with different DJs and performers,” Sparks said. Next to the Noe intersection will be a “world of wonderment” called The Midway. “It’s going to be a carnival atmosphere with a balloon pop and interactive games,” said Jenn Meyer, a straight ally who’s the president of the fair’s board of directors. The Midway is also set to include bean bag and can tosses and a “rocket race,” according to the fair’s website. Meyer, who is the owner of the Local Take boutique gift shop on 17th Street in the Castro, said that

many of the old favorite foods such as sausages and hamburgers will still be at the fair but that there are new additions this year, including a vegan food truck and paella, “which I’m really excited about.” The food will be on 18th Street between Collingwood and Diamond streets. There will be four locations to purchase alcohol on the streets, including at a stand adjacent to the food court. The alcohol will include selections from Founders Brewing, Trumer Pils, and Spiked Seltzer. Paying a $5-10 donation upon entering will get $1 off the purchase of alcoholic drinks. Last year, the Castro Street Fair raised over $50,000 for community organizations. The fair also pays

for the rainbow flag that flies above Harvey Milk Plaza. Milk founded the Castro Street Fair in 1974, three years before his historic election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, as a way for the LGBT people who moved into the neighborhood that decade to become a closer community. For those looking for some political humor, the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club will have its annual pie toss at the fair. Club President Kevin Bard explained in a Facebook post that the club switched from a dunk tank due to tossing pies to be conscious of water usage. Scheduled to participate beginning at noon are Supervisor Hillary Ronen, District 5 supervisor candi-

date Dean Preston, activist Shaun Haines, district attorney candidates Chesa Boudin and Leif Dautch, gay City College of San Francisco trustee Tom Temprano, gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, and gay former Milk club president Peter Gallotta. It dates back to Milk founding the fair. “Milk started this thing 46 years ago, and it’s the longest continuous street fair in the Castro,” Meyer said. “It was created to be inclusive and created as a celebration for people who, at that point, didn’t have much to celebrate.” The Castro Street Fair takes place Sunday, October 6, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit https://castrostreetfair.org/.t

ors and marines with raffles, an auction, and go-go dancers. Tickets are $10 at the door.

a film about families and secrets, love and taboos, choices and legacy. The ensemble delivers authentic, emotional performances. Sonoma Valley LGBT Seniors is an all-volunteer group committed to creating community for older LGBT seniors. The group provides monthly discussions every third Friday morning at 10 a.m. at Vintage House, as well as a variety of social activities including walks, lunches, holiday parties, and an annual Pride celebration. Tickets for the film screening are $10 at the door. For more information, call (415) 608-5792.

LGBT center’s Queer Marketplace

at Bridge Art Space, 23 Maine Avenue, in Richmond. Featured films for the “Remembering History, Making History” event include “Gamers,” by Searit Huluf; “Engaged,” by David Scala; “Trans Justice,” by Michelle Prevost and Ilena Ferrer; and films by the Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project. The event is free. There will be food, followed by the screenings and panel discussion. For more information, visit www.richmondrainbowpride.org. t

Breed also said that “we all know the challenges” of law enforcement interactions with various communities, including African Americans and LGBTs. “The fact that the chief had the courage to be open about the discussion and did it from a place of love at Glide … Cecil was one of the champions,” Breed said, referring to

the Reverend Cecil Williams, who became pastor at Glide in the 1960s and embarked on various initiatives to bring communities together. Now 90, Williams is pastor emeritus. Scott was asked to comment for this article, but his spokesman declined. Instead, the SFPD emailed a statement attributed to lesbian Commander Theresa Ewins.

“We are indebted to the enormous volume of work by community members, city leaders, and San Francisco Police Department LGBTQ and nonbinary officers, past and present, who are contributing to foster positive changes within law enforcement,” it read. Beswick said it was “interesting” to see the recent police apologies,

not only in San Francisco but in other cities as well. New York City Police Commissioner James O’Neill apologized in June for the actions of his department during the Stonewall riots 50 years ago. “I haven’t heard them apologize for what happened in the Castro that night,” he said. t

“It was devastating when Borders opened in Philadelphia,” Hermance said. “Virtually every issue of the Inquirer [newspaper] had some story that included Borders. Something like a dozen bookstores in Center City closed.” The shops that remained were forced to adopt new strategies to survive. Several decided to open cafe spaces and sell items far-removed from queer books. Giovanni’s Room, which nearly closed for good in 2014, was purchased by the nonprofit Philly AIDS Thrift and now operates as part thrift shop, part bookstore. And a number of shops launched fundraising campaigns within their communities to help encourage sales, donations, and sponsorships. Even the newest queer bookseller,

Category is Books, which opened in 2018 in Glasgow, Scotland, has had to find fresh perspectives on what a queer bookstore can be. Owners Charlotte and Fionn Duffy-Scott said that understanding the neighborhood and clientele has been imperative to their early success. “We have a pop-up queer barbershop on our closed days because there isn’t something like it anywhere else in Scotland. We also run drag king scratch nights, again because we love drag and there’s a king community in the city, and we stock local zines and weekly comics, which maybe wouldn’t traditionally be in a bookshop but is something we are passionate about,” Charlotte Duffy-Scott said. The shop, whose best-selling item over Christmas was the zine Queer-

ing the Map of Glasgow, also has quirky sections including “Lesbian Detective” and “Books with Maps at the Beginning.” Throughout the changes in the industry, the shifting tastes of consumers and the rise and fall of brick-and-mortar shops, the hallmark of queer bookstores serving as a gateway for their communities has endured. Alan Chelak, the current manager at Giovanni’s Room, said that in the aftermath of the 2016 election, people came en masse in search of political and feminist books. This year, too, has been busy with tourists and school trips due to the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. But despite the recent excitement, Chelak always remembers those people the store was built to serve.

He had similar advice for anyone wishing to follow in the footsteps of Rodwell and booksellers past. “One lesson I’ve learned is that you’re nothing without the people around you,” Chelak said. “I am incredibly lucky to be doing this, but it’s the people around me that have helped me get to where I am. So, if you’re looking to start an LGBT bookstore anywhere, I think you have to work with your community and listen to your community, because if you do that, you can’t go wrong.” t

phone number for Salon de Belleza, but was able to speak to owner Arely Vasquez in person. “I did not know about it,” Vasquez said, when told of Talavera’s claims. “I don’t know who she spoke to but some of the barbers are only

licensed to cut men’s hair, maybe that’s why they said they couldn’t cut her hair. I heard that some shops are getting sued because they don’t do women’s hair. Some of the barbers don’t speak English.” Talavera said that Robles spoke

to the barber in Spanish. “He said ‘I don’t do that’ in English,” Talavera said. “They refused me service because I’m a woman, or because of the type of woman I am.” She added that she has not yet heard back from the San Fran-

cisco Human Rights Commission regarding her complaint. David Miree, media liaison for the HRC, did not respond to the B.A.R.’s email and phone call request for comment. t

equality case in 1972 by striking down state bans on same-sex marriage in 2015. But while this slow-moving judiciary seemed to complete a full turn toward LGBT equality in 2015’s decision on same-sex marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges, a headwind seemed to develop last year with the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision. The majority sent the case back to Colorado, saying the state’s human rights commission had expressed “hostility” toward the religious beliefs expressed by a baker who refused

to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. Some LGBT activists felt that gave “dangerous encouragement” to business owners who might want to circumvent laws prohibiting sexual orientation discrimination simply by claiming religious motivation. Similar cases have since multiplied and will, no doubt, be before the Supreme Court soon. But the consequences of a ruling about Title VII and sexual orientation and transgender status are even greater. Currently, only 21 states and the District of Colum-

bia prohibit both sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in the workplace. “If we win,” explained Davidson, “all LGBTQ people will be protected no matter where they live.” A victory would “also be [a] resounding confirmatory statement that anti-LGBTQ discrimination is wrong,” said Pizer. “It’s impossible to overstate the ameliorative influence of such statements,” she said. “Witness the profound changes in social attitudes post-marriage equality. ...”

But there’s an equally enormous consequence and message if the LGBT community loses. “If we lose either the sexual orientation cases or the gender identity/transgender status case,” said Pizer, “the consequences will be intensely dire in multiple ways. There will be a message that it’s perfectly legal to fire or refuse to hire [or] otherwise to abuse LGBTQ people at work.” t

From page 1

News Briefs

From page 4

City Hall is located at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Drive. For more information, contact the elections department at (415) 554-4375 or sfvote@sfgov.org.

Fleet Week vets benefit

The Alexander Hamilton Post 448 of the American Legion will have a biscuits and gravy brunch benefit Thursday, October 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 440 Castro Street in San Francisco. The predominately LGBTQ post will also welcome Fleet Week sail-

Castro Sweep

From page 8

“Everybody takes direction from me who works for any city department,” Breed said. “I didn’t know about it and I have not given the chief any direction. He did this on his own.”

LGBTQ bookstores

From page 12

Chains proliferate

In the mid-1990s, as the first HIV drug cocktails emerged, chain booksellers like Borders and Barnes and Noble had spread across the country and, coveting a foothold in a burgeoning market, opened gay and lesbian sections in their stores. Their proliferation caused the number of LGBT bookstores to reach its tipping point. The subsequent decline, felt in full by the late 2000s and hastened with the arrival of Amazon and online bookselling, led numerous outlets, including A Different Light, Lambda Rising, and the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, to permanently shutter.

SF salon

From page 13

there providing a service for the community. I want these people to have sensitivity training.” The B.A.R. was unable to find a

High court

From page 14

consequences abound

Relatively speaking, the Supreme Court moves slowly and prefers to leave the driving to Congress. It took 17 years for the court to acknowledge that Hardwick was “not correct” and strike down sodomy laws with Lawrence. It took 17 years for the court to strike down DOMA after it was enacted. And it took 43 years for the high court to rectify its dismissal of an appeal of marriage

LGBT film screening in Sonoma

Sonoma Valley LGBT Seniors and OutWatch LGBTQI Film Festival are partnering to show the film “Snapshots” Friday, October 11, at 7 p.m. at Vintage House, 264 First Street East in Sonoma. The movie, directed by Melanie Mayron and starring three-time Oscar nominee Piper Laurie, is the story of three generations of women coming together for a weekend at the family’s lakeside cabin. It is

The San Francisco LGBT Community Center will hold its Queer Marketplace event Saturday, October 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the center, 1800 Market Street. The pop-up marketplace showcases LGBTQ-owned small businesses. To be a vendor, contact sbconsultant@sfcenter.org.

Richmond Pride film screening

Richmond Rainbow Pride will hold a film screening Saturday, October 12, from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Jason Villemez is a short story writer and a former journalist for Philadelphia Gay News and PBS NewsHour.

t <<

From the Cover >>

AIDS 2020

From page 1

“This conference is going to shed an incredible light on our cities, but it’s also going to shed light on the fact that we still have work to do,” said San Francisco Mayor London Breed, who last month announced that new HIV diagnoses in the city have fallen below 200 for the first time. “We still need to continue to make investments to get the job done, but because we are so close, I know we can get there.” Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf also spoke at the event. “I hope the world is inspired that two cities have joined hands toward our mutual goal of reaching the three zeros – zero new HIV infections, zero HIV-related deaths, and zero stigma and discrimination due to HIV status,” Schaaf said. “If two cities can reach across a bay to collaborate, countries across this planet can reach across oceans and join together in this endeavor to end the epidemic.” Not everyone is happy with the location choice, however. Some local and international advocates oppose holding the meeting anywhere in the United States, citing a political climate they see as increasingly hostile to immigrants, people of color, LGBT people, and other groups heavily impacted by HIV. Others cite logistical difficulties, including the Bay Area’s high cost, traffic gridlock, and oftendysfunctional public transit systems.

At the forefront

Speakers at Monday’s event recalled the history of the AIDS epidemic and of the conference, which began in 1985 as a small gathering of researchers and public health officials in Atlanta. The last confab, held in July 2018 in Amsterdam, drew more than 16,000 participants.

The IAC was last held in San Francisco in 1990, when the death toll from AIDS was near its peak with no good treatments on the horizon. “I was at that conference 30 years ago. It was a time of tremendous grief,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco). “People were so angry – we were losing our friends, some of us were going to two funerals a day. Yet in the White House there was not a commensurate recognition of what was happening. It was a horrible experience at that conference. This one will be completely different because it will have hope.” San Francisco has played a leading role in addressing the epidemic, from its community-based care model in the 1980s to being the first city to promote universal early HIV treatment in 2010 to being on the forefront of same-day treatment and widespread PrEP use today. The AIDS 2020 theme, “Resilience,” highlights the changes that have shaped the local HIV response. At the same time, the Bay Area sees some of the same disparities as the country as a whole. As described in the latest San Francisco HIV epidemiology annual report, African Americans continue to have a higher rate of new HIV diagnoses, are less likely to be on effective treatment, and are more likely to die. Outcomes are particularly dismal among homeless people. Oakland, which has a much larger black population than San Francisco, has fewer and less well-funded HIV prevention and care services. In 1990, activists felt governments, the medical establishment, and the pharmaceutical industry were not doing enough to fight the epidemic, prompting a week of protests by ACT UP and allied groups both on the streets and inside the conference venue. Some activists are already starting

October 3-9, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 19

to talk about potential actions at next summer’s meeting. One target of the 1990 protests was the travel ban that barred HIV-positive visitors and immigrants from entering the country. For this reason, the international conference was not held in the U.S. for more than a decade after that. President Barack Obama officially lifted the ban in 2010, paving the way for the 2012 confab in Washington, D.C.

All are welcome

AIDS 2020 organizers and local officials said that the conference welcomes everyone, and they are making a concerted effort to ensure broad and diverse participation. One such step is expanding scholarships to enable more people with HIV, low-income people, and young people to attend. “It can’t be said enough that the teams behind AIDS 2020 are unequivocally united in our commitment to champion the needs to those historically silenced and ignored and to underscore how the face of HIV is changing,” said local conference cochair Dr. Monica Gandhi of UCSF and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Speakers at Monday’s event focused on the big picture and gave few details about how the conference plans to deal with the challenges of housing a large number of people, many of them low-income, and moving them back and forth across the bay. Gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) worked with the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus and Governor Gavin Newsom’s office to secure $2 million in state funding for the conference. He was at Monday’s news conference and joined by Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco).

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Organizers said they want to avoid a situation where the conference’s scientific sessions are concentrated in San Francisco while community events take place in the East Bay. Most of the major sessions will be held at the newly expanded Moscone Center in San Francisco and the Oakland Convention Center. Conference planners told the Bay Area Reporter that they intend to have a Global Village – a community-focused space that offers free activities open to all – in both cities. But some community advocates are not convinced by the organizers’ good intentions. They expect the political climate to worsen in the run-up to the 2020 election, making it unsafe for members of key populations who bear the brunt of the epidemic. Despite lifting of the HIV travel ban, other laws still bar the entry of sex workers and people who use drugs. And, some say, hosting the conference will divert resources that could be put to better use providing direct services for people living with or at risk for HIV. Late last year, a coalition of advocates, community organizations, and people living with HIV announced that they will host their own event in Mexico City at the same time – dubbed HIV 2020 – “to provide a safe alternative for individuals who cannot or will not enter the U.S. in 2020 or who cannot afford to attend AIDS 2020.”

In the matter of the application of: LEWAM GIRMAY / BINIAM GHEBRESELASIE BRHANE, 222 TAYLOR ST #511, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner LEWAM GIRMAY / BINIAM GHEBRESELASIE BRHANE, is requesting that the name ABIGAIL BINIAM GIRMAY AKA ABIGAIL GIRMAY, be changed to ABIGAIL BINIAM BRHANE. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 17th of October 2019 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555192

In the matter of the application of: JACKY KHAI DANG, 2211 29TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner JACKY KHAI DANG, is requesting that the name JACKY KHAI DANG AKA KHANH KHAI DANG, be changed to JACKY KHAI DANG. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 29th of October 2019 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019

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Legal Notices>> ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555179

Yet local organizers, elected officials, and many community members remain undaunted by the opposition. “As AIDS 2020 approaches, we must unite to face the challenges of a deteriorating human rights climate, oppressive and punitive laws in many countries across the globe, increasing xenophobia and social exclusion, and a widening gap between those with and without access to health services,” said local conference co-chair Cynthia Carey-Grant, the former executive director of Women Organized to Respond to Life-Threatening Diseases “Strong partnerships are our greatest tool in ending the epidemic,” she continued. “While research institutions produce unparalleled scientific advancements, civil society and activists – especially those people living with HIV and AIDS – make sure it is implemented through a human rights and social justice framework.” Congresswoman Barbara Lee (DOakland), a co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, said she’s excited about the conference. “This is our moment,” she said.“I’m so proud of this partnership between Oakland and San Francisco. This is something that has been worked on for a long time by so many people and took a lot of heavy lifting.” t

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555193

In the matter of the application of: ANN THI HONG NGUYEN, 2211 29TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner ANN THI HONG NGUYEN, is requesting that the name ANN THI HONG NGUYEN AKA HONG AN THI NGUYEN, be changed to ANN HONG NGUYEN. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 29th of October 2019 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555190

In the matter of the application of: PENG LI, 1010 16TH ST #644, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner PENG LI, is requesting that the name PENG LI AKA TIAOLI LO, be changed to TIAOLI LI. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 24th of October 2019 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555184 In the matter of the application of: YONG QIAN FENG, 40 WESTGATE DR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner YONG QIAN FENG, is requesting that the name YONG QIAN FENG AKA ADAM YONG QIAN FENG AKA ADAM Q. FENG AKA ADAM FENG, be changed to ADAM YONG QIAN FENG. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 24th of October 2019 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038787500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: WAN CONCEPTS, 786 MARLIN AVE, FOSTER CITY, CA 94405. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MING YING XU. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/05/19.

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038762400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: NITESTAR CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, 1939 A 15TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SAQIB JALIL. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/16/19.

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038772800

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038764100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FRINGE ELECTROLYSIS, 1731-B BUCHANAN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KATHERINE MARIE CARROLL. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/31/18. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/26/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: KINDERBLAST PRESCHOOL, 15 ALDER COURT, FAIRFAX, CA 94930. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed PLANETWORK NGO, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/19/19.

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038780500

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038774600

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038785400

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038775600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RAMIREZ TILE DESIGN, 4049 3RD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JAVIER RAMIREZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/30/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/30/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: AURA BRANDS; ROUGE; DALE + COMB, 2132 OAKDALE AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed TOP HORTICULTURAL CONCEPTS INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/27/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SISTERS FASHION, 5243 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed JOSE ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ ZAMORA & OLGA MORA OLMOL. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/04/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/04/19.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ICHI SANDO, 1581 WEBSTER ST #150, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed THE BOMNAL INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/26/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/28/19.

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019

<< Legals

20 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

Legal Notices>> SUMMONS SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: MARCO MONROY; YOLANDA MONROY; AND DOES 1 -10 INCLUSIVE, YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: JUAN CARLOS GALICIA & PATRICIA GALICIA CASE NO. CGC-19-574309

NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this Summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/se;fhelp) or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. SAN FRANCISCO SUPERIOR COURT, UNLIMITED JURISDICTION 400 MCALLISTER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney is: Law Office of Andrew Westley PC, 870 Market St., Ste. 788, San Francisco, CA 94102 415-362-2817 March 05, 2019 Clerk of the Superior Court by Bowman Liu, Deputy. Statement of Damages To: Defendant: Marco Monroy Plaintiff: Juan Carlos Galicia seeks damages in the aboveentitled action, as follows: 1. General damages A. Pain, suffering and inconvenience …$250,000 B. Emotional distress…$250,000 E. Other – Lost value of tenancy rights…$500,000 3. Punitive damages: Plaintiff reserves the right to seek punitive damages in the amount of (specify) when pursuing a judgment in the suit filed against you. Date: September 3, 2019 Andrew E. Westley, Attorney for Plaintiff’s Statement of Damages To: Defendant: Marco Monroy Plaintiff: Patricia Galicia seeks damages in the aboveentitled action, as follows: 1. General damages A. Pain, suffering and inconvenience …$250,000 B. Emotional distress…$250,000 E. Other – Lost value of tenancy rights…$500,000 3. Punitive damages: Plaintiff reserves the right to seek punitive damages in the amount of (specify) when pursuing a judgment in the suit filed against you. Date: September 3, 2019 Andrew E. Westley, Attorney for Plaintiff’s

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038779800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MINDFUL LIVING, INC., 200 GREEN ST #200, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed MINDFUL LIVING, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/03/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/30/19.

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038785600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CLEANERIFIC, 682 26TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed CLEANERIFIC, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/01/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/04/19.

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038786900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DA CHANG YUAN, 860 WASHINGTON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed DA CHANG YUAN LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/03/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/05/19.

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038788000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: OKI SUSHI, 1740 CHURCH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed KIMANA & CO. LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/01/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/06/19.

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-037253200

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: COLETTA GELATO, 685 HARRISON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by GRUPPO D.O.P. LLC (CA). The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/08/16.

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038792500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DANDAN’S CLEANERS ONE, 905 SUTTER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SUCHAN YU. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/11/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/11/19.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038784200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HOWARD TAPS & BANH MI PO’BOY, 1599 HOWARD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ANDY NGUYEN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/15/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/03/19.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019

SUMMONS (FAMILY LAW) SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, CIVIC CENTER COURT, 400 MCALLISTER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102 NOTICE TO RESPONDENT: SVETLANA CHEPURKO, YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PETITIONER: SEMEN GORSHTEYN CASE NO. FDI-17-788466

You have been sued. Read the information below and on the next page. You have 30 calendar days after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-120) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter or 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 partnership, 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.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp), at the California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpca.org) or by contacting your local county bar association. NOTICE – RESTRAINING ORDERS ARE ON PAGE 2: These restraining orders are effective against both spouses or domestic partners until the petition is dismissed, a judgment is 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 court 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. The name and address of the court are: Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, 400 McAllister St. San Francisco, California 94102 The name, address and telephone number of petitioner’s attorney, or petitioner without an attorney is: IRINA AEROV (SBN 209005), 789 CABRILLO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118 (415) 290-7001, Date: September 14, 2017 Clerk of The Court, Brie Reddick, Deputy. STANDARD FAMILY LAW RESTRAINING ORDERS: Starting immediately, you and your spouse or domestic partner are restrained from: 1. Removing the minor child or children of the parties, if any, from the state without the prior written consent of the other party or an order of the court; 2. Cashing borrowing against, canceling, transferring, disposing of, or changing the beneficiaries of any insurance or other coverage, including life, health, automobile, and disability, held for the benefit of the parties and their minor child or children; 3. Transferring, encumbering, hypothecating, concealing, or in any way disposing of any property, real or personal, whether community, quasi-community, or separate, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court, except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life; and 4. Creating a nonprobate transfer or modifying a nonprobate transfer in the manner that affects the disposition of property subject to the transfer, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court. Before revocation of a nonprobate transfer can take effect or a right of survivorship to property can be eliminated, notice of the change must be filed and served on the other party. You must notify each other of any proposed extraordinary expenditures at least five business days prior to incurring these extraordinary expenditures and account to the court for all extraordinary expenditures made after these restraining orders are effective. However, you may use community property, quasi-community property, or your own separate property to pay an attorney to help you or to pay court costs. NOTICE-ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE: Do you or someone in your household need affordable health insurance? If so, you should apply for Covered California. Covered California can help reduce the cost you pay towards high quality affordable health care. For more information, visit www.coveredca.com. Or call Covered California at 1-800-300-1506. WARNING – IMPORTANT INFORMATION California law provides that, for 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.

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038794300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GLOBAL BUSINESS PORTAL, 1 AVE OF THE PALM #415, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94130. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KAMILLA WADE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/11/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/12/19.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038793200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LIMITLESS, 1 ST. FRANCIS PL #1108, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ANDREA SCRIVANO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/11/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/11/19.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038771400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HELLO YOGA QUEEN; YOGA FITNESS QUEEN, 855 BRANNAN ST #443, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ERICA MOSELEY. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/23/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/23/19.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038792300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DI DI DA DAYCARE, 436 7TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed TIANYAN CHEN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/28/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/10/19.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038786600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: US BEACH SOCCER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, 3032 FULTON ST #2, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed TIMOTHY S. O’SULLIVAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/04/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/05/19.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019

SUMMONS - SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, CIVIL UNLIMITED JURISDICTION NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: MATINA E. MACDANIEL AKA TINA MCDANIEL, YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: PLAINTIFF’S NAME IS JANET TAPIA CASE NO. CGC-18-570359

NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California CourtsOnline Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The courts lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. The name and address of the court is: Superior Court of California, Civil Unlimited Jurisdiction, 400 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or the plaintiff without an attorney, is: JANET TAPIA, 237 KEARNY ST #237, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. (510) 823-5373 Date: April 08, 2019. Clerk of the Superior Court, by Vanessa Wu, Deputy NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: You are served as an individual defendant

SEPT 12, 19, 26, OCT 03, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038776800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: EYEBROW BEAUTY BAR, 4792 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed LAL BAHADUR BAN & SANGITA PARAJULI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/28/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/28/19.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038793300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CENTRAL REALTY, 32 BYXBEE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed JENNY HE REALTY ASSOCIATES (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/08/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/11/19.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038792100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: AJ’S, 655 TOWNSEND ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed ANGELES BENITO (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/10/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/10/19.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038779600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LET’S EAT, 5130 3RD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a married couple, and is signed ANDREW L. THORNTON & MONIQUE HAYES. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/29/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/29/19.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038764800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE DISTRICT BARBERS, 897 BRANNAN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed THE DISTRICT BARBERS, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/18/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/20/19.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038792000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE GREENWICH, 3154 FILLMORE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed COW MARLOWE SF LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/10/19.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-038187300

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: COW MARLOWE, 3154 FILLMORE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by COW MARLOWE SF LLC (CA). The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 06/14/18.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-038482400

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: KIM AND PROPER, 2443 FILLMORE ST #123, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by KIM BACHMANN LLC (CA). The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/17/19.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-038626100 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: LOVE IS IN THE HAIR, 1163 BUSH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by ELIAS LOPEZ SOTO. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/23/19.

SEPT 19, 26, OCT 03, 10, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038798300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BAY PACIFIC CONSTRUCTION; BAY PACIFIC INSPECTION SERVICES, 35 ANZAVISTA AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed GARY YEE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/30/86. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/17/19.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555237 In the matter of the application of: ELIZABETH BOER, 1363 GROVE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner ELIZABETH BOER, is requesting that the name AALIYAH ROXY-KAMORA BERNARD, be changed to AALIYAH ROXY JOY BOER. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 7th of November, 2019 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555223 In the matter of the application of: ROE ROY COHEN, 278 30TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner ROE ROY COHEN, is requesting that the name ROE ROY COHEN, be changed to ROY COHEN. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 5th of November 2019 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-19-555232 In the matter of the application of: DENISE RENEE DAYVAULT, 1461 BROADWAY #403, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner DENISE RENEE DAYVAULT, is requesting that the name DENISE RENEE DAYVAULT AKA DENISE TIERNEY KELIIHOOMALU, be changed to DENISE RENEE TIERNEY. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 5th of November 2019 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038804900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SANTINO’S VINO, 2101 FILLMORE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DINO STAVRAKIKIS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/23/19.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038798000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SEVEN HILLS LAW FIRM, 3301 CLAY ST #204, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ANUAR RAMIREZ-MEDINA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/10/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/17/19.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038794400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: COLIBRI CREATIONS, 1638 BRODERICK ST #A, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DANNHAE HERRERA-WILSON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/10/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/12/19.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038799800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SF LOCAL COLOR, 850 SOUTH VAN NESS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed WINNING COLORS INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/19/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/19/19.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038797800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ONPODIO, 149 NEW MONTGOMERY ST, 4TH FLR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed RHYTHMICX INC. (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/22/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/17/19.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038799500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MINA SPA INC., 2920 DIAMOND ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed MINA SPA INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/19/19.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038801300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SWELL, 80 DENSLOWE DR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed ANECURE INC, (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/20/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/20/19.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038801700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FYSICAL, 1836 BROADWAY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed GIS OPERATIONS, INC (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/09/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/20/19.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038804200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: A&F SECURITY SERVICE, 2038 CLEMENT ST, UNIT 2, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed A&F SECURITY SERVICE (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/10/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/23/19.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038800800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BROWSER BOOKS, 2195 FILLMORE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed GREEN APPLE BOOKS, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/19/19.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038795200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GREENFORCE GROORGANICS, 2031 UNION ST #6 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed GREENFORCE CLEAN TEAM GGGG, YY, PPP LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/12/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/13/19.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038783900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BHOGA, 468 CASTRO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed SAFFRON BREWHOUSE (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/03/19.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038800900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BRIO FINANCIAL GROUP, 19 SUTTER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed BRIO CONSULTANTS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/20/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/20/19.

SEPT 26, OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF PAUL WESTERBERG IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-19-303204

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of PAUL WESTERBERG. A Petition for Probate has been filed by MICHAEL WALLACE WATKINS in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that MICHAEL WALLACE WATKINS be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: October 21, 2019, 9:00 am, Rm. 204, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the latter of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined by section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: CLAUDINE SHERRON, SBN: 296499, THE SHERRON LAW FIRM, PC, 1101 STANDIFORD AVE #A1, MODESTO, CA 95350 Ph. (209) 427-2200.

OCT 03, 10, 17, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038787200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: EMILY JENKS PHOTOGRAPHY, 1258 12TH AVE #2, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed EMILY JENKS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/05/18. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/05/19.

OCT 03, 10, 17, 24, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038787700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BACK TO SPORTS FITNESS & THERAPY, 342 WEST PORTAL AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DARRON P. BADONG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/03/97. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/05/19.

OCT 03, 10, 17, 24, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038805100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LOMBARD PSYCHIC, 1628 LOMBARD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MARIO ADAMS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/23/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/23/19.

OCT 3, 10, 17, 24, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038806800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PRECIOUS FUR, 1540 MARKET ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed 8086 SITTING CORP. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/01/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/24/19.

OCT 03, 10, 17, 24, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038807100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GANT PROPERTIES, 350 RHODE ISLAND ST #240, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed GANT ENTERPRISE INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/24/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/25/19.

OCT 03, 10, 17, 24, 2019 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-038796300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: WAX SUITE AND BEAUTY, 4 EMBARCADERO CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed WAX SUITE AND BEAUTY (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/15/19. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/16/19.

OCT 03, 10, 17, 24, 2019

/lgbtsf

Girls’ night

Crazy love

Tall tales

October sounds

Vol. 49 • No. 40 • October 3-9, 2019

www.ebar.com/arts

Cinema action in Mill Valley Film Fest by David Lamble

here’s a remarkable queer accent to the Mill Valley Film Festival, playing Oct. 3-13 at venues in Mill Valley, San Rafael, Larkspur and Berkeley. Here’s a rundown of films playing at the 2019 Mill Valley fest, beginning with films labeled, “Focus: Queer-ish.” See page 28 >>

David Hindley

Courtesy MVFF

Scene from gay director Francois Ozon’s “By the Grace of God.”

Unforgettable Judy by David-Elijah Nahmod

“Y

ou won’t forget me, will you?” Judy asks the audience when she performs her last concert at Talk of the Town, a swanky nightclub in London. Within six months she died of an accidental drug overdose at 47. Fifty years later, she remains one of our best-remembered and most-beloved entertainers. See page 22 >>

Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland in “Judy.”

{ SECOND OF THREE SECTIONS }

<< Out There

22 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

Visiting the City Different by Roberto Friedman

Professional headshots / profile pics Weddings / Events

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anta Fe, New Mexico was calling to us, in the form of a wee press trip last week for a tour of the cultural riches on offer. It was brief, but there was a lot for us to savor. This small city looms large in Western history. Founded by Spanish colonists in 1610, it’s been U.S. territory since the 1848 war with Mexico. After New Mexican statehood in 1912, it’s held the title of oldest state capital in the country. Of course, the native Pueblo people have been chilling in the vicinity since at least the 1200s. We took a walking tour given by a New Mexico Museum of Art docent that began in the town’s historic central Santa Fe Plaza. The Palace of the Governors is the oldest continually occupied public building in the US (1610). The Museum itself (1917) is a sterling example of Spanish Pueblo Revival Style that mixes elements of Pueblo architecture with templates of Spanish churches. Also in the city center: the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum – the only major museum devoted to a woman artist in the U.S. – the New Mexico History Museum and a lively market of Native American handicrafts. O’Keeffe famously took to New Mexico as inspiration for her mature work, but she is only the tip of a vast artistic history. There are good reasons so many artists have made their home here: the drama of the landscape, the wide open spaces, the luminescent light, the clean air, the art traditions, the Native American and Hispanic cultural mix. When you’ve spent enough time contemplating the Sangre de Cristo foothills in the New Mexican landscape, even the clouds begin to look like mesas. Bruce Naumann, Agnes Martin, Sam Shepard, Robert Altman, Lou Harrison: all have spent time here. Armistead Maupin and Michael Tilson Thomas are among San Francisco luminaries who have had second homes here. Willa Cather and Lew Wallace (“Ben Hur”) tied their literary fortunes to Santa Fe. Recent celebrity sightings include Shirley MacLaine, Robert Redford and longtime resident Ali MacGraw, who frequents the Farmer’s Market and is reportedly quite chill. Snapshots from Out There’s Santa Fe, the so-called “City Dif-

Judy

From page 21

A magnificent talent onstage and a troubled person offstage, Judy Garland became a gay icon when gay men of the pre-Stonewall era found solace in her music. One of the most moving scenes in “Judy,” the new biopic now playing in theaters, finds Garland meeting two of her gay fans in London. She accepts an invitation to have dinner in their home, where they tell her how much her music has helped them deal with the pain of living in a world that doesn’t accept them. The sequence is a magnificent nod to Garland’s gay icon status. Renee Zellweger, whose career had slowed down in recent years, makes a comeback as Garland. The actress looks like Garland. She gets the body language just right. But mostly, she captures Garland’s tragedy. As “Judy” begins, it’s the late 1960s. Garland finds herself homeless and broke. Sid Luft (Rufus Sewell), her most recent ex-husband, takes her children away from her. In a desperate move to make some money and regain control of

NMMA

The New Mexico Museum of Art is a Spanish Pueblo Revival Style gem in downtown Santa Fe.

ferent”: an elegant dinner in the courtyard of Santacafe restaurant, which Tom Ford called “the place to see and be seen” in SF; authentic Hatch green chilies at locals’ place Tia Sophia; half a mile of art galleries on Canyon Road, including a strong showing of work by Hung Liu; the French Romanesque Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi (Cather’s “Death Comes for the Archbishop”); sunset drinks at the Bell Tower rooftop bar atop grand hotel La Fonda; an afternoon lost in the contemporary art installation-funhouse House of Eternal Return created by art collective Meow Wolf. So many of our Santa Fe memories are sensory: the aroma of roasting green chilies wafting through the Santa Fe Farmers Market in the repurposed Railyards; sampling savory delights for a workshop in traditional New Mexican cuisine at the Santa Fe School of Cooking. Culinary instructor Allen Smith, on offering cookies baked with lard to visiting friends: “If they say, ‘But I’m a vegan!’ you tell them, ‘Well, you should have brought your own cookies then!’” The world-class Museum of International Folk Art on Museum Hill is a treasure trove of global culture and outsider art. 20th-century designer Alexander Girard col-

lected and installed this knockout array of toys, dolls, masks and other objects from over 100 countries. A traveling exhibit, “Alexander Girard: A Designer’s Universe” showcases the modern masterpieces (textiles, typography, architecture, furniture) under his design (through Oct. 27). Also on Museum Hill: the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. We’ll happily enthuse about dinner at the pop-up restaurant Opuntia, served in a 1930s greenhouse on the property of El Rey Inn vintage motor court sited on the old Route 66. Its ramen found sweet potato noodles and Atlantic salmon immersed in miso broth. Its green ecstasy tea mixed flavors of roasted shishito peppers, cut grass and grey salt. These were complex delectations. Finally, five pressies from the Bay Area, Texas and Atlanta shared farewell cocktails and a glamorous five-course dinner seated at the chef ’s table of Terra restaurant in the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe. The resort is miles away from the town center up the Interstate towards Taos, past Santa Fe Opera and across a Pueblo reservation. The trip is worth it for the ambience and sense of getting away from it all. The full name of this wonderful place is La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asis, so it shares a patron saint with San Francisco. But just call it “the City Different” and enjoy its resplendent charms.t

her life, Garland accepts an invitation to perform a series of concerts in London. She also enters into a relationship with the much younger Mickey Deans (Finn Wittrock), who tries to give her career a boost. But Garland’s unstable behavior squashes his efforts. The film offers a few brief flashbacks into the life of the younger Garland (Darci Shaw) when she was a rising starlet at MGM. According to the film, Garland was manipulated by her mother and by studio boss Louis B. Mayer, neither of whom had the girl’s best interests at heart. They gave Garland the first pills she would become dependent on, they planted the seeds for the unhappy woman she would grow up to be. But “Judy” is Zellweger’s show all the way. She beautifully cap-

tures Garland’s heart and soul. She embodies the tragedy of a lonely woman who yearned for happiness and stability that always eluded her. “I want the same things everyone wants,” Garland says. “I just seem to have a harder time getting it.” Zellweger does her own singing, and though she doesn’t sound like Garland, she is still in fine voice and offers powerful takes on “Over the Rainbow,” “The Trolley Song” and “Come Rain or Come Shine.” Whether she’s singing or not, Zellweger’s performance is a showstopper from start to finish. In painting such an unforgettable portrait of one of the 20th century’s greatest entertainers, Zellweger herself ascends to greatness. This is a performance that should be remembered come Oscar time.t

On the web This week, find Tim Pfaff ’s music review “This ‘Faust’ makes the right bargains” online at www.ebar.com.

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<< Theatre

24 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

Top-notch & setting reputation aside by Jim Gladstone

ven if you’ve never seen “Top Girls,” you’ve likely heard something about British playwright Caryl Churchill’s celebrated 1982 work. That would be that the play, now running at A.C.T. through Oct. 13, features a fantastical soiree attended by groundbreaking women from many eras, both historical figures and fictional characters; a sort of theatrical sister to Judy Chicago’s gallery installation “The Dinner Party,” first exhibited a year before “Top Girls” debuted. What may surprise you is that Churchill’s dinner party makes up just the first scene of “Top Girls,” and that, at least in this new production, the post-prandial drama proves far more engaging, entertaining and provocative. So, the celebrated bit: The Pope, a geisha, a brutish soldier, a starchy Victorian, and a Chaucer maiden walk into a bar (well, a fancy private dining room). This magic-realist guest list is assembling circa 1980 to celebrate Marlene (Michelle Beck), a hungry Londoner in her mid-30s, who has just been promoted to a Managing Director position at the Top Girls employment agency. Over the course of a boozy, boastful evening, Marlene is regaled with tales of both glory and warning from these five impressive women. (The Pope is Joan, who, according to legend, hid her gender and held a Mamacita Papacy from 854 through a scandalous defrocking in 856.) Until they come together in a pained roar of unity at scene’s end, the historical heroines tend to self-absorption, sharing their stories of personal strength amidst male oppression – sexual abuse, forced servitude, sacrificed children – in rambunctious, frequently overlapping monologues. It’s as if the opportunity to speak openly, with no men present to interrupt and

Kevin Berne

Pope Joan (Rosie Hallett) and Dull Gret (Summer Brown) recount their life stories at a dinner party in Caryl Churchill’s “Top Girls” at A.C.T.’s Geary Theater.

domineer, feels like an only chance for each of them. They’re compelled to grab the spotlight and get their accomplished lives down for the record. Centuries of circumstance have made it difficult for them to pause and be kind to each other. It’s a bold, flashy prologue, made all the more so by Sarita Fellows’ luscious, color-coordinated costumes: the papal vestments, layered kimono and Marlene’s billowy “Working Girl” jumpsuit throw flares of heat, while dark tweeds and tarnished armor simultaneously telegraph strength and sadness. Even amidst the scene’s swirl of competing egos, Rosie Hallett’s garrulous Groucho of a Pope and Summer Brown’s largely silent Harpo warrior are standout comic turns. While this renowned scene’s “tale as old as time” concept is quickly and clearly understood, its stage time stretches uncomfortably long. Back when “Top Girls” premiered, it no doubt ticked the box for “fashionably avant-garde.” Today, it feels like

an undeniably clever curtain-raiser stretched to act-long proportions. But wow, when that curtain finally gets raised, “Top Girls” zooms beyond intellectual cleverness and delivers a thrilling volley of tragicomic gut-punches under the savvy direction of Tamilla Woodard. Marlene is our throughline as the show now toggles between her Top Girls office – the actresses who played our Act I heroines are now headhunters, secretaries and interviewees, nearly unrecognizable from role to role – and the dilapidated working-class town where she grew up. At Top Girls, where the only male employee has called in sick, having apparently plunged into depression upon learning that Marlene’s won the promotion he’d assumed would be his own, we observe the sharp-edged camaraderie of female office-workers in Margaret Thatcher’s 80s London. It’s an era when feminism is still considered an F-word to many. Marlene, her co-workers and the women they interview have long been told that

having children and having a career are diametrically opposed goals. Given this circumstance, an employment agency where working women assess job-seeking women becomes an embattled petri dish of solidarity and judgmentalism. The interviews are acid-etched mini black comedies. We see the “is that all there is” discomfort of a 30ish headhunter facing a weary businesswoman in her late 50s (Julia McNeal, hard crust over heartbreak) who has sacrificed everything for her job, only to be passed over for promotions to a series of overconfident young men. We meet an ambitious 21-year-old (Lily D. Harris) whose aspirational notion of a sales job requires little more than traveling and flirting. And we listen as Marlene cuttingly critiques a chipper recent graduate (Monica Lin, Act I’s geisha), disdainfully assessing her wardrobe and telling her to avoid mentioning her desire to get married. Virtually anything any of these women say to each other runs the risk of being perceived

as an insult; society has set them on a permanent psychological tightrope walk. When Nina Ball’s period-perfect scenery shifts from the glossy surfaces and glass brick of the big city to the threadbare yet cluttered small house in the town where Marlene grew up, we encounter another set of women: her older sister Joyce (Nafeesa Monroe), in dire financial straits and split from her husband, and teenage daughter Angie (Gabriella Momah), dimwitted, lacking social skills, and in thrall to her cosmopolitan auntie. Barely making it from day to day, they are types unseen in the upwardly mobile tunnel-vision of Marlene and her London cohort. Long-seething sibling conflicts come to the fore as the sisters argue over their nursing-home-bound mother, familial obligation and the changing perceptions of women in British society. Beck and Monroe sink their teeth into the sisters’ interactions; Marlene overeager to smooth over past injuries, Joyce relentlessly flinty in her dismissiveness, covering pain with disdain. As Angie, Momah brings a compelling physical and vocal concreteness to her portrayal of an unquestionably innocent, mentally disabled adolescent. It’s a pivotal role that fuels playwright Churchill’s ultimate plot twist, and in retrospect, provides a bit more context for her opening fantasia. The ladies of the 80s may have had serious disagreements among themselves, but in the end “Top Girls” isn’t a period piece about a single decade. It’s about pernicious, persistent societal priorities. It calls bullshit on epochs of lip-service to “Women and Children First.”t Top Girls, through Oct. 13, A.C.T.’s Geary Theater, 415 Geary St., Tickets ($15-$110): (415) 729-2228, www.act-sf.org.

Teeter-totter gospel by Jim Gladstone

Champagne Gala October 20, 2019 at 3:00pm

Herbst Theatre, San Francisco TICKETS: 415-392-4400 | cityboxoffice.com

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ging gospel singer-songwriter Ditty Blaylock, who ushered her now-grown daughters to childhood musical stardom as “little superstars for Jesus,” swans around her Kentucky McMansion brandishing a revolver. When she’s feeling particularly annoyed, she spins the cylinder, holds the gun to her head and pulls the trigger. The pistol usually doesn’t hold any bullets, but from the opening scene of “This Side of Crazy,” written and directed by Del Shores (“Sordid Lives”) and now making its world premiere at the New Conservatory Theatre Company, it’s loaded with portent. Shores may have checked in with Chekhov in regard to dramatic devices, but he hasn’t followed any guidance on psychological subtlety. “I’m unhappy,” he has Ditty declare, in case her feints at suicide haven’t registered with the audience. “I’m dreadfully unhappy.” Such diva-like declamation has long tickled fans of Shores’ frothy earlier work, which largely leans on southern-fried cornpone and camp. That’s what loyal audiences may expect from this show, which incorporates attempted murder, sororal betrayal, sex with a comatose body, and faith-based advice vlogging. But in “This Side of Crazy,” Shores’ tone teeters awkwardly between comedy and tragedy. Shores may be earnestly aiming to evoke the bittersweet laughter and tears of real-life mother-daughter relationships, but it feels like he’s abruptly

Lois Tema

Ditty (Christine Macomber) is an overbearing stage mother who will do whatever it takes to get her star-studded reunion performance.

changing channels between “Momma’s Family” and Tennessee Williams. The moods here don’t shift, they collide. Just when the audience is feeling affected by somber soul-baring, they get Whoopee cushion-whiplashed with hoary old jokes (“Why buy the cow if you can get the milk for free?,” “Don’t look at me in that tone of voice.”) As the three adult Blaylock daughters, actors Cheryl Smith, Amy Meyers and Alison Whismore turn in fine-grained, realistic performances. Their intense if sometimes begrudging sisterly bond remains palpable every time they return to See page 26 >>

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<< Music

26 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

October brings performance ensembles by Philip Campbell

wo Bay Area institutions, wellestablished Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale (PBO) and youthfully ambitious Bard Music West (BMW), are ready to light some musical bonfires in October. Since the gala openings of the San Francisco Symphony and SF Opera post-Labor Day, autumn concerts keep building momentum. The only downside is the mid-month start of both PBO’s season opener “A Cosmic Notion” and BMW’s weekend festival “The World of Grazyna Bacewicz.” Personal taste and interests may help decide choosing between the events or planning multiple attendances. Known as one of the best and biggest historical performance ensembles in America, PBO celebrates the amazing tenure of music director Nicholas McGegan, who is retiring after nearly 35 years. His last season, called “Reflections,” sums up the maestro’s Northern California career, with music from Baroque to Classical and Romantic, to a commission by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw. Two fully staged productions of Baroque operas, Handel’s “Aci, Galatea e Polifemo” Jan. 22-Feb. 1, 2020, and Leclair’s “Scylla et Glaucus” April 15-19, 2020, feature some exciting young singers. Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo

Courtesy PBO

Courtesy of the National Digital Archives of Poland

Left: Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale music director Nicholas McGegan is retiring after nearly 35 years leading PBO. Right: Bard Music West’s festival celebrates Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz.

(loved him in San Francisco Opera’s “Partenope”); bass-baritone Davone Tines (impressive SFO debut in “Girls of the Golden West”); soprano Lauren Snouffer, whose repertoire ranges from Monteverdi to Berg; and Ricky Ian Gordon fill the starring roles. From Dec. 5-8, McGegan leads Handel’s oratorio “Judas Maccabaeus,” with popular tenor Nicholas Phan in the title role. Mezzo-soprano Sara Couden joins as Israelitish Man. I saw them together at the San Francisco Symphony as half the quartet of soloists in a memorable performance of Beethoven’s Ninth conducted by Herbert Blomstedt. The first concert in McGegan’s farewell season is “A Cosmic No-

tion,” opening Thurs., Oct. 17, at Herbst Theatre, San Francisco, continuing Oct. 18 in Palo Alto, and Oct. 19 & 20 in Berkeley. The program includes the world premiere of “The Listeners,” a PBO commission by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw. Her attraction to Baroque style and period instruments fits with McGegan’s quest to keep historical performance alive and kicking. Rising star Avery Amereau is a rarity in music, a true contralto whose voice soprano Joyce DiDonato describes as “like velvet, caramel chocolate.” She appears with bassbaritone Dashon Burton (he is also at “Stanford Live” Thurs., Oct. 3, as a member of vocal project Room-

ful of Teeth). The Philharmonia Chorale adds contrast to the soloists and participates in Handel’s beautiful, infrequently performed “Eternal Source of Light Divine.” philharmonia.org Imaginative Bard Music West’s third festival, “The World of Grazyna Bacewicz” combines narrative and music in three concerts Oct. 18 & 19 at Noe Valley Ministry, Sanchez St. (at 23rd), San Francisco, that invite listeners into the life and legacy of a great overlooked composer and performing musician. BMW’s marvelous 2018 festival “The World of Henry Cowell” showed, through interviews, music by influential composers and contemporaries, and Cowell’s own groundbreaking works, how to take a deeply informative and entertaining look at a fascinating life and career. The successful template holds exciting promise for another celebration of a composer deserving wider recognition. Surviving war and political tyranny, Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz (1909-69) wrote hundreds of scores, building her style, influenced by everything from folk music to the avant-garde. San Francisco-based pianist Allegra Chapman is Artistic Co-Director and Executive Director of BMW. Cellist Laura Gaynon is Artistic Co-Director and Associate Director. During a trip to Poland in 2017 to create a program based

on Chopin, the adventurous pair discovered Bacewicz. After intensely researching her life, music, and contemporaries, they determined to share a mutual conviction with new audiences. Bacewicz is one of the most significant and moving composers of the 20th century, with music that still resonates today. Program 1: “A Rising Star,” 7:30 p.m., Fri., Oct.18, quickly immerses listeners in the festival. Exploring the start of a young violin virtuoso living and learning in Paris, the concert covers influences ranging from her native Poland; neoclassicism; and her teacher, the legendary Nadia Boulanger. Selections include works by Monteverdi and Debussy, Stravinsky, Boulanger, and two brilliant early chamber works by Bacewicz herself. Program 2: “From War to Warsaw Autumn,” 4 p.m., Sat., Oct. 19, and Program 3: “Evolution and Persistence-Bacewicz and Her Legacy,” 8 p.m., Sat., Oct. 19, complete the festival. Free with ticket purchase to any concert event, a special screening 3 p.m., Sat., Oct 19, of “The World Only Sees My Cheerful Face” features rare biographical film footage and clips of the composer’s music. The roster of participating artists includes some of the best young talent in California. For a closer look and description of the festival: bardmusicwest.orgt

Noguchi & Hasegawa: the Two-Hander by Sura Wood

950 was a very good year. It marked the auspicious meeting, in Tokyo, between Saburo Hasegawa, a painter, calligrapher and cultural philosopher known for his abstract, two-dimensional monochromatic artworks and experimental photo collages, and sculptor Isamu Noguchi, famous for lighter-than-air, handmade-paper Akari lamps and his arresting stone, wood, ceramic and metal sculptures. Their brief, intellectually stimulating friendship and how it informed their art practices and the intersection of Japanese aesthetics and mid-century modern art underlies “Changing and Unchanging Things: Noguchi and Hasegawa in Postwar Japan,” a new exhibition at the Asian Art Museum. Bringing their work together, if not exactly into conversation, it spotlights a remarkable number of quietly spectacular artworks produced for the most part during the decade following WWII. Though the pairing of the artists and their respective works is not intended as a competition, comparisons between them are inevitable. The philosophical, more cerebral Hasegawa may have been the superior theorist, but Noguchi steals the show. Both in their 40s and well-established in their respective careers when they met, the two erudite men shared an interest in the roots of Japanese art and culture and European modernism. Each had been exposed to the devastating loss and isolation of war, experiences that prompted them to reflect on the role of art in the world. The Japanese-

This Side of Crazy

From page 24

their groove after delivering a gratuitous laugh-line. Smith’s Rachel, the eldest, turns a guilty conscience into slavish devotion to her mother; Meyers’ bright, upbeat Bethany, a lesbian, has learned to navigate family life as a diplomat and bridgebuilder; and Whismore’s haunting, haunted Abigail, dimmed by 25 years

born Hasegawa was pilloried for his pacifism in his native country during WWII; Noguchi, who was living in the U.S. in the 1940s, volunteered to be imprisoned in an internment camp in Arizona, where he spent seven months alongside fellow Japanese Americans. After the war he traveled extensively, sojourning to Egypt, India, Thailand and Indonesia before visiting Japan, where he was feted and treated as a celebrity. It was there that he engaged his new friend, Hasegawa, who became a major figure in his life and a guiding light in matters of cross-cultural pollination and the fusing of old and new. Hasegawa had grown up in London and went to Paris in 1929, where he mingled with the literati and European avant-garde. An oil painter with an esoteric literary bent, he tangoed with Fauvism before pursuing abstraction in a variety of mediums. Looking forward without forsaking his heritage, he cultivated ancient Japanese traditions as a resource for ventures in modern art. In 1955, he relocated to San Francisco. (He once had a show at the nowdefunct Gump’s when the store had a gallery.) Hasegawa is represented here by an array of rarely seen photograms, poetic scrolls that incorporate his interests in poetry and music, and fluid ink-on-paper and rubbing artworks reminiscent of Asian landscape paintings. “Nature” (1952), a large, double-panel folding screen with ink-washed, abstracted geometric images, is like an oversized open book, its “pages” inviting one into a realm of mysteries.

Born to an American mother and Japanese father in Los Angeles, Noguchi lived in Japan until he was 13 and his family moved to Indiana, an improbable state that couldn’t contain him. He set out for Paris, where, between 1927-29, he worked in Constantin Brancusi’s atelier. Sculptures such as “Space Elements” (1958), an unmatched pair of white marble slabs that simultaneously seem to be falling away from each other and falling over, attest to the influence of both his mentor and Ancient Greece. Inspired by Brancusi’s example, Noguchi turned to Modernism and a form of abstraction that emphasized materials whose weight and textures can be keenly felt. If Hasegawa was considered a master of the “controlled accident” or chance, Noguchi was a magician of hard, seemingly unyielding materials miraculously forged into exquisitely balanced compositions. He could make a speckled triangular rock with slits (“Young Mountain,” 1970), which could have been ejected from a volcano, come alive with possibilities; in less capable hands the object would have been merely a lump. The man had a way with stone and a gift for combining the massive and the delicate, particularly when working in granite. “The Footstep” (1958), perhaps an impression left behind by a giant prehistoric beast or ancestor, has a small wooden plank on top of it shed from an (imaginary) overhanging tree. “Garden Elements” (1958), which speaks to Japanese landscape design and architectural salvage, looks like the ruins of a temple, or a chimney that was the sole survivor

of a bombing. It’s comprised of two hunks of granite: one a tall, irregular pyramid shape with a rectangular hole puncturing the structure midway up, the other a wounded building fragment tilting precariously on its side nearby. A prominent teacher in the Bay Area whose lectures were attended by Marcel Duchamp and Franz Kline, Hasegawa’s life was cut short by cancer in 1957. His primal final work, “Pure Suffering” (1956), produced a year before his death, is a wailing epitaph etched in calligraphy on a stretch of burlap. In Hasegawa’s honor, Noguchi created the elegiac “Sesshu” (1958). Subtly referencing

his dear friend’s reverence for the 15th-century Zen monk and ink painter who gives the sculpture its name, it’s fashioned from modulated aluminum sheet-metal. Crinkled, slatted and undulating, it calls up associations with airplane wings and the folds and cut papers of kirigami. “Mortality” (1959), thought to be Noguchi’s nod toward the death of Brancusi that same year, is a towering cluster of carved balsawood pendulums that are like wind chimes made out of dinosaur bones, poised to sway in a gentle loft of air.t

of medication and institutionalization, is a hypnotic presence on stage, whether exploding into rage or silently stretching her lanky frame on a back-porch chair, drawing deep on a cigarette as she contemplates the injustices of family life. Wes Crain’s wardrobe underscores the distinctiveness of each character: Rachel’s prim, perfectly tailored skirt suits, Abigail’s modest, washed-out ensemble, and Ditty’s

turban-topped orange paisley pajamas and gossamer purple-print robe are exemplars of the costume designer’s art. Wacky, depressed Ditty is played like a cross between Bea Arthur and puppet-hussy Madame by the eminently entertaining Christine Macomber. But she suffers on account of the script, which gives us very little basis for understanding her character. There are intimations

that she was the Mama Rose of the Christian music world, manipulating her daughters into a life they didn’t want, but no specific incidents are described. Her suicidal impulses become less and less comprehensible as she comes closer to pulling the trigger toward the play’s end. If some of the stage time dedicated to clowning and broad laugh-lines irrelevant to the plot were instead spent on probing the psyche of the

play’s central matriarch, the work might have a more even tone and satisfying outcome. Given that this is a first production, Shores has an opportunity to make helpful alterations. For the moment, “This Side of Crazy” is crazily lopsided.t

Kevin Noble

Courtesy Japan Society, NY

Left: “Calligraphics” (1957) by Isamu Noguchi. Iron, wood, rope and metal. Right: “Great Chours” (1952) by Saburo Hasegawa, Ink on paper.

Through Dec. 8. www.Asianart.org.

This Side of Crazy, through Oct. 20 at New Conservatory Theatre Company. Tickets ($25-$55): (415) 861-8972, www.nctcsf.org.

Books>>

October 3-9, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 27

Still here: The Castle on the Hill by Tavo Amador

t’s been overlooking Sunset Boulevard for 90 years, having opened just before the 1929 stock market crash. It survived the Great Depression, witnessed the Golden Age of Hollywood, and the rise, decline, and resurgence of The Strip. It housed legendary stars like Jean Harlow, who conducted an affair with Clark Gable while in residence. After her film career ended, the reclusive Greta Garbo would stay while visiting friends, knowing that her privacy would be guarded. In 1955, Tab Hunter and Anthony Perkins met at its pool and began their two-year affair. In 1982, 33-year-old John Belushi died from a drug overdose in one of its bungalows. In “The Castle on Sunset – Life, Death, Love, Art, and Scandal at Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont” (Doubleday, $28.95), Shawn Levy often breathlessly relates the fascinating history of a unique property. Originally built as a cheaply furnished apartment house, it became a hotel noted for discretion. It provided a haven for the famous who wanted the privacy lacking at Tinseltown’s more deluxe hostelries. Various owners bought adjacent lots, landscaped the grounds, and added bungalows, which were popular with guests. The Chateau Marmont was the creation of Los Angeles attorney Fred Horowitz, who conceived of it in 1926. The location was part of a large tract of land owned by San Francisco heiress Florence Dean, who agreed to invest in the venture. San Francisco and New York socialite Inez Fredericks was also an early partner. So was Mabel Walker Willebrandt, a law school classmate of Horowitz’s whom President Warren Harding had appointed Assistant Attorney General, and who became the highest-ranking woman in the federal government. Architect Albert Weitzmann was engaged to model the exterior on the Chateau D’Amboise, a Gothic pile dating to the 11th century in France’s Loire Valley. Inside, no two apartments were alike. All had kitchens. Some were tiny studios, others large penthouses with sweeping views. Public spaces were originally cramped and undistinguished, but have since been transformed into more spacious and comfortable areas. It still has a relatively small garage. The hotel wasn’t always profitable, although it has thrived since its 1990 acquisition by Andre Balaz. Guests have been known to stay for months at a time. Director Nicholas Ray, reeling from a nasty divorce from Oscar-winning actress Gloria Grahame (he caught her in bed with his teenage son from an earlier marriage), had a long tenure. While there, 44-year-old Ray worked on “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955); convinced James Dean to star in it; seduced 17-year-old Natalie Wood, who was desperate to play Judy in the film; and, according to Gore Vidal, who was also ensconced there, had an affair with 16-yearold Sal Mineo before casting him as Plato in the picture. In the 1950s, it was the preferred choice of New York “Method” actors coming west for movie work. Julie Harris, Ben Gazzara, Kim Stanley, Lee Grant, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Rod Steiger and Claire Bloom, Geraldine Page and Rip Torn were among those who made it their home. Gay actor Montgomery Clift spent months there while recovering from a nearfatal 1957 car accident from which he was rescued by Elizabeth Taylor. His badly damaged face required considerable plastic surgery. Much

of the time he was on painkillers. He became addicted to them, which led to his 1966 death at age 46. The wildest event involving Method actors featured Shelley Winters. In 1955, she was divorcing her second husband, Italian actor Vittorio Gassman, and battling over custody of their daughter. She had recently appeared on Broadway with Anthony Franciosa in “A Hatful of Rain,” and they fell

in love. She moved into a house in Beverly Hills and brought her parents to live there to care for her daughter. In 1956, Franciosa moved into the Chateau while filming George Cukor’s “Wild Is the Wind” opposite the great Italian star Anna Magnani. Winters would prepare dinner nightly for Franciosa at her home, but he began arriving late or not at all, claiming he was filming at the studio. One evening, when Franciosa was again late, Winters learned he had left the studio hours earlier. Suspicious and angry, she grabbed a heavy metal statuette, jumped into her car, and drove to the Chateau. She rushed into his unlocked suite to find him and Magnani in a compromising position on the sofa. Winters yelled, “Putana!” Magnani, while hurriedly putting on her blouse, outmaneuvered her and fled, racing down the stairs with the furious Winters right behind, brandishing the statuette and screaming, “Putana!” When Magnani got to the third floor, she was out of breath, so she turned to face Winters as she thundered down the stairs. After a few moments, Magnani began to laugh. Suddenly, so

did Winters. They sat on the steps, hysterical. Magnani said, “Stupida. Don’t laugh. He kill us both if we laugh. Be jealous and scream.” So, to protect Franciosa’s ego, Winters resumed shouting. After they got to the garage, Franciosa arrived, neatly attired. He insisted to Winters that he and Magnani had only been rehearsing a scene. Winters and Franciosa married in 1957, and divorced in 1960. Decades later, Dominick Dunne was often in residence for months at a time while penning stories for Vanity Fair about notorious murders, including the O.J. Simpson case. The Chateau’s appeal remains undiminished. In 2018, Beyonce and Jay-Z hosted a party after the Oscar ceremony in the garage, which has low ceilings and is nearly windowless. It was the most exclusive event of the night. Levy’s research is thorough and carefully documented. His bibliography is impressive. The book is well-illustrated. “The Castle on Sunset” is both a history of a grand edifice and a narrative of Hollywood told from a unique perspective. As such, it’s a welcome addition to the history of American movies.t

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<< Film

28 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

Giraffe whisperer studies in the wild by David Lamble

an uppercut to a rival!”] As time went on, the ranch owner started doing everything he could to help the young prodigy write the definitive textbook on giraffes in the wild.

ith “The Woman Who Loves Giraffes,” openly lesbian filmmaker Alison Reid creates a uniquely captivating hybrid of a movie: the story of a bright-eyed and curious young woman, 23-yearold Canadian scientist Anne Innis Dagg, who as a child visiting the Chicago Zoo fell deeply in love with the tallest mammal on earth. Armed with a degree in biology, Dagg put on hold marriage to a sensitive young man who promised he’d be waiting with a ring as his bride-to-be traveled to the wildest region of racially segregated South Africa to photograph a beautiful animal whose very existence was threatened by both trophy-hunters and desperate tribes facing a critical food shortage. Driving a tiny car that is practically another character, Dagg used a 16mm Bolex camera to record a moment in time, perhaps the last moment before some of South Africa’s great animal treasures would succumb to the lightninglike spread of Western technology. My conversation with Dr. Dagg and filmmaker Reid began with

Zeitgeist Films

Dr. Anne Innis Dagg with a long-necked friend in director Alison Reid’s “The Woman Who Loves Giraffes.”

a discussion of the challenges that faced her in a country whose people were diabolically divided by the racist apartheid system while great mammals were being pushed towards extinction. Reid also described how she worked with editors Mike Munn and Caroline Christie, who together and separately have shaped some of Canada’s most im-

portant nonfiction features. Alison Reid: When Anne [Dr. Dagg] went to South Africa in 1956, she studied at a cattle and citrus ranch known as Fleur de Lys, where about 200 giraffes roamed freely. She used the camera to capture giraffes doing behaviors like necking and fighting. [David Lamble: “Boxing! You show one male delivering

David Lamble: What’s so remarkable is your splicing together this footage shot in the early 1950s with film shot many years later when Anne Dagg returned to a South Africa liberated from racial segregation but now facing terrible pressures on its stock of endangered species. Reid: We also have letters Anne wrote to her fiancé and to her mother. They’re just poetic, beautiful letters, read by voiceover actors, including Victor Garber. Returning to Canada with her treasure trove of research and film, Anne Dagg married her patient sweetheart, only to discover that the powers-that-were-then, a reactionary old-boy network, had no intention of either hiring or publishing a married woman who threatened their power over academic tenure, and thus control over how their field would evolve. Dagg retreated into married life – two boys, one

girl, who is seen on screen assisting her mom. Among the many quirky findings Dr. Dagg produced in her pioneering text on giraffes in the wild was this observation: “At one point a male mounted another male. I was really shocked, but I was interested, and I wasn’t interfering with the results.” As a kind of Dr. Kinsey in the study of giraffes, Dr. Dagg observed how males sometimes sampled the urine of females before choosing them as reproductive partners. Dr. Dagg’s story has a longdelayed happy ending. As a new generation of students learned from her textbook, they sought her out while they revolutionized the field. Eventually she was hailed as a pioneer and allowed to revise her textbook. Now in her mid-80s, Dr. Dagg is working with students young enough to be her grandkids and with representatives of the Kenyan government to try to prevent some types of giraffes from going extinct. “The Woman Who Loves Giraffes” opens Friday at the Roxie Theater, and has already climbed onto my list of Top Films of 2019.t

Modern bi-romance by Jim Piechota

Going Dutch by James Gregor; Simon & Schuster, $26

orn and raised in Canada, novelist James Gregor has written “Going Dutch,” a dynamic debut novel about the difficulties in searching for love, and how supremely messy the entire process can become. Meet Richard Turner, a 29-yearold Brooklyn doctoral student in medieval Italian literature who seems to have become stagnant in his academic career. But it wasn’t always this way. Only a few years prior, Richard considered himself a “cultivated, slightly pedantic under-

graduate, someone for whom a high GPA, prizes, bursaries, and glowing reference letters came easily.” Now, not so much. His supervisor, Antonella, is as flummoxed as he is with his inaction and disinterest, which are now threatening his fellowship-sponsored tuition and living-expense stipends. It all just seems like a series of pointless endeavors to Richard, who could be depressed. But his ennui seems more likely to stem from a lack of social and romantic interactions. Gregor has stuck literary gold with his main character. Richard is likeable, self-effacing, and relatable for readers who have those seemingly unending periods of “What’s the

Courtesy MVFF

Scene from director Nadav Lapid’s “Synonyms.”

Mill Valley

From page 21

“By the Grace of God” Veteran gay director Francois Ozon returns with an expose torn from French newspaper headlines, the details of which are hauntingly familiar to a worldwide Catholic community. Ozon relates the struggles of a trio of adult men who fought for years

to receive justice from a Catholic hierarchy that has steadily covered up the details of abuse inflicted by Catholic priests on boys and adolescents. Winner of the Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear Award Jury Prize; in French with English subtitles. “Carmilla” British director Emily Harris delivers a 19th-century gothic tale concerning the fate of two young girls. Lara becomes obsessed

point?,” who question the purpose of the day-to-day uphill struggle. In an effort to shock himself out of the funk of daily living, Richard believes some hot dates would shake things up, both in his bedroom and in his cobwebbed brain. Alas, dating in Manhattan is a jungle of mean-spirited monsters, adorable flakes, thirsty online profiles, and gorgeous one-time dalliances who vaporize into ghosts at the mention of a second date. Though he is gay, Richard throws himself into a somewhat deceptive flirtation with Anne, a smart, wealthy doctoral student who is intent upon resuscitating his flailing studies and ends up becoming a romantic interest.

with Carmilla, a youngster recovering at Lara’s mansion home. Harris’ drama will especially appeal to fans of ghost stories with whispers in the night. North American debut. “The Conductor” The inspirational story of pioneering symphony conductor Antonia Brico. The Dutch-born immigrant overcomes a host of obstacles to realize her dream to conduct the New York Philharmonic. US debut; in English, Dutch and German, with English subtitles. “Ema” Queer-friendly, worldclass actor Gael Garcia Bernal (“Bad Education,” “Y Tu Mama Tambien”) stars in Chilean director Pablo Larrain’s harrowing tale of a couple whose lives are upended by an accident. US debut; in Spanish with English subtitles. “Pain and Glory” Spanish queer director Pedro Almodovar returns with one of his favorite male leads, Antonio Banderas, in the story of aging film director Salvador Mallo, who, in the grip of a creative slump, starts to review his 40-year career behind the camera. Winner of Cannes Best Actor Award; in Spanish with English subtitles. “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” Director Celine Sciamma presents an unusual bond that develops between two women – one a talented painter, and the other her unwitting subject. Winner of Cannes Best Screenplay Award; in French & Italian, with English subtitles. “The Prince” Beginning with a teen boy in a cruel Chilean prison, Sebastian Munoz’s unconventional male love story is reminiscent of

Richard also meets Blake, a successful lawyer and seemingly ideal match. But there’s the issue of Anne and her unbothered attitude towards his homosexuality. Things grind to a halt once one lover finds out about the other, and Richard is forced to confront what’s truly at the heart of his millennial discontent. Gregor is an intuitive writer, and his observations about urban life are spot-on. This is an amiable novel with its soul in the right place and plenty of thoughtful contemplations about emotion, desire, privilege, money, and commitment. It’s resonant for readers who find themselves unhappily single, or just fascinated by the idea of love and romance in the complex 21st century.t

Genet and Derek Jarman. At the center of this tale is an older cellmate who rules the roost with both tenderness and cruelty. North American debut; in Spanish with English subtitles. “Song Without a Name” Director Melina Leon’s film, inspired by true events involving a kidnapped baby girl born to an indigenous Peruvian mom, finds a closeted male reporter looking for clues that lead into some dark corridors of power. In Spanish & Quechua, with English subtitles. “Synonyms” A one-time Israeli soldier (spirited newcomer Tom Mercier) moves to Paris in an attempt to discard his old identity, including language and homeland. Israeli director Nadav Lapid, Golden Bear winner in Berlin, presents a complicated, nuanced, dramatic meditation on nationalism. In French, English & Hebrew, with English subtitles. “Where’s My Roy Cohn?” Director Matt Tyrnauer, whose “Studio 54” wowed queer filmgoers, zeros in on a homosexual attack-dog whose legacy survives in the presidency of Donald Trump. “Why Can’t I Be Me? Around You” Harold Blank presents the highlights of an ongoing, eight-year conversation with transwoman/ auto mechanic Rusty Tidenberg about cars, drag races and life. Among the non-queer highlights at Mill Valley: “Just Mercy” While an adaptation of Harper Lee’s pioneering novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” is

packing them in on Broadway, Lee’s hometown, Monroeville, Alabama, becomes the setting for a harrowing film drama. “Just Mercy” features a drive by a black lawyer (Michael B. Jordan) to save a poor black man (Jamie Foxx) from being railroaded onto death row in a case involving the murder of a white woman. This gut-wrencher is a must-see for those who have forgotten our racial past. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. Opening night at both the Sequoia in Mill Valley and the Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael. “Honey Boy” One-time child actor Shia LeBeouf headlines this poignant tale of an adult film actor, his career stalled by addiction issues, who finds he needs to reconcile with his brutish dad in order to move on with his life. Alma Har’el directs a cast that includes Noah Jupe and rising 20something actor Lucas Hedges. Winner of Sundance Special Jury Prize. “Motherless Brooklyn” Veteran film actor Edward Norton directs this noir-ish tale set in 50s Brooklyn adapted from Jonathan Lethem’s late-90s novel. The cast includes Bruce Willis, Alec Baldwin, Cherry Jones & Willem Dafoe. Mill Valley Closing-night film. The 2019 Mill Valley Film Fest also includes tributes to actor Robert Pattinson, actresses Olivia Wilde, Alfre Woodard & Kristen Stewart, and UK filmmaker Michael Apted, who will screen the latest installment of his famed documentary series tracking the lives of a group of British schoolkids, “63 Up.”t

Nightlife Events

Shining Stars: GLAAD

www.ebar.com

Shining Stars: Folsom Vol. 49 • No. 40 • October 3-9, 2019

Michael Longoria Goes to the Movies by David-Elijah Nahmod

ichael Longoria, best known for his star turn as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys on Broadway, takes to the elegant stage of Feinstein’s at the Nikko on October 16 for an evening oF songs taken from the silver screen. Longoria’s show, Like They Do in the Movies, is a live version of his same named album, and features hits like “Evergreen” from A Star Is Born, “I Will Always Love You” from The Bodyguard, “Take My Breath Away” from Top Gun, and the beautiful “Unchained Melody” from Ghost. See page 29 >>

Michael Longoria

Chris Hardy

Arts Events October 3-10, 2019

Autumn’s harvest of arts events brings a bounty of beauty, beguiling visuals, scintillating sounds and staged stories.

Thu 3 Smuin Contemporary Ballet @ Cowell Theater

Listings start on page 32 >

{ THIRD OF THREE SECTIONS }

<< Nightlife Events

Weekly live piano and open mic night with Dee Spencer. 4pm-8pm. 2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Events @ Steamworks, Berkeley DJed events take place ThursdaysSundays. $7-$62, plus annual memberships $160. Open 24/7, every day. 2107 4th St., Berkeley. (510) 845-8992. steamworksbaths.com

Junk @ Powerhouse MrPam and Dulce de Leche cohost the weekly underwear strip night and contest, with sexy prizes. $5. 10pm2am. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhousebar.com

Nightlife @ California Academy of Sciences Parties at the museum. Oct. 3 is Sharktoberfest, with beers, shark demos and conservations talks, and DJs “Left Shark and Right Shark” (Cosmic Amanda and Small Crimes). 12-$15. 6pm-10pm. 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. www.calacademy.org

Queer Karaoke @ Club OMG KJ Dana hosts the weekly singing night; unleash your inner American Idol ; first Thursdays are Costume Karaoke; third is Kinky Karaoke 8pm. 43 6th St. www.clubomgsf.com

Rice Rockettes @ Lookout Local and visiting Asian drag queens’ weekly show with DJ Philip Grasso. $5. 10:30pm show. 3600 16th St. www.lookoutsf.com

Ruston Kelly @ The Independent The lyrical evocative singer-songwriter performs; Donovan Woods opens. $16. 628 Divisadero. apeconcerts.com

Sad Boi @ Jolene’s Music, with Binx and DJ Nardi. $10. 9pm-2am. 2700 16th St. at Harrison. http://jolenessf.com/

Steven Underhill

Dee’s Keys @ Beaux

Sat 5 La Bota Loca @ Club 21, Oakland Banda Los Shakas performs live at the LGBT Latinx night. $10. 9pm-4am. 2111 Franklin St. club21oakland.com

GAMeBoi SF @ Rickshaw Stop Monthly Gay Asian K-pop and hip hop dance night; Center Stage featuring Fye Dala. $12. 9:30pm-2am. 155 Fell St. www.rickshawstop.com

Laugh, dance, sip, shimmy; whatever moves you in nightlife mode.

Go Bang! @ The Stud Special guest-DJ Jerry Bonham plays a mix of Trocadero Transfer classic grooves. $5-$10. 9pm-3am. 399 9th St. www.studsf.com

Sat 5

Josh Grodsky @ Harvey Milk Center

Frolic @ SF Eagle

Varla Jean Merman @ Oasis

Drag Alive @ The Stud

A Star is Bored,the statuesque drag queen’s comedy live-sung show. $30$60. 7pm. Thru Oct. 5 . 298 11th St. www.sfoasis.com

Variety show with glittery queens and creatures. 6pm-8pm. 399 9th St. www.studsf.com

Wayout Gayla @ Great American Music Hall Celebrate queerness and raise money for Zebra Coalition. $95-$250 and up. 6:30pm. 859 O’Farrell St. http://www.slimspresents.com

WFC SF Slam 12 @ El Toro Empress Pollo Del Mar MCs the fun pro wrestling night of lucha libre studs, heels, babyfaces and ring villains. Benefiting local nonprofits. $5-$20. 7pm-11pm. 2470 San Bruno Ave. wfcwrestling.ticketleap.com

Fri 4 La Bomba Latina @ Club OMG Drag show with DJ Jaffeth. $5. 9pm2am. 43 6th St. www.clubomgsf.com

Curtain Call @ Harvey Milk Center Society Cabaret’s cabaret showcase and open mic, with MC Bill Cooper and pianist Barry Lloyd. $15-$25. 7pm. 50 Scott St. societycabaret.com

The singer performs The Chest Baker Songbook with piano and bass accompaniment. $30-$50. 8pm. 50 Scott St. societycabaret.com

Kurt Vile & The Violators @ The Fillmore

Gorge/Us @ Golden Bull, Oakland

The rock band performs with Jon Langford and the Skull Orchard Welsh Male Voice Choir. $30. 9pm. 1805 Geary St. www.thefillmore.com

Mama Celeste, Lisa Frankenstein, KaiKai Bee Michaels and other drag talents. $5. 9pm. 412 14th St., Oakland. www.thegoldenbullbar.com

Makeout Party @ Jolene’s Smoochfest for queers. $5-$10. 9pm2am. 2700 16th St. at Harrison. http://jolenessf.com/

Hal Sparks @ Cobb’s Comedy Club The Queer as Folk actor does his funny stand-up act. $25-$40. 7:30pm & 9:45. Also Oct. 5. 915 Columbus Ave. www.cobbscomedy.com

Mother @ Oasis Heklina’s popular weekly drag show, with special guests and great music themes. $15-$25. 10pm-3am (11:30pm show). 298 11th St. www.sfoasis.com

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival @ Golden Gate Park

The Playground @ Club BNB, Oakland

Annual outdoor concert series, with food, drinks and dozens of acts: Robert Plant, Emmylou Harris, Judy Collins, Kurt Vile, Yola, Bettye Lavette, Meat Puppets, Chastity Brown, Tanya Tucker, Bobby Braddock, the Flatlanders, and more. Thru Oct. 6. Hellman Hollow, 11am-7pm. Free. www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com

Dance night at the popular hip hop and Latin club. $5-$15. 9pm to 3am. 2120 Broadway. (510) 759-7340. www.club-bnb.com

Powerblouse @ Powerhouse Juanita MORE, Glamamore and crew’s monthly drag virgin makeover night. 6pm-9pm. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhousebar.com

Piano Bar @ Martuni’s Musician extraordinaire Joe Wicht leads tasteful sing-along selections. 5:30-8:30pm. 4 Valencia St.

Woof, Frolic @ SF Eagle The pup fetish cocktail hour (4pm9pm) is followed by the full-on Furry party (8pm-2am), with the live furry band For All performing, then DJs Lutra, NeonBunny and Raid Zero. $8$12. 398 12th St. www.sf-eagle.com

Queer Happy Hour @ Forage Kitchen, Oakland Drinks for LGBTQs and pals, plus vegan and chicken snacks. Weekly 4pm-9pm. 478 25th St., Oakland. www.foragekitchen.com

Sun 6

Ror Shok @ SF Eagle

Beer Bust @ SF Eagle

Johnny Rockitt’s drag gang performs a full-on Rocky Horror Picutre Show tribute, with Suppositori Spelling as Frank N. Further. $10. 9pm-2am. 398 12th St. www.sf-eagle.com

The popular daytime party, where $10-$15 gets you all the beer you can drink, supporting worthy causes. 3pm-6pm. Aprocrypha T-dance follows with DJ Spazatron and Mocha Fapalatte (7pm-1am). 398 12th St. at Harrison. www.sf-eagle.com

SG Lewis @ Great American Music Hall

Benefits and plenty of beer at the historic neighborhood bar. 3pm-7pm. 1723 Polk St. www.cinchsf.com

Castro Street Fair @ Castro & 18th 46th annual fair with booths of nonprofits, arts & crafts, plus food, drinks and live bands and DJed music. Gate donations. 11am-6pm. castrostreetfair.org

Dirty Musical Sundays @ The Edge Sing along at the popular musical theatre night, with a bawdy edge; also Mondays and Wednesdays (but not as dirty). 7pm-2am. 2 for 1 cocktail, 5pm-closing. 4149 18th St. at Collingwood. www.edgesf.com

Feast Above the River @ Guerneville Bridge Enjoy fine food and wine on the town’s scenic bridge, featuring Sonoma wines and foods. $150. 4pm8pm. www.eventbrite.com

Glam Sundays @ Valencia Room Weekly house, funk, soul T-dance with guest-DJs and no cover. 3pm-9pm. 647 Valencia St. glamsundays.com

PoleSexual @ Powerhouse Variety show with burlesque flair, and metal grooves with DJ Dakota Pendant. $5. 9pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhousebar.com

SheDevil @ Jolene’s Drag rave. $5-$7. 9pm-2am. 2700 16th St. at Harrison. jolenessf.com

Sundance Saloon @ Space 550 The popular two-stepping linedancing, not-just-country music night, with free lessons, celebrates its 21st anniversary; free admission. 5pm10:30pm. Also Thursdays 6:30pm10:30pm. 550 Barneveld Ave. www.sundancesaloon.org

Tom Orr @ R3 Hotel, Guerneville The comic playwright and composer performs his new revue, The Greatest Showqueen! $20. 7pm, 16390 4th St., Guerneville. Also Oct. 13 at Martuni’s, 4 Valencia St. https://m.bpt.me/ event/4335146

Up Bay Pride @ City Park, Benicia Gay folk-pop singer Tom Goss, lesbian band Lady Killers, drag songstress Bella Aldama and others perform live at the Solano County LGBTQ Pride event, with vendors, food truck, wine, beer, soft drinks, kid-friendly playground, and more. 11am-5pm. 150 Military Way, Benecia. www.solanopride.org/event-details

Mon 7

Fundraiser and fun, with proceeds going to local nonprofits. $10. 4pm7pm. 4149 18th St. www.edgesf.com

Drag night with Mercedez Munro. No cover. 10pm. 4067 18th St. www.midnightsunsf.com

Body odor armpit appreciation night, with Spunk Lube and Steamworks goodies, sexy gogos and grooves. $5. 9pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhousebar.com

Thu 3

WFC SF Slam 12 @ El Toro

Uhaul @ Jolene’s The popular women’s dance party returns at the new nightclub, now weekly. 10pm-2am. 2700 16th St. at Harrison. http://jolenessf.com/

Van Morrison @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley The veteran R&B singer performs new and classic songs. $89-$250. 8pm. 2001 Gayley Drive, UC Berkeley campus. apeconcerts.com

Evocative folk-pop. $15-$18. 9pm. 628 Divisadero. Also Oct 5 at The New Parish, 1743 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. www.apeconcerts.com

Big Gay Beer Bust @ The Cinch

Munro’s at Midnight @ Midnight Sun

Stank @ Powerhouse

Yoke Lore @ The Independent

Beverage Benefit @ The Edge

Brit EDM DJ/producer plays; Drama opens. $20-$45. 9pm. Also Oct. 5. 859 O’Farrell St. slimspresents.com

Steven Underhill

Thu 3

October 3-10, 2019

For full listings, visit www.ebar.com/events

Nightlife Events

30 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

Cabaret>>

October 3-9, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 31

Michael Longoria (second left) with The Midtown Men.

Michael Longoria

From page 29

It’s the latest project for the busy performer who, in addition to his solo shows, is also currently touring in The Midnight Men, a retrothemed vocal quartet now enjoying its tenth tour. The group has been filmed for a PBS special titled Meet the Midnight Men. Longoria, a regular on Broadway, was also seen in the musical Hairspray. “Hairspray was a dream,” Longoria told the Bay Area Reporter in a phone interview. “I still remember how the theater smelled that summer when my dream to be on Broadway came true. I had been hired to swing the seven male ensemble tracks, but by the end of my time there, I had gone on for almost every part in the show!” Longoria recalls one particularly harrowing –and educational– experience from his Hairspray tenure. It was the night another actor had called out, an actor whose track he hadn’t yet learned. “But as they say, the show must go on,” he said. “The producers

threw me on in a track I had never performed. It was terrifying. Moving set pieces and oncoming chorus dancers pushing and pulling me to my marks. I learned a lot that first show. After that experience it became almost impossible to be scared about going on for any other part since that experience was so terrifyingly wonderful.”

You from Jersey?

The actor played two roles in Jersey Boys. “I originated a 16-year-old version of the famous actor Joe Pesci in the original cast of Jersey Boys on Broadway,” Longoria said. “He put Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons together back in the day in Jersey. It was a featured role at night, while I also played lead singer Frankie Valli for the matinees, eventually playing Valli full time. It was a real actor’s playground being able to play two real-life legends as characters in a Broadway hit.” Jersey Boys and The Midnight Men were not Longoria’s first exposure to older music. He has an affinity for older tunes that goes back

there, I think about young people who may be struggling to live in their truth out there today,” he said. “One of them might hear one of my songs and see themselves in the storyline. I am living my truth for them, and also for the little me who dreamed that this would one day be my life.” Longoria says that his night at Feinstein’s will be a special evening for him. He wants his audience to be prepared to sing along and feel with the songs he sings at the club, with what he calls a collection of the best from the silver screen. “I gravitated toward songs that make me tear up or feel undeniable joy,” he said. “Our human experiences knowing and loving each other have a lasting effect on our lives. Heartbreak is necessary to know that we have loved in the first place. All of these songs are professions of love. ‘I Will Always Love You’ from The Bodyguard and ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now’ from Manne-

Vice Tuesdays @ Q Bar

Sofi Tukker @ The Fox, Oakland

Game Night @ Pause Wine Bar

Pop singing multi-lingual duo (Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern) performs; Haiku Hands and LP Giobbi open. $36. 8pm. 1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. www.sofitukker.com

Johnny Rockitt hosts a weekly night of trivia and other games. 8pm-10pm. 1666 Market St. yieldandpause.com

Queer femmes and friends dance party with hip hop, Top 40 and throwbacks at the stylish intimate bar, with DJs Val G and Iris Triska. 9pm2am. 456 Castro St. www.QbarSF.com

Zodiac @ SF Eagle New weekly creepy-goth drag show and viewing party for the Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, with hosts Nitrix Oxide and Dakota Pendant. Ghoulish drag/attire appreciated. $5-$10. 8pm12am. 398 12th St. www.sf-eagle.com

Maria Muldaur at Still Red, Still Hot @ Presidio Theatre

Music Mondays @ Pause Wine Bar Marcus Rivers plays live music at the stylish wine bar; weekly 8pm-10pm. 1666 Market St. yieldandpause.com

Still Red, Still Hot @ Presidio Theatre San Francisco Mime Troupe’s 60th anniversary benefit celebration features pop singer Maria Muldaur, with Josh Kornbluth, Diane Amos, Will Durst, Richard Montoya, SF Mime Troupe alumni, and the SF Mime Troupe house band. $60-$300. 6pm11pm. 99 Moraga Ave. www.sfmt.org

Underwear Night @ 440 Strip down to your skivvies at the popular men’s night. 9pm-2am. 440 Castro St. www.the440.com

Vamp @ Beaux Women’s night with a sultry vampire theme; goth, red & black, lingerie attire welcome but not required; bondage and BDSM demos, too. DJs Olga T and Jayne Grey. $5-$15. 8pm2am. 2344 Market St. beauxsf.com

Tue 8 High Fantasy @ Aunt Charlie’s Lounge Weekly drag and variety show at the intimate bar, with live acts and lipsynching divas, plus DJed grooves. $5. Shows at 10:30pm & 12am. 133 Turk St. at Taylor. www.auntcharlieslounge.com

Hysteria Comedy @ Martuni’s Wonder Dave and other comics, plus open mic. 6pm. 4 Valencia St.

Trivia Night @ Port Bar, Oakland Big gay trivia night at the East Bay bar with host Robert Perez; drinks specials and prizes. 8pm. Broadway. www.portbaroakland.com

Truck Tuesdays @ Atlas Super-cruisy night at the new semiprivate club. $10-$20. 9pm-2am. 415 10th St. www.atlas-sf.com

Thu 10 The Billie Holiday Project @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko

American Horror Story Night @ SF Eagle Watch AHS 1984, the camp/slasher FX Ryan Murphy TV series. 10pm-12am. 398 12th St. www.sf-eagle.com

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Live @ Oasis

Cabaret Karaoke @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko Dick Bright MCs the new karaoke night at the elegant nightclub. $12$15. ($20 food/drink min.). Thru Sept. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.feinsteinssf.com

Castro Karaoke @ Midnight Sun Sing out with host Bebe Sweetbriar; 2 for 1 well drinks. 8pm-2am. 4067 18th St. www.midnightsunsf.com

Michael Longoria: Like They Do in the Movies, Wednesday October 16, 7pm. $25-45. Feinstein’s at the Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.feinsteinssf.com

Michael Longoria with his husband Taylor James at a production of The View Upstairs.

Stella Heath invokes the vocal stylings of Billie Holiday; Neil Fontano on piano, Jason Bellenkes on saxophone/ clarinet, and Trevor Kinsel on upright bass/cornet. $35-$55. ($20 food/drink min.) 8pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.feinsteinssf.com

Wed 9 Mon 7

quin are a couple of songs from my concert that will take you back to a time when going to the movies was magical and it always ended with a killer song that you walked out of the theater humming.” Longoria says that he’s having a blast in the recording studio. He hopes to one day graduate to the movies. His dream is to star in a movie musical. For those not sure if they should come out to see him perform, he offers these simple words. “Damn, that boy can sing! This concert will be a good show to bring a date to. With so many words of love being sung out loud, it’ll be hard not to sing along and hold your lover’s hand.”t

to his childhood, when he and his mom would clean the house listening to what she called “the Oldies.” “Without knowing it, I learned the melodies and lyrics to the greatest hits of the 1960s that would eventually be my door to the Broadway stage,” recalled Longoria. “Both Hairspray and Jersey Boys are musicals that take place in the 1960s. Those early listening days were my training on how to sing a love song from the heart. So many of those early singers from the 1960s were young and completely untrained. What we hear on those recordings are raw and real emotions.” The Los Angeles native, who is now openly gay, grew up in what he calls a very Mexican-American and Catholic environment. He always felt that he couldn’t be himself in that environment: being himself meant potential rejection and danger. He often dreamed of having a life where he could be free to be himself. “I started to book television commercials as a child actor,” said Longoria. “Sometimes the family would drive me through West Hollywood for auditions. I remember I would search passing cars for rainbow flag bumper stickers. I don’t know how I knew, but somehow I knew that a rainbow flag bumper sticker meant that the person in the car was gay.” As a solo recording artist and as a concert performer, Longoria wrote “Merry Me This Christmas” and “Kiss Me (Like They Do in the Movies),” two songs about winning and losing in love as a gay man. He feels that it’s important that people hear him singing these songs and know that he’s singing about a guy. “Whenever I question how much of myself I should be putting out

My So-Called Night @ Beaux Carnie Asada hosts a weekly ‘90s-themed video, dancin’, drinkin’ night, with VJs Jorge Terez. Get down with your funky bunch, and enjoy 90cent drinks. ‘90s-themed attire and costume contest. No cover. 9pm-2am. 2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Nap’s Karaoke @ Virgil’s Sea Room Sing out loud at the weekly least judgmental karaoke in town, hosted by the former owner of the bar. No cover. 9pm. 3152 Mission St. www.virgilssf.com

D’Arcy Drollinger presents Michael Phillis and a talented crew of drag queens/kings who perform a wacky version of a script from the hit TV vampire show. $27-$50. Thu-Sat 7pm. Thru Nov 9. 298 11th St. sfoasis.com

Terror Vault @ SF Mint

Comedy @ Ashkenaz, Berkeley

Thump @ White Horse, Oakland

Laugh wih Diane Amos, Arjun Banerjee, Nori Reed, and Lisa Geduldig. $15-$25. 8pm. 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. ashkenaz.com

Peaches Christ’s annual horror-fun invasion of the historic building includes a full-scale spooky interactive tour. $62, various tour times. Thru Nov. 10. 88 5th St. intothedarksf.com

Weekly electro music night with DJ Matthew Baker and guests. 9pm-2am. 6551 Telegraph Ave. www.whitehorsebar.comt

GAYmes @ Port Bar, Oakland Board games night; Baila Conmigo, queer Latinx fundraiser (2nd Wed.). 2023 Broadway. www.portbaroakland.com

NSA @ Club OMG Weekly underwear party. $1 well drinks for anyone in underwear from 9pm-10pm. 43 6th St. clubomgsf.com

Pan Dulce @ Beaux Drag divas, gogo studs, DJed Latin grooves at the Hump Day fiesta 9pm2am (free before 10:30pm). 2344 Market St. www.clubpapi.com

Queer Single Happy Hour @ Jolene’s Singles mingle at the queer bar. 2700 16th St. at Harrison. jolenessf.com/

Tue 8

Dakota Pendant cohosts Zodiac @ SF Eagle

<< Arts Events Robbie Sweeny

32 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

Thu 3 Kevin Seaman (LOL McFiercen)’s femMasculine @ Brava Cabaret

For full listings, visit www.ebar.com/events

Thu 3 Alonzo King LINES Ballet @ YBCA The local dance company perform’s King’s new work with musicians Charles Lloyd and Jason Moran. $45-$95. 7:30pm. Thru Oct. 6. 700 Howard St. www.linesballet.org

Aunt Charlie’s @ Tenderloin Museum Multimedia exhibit about the historic Tenderloin drag bar, including Beautiful by Night: Photographs from Aunt Charlie’s Lounge by James Hosking, Hot Boxx Girls, photos by Darwin Bell. Oct 3, There Will Always Be Roses in San Francisco, by Marissa Letiman, Oct 3 reception 6pm-9pm. Exhibit thru Dec 1. 398 Eddy St. tenderloinmuseum.org

Cells to Self @ Exploratorium New exhibit with amazing displays showing how single cells in the human body work, portraits engineered from DNA and more (talks, hands-on workshops and nightlife events). $20-$30. Pier 15 at Embarcadero. exploratorium.edu

Classic and New Films @ Castro Theatre Oct. 3: Downton Abbey. Oct 5-7: The Last Black Man in San Francisco. Oct. 8: Miles David: Birth of the Cool. $8-$16. 429 Castro St. www.castrotheatre.com

Dance Nation @ SF Playhouse Clare Barron’s dark comedy about competitive dancers in Florida, with teenagers played by adults. $35-$125. Thru Nov 9. 450 Post St. www.sfplayhouse.org

Events @ Manny’s Oct 3, 6:30pm: Farming Hope fundraiser with food. Oct. 4, 7:30pm: music duo Ivan & Enzo. Oct 6, 7pm: singer-songwriter Ila Cantor. Oct 7, 6pm: screening of the Alfre Woodard prison film Clemency. Oct 8, 6pm: queer POC congressional candidate Ritchie Torres. Free/$10 and up (donations). 3092 16th St. www.welcometomannys.com

Events @ GLBT History Museum Oct. 3: ‘Remembering a Police Riot: The Castro Sweep of 1989,’ a 30th anniversary panel discussion with visuals. Oct. 11: My Dad’s Closet: A Father, a Daughter and Their Secret, with author Laura Hall. Each 7pm, $5. Also, exhibits Queering Familias: Building Latinx Resilience & Hope and The Mayor of Folsom Street: Alan Selby’s Legacy, an exhibit of the leather culture pioneer (both thru Oct 20). 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org

femMasculine @ Brava Cabaret Kevin Seaman’s solo “Queer Journey Through Digital Desire” takes on contemporary problems with gayness, queer identity and gender, also as his drag persona LOL McFiercen. $20-$50. Oct 3-5, 10-12, 8pm. 2773 24th St. www.brava.org

The Great Wave @ Berkeley Repertory U.S. premiere of Francis Turnly’s drama about Asian family members separated by an ocean. $30-$81. Thru Oct 27. 2015 Addison St., Berkeley. www.berkeleyrep.org

Hot Mikado @ Gateway Theatre 42nd Street Moon’s new production of Rob Bowman and David H. Bell’s jazz interpretation of Gilbert & Sullivan’s operetta. $31-$72. Thru Oct. 13. 215 Jackson St. www.42ndstmoon.org

Jess Curtis/Gravity @ CounterPulse The local acclaimed dance/ performance ensemble performs Curtis’ new work, (in)Visible. $10$30. Oct 3-6 & 10-13. Thu Sun 8pm. ASL interpretation Oct 6 & 12. 80 Turk St. www.counterpulse.org

No Regrets: A Celebration of Marlon Riggs @ BAM/PFA Screenings of films by the late African American gay artist and UC Berkeley professor, including Tongues Untied and Black Is… Black Ain’t. Thru Nov 25. Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive, 2155 Center St., Berkeley. www.bampfa.org

Smuin Contemporary Ballet @ Cowell Theater

Sintonia Dance @ Presidio Theatre

Dance Series 1, the company premiere of The Man in Black (James Kudelka dances set to Johhny Cash songs), Rex Wheeler’s Take Five and Michael Smuin’s Carmina Burana. $25-$93. Thu 7:30pm, Sat 2pm & 7:30pm, Sun 2pm thru Oct. 6. 2 Marina Blvd. www.smuinballet.org

Tattooed, an experimental flamenco dance performance about survivors’ strength and resilience is performed by the dance company, at the newly re-opened theater. $25-$50. 7pm. Oct 4 & 5, 8pm. 99 Moraga Ave. www.sintoniadance.com

Fri 4 The Continuous Thread @ SFAC Main Gallery Opening reception for Celebrating Our Interwoven Histories, Identities and Contributions, an exhibit of photos of indigenous Americans, coordinated with projections on the former Pioneer Monument statue in Civic center. 6pm-8pm. Thru Dec 14. 401 Van Ness Ave. www.sfartscommission.org

Dionysus Was Such a Nice Man @ Joe Goode Annex Fools Fury production of Kate Tarker’s modern take on the story of Oedipus from the perspective of the family of shepherds who raised him. $24-$50. Thru Oct. 20. 401 Alabama St. www.foolsfury.org

Events @ Alley Cat Books

This Side of Crazy @ NCTC Previews for Del Shore’s new Southern comedy about four very unusual women brought together for a family reunion. $22-$44. WedSat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Thursday night preshow music and drag cabaret concerts. Thru Oct. 20. 25 Van Ness Ave., lower level. www.nctcsf.org

Top Girls @ Geary Theater American Conservatory Theatre’s new season kicks off with Caryl Churchill’s modern classic drama about the cost of progress in a world divided by class, cruelty, and capitalism. Enjoy a special-made Humphry Slocombe ice cream flavor in the lobby. $15-$110. Thru Oct. 13. 415 Geary St. www.act-sf.org

That Don Reed Show @ The Marsh Berkeley The acclaimed solo performer’s show about dealing with racism in show business returns for an extended run. $20-$100. Sat 8:30pm, Sun 5:30pm. Thru Oct 13. 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. www.themarsh.org

Arenas Dance Company @ EastSide Arts Alliance, Oakland/Dance Mission Theater, SF Afro-Cuban company performs vibrant new works with live music accompaniment. $18$27. Fri & Sat 8pm, Sun 6pm. Oct 6, 2277 International Blvd., Oakland. Oct 11-13, 3316 24th St. dancemission.com

Take Root @ Oakland Museum Take Root: Oakland Grows Food and other exhibits. No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man (Oct 12-Feb 16). Free/$15. 1000 Oak St. www.museumca.org

The indy theatre programs a month of scary horror scifi movies for the season ( Carrie, The Exorcist, Beetlejuice, The Thing, Nosferatu with live music, and many more), thru Oct. 31. 474 24th St. www.thenewparkway.com

Shotgun Players performs Annie Baker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 2014 drama/comedy about three people working in a cinema. $7-$40. Thru Oct. 6. 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley. www.shotgunplayers.org

Sintonia Dance @ Presidio Theatre

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival @ Golden Gate Park

Scary Movies @ New Parkway Theatre, Oakland

The Flick @ Ashby Stage, Berkeley

Fri 4

Tribute concert of Jimi Hendrix hits, with Buddy Guy, Billy Cox, Joe Satriani, Dweezil Zappa and many more. $42$94. 8pm. 2025 Broadway, Oakland. paramounttheatre. com Also Oct. 8, 8pm ($69-$89) at Luther Burbank Center, 50 Mark west Springs Road, Santa Rosa. lutherburbankcenter.org

Documenting the HIV/AIDS Epidemic, a symposium on the Bay Area response. Oct 4 & 5, Byers Auditorium, Genentech Hall, 600 16th St. www.library.ucsf.edu/ news/memory-lives-on-symposium/

Oct 3, 7pm: poet Jericho Brown. Oct 4. 7pm: Anne Lesley Selver, Ryanaustin Dennis, Susan Gevirtz. Oct 5, 6pm: opening reception for Michael Roman’s art exhibit. Oct 6, 6pm: screening of My Gaze/Yr Gaze. Oct 10, 6:30pm: Bilingual poetry and reading open mic. 3036 24th St. 3036 24th St. alleycatbookshop.com

Sun 6

Experience Hendrix @ Parmount Theatre, Oakland

Memory Lives On @ UCSF Mission Bay

Poetry Readings @ The Green Arcade

Sat 5 Brian Dettmer @ Nancy Toomey Fine Art Elegies, the artist’s carved book sculptures. Tue-Fri 11am-5:30pm. Sat 11am-5pm (reception Oct 5, 5pm7pm); thru Oct. 12. 1275 Minnesota St. www.nancytoomeyfineart.com

Caroline, or Change @ Victoria Theatre Ray of Light Theatre Company’s production of Jeanine Tesori/Tony Kushner’s musical drama about a Southern Jewish family and their Black maid. $35-$40. Thru Oct. 5. 2961 16th St. rayoflighttheatre.com

Oct. 6, 5pm: Alan Bernheimer ( From Nature ) and Julian Talamanstex Brolaski ( Of Mongrelitude ). Oct. 9, 7pm: Nick Flynn ( I Will Destroy You ) with Matthew Zapruder ( Father’s Day ). 1680 Market St. www.thegreenarcade.com

Queer Tango @ Finnish Hall, Berkeley Same-sex partner tango dancing, including lessons for newbies, food and drinks. $5-$10. 3:30pm6:30pm. 1970 Chestnut St, Berkeley. www.finnishhall.org

Smack Dab @ Manny’s Queer open mic night features award-winning author Diana Cage ( The Lesbian Sex Bible ). 5pm. 3092 16th St. www.dianacage.com www.welcometomannys.com

Up Bay Pride @ City Park, Benicia Gay folk-pop singer Tom Goss, lesbian band Lady Killers, drag songstress Bella Aldama and others perform live at the Solano County LGBTQ Pride event, with vendors, food truck, wine, beer, soft drinks, kid-friendly playground, etc. 11am-5pm. 150 Military Way, Benecia. solanopride.org/event-details

Arts Events>>

October 3-9, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 33

Carolina De Robertis @ SF Main Library

Sat 5

Local fiction professor and author of the bestseller The Invisible Mountain reads from and discusses her new novel, Cantoras. 6pm. Latino/Hispanic Room, lower level, 100 Larkin St. www.sfpl.org

Brian Dettmer @ Nancy Toomey Fine Art

The Chinese Lady @ Magic Theatre

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Bay Area premiere of Lloyd Suh’s play inspired by the true story of the first Chinese woman to arrive on American soil. $15-$75. Tue 7pm, Thu-Sat 8pm, Sun 2:30pm thru Nov. 3. Fort Mason, 2 Marina Blvd. www.MagicTheatre.org

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Naked Men’s Sketch @ Eros Get naked and take turns modeling at the sex club’s popular weekly event. Donations/no entrance fee. 7pm-9pm. 2051 Market St.www.erossf.com

Richard Caldwell Brewer @ Lost Art Salon

Various Exhibits @ Asian Art Museum

Perfectly Queer @ Booksmith

Changing and Unchanging Things: Noguchi and Hasegawa in Postwar Japan (thru Dec. 8). Contemporary works by Tanabe Chikuunsai IV, Kim Heecheon and Liu Jianhua; and exhibits of historic sculptures, prints and antiquities. Sunday café specialties from $7-$16. Free-$20. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. 200 Larkin St. http://www.asianart.org/

Novelists Katie Gilmartin, Chuck Forester, and Jon Roemer read at “San Francisco in Queer Fiction, by the Decade,” with refreshments and door prizes. 7pm. 1644 Haight St. www.booksmith.com

Mon 7

The multiple awardwinning gay author reads form and discusses his new work, Falling: Stories. 7pm. 489 Castro St. dogearedbooks.com

Keith Secola @ Café Valor Wounds Many, an exhibit of works focusing on the artist’s Northern Ute heritage. Thru Dec. 13. 401 Van Ness Ave., lobby. sfartscommission. org

Tue 8 Floral Exhibits @ SF Botanical Garden Visit the lush gardens with displays of trees, flowers and shrubs from around the world, including the annual Magnolia bloom. Monthly plant sales, plus art exhibits and gift shop; free entry with SF proof of residency. $5-$10 for others. 7:30am-closing. 9th Ave at Lincoln Way. sfbotanicalgarden.org

Exhibit of works by the late gay artist (1923-2014). Mon-Sat 10am5:30pm. 245 South Van Ness Ave., #303. https://lostartsalon.com/

Trebor Healey @ Dog Eared Books

Sun 6

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Thu 10

Peter Combe @ K. Imperial Fine Art Flawless, a solo exhibition of the Bay Area artist’s fascinatingly detailed art that uses paint swatch collages. Thru Oct. 31. 49 Geary St., #440. kimperialfineart.com

Terror Vault @ SF Mint Peaches Christ’s annual horror-fun invasion of the historic building includes a full-scale spooky interactive tour. $62, various tour times. Thru Nov. 10. 88 5th St. www.intothedarksf.com

Various Events @ Oakland LGBTQ Center

Katie Gilmartin at Perfectly Queer @ Booksmith

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Traveling exhibit Tom Goss at Up Bay Pride curated by Ekow @ City Park, Benicia Eshun includes 16 artists’ works focusing on the idea of ‘Africanness.’ Also, The Sacred Star of Isis and Other Stories, photos by Adama Delphine Fawundo; also Rashaad Annabeth Rosen Newsome’s Stop Playing in My @ Contemporary Face !, a Black queer multimedia Jewish Museum installation. Free/$10. Both thru Annabeth Rosen: Fired, Broken, Nov. 15. 685 Mission St. Gathered, Heaped ; works by the www.moadsf.org Californian sculptor; thru Jan 19. Book Club Other exhibits, too. Free/$17. 736 Mission St. www.thecjm.org @ Dog Eared Books Discussion of Alison Bechdel’s Comedy acclaimed graphic novel Fun @ Ashkenaz, Berkeley Home: A Family Tragicomic. 7pm. Laugh wih Diane Amos, Arjun 489 Castro St. Banerjee, Nori Reed, and Lisa www.dogearedbooks.com Geduldig. $15-$25. 8pm. 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. ashkenaz.com

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Social events and meetings at the new LGBTQ center include film screenings and workshops, including Bruthas Rising, trans men of color meetings, 4th Tuesdays, 6:30pm. Film screenings, 4th Saturdays, 7:30pm. Game nights, Fridays 7:30pm-11pm. Vogue sessions, first Saturdays. 3207 Lakeshore Ave. Oakland. www.oaklandlgbtqcenter.orgt

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<< Shining Stars

34 • Bay Area Reporter • October 3-9, 2019

Shining Stars Steven Underhill Photos by

GLAAD Awards @ Hyatt Regency C

ast members from the hit CBC series Schitt’s Creek, along with other stars, were in attendance at the San Francisco edition of the annual GLAAD Awards. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation presents awards to straight allies and LGBTQ celebrities and activists. Dan Levy, the out gay creator of Schitt’s Creek, received the Davidson/Valentini Award award, with fellow cast members Emily Hampshire, Sarah Levy, Annie Murphy, and Noah Reid attending. Singer Paula Abudul charmed in a cream chiffon gown, and received the Ariadne Getty Ally Award from figure skater-author Adam Rippon. Business executive Ali Rosenthal was also honored, RuPaul’s Drag Race star Peppermint wowed with a group song and dance number, and adorable singer-actor Garrett Clayton performed a musical medley. Patrons (including Heklina and Juanita MORE!) enjoyed drinks, auctions and dinner at the elegant night. www.glaad.org See plenty more photos on BARtab’s Facebook page, facebook.com/lgbtsf.nightlife. See more of Steven Underhill’s photos at StevenUnderhill.com.

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Shining Stars>>

October 3-9, 2019 • Bay Area Reporter • 35

Shining Stars Steven Underhill Photos by

Folsom Street Fair @ SoMa U

nder sunny skies and a brisk breeze, thousands of attendees at the annual Folsom Street Fair enjoyed strutting in leather, lace and a (newly trending) colorful array of kink and fetish gear for all kinds of tastes. Gate donations raised thousands for local nonprofits. www.folsomstreetevents.org See plenty more photos on BARtab’s Facebook page, facebook.com/lgbtsf.nightlife. See more of Steven Underhill’s photos at StevenUnderhill.com.

For headshots, portraits or to arrange your wedding photos

call (415) 370-7152 or visit www.StevenUnderhill.com or email stevenunderhillphotos@gmail.com

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