September 20, 2012 edition of the Bay Area Reporter

The

www.ebar.com

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

Vol. 42 • No. 38 • September 20-26, 2012

New Eagle owners prepare to open

by Seth Hemmelgarn

Rick Gerharter

Nudists stroll through Jane Warner Plaza in the Castro district.

A

Nudity ban would exempt parades, fairs Jane Philomen Cleland

by Matthew S. Bajko

S

hould District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener move forward with legislation to ban public nudity in San Francisco, the city’s parades and street fairs would be exempted under any such regulation.

The Bay Area Reporter broke the news last week that Wiener, a gay man who represents See page 11 >>

Folsom fair hits SF L

ongtime leather community member Race Bannon shows off his flagging skills during the annual Leatherwalk charity event. The 21st annual walk, held Sunday, September 16, kicked off Leather Week in San Francisco, as hundreds

of thousands of fetish fans prepare to descend on the city for the 29th annual Folsom Street Fair, which takes place Sunday, September 23 along several blocks of Folsom Street in the city’s South of Market district.

s owners of what’s to be known as SF Eagle prepare to reopen the beloved former leather bar, community members who’ve been hoping for the space to return as an LGBT venue have been cheering.

The old Eagle Tavern, at 398 12th Street, shut down in April 2011 after a rent dispute between the former owners and the landlord.

But those celebrating Mike Leon and Alex Montiel’s signing the lease in late August appear to know little about the businesses partners’ somewhat limited bar backgrounds.

“This is a community space. ... It’s not about us,” Montiel said Sunday when the men held a press conference at the site.

But the bar faces hurdles.

A fundraiser to help with making repairs at the bar is set for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, September 23 – the day of the Folsom Street Fair – in the parking lot across from the bar.

See page 13 >>

Collectors covet vintage porn titles

by Matthew S. Bajko

O David Duran

Tour guides Kevin Roberts (Sister Mora Lee D’Klined), left, and his partner Alixx Ortiz give the lowdown on the history of the Folsom district in a new walking tour.

Walking tour looks at Folsom’s history

by David Duran

A

new walking tour of San Francisco’s Folsom district provides an entertaining history of the birth of the leather community, as well as honors and celebrates See page 12 >>

nce a week DJ and club producer Dan Karkoska browses the selection of vintage gay porn titles at Castro store Auto Erotica looking for new additions to his collection.

Karkoska, 47, has amassed a personal library of several hundred magazines from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. He also has acquired hundreds of pulp fiction books.

“The magazines are not all photos of naked men. They also have fashion spreads and articles; you get a reflection of what life might have been like back then,” said Karkoska, whose club persona is DJ Dank. “In the 1970s was when gay culture came of age. Back in the day I am sure it seemed dirty, but now it is quaint. Oh, look at them in the bathhouse.”

His hobby began eight years ago when he moved to San Francisco and the thrift store enthusiast happened upon a set of gay pulp novels.

“I was intrigued by it. I did some research and found out how rare and collectible they are,” recalled Karkoska, who grew up in Texas.

He began searching out stores around town for more such titles and soon found himself browsing through the pages of now defunct publications like Vector, QQ (short for Queen’s Quarterly, and Blue Boy. “It is sort of like a treasure hunt,” Karkoska said.

The magazines’ mix of nude pictorials and reporting on gay issues of the day intrigued Karkoska. Titles such as Vector served as gay versions

Rick Gerharter

There has been a resurgence in interest in vintage porn, such as titles available at the Auto Erotica store in the Castro.

of Time or Newsweek, he said.

“So much stuff in gay culture is expressed through there,” he said. “It is so fascinating to get to go back and read it.”

Karkoska isn’t alone in finding the material collectible, say owners of stores that sell vintage porn

{ FIRST OF TWO SECTIONS }

titles. Auto Erotica owner Patrick Batt has seen an uptick in customers, especially younger gay guys, coming to his 18th Street location looking for such magazines.

“People are getting a sense of our identity and See page 13 >>

2 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

<< Community News

▼ SF Pride seeks new director

by Seth Hemmelgarn

J

ust as the group behind the annual San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade and celebration appeared to be emerging from a spell of financial and leadership troubles, the nonprofit’s board is looking for a new executive director.

Brendan Behan, the current executive director of the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee, has been praised for his work in helping organizers of one of the world’s largest Pride celebrations pay off debt and keep the nonprofit going. But after a contract dispute between him and the board, his job has been posted online.

“It took me by surprise,” Behan, 31, said of learning that the board was seeking someone to replace him.

“I think Pride has really thrived with stability,” and “whatever the board ends up deciding, I hope it will be with Pride’s best interest in mind,” said Behan, who plans to apply for the position.

Asked after the Pride Committee’s annual general membership meeting Sunday, September 16 about the disagreement, Behan said, “I feel like I’m not entirely sure” what it’s about.

He said that he and the board have agreed on most issues, but the “main sticking point” has been whether he should be an at-will employee, meaning the board could fire him at any time.

Behan began working with Pride in 2006 as the organization’s administrative assistant and volunteer coordinator. He became deputy executive director in 2008.

In 2010, Behan left Pride, but it was only a short time before his return last April as interim executive director.

He eventually gained the permanent position.

The top post had been vacant since former Executive Director Amy Andre left in November 2010, just over a year after she started the job.

Jane Philomen Cleland

SF Pride Executive Director Brendan Behan

Soon after the 2010 celebration, several community partners complained that Pride had shortchanged them. In December 2010, the city controller’s office revealed that the nonprofit was $225,000 in debt.

Behan, who said this week that he’s “open to talk” about his position, said he found out in July about the director search through conversations with Pride’s lawyer and his own attorney.

Brooke Oliver, Pride’s general counsel, didn’t respond to a request for comment.

He said he was “willing to compromise” with the board, but there was “a difference of opinion.”

He said he wanted to see if there was “a way to structure the position so there’s at least some sort of baseline commitment in terms of a timeframe,” whether it’s at-will or not. He wanted to know how long he would be in the position or, he said, have a baseline about how much notice he’d have to give.

That would provide “some security in an at-will world,” he said. The executive director’s job “is so important to the organization, it makes sense there

[would be] some agreement around the when and how of the timeframe” for the position, he said.

Behan said he was “open” to what that timeframe “might look like.”

“We never quite got to that subject,” he said.

“I am committed to sticking with Pride,” Behan said. “I care a lot about Pride.” He added, “I will stick with Pride through the transition if I end up not being the choice for the executive director.”

He’s applying for other jobs and is considering applying to graduate school for a master of fine art’s degree.

Behan, whose $80,000 salary is considerably less than the $105,000 figure for Andre, said the contract disagreement isn’t about money.

During a break in Sunday’s meeting, Pride board President Lisa Williams said, “At this time” the board was “unable to come up with an agreement with Brendan.” She referred a question about what was at issue to Behan, whom she said “has been doing a great job.” She acknowledged his at-will status was one of the topics that had come up.

There’s “no hard deadline” for finding a replacement, Williams said, adding board members want to have a “thorough process.” They’re doing a national search.

A post on Craigslist dated September 5 says the organization is looking for a “chief executive officer (executive director).” Key responsibilities include production, vision and strategic development, fundraising, and community engagement, among other roles.

Pride recently distributed about $142,000 in grants to its 2012 beneficiary partners. Pride’s remaining debt is about $53,000.

At Sunday’s meeting, a new board member, Kirk Linn-Degrassi, was elected to join the panel. Pride members also selected the theme for 2013, “Embrace, Encourage, Empower.”

For more information, visit http:// www.sfpride.org.▼

Occupride marks anniversary

by David-Elijah Nahmod

C

ommunity, not commodity is the battle cry of Occupride, an LGBT spinoff of the Occupy movement, which marked the one-year anniversary of Occupy Wall Street’s encampment at Zuccotti Park in New York City with a rally in the Castro Monday, September 17.

Over the last year, Occupy protests sprung in numerous cities, including San Francisco, and most infamously, in Oakland, where police and Occupiers clashed repeatedly while Mayor Jean Quan flip-flopped in her response to the campers who took over Frank Ogawa Plaza in front of City Hall. In San Francisco, Mayor Ed Lee and city officials took a different tact that resulted in the mostly peaceful clearing out of the camp.

The original goal of Occupy Wall Street was to bring attention to the social and economic inequality in the U.S. and globally. The catch-phrases “99 percent,” referring to the vast majority of Americans, and the “1 percent,” referring to the wealthy, became embedded in popular culture.

But as the winter turned to spring, authorities disbanded the encampments. Now, there is not as visible a presence among the Occupiers.

Monday’s rally brought back the activism, albeit in smaller doses. In the Castro, one person carried a sign that read, “Cashtro.” The sign was held high as a small but determined group of about 50 activists marched down Castro Street at 2 p.m.

Two friendly police officers were on hand; the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro sent out its own information alert Friday, noting that the police department planned to

Danny Buskirk

Occupride organizer Craig Rouskey points to banking giant Wells Fargo’s branch in the Castro during Monday’s protest.

monitor the event.

These were not the people who currently live in the neighborhood’s expensive Victorian houses and condos.

These were working class and lower income folks, some on disability, who don’t want to lose their homes or their safe LGBT haven. Many of them were critical of LGBT advocacy groups like the Human Rights Campaign, who they say partners with financial organizations, such as Goldman Sachs, which received an award from HRC at its New York gala earlier this year. Occupride takes issue with HRC giving awards to banks that they feel engage in predatory lending practices and illegal evictions of longtime, lower income LGBT residents.

There have been reports in the media about Occupy having lost it’s steam. Not so, stated Curran Roy, an Occupride organizer.

“It’s not fizzled out, it’s changed,” Roy told the Bay Area Reporter.

“When any movement starts, it’s likely to have people excited about it. As time passes, it goes through phases and gets a little smaller. But if there are a few passionate people it can pick up

steam again.”

Roy pointed out that there have been Occupy actions throughout the year.

“We’re here, we’re queer, we’re not going banking!” the crowd chanted as the march approached Market Street.

Carol Jean Wisnieski, an instructor at City College’s Mission Campus, was another protester. She referenced the community college’s current accreditation issues that were highlighted in a critical report in June.

“Thousands will be unemployed if this goes through,” she warned.

On the surface it might appear that march attendees had differing agendas, but the basic reasons for participation were all strikingly similar: the wealthy few who wielded too much power over the majority.

Mia Tu Mutch, a trans woman in her early 20s, took issue with the city’s sit/lie ordinance. As the crowd sat down in Harvey Milk Plaza, Mutch led a chant in defense of homeless LGBT youth who were getting trapped in the criminal justice system. Sit/lie, Mutch pointed out, targets these kids for summonses, then penalizes them further when poverty renders them incapable of paying the fines.

Afterward, Occupriders traveled downtown to join Occupy San Francisco’s commemoration of the one-year anniversary in front of 555 California Street. The Cashtro sign could be seen quite plainly as hundreds marched down Kearny to Market Street, parading in a circle that brought the group around the Financial district while onlookers cheered.▼ A video of the Castro protest can be seen online at ebar.com.

Read more online at www.ebar.com

September 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 3

<< Open Forum

4 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

Volume 42, Number 38 September 20-26, 2012 www.ebar.com PUBLISHER Thomas E. Horn Bob Ross (Founder, 1971 – 2003) NEWS EDITOR Cynthia Laird ARTS EDITOR Roberto Friedman ASSISTANT EDITORS Matthew S. Bajko Seth Hemmelgarn Jim Provenzano CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dan Aiello • Tavo Amador • Erin Blackwell Roger Brigham • Scott Brogan Victoria A. Brownworth • Philip Campbell Heather Cassell • Chuck Colbert Richard Dodds • David Duran Raymond Flournoy • David Guarino Liz Highleyman • Brandon Judell John F. Karr • Matthew Kennedy David Lamble • Michael McDonagh David-Elijah Nahmod • Elliot Owen Paul Parish • Lois Pearlman • Tim Pfaff Jim Piechota • Bob Roehr • Donna Sachet Adam Sandel • Jason Serinus • Gregg Shapiro Gwendolyn Smith • Ed Walsh • Sura Wood

ART DIRECTION Kurt Thomas PRODUCTION MANAGER T. Scott King PHOTOGRAPHERS Jane Philomen Cleland Marc Geller Rick Gerharter Lydia Gonzales Rudy K. Lawidjaja Steven Underhill Bill Wilson ILLUSTRATORS & CARTOONISTS Paul Berge Christine Smith GENERAL MANAGER Michael M. Yamashita DISPLAY ADVERTISING Simma Baghbanbashi Colleen Small Scott Wazlowski NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media – 212.242.6863

LEGAL COUNSEL Paul H. Melbostad

▼

San Francisco ballot measures Prop A: City College Parcel Tax. YES Prop A authorizes a $79 tax on each parcel of residential and commercial property in San Francisco for eight years. It anticipates raising an additional $15 million annually for City College of San Francisco. According to the city’s Department of Elections Ballot Simplification Committee, the funds would be used by City College to maintain core academic courses, including English, math and science; provide workforce training, including nursing, engineering, business, and technology; provide an education that prepares students for four-year universities; keep City College libraries and student support services open; keep technology and instructional support up to date; and offset state budget cuts.

The entire structure of public education in California, from city colleges to state universities, has been severely and negatively impacted by state and local budget cuts and declining revenues. Not only is this the case for City College of San Francisco, but CCSF has also been plagued by scandal, administrative inefficiencies, and even the threat of losing its accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. Without accreditation, schools are prohibited by law from offering financial aid.

In spite of its difficulties, we support Prop A because City College is an integral part of the fabric of San Francisco. It is the most dependable option for educational opportunity, serving nearly 100,000 students of all incomes, ages, and ethnicities across the city. We are particularly mindful of the safe and positive educational environment it has provided for many thousands of San Francisco’s LGBT residents and its programming focusing on LGBT issues. For thousands of students, it has provided a necessary foundation for moving on to four-year colleges and stable employment.

Many of San Francisco’s prominent leaders from all fields began at City College. And it is vital to the economy of San Francisco, being the largest provider of workforce training in the city, offering programs in engineering, nursing, and technology and retraining to teach workers new skills.

In the last budget year, City College saw its budget slashed by $20 million. The school cut 700 classes this semester. With this parcel tax and the backfill that will be provided by state Proposition 30 (which we also support), this will provide City College the resources to stabilize itself while it addresses its myriad other problems. City College is too precious a resource to lose for San Francisco and for its residents. That is why we recommend a YES vote on Prop A.

Prop B: Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond. YES Prop B would authorize the city to borrow up to $195 million by issuing general obligation

Rick Gerharter

Vernicia Hodgson, right, joined about 200 supporters of City College during a spirited rally on the City Hall steps in support of Proposition A earlier this month.

bonds to fund repairs and improvements to the city’s parks and open spaces. The city maintains more than 200 parks, recreation facilities, playgrounds, and other open spaces throughout San Francisco. They are vital resources for residents and visitors alike. It does not take a study, although several have been conducted, the most recent in 2007, to reveal that many parks and recreational facilities are outdated and pose seismic and safety risks. This necessary infrastructure measure has broad community support. We recommend a YES vote for Prop B.

Prop C: Housing Trust Fund. YES Prop C is a Charter amendment proposed by Mayor Ed Lee with support from the Board of Supervisors and many community organizations to create a Housing Trust Fund for much needed low income and affordable housing construction and improvement; provide a loan program for down payment assistance for moderate income homebuyers and emergency first responders, such as police and firefighters; and help eligible households avoid foreclosure or eviction or improve the safety, efficiency or accessibility of their homes. It is to be funded by an initial contribution by the city of $20 million in 2013 followed by annual contributions of $2.8 million until the fund reaches $50.8 million.

San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Maintaining our diversity with affordable and low-income housing is a city priority and a San Francisco value. Vote YES on C.

Prop D: Consolidating Odd-year Municipal Elections. YES Currently the mayor, sheriff, and district at-

torney are elected in November of one year, and the city attorney and treasurer are elected in November of a different year. This measure proposes to consolidate off-year municipal elections with all the above-mentioned positions running in the same election. It will save the city’s general fund $4.2 million each time we don’t hold a separate election for city attorney and treasurer. This is a good-government, efficiency proposition and should be adopted. Vote YES on Prop D.

Prop E: Gross Receipts Tax. YES San Francisco is the only city in California that imposes a tax on payrolls. This is a job killer and a deterrent in efforts to get businesses, particularly start-ups and high tech businesses with large payrolls and meager income, to locate in San Francisco. Prop E would replace the payroll tax with a graduated business tax based on gross receipts. This is a much more equitable manner to tax businesses and will bring San Francisco in line with other similar cities in California. Vote YES on E.

Prop F: Water and Environment Plan.

NO Leave Hetch Hetchy alone! Vote No on F. (See previous B.A.R. editorial: tinyurl.com/8dl7kxx.)

Prop G: Policy Opposing Corporate Personhood. YES We’re not big fans of local policy measures on matters completely out of the control of municipalities. It just gives our detractors another example to hold up to try to prove their point that San Francisco is out of touch with the rest of America. Nevertheless, we find GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s statement that “corporations are people too,” coupled with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United, so odious that we have no difficulty supporting Super John Avalos’s measure. Vote YES on G.▼

State ballot measures BAY AREA REPORTER 395 Ninth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 415.861.5019 www.ebar.com

News Editor • news@ebar.com Arts Editor • arts@ebar.com Out & About listings • events@ebar.com Advertising • scott@ebar.com Letters • letters@ebar.com A division of Benro Enterprises, Inc. © 2012 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.

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Prop 30: Sales and Income Tax Increase Initiative. YES

Prop 33: Automobile Insurance Industry Pricing Act. NO

(See previous B.A.R. editorial, tinyurl. com/97s4ve8.)

While purporting to save drivers money, this initiative statute really gives insurance companies virtually unlimited authority to hike rates.

It is funded by Mercury Insurance billionaire George Joseph, who has put up $8.2 million for the measure. He funded a similar measure that was defeated in the last election, and this one should be too.

Prop 31: Two Year State Budget Cycle and Government Performance and Accountability Act: NO While establishing a two-year budget cycle has some advantages, this proposition meddles far too much in allowing local governments to ignore state mandated programs such as state environmental requirements. Further, it locks California into permanent underfunding of education, health, and other vital services. This is much too complicated a subject to address with an initiative constitutional amendment.

Prop 32: Special Exemptions Act. NO This is an anti-labor measure concocted by southern California conservatives under the guise of campaign finance reform. It promises political reform but is really an effort by special interest groups to weaken the role of unions in participating in the political process while allowing corporations virtually unlimited freedom to contribute as they wish. This does not even begin to fix the problem of money in politics.

Prop 34: California Death Penalty Repeal Act. YES This proposition would end the death penalty in California and replace it with life without possibility of parole. It would apply to the some 720 inmates currently on death row. It pits a coalition of justice groups against a campaign headed by law enforcement groups. It costs state and county governments collectively between $100 million to $130 million annually to pay for the costs of death penalty trials, appeals, and corrections, savings that would be allocated to pay for increased investigation of unsolved rape and murder cases. Improved investigation analyses and more sophisticated DNA testing have shown, not infrequently, that innocent people do get executed. This

practice is below the dignity of a civilized society. It is time to repeal the death penalty.

Prop 35: Increased Penalties for Human Trafficking Act. NO How can anyone be against a law to increase penalties for human trafficking? We are, because this proposition is not necessary and has too many bad provisions. State law already covers the subject thoroughly. If the state legislature feels the penalties are insufficient, they can certainly increase them, and it is unlikely anyone would object. In fact, state Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) successfully stewarded a bill through this current session of the legislature that made needed changes to current human trafficking law as it relates to minors. This proposition is an abuse of the initiative process. The proposition makes no provision for funding, which will certainly be in the tens of millions of dollars annually. It also contains numerous provisions that seriously invade privacy and would have lifelong effects on those caught in its web. We are sensitive to the issue, because it wasn’t that long ago that gay men were arrested and forced to register as sex offenders See page 13 >>

â&#x2013;ź

Letters >>

September 20-26, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ BAY AREA REPORTER â&#x20AC;˘ 5

Nude ban much ado about little I drink at Twin Peaks, eat at Orphan Andyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, and shop at Wild Card so I have a front row seat to the daily Penis Promenade at Jane Warner Plaza, a.k.a. the Butt Zone [â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wiener open to banning public nudity,â&#x20AC;? September 13]. I see tourists eager to have their photos taken with the nudists.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it, the nudists are responsible for bringing curious tourists and other sightseers to the Castro to ogle and spend a few bucks. Why ban them? From what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen of the penises, when ample nude bellies donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fall over them, Supervisor Wienerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outrage over cock rings is much ado about very little.

James Patterson San Francisco

People all over the world are giving up their lives for the right to determine their future in peace. The supervisors have often upheld our human rights and they should continue to do so, including our clear decision to elect Sheriff Mirkarimi.

It is very obvious that Mirkarimi absolutely loves his wife and child and never intended to cause any harm to anyone. A spirit of compassion and understanding and concern for the voters are what the city needs now.

Mirkarimi would make an excellent official if allowed to begin, as was the votersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; will.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get San Francisco back on track by reinstating Mirkarimi as our sheriff and free San Franciscans to have their voices and votes count again.

Giovanni Vassallo San Francisco

Laughing at, not with, the nudists Kudos to Supervisor Scott Wiener for at least considering legislation that would ban public nudity. Count me as one of those Castro residents who are embarrassed by the pathetic dudes who are so desperate for attention that they find it necessary to prance around the Castro in the nude.

From the younger guys to the older ones pushing walkers (what next, nudes in wheelchairs?) these jerks should know that the tourists they so willing pose for are laughing at them not with them. As for those supervisors who â&#x20AC;&#x153;donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see public nudity as a problem,â&#x20AC;? perhaps if nudists were constantly strolling up and down streets like Geneva or Cortland, they might think otherwise.

Go for it Supervisor Wiener; you are absolutely correct that those doing business and the Castro residents are, for the overwhelming part, â&#x20AC;&#x153;absolutely repulsedâ&#x20AC;? by these pathetic attention-seeking fools. Arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t there indeed nude beaches for these people?

By the way, where do I send my check for Wienerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s re-election campaign?

Wayne Friday San Francisco

Nudists pale next to evictions I am right now preparing to go downtown to the City and County of San Francisco Rent Stabilization Board (interesting name) with an acquaintance of 25 years who is being evicted for poor housekeeping habits. My friend is over 75 years of age, in a city already drowning in homeless, and we are about to add another. On the anniversary of the Occupy Movement, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finally beginning to jell in me noggin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; fuck all the shit about financial blah, blah.

Now that the LSD is beginning to wear off, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about time the intelligent baby boomers who were busy evolving in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s to take leadership roles.

If Supervisor Scott Wiener insists on listening to his paranoid, neurotic constituents, who, because they have been too busy trying to be normal, have probably done nothing substantial for anyone in their lives, regarding public nudity, it may just come to a necessary recall election.

James Boeger San Francisco

Exposed dicks are no big deal Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so glad that in a city where 40 percent of homeless youth are queer and 75 percent of transgender people are not employed full-time, residents of the Castro are spending countless time and energy, not to mention political capital, to get rid of a few naked men in their cock rings.

At a time when gay men with AIDS are still being evicted from their apartments (so that speculators and landlords can make big bucks), whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more important than banning public nudity?

Will that ban include the Folsom Street Fair, Dore Alley, Landâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s End and the Pride Parade? Will it include underwear night at the local bars? Will gay men who sunbathe nude on their patios or sun decks suddenly be hauled off to jail and classified as sex offenders? Will SF reverse the personal freedoms that have been fought for over the years just because a few individuals and merchants in the Castro donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like the particular group of naked men who hang out at Jane Warner Plaza? Perhaps if they went to the gym more often and looked like Brad Pitt thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be no issue with them.

The same neighborhood that elected Harvey Milk, set an example for the world on how to care for your own during the first decade of the AIDS crisis, and became known as the most liberated place in the world to live, now ignores study after study that shows rampant poverty within its own midst and instead spends its time worrying about a few exposed dicks along Castro Street.

As a Castro resident for the past 20 years and a queer activist for 42 years, I know we can do better than this.

Tommi Avicolli Mecca San Francisco

Supes should reinstate Mirkarimi I am appalled at what has transpired in the Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi case and possible voter disenfranchisement.

Thousands of people voted for him. San Franciscan voters have the right to determine who their sheriff is and the mayor and supervisors should not take that away.

There was nothing official in any conduct that takes place prior to becoming an official.

Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s votes are official and of utmost importance in our democratic society. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want my vote for my sheriff stripped away by the faulty process that was set in motion

by Mayor Ed Lee.

Many helped in recent murder investigation The death of Steven â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eriqâ&#x20AC;? Escalon at his residence on Diamond Heights Boulevard on June 12 was the 30th in the city this year. Having worked with the police for nearly six years, the board of Castro Community on Patrol understands that many crimes, including homicides, go unsolved.

Part of the message of the Stop the Violence program, which CCOP runs in conjunction with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, is that violence against the LGBT community is unacceptable. (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Likeâ&#x20AC;? the Stop the Violence Facebook page for details.) Escalonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s murder in connection with a robbery represented the worst example of violence. The CCOP volunteers took to the streets with fliers and posters and talked personally with members of the public. Part of the message was that we would not allow this case to go unsolved.

CCOP took a similar approach one year earlier with the death of Freddy Canul-Arguello.

His murder remained a mystery for nearly six weeks, but after circulating over 3,000 fliers to the public, the clues surfaced that allowed the arrest of a suspect.

As with Canul-Arguello, I never had the privilege of knowing Escalon when he was alive. I now feel a personal connection after seeing how loved he was by his friends, coworkers, and family.

Now that a suspect is in custody for Escalonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s killing, we would like to express our thanks for the many people who helped move this case along. First we need to recognize Sergeant Scott Warnke who has worked with us throughout the case. Warnke made it clear that this case needed to be solved and that he welcomed the assistance that CCOP could provide in seeking clues from the public. The nature of the case prevented him from providing certain details, but he was able to provide us tips that made our communications with the public more direct.

We also need to thank the witnesses who provided clues to the police, even though we will never know most of their names.

Then we need to thank two media outlets that kept Escalonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death in front of the public. The San Francisco Examiner and the Bay Area Reporter (reporter Seth Hemmelgarn) both provided regular updates and reminders that the public could help break this case.

Finally we want to thank Escalonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family and friends.

I had the great privilege to meet his mother Esmeralda who was in the Castro from Fresno with Escalonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brother, cousin, and several friends to personally post fliers seeking information about Escalonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s killer. Doing this work during a time of extreme grief represented the true love they had for Eriq Escalon.

Greg Carey, Chair Castro Community on Patrol San Francisco

Another request to lower flag There has been much controversy over the control of the rainbow flag at Harvey Milk Plaza in the last few years, what occasions it should be lowered, and who should receive such honors. In but a few weeks, on November 27, we shall be upon the very sad 34th anniversary of the death of Mr. Milk. Can we lay aside our differences and, on this sorrowful anniversary, agree the flag must be lowered to half staff?

I call upon the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro and Supervisor Scott Wiener to insure the flag is properly and respectfully lowered in honor of the very man whose memory the plaza serves.

I call on all gay people and our friends everywhere, in the Castro and beyond, to contact MUMC at (415) 835-8720 and Supervisor Wiener at (415) 554-6968 to demand respect be shown by allowing the invisible flag of death to fly at the top of the staff and honor Harvey Bernard Milk. As Marcus Tullius Cicero said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.â&#x20AC;? Long live our memory of Milk.

Stephen R. Stapleton Sacramento, California

Send letters to the Bay Area Reporter, 395 Ninth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. Letters must be signed, and include an address and daytime phone number for verification purposes only. Unsigned or anonymous letters will not be published. E-mail letters are accepted at news@ebar.com. Please put â&#x20AC;&#x153;letter to the editorâ&#x20AC;? in the subject line, and also include an address and phone number.

Letters may be edited for space.

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▼ Forum reveals conflicting views on HIV serosorting 6 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

by Liz Highleyman

B

ay Area gay and bisexual men hold a wide spectrum of views about condom-free sex and serosorting as an HIV prevention strategy, according to a well-attended community discussion last week.

The September 12 forum – the second in the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Stop AIDS Project’s Real Talk series – featured a panel of HIV-positive and HIV-negative men moderated by local personality Sister Roma. But the debate was well under way on Facebook in the days leading up to the event.

Introducing the panel to about 100 people at the LGBT Community Center, SFAF CEO Neil Giuliano recognized that sex without condoms and sex-related harm reduction can be uncomfortable, bringing up issues around stigma, rejection, ethics, and honesty.

“A condom is still the most effective tool to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, but the fact is sometimes condoms go unused and we need to discuss that reality,” Giuliano told the Bay Area Reporter.

What happens in the real world?

An unscientific phone text poll conducted during the forum revealed that 97 percent of participants said they had “ever fucked without a condom,” while only 3 percent had not. Another lopsided majority, 85 percent, answered “no” to the question, “Do you think condom use is the norm in San Francisco?”

In response to a question about how important it is to have sex with someone of the same HIV status, nearly 40 percent said it was unimportant or of little importance, about 50 percent said it was important, and 12 percent chose very important.

Getting down to specifics, panel members talked about their different risk-reduction approaches.

Douglas McLaughlin, a bartender and participants in Stop AIDS’ Bridgeman group for men in their 30s and 40s, said that he tells prospective partners up front that he is HIV-positive, and if they don’t want to deal with it he moves on to the next guy. The onus should not al-

ways be on positive people to negotiate safer sex, he said. “If you’re HIVnegative, you have to take personal responsibility to say you want to use a condom.”

Ramon Martinez, a clinical psychologist, is HIV-positive and in a “magnetic” relationship with a partner who remains negative after eight years. He always uses a condom, both with his partner and in outside relationships. “I personally hate condoms, but they’re necessary in this day and age,” he said.

Derek Brocklehurst, a nurse and study coordinator at Quest, is HIVnegative and sometimes has sex without condoms with negative and positive partners. He employs a variety of risk-reduction strategies including frequent HIV testing, in-depth pre-sex conversations about risk, and using Truvada for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) – a drug that just received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in July.

“My most important message is not to demonize people who choose to have condom-less sex, but to encourage other safer sex strategies,” Brocklehurst told the B.A.R. “Meet them where they’re at and listen to their needs and desires.”

Looking at the big picture, SFAF development director Jen Hecht presented findings from a 2008 survey showing that about 40 percent of HIV-negative men and just over 50 percent of HIV-positive men in San Francisco said they practiced some form of “seroadaptive strategy,” ranging from “pure serosorting” (only having sex with same-status partners) to “seropositioning” (negotiating top and bottom roles based on serostatus).

Is serosorting effective?

Two recent analyses found that serosorting was safer than unprotected sex without considering HIV status, reducing risk by 26 percent and 64 percent. Serosorting was less effective than condom use, however, raising transmission risk by 73 percent in one study and by three-fold in another. Furthermore, a study reported this year found that serosorting was less effective among black gay men, who have a high and rising rate of new infections.

Liz Highleyman

Panelist Derek Brocklehurst, left, makes a point during a discussion on serosorting. He was joined by Ramon Martinez and Douglas McLaughlin.

The weakness of serosorting and other seroadaptive strategies is incomplete or incorrect information.

“Serosorting by HIV-positive men to protect others is totally different from serosorting by HIV-negative men thinking it will keep them safe,” forum attendee Carl Barnes told the B.A.R. “HIV-positive serosorting works because if someone identifies as HIV-positive, it means they know they’re HIV-positive, and if two HIV-positive men bareback, they can’t spread HIV. But HIV-negative men who are sexually active cannot know they’re HIV-negative.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in five people with HIV are not aware they are infected. Some have never been tested, but even people who get tested regularly may have been infected recently, before they produce enough antibodies to show up on a standard screening test. HIV viral load can be very high during this early stage and experts think a large proportion of new infections are transmitted by people with acute HIV. An HIV RNA test can detect the virus within days, long before an antibody test is accurate (several weeks to a few months). Some people with acute HIV experience symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and headache, but this is often attributed to a routine illness like the flu.

Clinicians could offer HIV RNA tests when people at risk for HIV infections present with symptoms suggesting acute infection. But for this to make a difference, “we would

need to get every person in the community to see a doctor and get RNA testing every time they get a sniffle,” said Henry Raymond from the San Francisco Department of Public Health. “How would we fund this? It would be unsustainable.”

In other cases, people may not reveal that they are HIV-positive due to fear of the consequences.

“For a practice like serosorting to be effective, we need to strive for a world in which disclosure of HIVpositive status does not come at a risk of violence and rejection,” said Cyd Nova, harm reduction services coordinator at the St. James Infirmary. “We need to get to a place where those conversations are safe for people to have.”

What about ART? In 2008 the Swiss Federal Commission for HIV/AIDS stated that an HIV-positive person on antiretroviral therapy with completely suppressed viral load for at least six months and no other STIs “is not sexually infectious.” More recently, the HPTN 052 trial showed that early antiretroviral treatment reduces the likelihood of HIV transmission within serodiscordant couples by 96 percent.

But these findings are based on data from heterosexual couples, and in HPTN 052 participants received a comprehensive prevention package in the setting of a clinical trial.

Whether the same will hold true for gay men in the real world remains to be seen.

Several studies have found that

men with fully suppressed blood viral load can still have HIV in their semen. Data presented last week at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy showed that nearly 8 percent of gay/ bisexual men on antiretroviral therapy with undetectable blood viral load intermittently shed HIV in their semen – more than twice as often as heterosexual men.

When making estimates about infection risk, “community viral load” can also be important. A study by Moupali Das from DPH found that 44 percent of HIV-positive people in San Francisco have suppressed virus.

Nationwide, the CDC puts the proportion at 25 percent.

The effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy leads to the counterintuitive conclusion that an HIV-positive person on treatment may actually be less likely to transmit the virus than a random person who thinks he is HIV-negative.

“If you have multiple partners (or your partner has multiple partners) and you (or he) only has sex with people who believe they are negative, you are more likely to have sex with someone highly infectious than if you only have sex with people who you know are taking HIV medications regularly and have had undetectable viral load for at least six months,” longtime community advocate Stephen LeBlanc told the B.A.R. Nevertheless, the overall sentiment at the forum suggested that serosorting is likely to remain a popular prevention strategy. “[Gay men] who are serosorting know they’re doing harm reduction and that it’s not completely safe,” said Jackson Bowman. “People in the community are saying we’re not going to use condoms every time. The current message endangers those men by not providing them with tools and information that they can use to reduce their risk.”▼ Stop AIDS, which is a program of SFAF, is holding a follow-up discussion to provide additional opportunity to explore these issues. It will take place Wednesday, September 26 at 7 p.m. at 2128 15th Street.

More information is available at www.stopaids.org/bridgemen.

Former gay porn star seeks new trial in attempted murder case

by Dan Aiello

F

ormer gay porn star Marc Anthony Donais, known to his fans as Ryan Idol, will file a motion for a new trial in Sacramento Superior Court Friday, September 21, claiming his Sacramento attorney was incompetent.

Donais, 46, was found guilty last September of attempted murder of his estranged girlfriend following an argument that turned violent in 2009 when he went to her Sacramento home to confront her over the couple’s recent breakup. He is currently in jail awaiting sentencing.

Donais and his girlfriend, whom the Bay Area Reporter is not naming because she was the victim of domestic violence, had known each other for nearly 20 years after meeting in Hawaii. The woman had ended the relationship when she learned of Donais’s work in gay adult porn. The two returned to dating in 2008.

In what Donais’s new attorney, Los Angeles-based Robert Bernstein, describes as “a classic he said, she said” case, a Sacramento jury believed the ex-girlfriend despite several admissions that she lied.

“She lied so many times – she ad-

mitted in fact that she lied – that the judge at one point advised [her] of California’s perjury laws and recommended to her that she retain legal counsel,” Bernstein told the B.A.R. Bernstein, who Donais was referred to following his conviction, believes that the evidence proves that Donais was not guilty but that his former attorney failed “on several issues,” to present evidence or produce experts to counter the prosecution’s witnesses.

“As one example, she claimed that she had been hit 60 times in the face, but she only had one 4-inch cut. The prosecution called a medical expert to say that was consistent with her story. The defense failed to bring in their own medical expert to say that 60 punches to the face would have produced more than a small cut,” said Bernstein.

The Sacramento jury was also told of Donais’s gay porn star notoriety, “which had no bearing on the case,” Bernstein told the B.A.R. “His counsel made a huge deal out of the fact my client had been a gay porn star. Even during jury selection. What does his former career have to do with this case? Nothing. But his attorney made a big deal out of it throughout the trial.”

Asked if homophobia could have been a factor either within the Sacramento District Attorney’s office or among jurors in contributing to the guilty verdict, Bernstein told the B.A.R., “Do I have evidence of that?

No. But is it possible? Of course it’s possible.”

Bernstein explained the limitations in seeking a new trial.

“We either have to have new evidence, which there is no new evidence, or we have to motion for a new trial based on the ineffectiveness of counsel. There are many instances where I believe Mr. Donais’s attorney failed to argue, present, represent, or counter the prosecution where he should have.”

According to the former girlfriend’s testimony, Donais, after hitting her 60 times, used the top cover of a porcelain toilet to hit her in the head. She claimed she then kicked Donais and knocked him down into the bathtub before leaving the house.

According to Bernstein, at the time of the incident Donais’s former girlfriend declined medical aid, but eventually sought treatment at a hospital “8 to 10 hours later.” Donais, however, was taken to the emergency room of

a local hospital immediately following the incident where shards of porcelain were removed from his arm, according to Bernstein and reported by the Sacramento Bee. At the time of his conviction Donais had been long removed from the porn industry, where his gay fans were infatuated with his boy-next-door, allAmerican good looks. Donais completed his final video in 1996. Despite the fact that Donais made eight films, he is still remembered as one of the gay adult film industry’s biggest stars.

Following his porn career, Donais went on to pursue a career as an actor, appearing in several plays. However, at the time of the incident Donais was living in Sacramento studying to become a chef at the Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute.

The district attorney’s office declined to comment on the new motion.

“This is still an active/pending case so we are not going to comment on anything that has not already been made public or has already been presented in court,” DA spokeswoman Shelly Orio told the B.A.R. In a declaration filed with the court in response to Donais’s motion for a

Marc Anthony Donais

new trial, his former defense attorney, Johnny Griffin III, indicated that the decisions he made during the first trial were done for tactical and strategic reasons. He also said in the court document that Donais’s allegations of ineffective counsel were false.

Donais declined a jailhouse interview for this story. In a press release issued by his friend, Leo Uy, Donais said he hopes to put “this whole unfortunate incident behind me and get on with my life.”

“I’ve made some big mistakes and let myself and others down” he said in the statement.

Donais’s hearing will be held at the Sacramento County Courthouse, 720 9th Street, at 9 a.m. ▼

▼

Politics >>

September 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 7

San Jose mayor meets with marriage equality backers

by Matthew S. Bajko

D

uring a private sit down with San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, a group of marriage equality backers were unable to convince the South Bay leader to publicly support same-sex marriage. Both sides did find some common ground, said participants.

Reed and two staffers met for more than an hour with seven representatives of Silicon Valley Marriage Equality in his City Hall office Friday, September 14. The closed-door get-together, originally set to happen in May, had been delayed by scheduling conflicts.

“His position is marriage is for a man and a woman. He said he does support the LGBT community. He supports domestic partnerships and civil unions but does not support marriage,” said Jo Kenny, a married lesbian and labor organizer in San Jose. “The thing that I found really interesting was he said this isn’t a religious issue for him.”

Two principles that do guide Reed, said Kenny, are firmly embedded in scripture: to love the lord and to love thy neighbor as yourself.

“He said he respects all people but he doesn’t see the contradiction,” said Kenny, “between loving one’s neighbor” while opposing same-sex couples tying the knot.

Reed’s senior policy adviser and spokeswoman Michelle McGurk sat in on the meeting and confirmed the mayor’s comments with the Bay Area Reporter.

“This was perhaps the most detailed he had been as far as talking about various different issues and also about his own spiritual background,” said McGurk, who was joined by Pete Furman, Reed’s chief of staff.

She described the discussion as “thoughtful and productive,” noting that Reed’s office already has followed up with an LGBT youth drop-in program to arrange a visit.

“We will continue to meet and dialogue,” said McGurk.

For years Reed has signaled that he does not support same-sex marriage.

While a city council member, Reed voted against extending benefits to the partners of LGBT city employees.

He was also the sole vote against supporting a same-sex marriage bill in the state Legislature.

Since 2004 Reed has dodged questions about the legal and electoral battles over same-sex marriage sparked

by San Francisco’s marrying gay and lesbian couples. His failure this spring to sign on to the national Mayors for the Freedom to Marry campaign prompted marriage advocates to seek a meeting with Reed.

Councilman Ash Kalra sat in on last week’s get together and faulted Reed for refusing to distinguish his private beliefs from his role as a public official.

“I can’t say I was surprised but I am certainly disappointed that the mayor of the 10th largest U.S. city is holding to a position that is, frankly, close to an embarrassment,” said Kalra, who failed to pass a resolution in May calling on Reed to join the mayoral movement.

Cassie Blume, the program coordinator for the LGBTQ Youth Space, which recently moved out of the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center to be closer to downtown San Jose, said she came out of the meeting “sad” to hear Reed not be as supportive of the LGBT community as he could.

She was grateful his administration wants to learn more about her program, now housed at 452 South First Street.

“We are in downtown San Jose and hope to have a good relationship with our city government of course,” she said. “That seems to be reciprocated on their end.”

Alice Hoagland, whose son Mark Bingham, a gay rugby player, died in the terrorist attacks of 9/11, also took part in the meeting with Reed.

“As I told him, I see myself in him. We are all evolving, every human being is, on this issue,” said Hoagland. “I can remember when I opposed marriage equality and I understand when a person who has strong religious predilections toward being antagonistic toward gay marriage. I can understand when those opinions express themselves politically.”

As the group was leaving, Reed said to Hoagland, “Thank you for your son’s service to the country.”

“He didn’t say the words Mark Bingham but he knew who I was. I was very flattered,” she said. “I look forward to seeing Mayor Reed again, and we can continue this discussion.”

Milk club snubs Olague The Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club Tuesday night followed the advice of its political action committee and snubbed bisexual District 5 Supervisor Christina Olague

Rick Gerharter

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed

in her bid to secure a full term.

It gave its sole endorsement to Julian Davis, a straight man who is on leave as president of the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center in order to focus full-time on his campaign.

The decision follows that of the more moderate Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club to solely endorse London Breed, executive director of the African American Art and Culture Complex, in the race.

Appointed by Mayor Ed Lee earlier this year to fill a vacancy, Olague has faced criticisms from the city’s political left for backing the 8 Washington housing development and her willingness to examine the ranked-choice voting system. Thus the Milk club’s decision wasn’t unexpected.

Milk club President Glendon Hyde said many club members are angry with Olague over those issues and did not look at her “greater record” while in office.

“I think in politics we spend a lot of time being reactionary instead of looking at the overall work of a person,” said Hyde when asked to explain the club’s vote.

Olague has tried to focus attention on her votes to backfill federal AIDS funding cuts, establish an LGBT seniors task force, and reject a proposal to name a naval ship after Milk, the city’s first out supervisor who was killed in office. She has secured individual endorsements from a wide array of LGBT leaders.

“Although I may not receive club endorsements from either Alice (never been a member) or Milk (it has been awhile since I have been an active member) my commitment to the community is solid and deep,” argued Olague in a comment posted

to Facebook.

She is not the only out candidate to be snubbed by Milk. Gay journalist Joel Engardio, running for the open District 7 seat west of Twin Peaks, failed to receive any backing from the Milk club. Alice members picked him as their third choice in the race.

While the Milk PAC failed to reach the 60 percent threshold needed to endorse a District 7 candidate, the membership voted to solely endorse school board president Norman Yee. The club also endorsed all four of the remaining incumbent supervisors on the fall ballot: Eric Mar (D1), David Chiu (D3), David Campos (D9), and John Avalos (D11).▼ Web Extra: For more queer political news, be sure to check www. ebar.com Monday mornings at noon for Political Notes, the notebook’s online companion. This week’s column looks at why Equality California is not endorsing in federal races this year.

Keep abreast of the latest LGBT political news by following the Political Notebook on Twitter @ twitter.com/politicalnotes.

<< Community News

8 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

▼

Vote on Milk plaza benches postponed

by David Duran

T

ebar.com

he future of the benches at Harvey Milk Plaza is still being debated, as the board of the Castro/ Upper Market Community Benefit District agreed to postpone a vote regarding their permanent removal.

The overall tone of the board members at the September 13 CBD meeting was frustration.

“Those of us who have lived here know that people will make noise, defecate, and urinate in the plaza – even before the benches were there, and I know nobody wants to hear that,” said board President Gustavo Serina.

The board agreed to postpone a vote and instead revisit the idea of making adjustments to the benches.

“It’s gone on this long – another month won’t make a difference,” said Serina.

Possible changes that were discussed included removal of the benches that are most hidden or used by the transient population, as well as installation of armrests on the benches to discourage sleeping on them. Another possibility was to put in planters, but it was later agreed that an engineering study by the Department of Public Works would need to take place first. DPW has increased cleaning crews, and there are more police patrol units in the plaza.

According to CBD Executive Director Andrea Aiello, preliminary estimates for bench removal were approximately $7,000 and modification of adding armrests totaled approximately $9,600.

The Arts Commission, which had to approve the benches’ design when they were installed a couple of years ago, previously rejected armrests.

David Duran

Youth and transients sitting on the benches at Harvey Milk Plaza this week, with the leather flag flying in the background, agreed to be photographed, but declined to give their names or comment on the controversy surrounding the benches.

While it was the CBD that initially installed the benches, the group may have changed its mind.

Aiello, in an email to the Bay Area Reporter, explained the CBD’s thinking behind the benches. She said that in 2008 the group engaged the community in developing a streetscape plan for the neighborhood. The CBD, she said, decided to focus first on Harvey Milk Plaza.

“The design at Harvey Milk Plaza has always been a problem,” Aiello said. “The design allows people to be hidden from view and the planters are low, encouraging people to climb in, sleep, defecate, urinate, and otherwise trash the plants and the plaza in general.”

Without having access to several million dollars to really create a true plaza out of the space, Aiello said that the CBD opted for what she called “small improvements without major changes.”

“The decision to put in benches was guided by the CBD’s streetscape plan and was combined into an overall project to beautify Harvey Milk Plaza,” she said.

Aiello noted that many of the CBD’s initiatives are “experiments” and pointed to the Jane Warner Plaza as an example of a CBD project that was successful.

“The overall beautification efforts at Harvey Milk Plaza have been successful, while the installation of the benches ... has been less so,” she said.

She added that it’s important to understand “that there are a significant number of people who appreciate the seating and use it appropriately.”

In a related issue at the CBD meeting, the impact of the removal of the Milk plaza benches on nearby Jane Warner Plaza was also brought up, with many voicing concerns.

“I think people who sit at Milk plaza will just migrate over [to Jane Warner Plaza],” said Aiello.

Currently, residents and business owners are concerned about the homeless population that gathers at Milk plaza, usually to sleep. The large purple benches that are there are big enough to have someone fully stretch out and sleep on. Many

of the homeless occupying parts of the plaza appear to be queer youth.

Youth and others who were sitting on the benches this week declined give their names or comment. One said they were just traveling through.

Others said they were opposed to changes.

“I’ve lived on Castro Street in between Market and 18th for nine years and I am 100 percent opposed to these changes, and I’d also like to go on record saying that I have not once been inconvenienced, harassed, or bothered by the street kids sitting on the benches at Harvey Milk Plaza,” longtime activist and former Castro resident Jason Villalobos told the B.A.R. Villalobos, who recently relocated to his hometown of Lompac, is frustrated with Supervisor Scott Wiener’s previous statements about Harvey Milk Plaza being “for everyone.”

“His version of ‘everyone’ excludes poor, transient queer youth and others who seek public places to rest, socialize, and belong, namely the very people that one might venture to guess the plaza’s namesake would have wanted using it,” said Villalobos.

According to both Wiener and Mayor Ed Lee’s homeless policy adviser Bevan Dufty, attempts by outreach groups to assist the homeless who frequent Harvey Milk Plaza have been unsuccessful.

Some Castro merchants and residents, among others, feel the plaza is an unsafe environment. Some of the complaints they cite are noise, filth, inappropriate behavior, intoxication, and drug use. Tourists visiting the Castro neighborhood are often not looking to have a seat in the plaza, but are still wary of their safety when exiting the Muni station.

“It’s a beautiful spot, having the large rainbow flag flying above, and being named after a historical LGBT leader, but it’s not a place I would have a seat to drink my coffee and enjoy the views,” said Portland resident Denis Rhodes, 44, who was in town last week on vacation.

The next discussion about renovation of the plaza, including possible removal of the benches, will take place in November. ▼

Read more online at www.ebar.com

September 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 9

10 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

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Community News>>

September 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 11

SF confab highlights LGBT health issues

by Matthew S. Bajko

M

ore than 400 LGBT health professionals are in San Francisco this week to attend the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association’s 30th annual conference. The get-together is a homecoming of sorts for the 31-year-old organization, which used to be based in San Francisco.

The LGBT professional association relocated to Washington, D.C. in 2010 and also changed its official name to GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality. This is the first time it has held its yearly convention in San Francisco since 2006.

“It is very important for us, in such a milestone year, for our conference to be in San Francisco and to be in the city – as we have been saying – where it all began for GLMA,” said Hector Vargas, the association’s executive director.

The five-day confab features panels covering a wide range of health issues impacting the LGBT community. Topics run the gamut from the effects of aging and living with

<<

Nudity ban

From page 1

the Castro neighborhood where nudists congregate, is amenable to introducing a citywide public nudity ban at the board. A proliferation of naked men wearing cock rings in the city’s LGBT neighborhood, which Wiener says has generated numerous complaints, has led him to consider the need for a ban.

The legislation has yet to be drafted, insists Wiener, and he continues to say he has yet to make up his mind on if he will introduce it.

After last week’s story was published, Wiener contacted the B.A.R. to clarify that if he does submit a public nudity ban it would only apply to “streets, sidewalks, and public plazas.”

It would exempt such public gatherings as this Sunday’s Folsom Street Fair and the annual LGBT Pride celebration.

“Anything I would propose would not apply to parades and street festivals,” said Wiener.

Technically, under the current rules, anyone can be naked on the streets of San Francisco as long as they are not aroused. While there is no written rule banning the wearing of cock rings, the police have been informing male nudists in the Castro not to sport the genital jewelry as doing so crosses the line into indecent behavior that is citable.

The city’s parks code does outlaw nudity for anyone over the age of 5.

Section 4.01 lists what constitutes “disorderly conduct” in the parks, and specifies that includes a person exposing “his or her genitals, pubic hair, buttocks, perineum, anal region or pubic hair region or any portion of the female breast at or below the areola ...”

The argument over banning public displays of genitalia has been waging since 2011 due to press coverage of the nudists staking claim to Jane Warner Plaza at Castro and Market streets. A record crowd is expected at Saturday’s Nude-In at noon at the Castro parklet due to renewed media attention on the issue.

Several news outlets and websites picked up the B.A.R.’s September 13 article, from local micro-blog SFist. com to the Village Voice’s gay chronicler of New York nightlife Michael Musto. San Francisco Chronicle columnist C.W. Nevius weighed in over the weekend and urged Wiener to submit the legislation at City Hall.

Comments posted online varied with people expressing support for

HIV or AIDS to the specific needs of lesbians, transgender people and LGBT youth.

“What the conference is about is for providers, researchers, and academics to share the latest that is happening in terms of treating LGBT people and specifically the health issues they face,” explained Vargas. “The science that gets discussed at our conferences is the basis for the work we do as an organization in the policy arena, education arena, and research arena.”

Many panels are focused on the particular health needs of LGBT people of color. It is a continuation of the conversation from last year’s conference in Atlanta, said Emily Kane-Lee, GLMA’s education and communications manager.

“It is really building on what we started last year,” said Kane-Lee. “We wanted to pay especially close attention to it this year.”

The Affordable Care Act and its implications for LGBT patients and medical providers is another focus of this year’s conference. One of the keynote speakers is Health Resourc-

a ban to those feeling it would be a waste of the supervisors’ time.

“Seems like a classic case of making a mountain out of a molehill which then increases its size accordingly,” commented Lower Haight resident Thea Selby, who is running to be District 5 supervisor. “And, as a mom with two kids, I don’t think it’s freaky for kids to see naked people. Don’t look if you don’t like it.”

Local gay artist princeHerman, who plans to be naked wearing a cock ring at his booth during Sunday’s Folsom fair, wrote a lengthy letter to the B.A.R. to explain why nudity should be tolerated.

“For the tourists, nudity needs to be protected as its one of the elements that creates the free spirit character of this city,” wrote princeHerman, whose real name is Ronald Herman Symansky. “Responsible public nudity should be seen as an opportunity to embrace the diversity of values that exist in the world. It is a teaching opportunity about moral values with which an individual may agree or disagree.”

Expressing the opposite view was Keith Folger, who has lived in the Castro for 23 years. He encouraged Wiener to push forward with a nudity ban.

“The majority of my friends who live on the street find it offensive and wish the guys would do it in the neighborhoods they live in, not come to the liberal Castro where they feel like they can do whatever they want,” wrote Folger. “So what if a couple Japanese tourists want to get their picture taken with the nude men, it is not increasing the business in the neighborhood one bit. Those people taking pictures are getting right back on the F line and going back downtown.”

Peter Hartikka suggested that the city designate Jane Warner Plaza a public park, “which would automatically outlaw nudity there. If people still feel a need to display their genitals in public, they can go to Baker Beach.”

The debate will have its theatrical debut Friday night with the opening of the Left Coast Theatre Company’s show Family Programming. The collection of seven short plays includes the 10-minute comedy The Buck Naked Church of Truth.

Written by local gay playwright James A. Martin, the vignette centers on a father encountering his young son and a friend sans clothing in the Castro. It is inspired by the ongoing debate about the neighborhood’s real life nudists.

“I noticed that a lot of my friends [both gay and straight] were talking

Courtesy GLMA

GLMA Executive Director Hector Vargas

es and Services Administration Administrator Mary Wakefield, Ph.D., RN, who is expected to discuss how the new federal health care law will impact LGBT people.

The plenary today (Thursday, September 20) with Wakefield, said Vargas, will highlight how the health needs of LGBT people are being addressed under the policies that will See page 12 >>

about it. It was a really divisive topic,” said Martin. “It pushed people’s buttons.”

His play, which features full frontal nudity, doesn’t take a side on the issue, said Martin.

“I felt both sides had a valid argument. I want the audience afterwards to kind of go out and discuss where they are on the topic,” he said.

The show opens September 21 and runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights through October 13 at the Shelton Theater, 533 Sutter Street in San Francisco. For tickets visit www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/260482.▼

<< Community News

12 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

▼

Fetish ball hits San Francisco this weekend compiled by Cynthia Laird

J

ust in time for the Folsom Street Fair, Mega Productions will bring its XO Ball and Expo to the Cow Palace Friday and Saturday, September 21-22. The XO Ball is the largest lifestyle event in the country, organizers said, and is for all sexualities and sexually curious adults.

Anyone over age 18 is welcome – men, women, couples, and groups who are LGBT, straight, or questioning.

The two-day event includes musical acts, seminars from acclaimed sexperts, exhibitors, burlesque, adult celebrities, contests, aerial acrobatics, drag shows, wrestling, and more, topped off by the costume ball Saturday night. Scheduled performances include popular hip-hop artist Too Short and RuPaul’s Drag Race season three winner Raja.

Tickets are $25 online and $30 at the door for Friday (5 to 11 p.m.) and Saturday (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and $65 online and $75 at the door for Saturday night’s ball (8 p.m. to 2 a.m.).

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.xoexpo.com.

SF DA urges caution to residents As the community prepares to celebrate the Folsom Street Fair and related activities, San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón encourages people to enjoy the city’s popular nightlife, but cautions that they should be careful when meeting people at a bar, in a club, or online and inviting them to their homes.

“We encourage everyone to enjoy San Francisco’s vibrant nightlife.

However, please be very careful in meeting new people at a bar, club, or

online. Use extreme caution in inviting people you have met for the first time to your home,” Gascón said in a recent statement.

The district attorney made similar comments in connection with the arrest of a suspect in the murder of gay stylist Steven “Eriq” Escalon, whose body was found in his home in June.

Suspect James Rickleffs was arrested earlier this month and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Rickleffs allegedly met Escalon at the 440 Castro bar and took a cab home with him.

Boston gay group to hold SF benefit Boston-based Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, one of the country’s best known public interest legal groups, will be in San Francisco Thursday, September 27 for its annual Bay Area fundraiser at Postrio Cafe, 545 Post Street. The reception, with the theme “California: Making History, Changing Lives,” is from 6 to 8 p.m., with tickets starting at $100.

Mary Bonauto, GLAD’s civil rights project director, is the featured guest and is expected to discuss GLAD’s work challenging the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal benefits to same-sex couples across the country. The U.S. Supreme Court

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SF confab

From page 11

be made available through statebased health insurance exchanges.

Five states, including California, are already working to create the exchanges.

“The Affordable Care Act and the implementation of it is a key topic,” said Vargas.

Dr. Grant Colfax, director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, will address the confer-

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ebar.com

Folsom’s history

From page 1

a neighborhood that was hit hard by the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.

Explore San Francisco, a tour company, has begun offering its Historic Folsom tours. While Michael Moran, owner of Explore SF was doing some research, he came across the proposal for the LGBT Social Heritage Special Use District and was surprised he had never heard of it before. He later discovered that the proposal is to create a historic area in the old Folsom district that recognizes the areas as the center of the city’s LGBT leather community.

“It just seemed too important for me not to try and create more awareness of it,” said Moran.

As he continued to ask more people about the special use district, he was startled at how many LGBT people didn’t know much about the Folsom district at all.

“It seemed like maybe there was some awareness that there were bathhouses out there somewhere, but they were shut down because of AIDS and had nothing to do with the wishes of the redevelopment agency,” he said.

Moran feels it’s important for the community to know where it came from and to understand how it came to be what it is today. The whole South of Market area has long been a battlefield between developers and residents.

South of Market used to be a working class neighborhood, with butchers and beauty salons, bars and flower shops. Many of the residents there were single men living in single-room occupancy hotels and many were retired longshoremen and seamen.

“These guys knew how to organize and they were scrappy, they fought back against City Hall and although in the end they lost, there were many victories,” said Moran. “Next time you are in the area look around and

Mayor Tom Bates and out City Councilman Kriss Worthington.

The forum is sponsored by the Berkeley-East Bay Gray Panthers.

Swim a mile for cancer is coming up

Meet the candidates for Berkeley mayor at a forum on Wednesday, September 26 at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Street (at Martin Luther King Jr. Way). The forum will be moderated

by George Lippmann of the Berkeley Peace and Justice Commission. The candidates will present their positions and discuss their visions for the city.

Major candidates include incumbent

The 17th annual Swim A Mile for Women with Cancer will be held October 6-7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland. The annual event supports the Women’s Cancer Resource Center, which provides free services to women with cancer and their supporters.

More than 600 people are expected to participate. They jump into the pool and swim or water-walk in this non-competitive event. WCRC provides healthy gourmet food and local DJs will spin inspiring music. There will also be opportunities for creation of art projects for children and adults.

Registration fees range from $35 to $125, depending on age and size of teams. Individuals must also raise a minimum of $350; families and small teams must raise a minimum of $600. The suggested minimum donation is $25. To register, visit www.wcrc.org/swim or call (510) 601-4040, ext. 105. For more information about WCRC, visit the website or call (510) 601-4040.▼

ence Friday. The speech is Colfax’s first in town since he resigned in March as director of San Francisco’s HIV Prevention Section to join the Obama administration.

“He will address the national HIV and AIDS strategy, which the administration developed and presented last summer,” said Vargas.

With a budget of $600,000 and four full-time staffers, GLMA’s membership numbers 1,000 from across the U.S. and Canada. It expects 460 people to register for this

year’s conference – a record number – with participants coming from as far away as the Netherlands, Lebanon, Nigeria and Nepal.

“It is the most attendees at least since 2001,” said Vargas, who earned $125,000 last year.

The conference runs through Sunday, September 23 at the Westin San Francisco Market Street, located at 50 Third Street. For more information visit www.glma. org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page. viewPage&pageId=559.▼

notice how on some blocks there are still old buildings left, the master plan for the area was to raze every building and build big office/condo/box store towers but clearly that didn’t happen.”

The gay men who colonized the Folsom district moved into an area that was in a state of flux. Most of the previous residents, who had the means to move, did so, because the area had been declared blighted by the redevelopment agency and was going to be re-built, according to Moran. But the court battles with the longshoremen and other groups in the area effectively stalled the redevelopment so there were lots of cheap rents to be had and a lot of empty buildings.

At one time there were 30 gay bars and bathhouses in the Folsom area.

There were also many gay hotels and guesthouses, restaurants, coffee houses, theaters, motorcycle clubs, social clubs, a gay shopping center, and lesbian-owned businesses.

The onslaught of the AIDS epidemic led to a debate about the gay bathhouses. Health officials wanted them closed to slow the spread of the disease; many gay men wanted them to remain open.

“When the AIDS crisis hit, the city had its chance to make a move and they took it, they closed the bathhouses,” said Moran.

After the closure of the bathhouses, many bars that depended on that traffic ended up closing as well.

“Just when it seemed that the Folsom district was going to be paved over and made into a giant office theme park, the Folsom Street Fair came out of nowhere – the fair was a brilliant idea and a Hail Mary pass to call attention to and to save what was left of the neighborhood and it was a move that worked, and for now, continues to work,” added Moran.

The fair, which started in 1984, has

become one of the world’s biggest street parties catering to the leather and fetish communities. The 29th annual Folsom Street Fair takes place Sunday, September 23.

The Historic Folsom tour highlights important places while the tour guides tell entertaining antidotes.

“I think people are surprised at just how gay ‘crack alley’ on 6th use to be,” said Moran. The guides tell a story of how many of the early streets were named. There is also a segment of the tour that focuses on bathhouse fires.

The tour guides are Alixx Ortiz, who is a seminary student at the Pacific School of Religion and his partner Kevin Roberts, who is also a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence (Sister Mora Lee D’Klined).

“A preacher and a Sister, and they kind of have a Sonny and Cher vibe, almost,” stated Moran.

As far as their preparation, Moran did the bulk of the research, mostly with the assistance of the GLBT Historical Society. He compiled months of research and gave the info to Ortiz, then they walked the route several times.

“Then they did their magic and compiled all of the data into a script of sorts, and memorized their lines and facts,” said Moran. “It is a lot of information to convey and they do a fantastic job and have a lot of fun doing it.”

The next Historic Folsom tour will take place on October 20, (always the third Saturday of the month). Tour groups max out at approximately 15 people in order for everyone to be able to ask questions. There is an additional add-on combined with the tour for participants. Kink.com offers a special promotional tour price of $15 for guests who opt to attend the armory tour after the Folsom tour (18 and older only). Guests can take both tours for $40. More information can be found at http://exploresf.biz/.▼

Raja, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, is scheduled to appear at the XO Expo.

is expected to hear at least some of the various challenges to DOMA during its upcoming term.

For more information about the event, visit www.glad.org/events.

Berkeley mayor’s race forum

▼ <<

Community News >>

CA ballot measures

From page 4

for offenses as minor as public urination. Under this proposition, they would lose all personal privacy for life. It is bad policy.

Prop 36: Three Strikes Law Modification. YES This is a common sense modification of the “three strikes and you’re out” law. This measure provides that a life sentence on the third strike could be imposed only for a serious or violent felony. Currently, untold numbers of inmates whose third strike was for non-violent drug possession are serving life sentences. This is a waste of money.

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Our priorities as a society are backward when we spend increasing amounts of money on incarceration and less and less on education.

This modification would save from $70 million to $90 million annually in prison- and parole-related costs, money which would be much better spent elsewhere.

knows the health risks of genetically engineered food. This is a transparency measure, which will allow the consumer to make an informed decision. It would be the first such measure of its kind in the United States.

Prop 37: Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods. YES

(See previous B.A.R. editorial, tinyurl.com/97s4ve8.)

Largely funded by out of state national food firms and organic advocates, this proposition requires labeling of food made from plants or animals with genetically engineered material. Prohibited in many countries (e.g. France), no one really

Prop 39: Income Tax Increase for Multistate Businesses. NO

Prop 38: Munger Initiative.

NO

Current tax law permits multistate businesses doing business in California to calculate their tax liability under different formulae.

Eagle

From page 1

Among other issues, crowds at the old Eagle had appeared to be thin – except for the popular Sunday afternoon beer busts and Thursday’s live music nights – and attracting patrons to the new business could be a challenge.

Leon, who’s bisexual and in his mid-40s, and Montiel, who’s gay and said he’s close to Leon’s age, joined several supporters Sunday, September 16 for a news conference on the bar’s patio, where fundraisers helped generate thousands of dollars for nonprofits over the years.

(The Bay Area Reporter interviewed both men at the news conference and Leon in a subsequent phone interview.)

Their plans aren’t finalized, but the format will be similar to what was available before – leather events, live music on Thursday nights, and beer busts. They also plan to have ladies’ nights.

The two spoke about their backgrounds. Montiel said he was related to the bar Badlands “a long time ago.” Leon said his mother had a bar when he was growing up, and he helped her out whenever he could after school. He said he knows “the ins and outs” of what it takes to operate a bar.

Leon also owned the North Beach gallery Mea Cinis, which shut down last May. He said he still owns

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September 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 13

closed, but this proposition brings too much other baggage.

primary concern right now is the remodel. ... I don’t know what I’m going to discover in these walls.” He added, “I’m going to try my hardest to get it open as soon as possible.”

One essential ingredient is transferring a liquor license to the space.

The transfer is expected to come up at the Monday, September 24 Board of Supervisors City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee.

a confidence level that they knew what they were doing.”

In a phone interview, Supervisor David Campos, who’s also gay, said he hadn’t been “really familiar with the specifics” of the pair’s business backgrounds.

At Sunday’s gathering, he said it was “never about the sexual orientation” of the bar’s owners, but it was about getting “someone committed to making sure [the bar] remained the community space it had been.”

In response to emailed questions, Folsom Street Events Executive Director Demetri Moshoyannis said other than the “old” Eagle’s Sunday beer busts and Thursday night live bands, “it seemed pretty dead most of the time.” However, he appeared hopeful for the venue’s future. He said he’s been helping the men and they “seem very determined and diligent.”

Longtime entertainment commissioner and local nightlife figure Audrey Joseph, an out lesbian, said in an interview last week that she didn’t know the men.

“If they have no experience doing this kind of work and what it takes, their success rate is minimized,” Joseph said. She also said if they stick to the old bar’s format, “I do not believe it has a shot in hell of being successful.” Among other problems, she said, there’s no foot traffic at the site.

John Nikitopoulos, the bar’s landlord, has never responded to interview requests from the B.A.R.▼

Backgrounds

Seth Hemmelgarn

New Eagle owners Alex Montiel, left, and Mike Leon hope to reopen the bar in several weeks.

mixed-use property in that neighborhood.

They paid “well over” $250,000 for the lease, Leon said. That figure includes the security deposit, first and last month’s rent, purchasing a the liquor license, and other costs.

He wouldn’t say where they got that money, or how much they’re paying in rent. They have a 10-year lease, with an option of going for another 10 years, Leon said.

Both men had been patrons of the former bar, Leon said, and both

said they had been working on obtaining the South of Market space since it closed last year.

Remodeling work will include upgrades related to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Leon doesn’t know how much the work will cost, and he wouldn’t say how much money the two of them have.

Montiel said Sunday they’re trying to open the bar by October 31, Halloween, but asked later about opening by that date, Leon laughed.

“I don’t know,” he said. “My

Vintage porn

From page 1

history. They want to find out what went on before you could see hardcore porn everywhere,” said Batt, who has owned the shop for 16 years. “It has become increasingly more a part of my business. There was a time I didn’t buy it because I didn’t think there was a market for it. Now I seek it out.”

One highly sought after title is After Dark, which reads more as a national arts magazine with photos of naked men sprinkled amongst its pages.

These early magazines served more as general interest gay publications than pure porn rags.

“Frankly, it was the literature of the day,” said Batt, whose reaches a national market of collectors by posting items for sale on eBay under the handle DaddySF. “People want it because there is an innocence there.”

Trent Dunphy, who co-owns The Magazine on Larkin Street with his partner of 40 years, Bob Mainardi, also has noticed increased interest in porn magazines of the past. Six months ago the couple expanded their online site www.themagazinesf. com to better feature their collection.

“Certainly, there is real interest in the 1970s,” said Dunphy. “It is far enough away to seem exotic and there are no condoms. That is the big thing.”

Don Romesburg, a gay man who is an associate professor of women and gender studies at Sonoma State University, said for a long time there has been an interest in the physique magazines of the 1950s and 1960s.

Of course, they will choose the formula most advantageous to them.

This proposition changes the law to require that multistate businesses calculate their taxes based on sales made in California regardless of where they are based. We agree that this is a loophole in the state tax code that should be eliminated.

However, this proposition then mandates that the increased revenue, estimated at up to $1 billion annually, be earmarked for specific energy and education programs.

This is ballot box budgeting, and we oppose it. It is the role of the legislature to determine the most effective use of revenues, particularly in these hard times of competing priorities.

This is a loophole that needs to be

Rick Gerharter

Patrick Batt points to vintage gay porn available at his Auto Erotica shop in the Castro.

“At that time it harkened back to this time of squeaky clean, healthy muscular guys in posing straps,” he said of when the craze first began in the 1990s. “Obviously, back then was a time of extreme homophobia in our society and there is a kind of innocence to them. There is something titillating about the underground culture that one can imagine circulating around them.”

Part of the allure of the titles from the 1970s, said Romesburg, has to do with their chronicling a world preAIDS when using a condom wasn’t a do-or-die sexual choice.

“In terms of 1970s stuff there’s been a renaissance in so called precondom porn ever since the 1990s,” said Romesburg. “I think young people and young guys connect with vintage porn because it is not as primped or manicured and because it is all pro-

duced in a time before the specter and shadow of HIV and AIDS.” The now four-decades-old photos of more natural looking men, with their hairy chests, mustaches, and longer hair, are seen as antidotes to the gym-muscled, clean shaven porn stars of today.

“It is not surprising pornos of those years would have a resurrection. It was

San Francisco Superior Court records indicate Montiel filed for bankruptcy in 2009. He said it was “private” and wouldn’t answer questions about it. Leon declined to discuss Montiel’s bankruptcy other than to say, “He’s clear of that.”

Despite the support the men have received, community leaders the B.A.R. spoke with don’t seem to know much about them.

Supervisor Jane Kim, whose District 6 includes the Eagle site, said after the news conference Sunday that she wasn’t aware of the pair’s business background, but she’s seen their “persistence, their passion, and their enthusiasm.”

Gay Supervisor Scott Wiener also came to the Eagle patio Sunday. In an interview Tuesday, he said he initially met Leon and Montiel five or six months ago.

“I’m sure we talked about that,” Wiener said of the men’s business histories, but he didn’t recall the specifics. “I know I had enough of

rather unique and freewheeling and reflects the kind of life we were living in that day,” said John Karr, who started reviewing porn titles for the Bay Area Reporter in 1978. “There was a spontaneity and naturalness to it.”

There was a time during the height of the AIDS crisis that thrift stores and adult erotica shops throughout San Francisco were flooded with such titles. As loved ones and friends cleaned out the belongings of those men lost to AIDS, they would donate boxes of the old porn magazines to the stores.

Many of the titles ended up in the archives of two San Francisco-based institutions: the GLBT Historical Society and the Institute of the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality.

“In the late 1980s, as the deaths were mounting up, those magazines were available in the thrift stores at a quarter apiece because many collections were being dispensed with after their owners died,” recalled Karr, adding that he bought “tons” of the material and donated them to the institute’s archives but still has “boxes” of them. “These days those magazines do not turn up in the thrift stores.”

Clarification The September 13 article, “Mirkarimi hoping for delay” inadvertently conveyed the impression that suspended Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi was predicting votes on the Board of Supervisors. The article should have stated, “During the editorial board meeting with the B.A.R. at the paper’s offices, Mirkarimi was asked who he thought on the Board of Supervisors would be likely to support him remaining sheriff. While declining to predict any specific votes, he mentioned ‘the liberal progressive flank of Campos, Avalos, Mar, Olague, maybe [District 6 Supervisor Jane] Kim, maybe Chiu.’ The supervisors have been advised not to discuss Mirkarimi’s case.”

The online version has been corrected.

Prop 40: Referendum on Redistricting. YES This is a sour grapes attempt by unhappy Republicans to throw out the district lines for the state Senate that were drawn by the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission and upheld by the California Supreme Court. Since 2008 California voters have voted three times to have legislative and congressional boundaries determined by an independent commission. This will be the fourth election on the matter in four years.

Enough is enough. A YES vote affirms the boundaries drawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission. ▼

San Francisco resident Oliver “Ollie” Shreffler, 78, worked as go-go boy in gay bars back in the 1970s and acted in a few porn films. He had built up quite a collection of magazines and videos over the decades, but lost much of it due to a fire at his apartment building in 2005.

“I had quite a collection way, way back when,” said Shreffler. “We had a fire here a few years ago and that pretty much took care of the whole collection. What the flames didn’t get the smoke and water got.”

He said he isn’t surprised to see a new generation of gay men gravitate to the porn of the past.

“The magazines and other artwork of that time were far superior. I still like the older videos better than today’s,” he said. “Everyone was so natural in those days. Nowadays they are too buffed up. They are beautiful, but I prefer a natural build.”▼

On the web Online content this week includes the Bay Area Reporter’s online columns, Political Notes and Wedding Bell Blues; the Transmissions, Jock Talk, and Out in the World columns; and articles on the NAACP president’s visit to San Francisco, a gala marking the one-year anniversary of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and an event in Oakland this weekend catering to masculine-of-center women. www.ebar.com.

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

14 • Bay Area Reporter • September 20-26, 2012

Classifieds

t

Legal Notices>>

The

Legal Notices>> FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034546500

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034535900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SIDELINE TOWING, 1175 Selby St., SF, CA 94124.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed by Mayra L. Sevillano. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/23/12.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BELLA FIORA, A FLORAL DESIGN STUDIO, 1475 Polk St. #7, SF, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed by Dino A. Bocala & Mark A. Leahy. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/20/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/20/12.

AUG 30, SEPT 6, 13, 20, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034546400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: NET STOP BUSINESS CENTER, 4460 Mission St., SF, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed by Thomas Lacey. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/23/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/23/12.

AUG 30, SEPT 6, 13, 20, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034544600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ASIAN PACIFIC TRAVEL, 703 Market St. #1506, SF, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed by Alfred Natividad. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/23/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/23/12.

AUG 30, SEPT 6, 13, 20, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034537700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RIENSPA, 582 Market St. #1510, SF, CA 94104.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed by Carrie Kang. 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 08/21/12.

AUG 30, SEPT 6, 13, 20, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034535200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: S MCCANN CONSTRUCTION, 83 Garden Grove Dr., Daly City, CA 94015. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed by John McCann. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/20/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/20/12.

AUG 30, SEPT 6, 13, 20, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034551000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MANAGING HUMAN DIFFERENCES, 735 Geary #404, SF, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed by Mark L. Perlmutter. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/16/12.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/24/12.

AUG 30, SEPT 6, 13, 20, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034538300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SAN FRANCISCO RUG GALLERY, 101 Henry Adams #217, SF, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed

by Mohsen Tavakol Nejad. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/21/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/21/12.

AUG 30, SEPT 6, 13, 20, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034489500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: EXCEL MOBILE, 4790A Mission St., SF, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed by Kyongson Pak. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/30/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/30/12.

AUG 30, SEPT 6, 13, 20, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034538700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MING KEE ENTERPRISE, 285 Taylor St., SF, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed by Kevin Hong. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/21/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/21/12.

AUG 30, SEPT 6, 13, 20, 2012

AUG 30, SEPT 6, 13, 20, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034545000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SYCAMORE STREET RESIDENCY, 30 Sycamore St., SF, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed by Dipak Bhogilal Gandhi & Hansaben Dipak Gandhi. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/23/12.

AUG 30, SEPT 6, 13, 20, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034541500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TWO SONS SANDWICHES, 2249 17th St., SF, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed by George T. Salameh, George T. Salameh II & Joseph G. Salameh. 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 08/22/12.

AUG 30, SEPT 6, 13, 20, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034540100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LAHORE KARAHI, 612 O’Farrell St., SF, CA 94109.

This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed by Sajjad Enterprises Inc. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/01/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/22/12.

AUG 30, SEPT 6, 13, 20, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034555500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DF PAINTING & REMODELING CO., 1010 Hyde St. #203, SF, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed by Di Qiao Zheng. 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 08/28/12.

AUG 30, SEPT 6, 13, 20, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034554900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: AMERICAN TRUTH COMMISSION LLC, 2141 Filbert St., SF, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed by American Truth Commission LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/27/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/28/12.

AUG 30, SEPT 6, 13, 20, 2012 Statement of abandonment of use of fictitious business name FILE A-034125800 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: SIDELINE TOWING, 1175 Selby St., SF, CA 94124. This business was conducted by a general partnership and signed by Mayra L. Sevillano & Yudith Ramirez.

The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/13/12.

Aug 30, sep 6, 13, 20, 2012 Statement of abandonment of use of fictitious business name FILE A-031151300 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: ARS UNA, 459 Frederick St., SF, CA 94117. This business was conducted by a husband & wife and signed

by Lyall Forsyth Harris & Francesco Ronchetti. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 05/08/08.

Aug 30, sep 6, 13, 20, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034552600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LAURA HAZLETT DESIGNS, 2805 22nd St., SF, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Laura Hazlett. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/20/87. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/27/12.

SEPT 06, 13, 20, 27, 2012

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034541000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CHAMBERLAIN LANDSCAPING, 44 Escondido Ave., SF, CA 94132. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Christopher J. Chamberlain. 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 08/22/12.

SEPT 06, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034560200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SANCTUARY HAIR SALON, 1204 Sutter St., SF, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Mark Steven Lewis. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/04/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/30/12.

SEPT 06, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034559000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TOKYOSF, 7700 Geary Blvd. #110, SF, CA 94121.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Michael McDonald. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/28/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/29/12.

SEPT 06, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034564000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ICLEAN SERVICES, 2303 Mission St., SF, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Honorio Galicia. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/31/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/31/12.

SEPT 06, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034551600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: REVEILLE COFFEE CO, 200 Columbus Ave., SF, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed New England Dough Boys Inc. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/27/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/27/12.

SEPT 06, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034560700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: VECTO, INC., 336 Bon Air Center #396, Greenbrae, CA 94904. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Vecto, 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 08/30/12.

SEPT 06, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034557000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: KITCHEN STORY CAFE, 3499 16th St., SF, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Cafe Veranda Enterprises 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 08/29/12.

SEPT 06, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034561400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ALPHONSO LABS; PULSE; 2 Shaw Alley, 5th Fl., SF, CA 94105. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Alphonso Labs (DE).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/01/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/30/12.

SEPT 06, 13, 20, 27, 2012 notice of application FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF alcoholic beverageS LICENSE Dated 08/25/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: BAY BREAD LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2208, Oakland, CA 94612 to sell alcoholic beverages at 222 Sutter St., SF, CA 94108-4445.

Type of license applied for

41 - ON-sale BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE SEPT 20, 2012

Statement of abandonment of use of fictitious business name FILE A-033969800

notice of application FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF alcoholic beverageS LICENSE

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: FRESH AIR BICYCLES, 1943 Divisadero St., SF, CA 94115. This business was conducted by a corporation and signed by Howell Jenkins.

The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/28/11.

Dated 08/25/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: BAY BREAD LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2208, Oakland, CA 94612 to sell alcoholic beverages at 845 Market St. #496, SF, CA 94103-1921. Type of license applied for

SEPT 06, 13, 20, 27, 2012 Statement of abandonment of use of fictitious business name FILE A-031447000 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: VICTORIAN HEALTHCARE CENTER, 2121 Pine St., SF, CA 94115. This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by Kindred Nursing Centers West, LLC (DE). The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/17/08.

SEPT 06, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034572700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BILLY BRITTLE, 571 Magellan Ave., SF, CA 94116.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed John Paul Waller. 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 09/07/12.

SEPT 13, 20, 27, OCT 4, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034572900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: KUTSHOP, 115 Gough St. #25, SF, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Kevin Perry. 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 09/07/12.

SEPT 13, 20, 27, OCT 4, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034558800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HURWITT REALTY, 1609 Noriega St. SF, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Leonard Hurwitt. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/25/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/29/12.

SEPT 13, 20, 27, OCT 4, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034565500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DENTAL AESTHETICA, 180 Montgomery St. #2440, SF, CA 94104. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Leila Azad, DDS, Inc. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/04/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/04/12.

SEPT 13, 20, 27, OCT 4, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034574300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ONYX WHOLESALE; ONYX HOME LOANS; ONYX RETAIL; ONYX DIRECT; ONYX LOANS; 801 Marina Blvd., SF, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed Onyx Lending 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 09/10/12.

SEPT 13, 20, 27, OCT 4, 2012 notice of application FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF alcoholic beverageS LICENSE Dated 08/25/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: BAY BREAD LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2208, Oakland, CA 94612 to sell alcoholic beverages at 465 California St., SF, CA 941041804. Type of license applied for

41 - ON-sale BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE SEPT 20, 2012 notice of application FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF alcoholic beverageS LICENSE Dated 08/25/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: BAY BREAD LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2208, Oakland, CA 94612 to sell alcoholic beverages at 781 Mission St., SF, CA 94103-3132.

Type of license applied for

41 - ON-sale BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE SEPT 20, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034583400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ALFAJORES NARCISO, 27 Flood Ave., SF, CA 94131. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Patricia Narisco. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/05/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/14/12.

SEPT 20, 27, OCT 4, 11, 2012

41 - ON-sale BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE SEPT 20, 2012 notice of application FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF alcoholic beverageS LICENSE Dated 08/25/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: BAY BREAD LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2208, Oakland, CA 94612 to sell alcoholic beverages at 2043 Fillmore St., SF, CA 94115-2708. Type of license applied for

41 - ON-sale BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE SEPT 20, 2012 notice of application FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF alcoholic beverageS LICENSE Dated 08/25/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: BAY BREAD LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2208, Oakland, CA 94612 to sell alcoholic beverages at 500 Hayes St., SF, CA 94102-4214. Type of license applied for

41 - ON-sale BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE SEPT 20, 2012 notice of application FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF alcoholic beverageS LICENSE Dated 08/25/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: BAY BREAD LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2208, Oakland, CA 94612 to sell alcoholic beverages at 2300 Polk St., SF, CA 94109-1822. Type of license applied for

41 - ON-sale BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE SEPT 20, 2012 notice of application FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF alcoholic beverageS LICENSE Dated 08/25/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: BAY BREAD LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2208, Oakland, CA 94612 to sell alcoholic beverages at 3898 24th St., SF, CA 94114-3839. Type of license applied for

41 - ON-sale BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE SEPT 20, 2012 notice of application FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF alcoholic beverageS LICENSE Dated 08/24/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: DABCO, LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2208, Oakland, CA 94612 to sell alcoholic beverages at 620 O’Farrell St., SF, CA 941097404. Type of license applied for

41 - ON-sale BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE SEPT 20, 2012 notice of application FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF alcoholic beverageS LICENSE Dated 09/12/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: TATSIANA MASHANAVA, ALIAKSEI SILIN. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 33 New Montgomery St. #1230, SF, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 4318 California St., SF, CA 94118-1316. Type of license applied for

41 - ON-sale BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE SEPT 20, 2012 notice of application TO SELL alcoholic beverageS Dated 09/13/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: MR. CRAVE BISTRO, LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 33 New Montgomery St. #1230, SF, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 655 Ellis St., SF, CA 94109-8027. Type of license applied for

41 - ON-sale BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE SEPT 20, 2012

t

Read more online at www.ebar.com

Legal Notices>> TRANSBAY BLOCK 9 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The Successor Agency to the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency is soliciting proposals from qualified development teams to purchase Transbay Block 9, a 31,000 square foot site located in Downtown San Francisco, and develop a high-density residential project with approximately 580 housing units, 20 percent of which must be affordable to qualifying households, and neighborhood serving retail. For a copy of the RFP, visit the Successor Agency’s website at http:// www.sfredevelopment.org, call (415) 749-2439, or email courtney.pash@ sfgov.org. Proposals must be received

by December 12, 2012.

9/20/12 CNS-2377704# BAY AREA REPORTER FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034579700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SIMA CONSULTANCY, 36 Oakwood St. #6, SF, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Saiman Hsu. 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 09/12/12.

SEPT 20, 27, OCT 4, 11, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034581500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SCAN@WORK, 540A Shotwell St., SF, CA 94110.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Calvin Yam. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/13/12.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/13/12.

SEPT 20, 27, OCT 4, 11, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034582300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FIVE STAR ROOTER & PLUMBING CO., 1331 20th Ave., SF, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Zi Xian Liu. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/13/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/13/12.

SEPT 20, 27, OCT 4, 11, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034587200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LIBROS DE FE, 435 Edinburg St., SF, CA 94112.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Blanca L. Menjivar. 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 09/17/12.

SEPT 20, 27, OCT 4, 11, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034589300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MORELOS LANDSCAPE SERVICES, 128 Uranus Ave., Hayward, CA 94544. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Abel Morelos. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/18/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/18/12.

September 20-26, 2012 • Bay Area Reporter • 15

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SEPT 20, 27, OCT 4, 11, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034579900

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The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CONNECTIONS SAN FRANCISCO, 424 Clay St., SF, CA 94111. This business is conducted by a limited liability company and is signed Battery & Clay Associates, 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 09/12/12.

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SEPT 20, 27, OCT 4, 11, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034583800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ECLIPSE ACOUSTICS, 263 18th Ave., SF, CA 94121. This business is conducted by a limited liability company and is signed Travis Media Group LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/13/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/14/12.

SEPT 20, 27, OCT 4, 11, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034564200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: 49TH PARALLEL PRODUCTIONS, 674 Ivy St., SF, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a husband & wife and is signed Katy W. Newton & Sean L. Connelley. 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 08/31/12.

SEPT 20, 27, OCT 4, 11, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034562600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: IZZY CHAN CONSULTS, 2244 19th St., SF, CA 94107. This business is conducted by an individual and is signed Isabella Chan. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/31/12.

SEPT 20, 27, OCT 4, 11, 2012 Statement of abandonment of use of fictitious business name FILE A-031447000 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: VICTORIAN HEALTHCARE CENTER, 2121 Pine St., SF, CA 94115. This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by Kindred Nursing Centers West, LLC (KY). The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/17/08.

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SEPT 20, 27, OCT 4, 11, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034576600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CITY TRAVEL AND TOUR, 1039 Grant Ave. #203, SF, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a general partnership and is signed U Win Myint & Sio Weng. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/11/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/11/12.

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The following person(s) is/are doing business as: H & R CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, 1946 44th Ave., SF, CA 94116. This business is conducted by a general partnership and is signed Hsi Chou Yu & Richard Yu. 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 09/11/12.

SEPT 20, 27, OCT 4, 11, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME statement file A-034583700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BUBBLE REAL ESTATE, 420 Union St., SF, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a corporation and is signed North Beach Native, Inc. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/13/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/14/12.

SEPT 20, 27, OCT 4, 11, 2012

E49

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E38-38

Plague years

Now playing

32

Folsom fun

32

Out &About

25

O&A

21

The

Vol. 42 • No. 38 • September 20-26, 2012

www.ebar.com/arts

Three erotic fetish films for Folsom Fair weekend

by John F. Karr

Fight, Fuck and Fist stars Shay Michaels and Jesse Jackman mud up and get down.

TitanMen.com

D

own on your knees!

In my unofficial capacity as this paper’s purveyor of all things sexual, I order you to genuflect to the increasingly all-inclusive and flagrantly gaudy feast of fetish that is the Folsom Street Fair. With each year, the event demonstrates that this is a community that lives less and less in the shadows, allowing once-forbidden and nearly unknown sexualities to flourish in the light. Congratulations to

the leather and associated communities for the expansion of sexuality they have heralded – a broadening that affects every one of us.

As my fetish choices are select and limited, I more frequently flagellate myself with fetish through film. That has recently meant several editions of Rough-branded films from TitanMen, which they label “Extreme Hardcore Fetish.”

Though based in S/M, they’re more a smorgasbord of the full fetish menu, from the expected

fisting, formidable toys, and plenteous piss (positive Niagaras of piss) into the more outré, with electro-play, sounding, saline injections, and, would you believe this for down-and-dirty, mud wrestling.

Paul Wilde is the films’ director, and it’s not a contradiction for him to deliver harsh action in refined movies. Such finesse is certainly in line with mainstream leather fashion, which reflects a very gay sort of populist taste, i.e., codpieces with

the detailing of red piping, or matching jocks and socks in a spectrum of bright colors. The Rough titles are handsomely cast and adroitly filmed by steady cameras that frame the action well, in welllit spaces. They are finely edited and complemented with suitable music (Orlando Moneyshot, Fledglyng and Animus present a masculine sort of dance music, heavy on the downbeat, while the jacked-up tempo of Discopup’s dance music See page 34 >>

Essence of Samuel Steward Performance artist Seth Eisen’s ‘Home File’ at CounterPulse

by Richard Dodds

H

e was an English professor at a Catholic college, a favorite tattooist of the Hells Angels, a serious novelist and poet, a close friend of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, a confidante of Alfred Kinsey, a sex buddy of Thornton Wilder, a porn writer who got Tom of Finland to illustrate his book covers, and a fastidious chronicler who used file cards to detail some 5,000 sexual encounters with more than 800 partners.

His name was Samuel Steward, and he died in relative obscurity in Berkeley in 1993.

“Sam lived enough lives for 20 people,” said performance artist Seth Eisen,

who has created a stage piece that tries to capture the essence of the man using theatrical techniques that might seem like unlikely devices for such a subject as Steward. Homo File, which Eisen has written and directed, begins a two-week developmental run at CounterPulse on Sept. 20.

Puppetry, acrobatics, projections, and traditional dialogue combine in the piece that began gestating in 2010 when Eisen read the Steward biography Secret Historian by Justin Spring. Down the rabbithole Eisen went, reading more books by and about Steward, interviewing the executor of Steward’s estate, and attending

a symposium at Ohio State dedicated to the rediscovered Steward.

While there are bits of Steward’s journals, correspondence, and photography scattered in various archives, the breakthrough that gave Spring the needed documentation to write Secret Historian came when Steward executor Michael Williams invited the biographer to sift through his San Francisco attic filled with artifacts that Steward had hoarded in his Berkeley house.

As part of his Homo File research, Eisen interviewed Williams several times about his personal experiences with See page 37 >>

Actor Ned Brauer uses his aerial skills as gay sex pioneer Samuel Steward during a rehearsal for Homo File at CounterPulse.

Greg Ivanek

{ SECOND OF TWO SECTIONS }

<<Out There

18 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

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Feeling pretty gay

by Roberto Friedman

W

e always get a kick out of a Castro Theatre crowd singing along with Natalie Wood (actually, it was dubbing soprano Marni Nixon) to the immortal words from West Side Story, “I feel pretty and witty and gay! A committee should be organized to honor me.” Well, gayelle impresario Marc Huestis and the Castro Theatre have decided to do just that, honoring screen icon and SF-born native daughter Natalie Wood with a three-day festival of her films, coming up on Nov. 9-11.

Out There can break the news that Natalie’s little sister Lana Wood will be making a special appearance to be interviewed as part of the centerpiece event on Sat., Nov. 10. Lana vows that the chat “will be an honest, open discussion, personal and completely truthful. No holds barred.” With Natalie back in the news lately, we say pass the popcorn!

The gala main event will also feature a tribute performed by Connie Champagne and a rare screening of Elia Kazan’s 1961 masterwork Splendor in the Grass, for which Wood received one of three Oscar nominations and got to kanoodle with a very young and very pretty Warren Beatty. Also included in the three-day fest are a screening of Gypsy hosted by Matthew Martin as Mama Rose, a sing-along West Side Story, tributes from stars such as Ann Blyth and Lesley Ann Warren, plus unspoolings of other Wood classics including Rebel Without a Cause, costarring James Dean and an equally pretty and gay Sal Mineo. Now that’s a cause we can get behind. For more information, a $5 discount, and first dibs on seats for the centerpiece event, call Marc at (415) 863-0611.

Tell him Daisy Clover sent you.

Jazz it up

ebar.com

Out There was in the house last week as SFJazz announced its inaugural season for its new concert hall the SFJazz Center, set to open in January at Franklin and Fell Sts. SFJazz executive director Randall Kline described the treasures to come during a press conference at the Hayes Street Grill that included such attendees as Ishmael Reed, Ruben Blades, Lavay Smith, Mary Stallings and Kim Nalley. Then the assembled headed out to the building site with architect Mark Cavagnero, acoustician Sam

Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty in Splendor in the Grass days.

Courtesy SFJazz

Artist’s rendering of the exterior of SFJazz Center, set to open in Hayes Valley in January 2013.

Berkow and on-site supervisors. The centerpiece of this new “jewel-box” building will be an intimate performance space seating 700, designed to be a venue somewhere between a concert hall, with its focused energy, and a nightclub, with a communal feel. But the space is intended to be flexible enough to pull people in, transparent with lots of glass at street level, fronting practice rooms, a café and an ensemble room. Murals by artist Sandow Birk and Elyse Pignolet will add color and vibrancy.

The opening concert on Jan. 23 will bring jazz luminaries McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Esperanza Spalding, emcee Bill Cosby and others. The first year of performances include residencies by such figures as Zakir Hussain, Bill Frisell (premiering multimedia projects based on works by Hunter S. Thompson and Allen Ginsberg), Brad Mehldau, Jason Moran (including a Fats Waller tribute with Meshell Ndegeocello), and Regina Carter. We’d say that’s a (partial) list of jazz heavy-hitters. Find out more at www.sfjazz.org.

We know Jack We’ve been paging through a copy of Jack Robinson: On Show, Portraits 1958-72 (Palazzo Editions), a collection of work by Jack Robinson, a revered gay photographer who shot more than 500 photographs for Vogue magazine during his storied career. Robinson’s subjects com-

prise a Who’s Who of 1960s and 70s celebrities, including compelling photographs of Jack Nicholson, Joni Mitchell, Ralph Lauren, Tina Turner, Elton John, Andy Warhol, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and others. A young Warren Beatty, resplendent in leather, holds down the cover. The book documents everything from NYC’s unbridled-decadence years to Jacqueline Kennedy’s elegance to the restlessness of the Beats, and restores the once-reclusive artist from midtown Memphis to his rightful place in the cultural annals.

This past Sept. 18 would

have been Robinson’s 104th birthday.

With similar flourish, Tavo Amador’s review of David M. Halperin’s How To Be Gay in this issue provokes thoughts about which divas and films best symbolize gay culture.

Here’s Amador’s “Who’s Your Diva and Her Role?” Top 5 List: Maria Montez, Cobra Woman; Rita Moreno, The Ritz; Bette Davis, In This Our Life; Vivien Leigh, Ship of Fools; and Julie Christie, Shampoo. Who are yours?▼

Read more online at www.ebar.com

September 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 19

<< Theatre

20 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

▼

Brit wit

U.K. comic Gina Yashere plays Brava Theatre

by Jim Provenzano

I

like to play with their little brains.”

That’s one of British comic Gina Yashere’s lines about the conundrum some naïve Americans face with her cockney accent. “So many Americans don’t know there are black Brits, so I work that,” said Yashere (pronounced Yah-sure-ay).

Originally visiting Los Angeles in 2007 as a competitor on the show Last Comic Standing, Yashere found quick success and stayed on. “I had no intention of staying,” said Yashere in a phone interview from New York, where she’d just landed after a series of European shows. “But I discovered I’m a sunshine-and-palm-trees girl.”

A Los Angeles resident for five years, Yashere, 38, has toured worldwide since becoming a full-time comedian 16 years ago. Combining acerbic commentary on race and culture, including her Nigerian heritage as compared to her East London upbringing, Yashere pokes fun at controversial issues while making people laugh.

A self-described class clown, Yashere studied engineering and built and repaired elevators after college. But on a summer off, when she decided to try out stand-up at an open-mic night, what was once a dare led to offers of other gigs, and a new career was born.

Her TV appearances range from The Tonight Show, Conan O’Brien, and Def Comedy Jam, the British Lenny Henry Show, to her solo show, Skinny Bitch, aired on Showtime.

That show’s inspiration can be found among Yashere’s YouTube clips, some of which share her experience undergoing a high-colonic irrigation in graphic detail.

Called one of the “Ten Fresh Lesbian Comics” by Cherry magazine, Yashere also recently toured with Poppy Champlin and other women

comics in the Queer Queens of Comedy tour, Olivia women’s cruises, and the popular Dinah women’s circuit events in Palm Springs. But Yashere has managed to avoid the sometimes limiting “lesbian comedian” category, performing for diverse audiences worldwide, including soldiers in Iraq.

Yashere will be taping a new comedy show on Sat., Sept. 22 at Brava Theatre. Kickstarter supporters will get prizes like T-shirts, downloads and other swag, including a vaca-

ca, I had to slow down my speech. In London, we speak a lot faster, and I’m an East Londoner, so I’ve gotten a bit more ‘posh’ for Americans. As far as the language is concerned, I do make a few adjustments. I know you guys say ‘gas’ instead of ‘petrol.’”

Yashere said she likes to play off a crowd for her longer sets. “I will talk with couples, gay or straight; materialwise, it’s what I do. But I don’t change my style too much.”

Yashere turns her British back-

“I had no intention of staying, but I discovered I’m a sunshine-and-palm-trees girl. ” – Gina Yashere on L.A.

tion stay at her home in Chang Mai, Thailand.

Yes, Thailand. Along with Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia, the stand-up comic travels a lot, which has led her to some odd discoveries, which, along with some recipes, she documents online (such as the potentially offensive Australian “Coon Cheese”).

Born and raised in comparatively foggy East London, Yashere said she likes to return to the U.K. “The standup scene is excellent, with New York a close second. Also, the clubs pay a lot more money in London.”

With certain cultural references, such as using London council flats as a punchline, Yashere does adjust some specific lines for American audiences.

“I’ve always kept my comedy flexible,” she said. “When I visit, I catch up on the scene. When I came to Ameri-

ground to an advantage. “Obviously, I’m a fish out of water, living in another cultural world.” Her new act, aptly titled Laughing to America, focuses on that. And the Sept. 22 taping, like her prior show, may be aired on Showtime or another network. Before that, backers of her DVD production will be able to download the show.

Asked about comic Louis CK’s independently produced and highly successful DVD sales campaign, which made millions online, Yashere noted the comparison is apt, but that Louis already had a large fan-base from his TV show. “We have the ability to put the power in our own hands.

But the fact is, television appearances make the live shows and other events work.”

Following her home city’s recent hosting of the Olympics and Paralympics, Yashere offered an exagger-

Gina Yashere has toured worldwide as a full-time comic.

ated sigh. “Thank God they carried it off! It was touch-and-go for a while, with the transport and all.” Yashere attended the Opening Ceremonies, which she called “great. The atmosphere was fantastic. They also had massive screens in Hyde Park to watch live events.”

In-between her return visits to London, Yashere performed in Spain, Holland and several Asian cities. As a headline performer on a few recent Atlantis gay cruises, Yashere said she

enjoyed her time “with 3,000 horny men. I never knew there was a top deck they call the ‘dick deck.’ One guy took me up there at about four in the morning. I saw things that cannot be unseen.”▼ Gina Yashere performs Sat., Sept. 22, 8 p.m. at Brava Theatre, 2781 24th St. $18-$20.

(800) 838-3006. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/262236 www.ginayashere.com

▼

Film >>

September 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 21

Pro-active in plaguetime

by David Lamble

States. We help people import drugs from other countries that are unapproved here, a whole variety of things for your treatment pleasure, none of which work, by the way.”

As one hardy survivor, Jim Eigo, recalls, people were desperate to get even the most risibly ridiculous “treatments” on the black market, “but we didn’t want a black market, we wanted to make the real market work.” And work it finally did – after years, and countless lives, and an almost civil war

I

n Act I of How to Survive a Plague, David French’s riveting history of the New York City chapter of ACT UP, a smug and cynical-acting Mayor Edward I. Koch is pressed by a young reporter to defend his record. Film of the City Hall news conference is cut together with a feisty exchange among the Mayor’s bitter opponents at an ACT UP membership meeting.

“Mr. Mayor, it wasn’t until 1983 that you met with people to deal with the AIDS crisis. How do you respond to these criticisms?”

“That it’s a falsehood.”

[ACT UP mtg.: “If we end up in the Tombs, is there like a queer tank, and would you recommend that we ask to be there?” [“There is a homo tank, and I’ve been there, and it’s better than the straight tank, let me tell you!”]

“Mr. Mayor, in the past you’ve described ACT UP members as fascist, yet in the press release you call them ‘concerned citizens.’”

“Fascists can be concerned citizens. I don’t believe they are fascists.

I think they have used a fascist tactic.”

While Koch exits the film at this point, his flippant demagoguery lingers as a haunting indictment of a political establishment that dithered for more than a decade as 1,000s of young men and women died from a modern plague. While French doesn’t waste much time on these modern-day Neros, there are trenchant glimpses of George H.W. Bush playing golf, Bill Clinton challenging an AIDS activist heckler, and most deliciously, queer-baiting Senator Jesse Helms reacting to ACT UP protesters wrapping his Virginia residence in an enormous condom.

In his emotionally incendiary play The Normal Heart, Larry Kramer has his activist protagonist suggest a pithy and obscene vehicle for reaching Mayor Koch. “Hire a hunky hustler, and send him up to Gracie Mansion with our plea tattooed on his cock.” While not quoting his famous play, French does have Kramer doing his impersonation of an angry Biblical prophet, restoring order at a chaotic ACT UP meeting with a look that would probably have gotten the job done in Sodom itself.

The bulk of Plague’s nearly twohour running time is devoted to an incisive portrait of how an extraordinary collection of ordinary citizens found each other in a crisis, figured out what the core problem was, and proceeded to attack it over a decade and a half, developing new tactics as they went, employing the full resources of the “greatest city in the world” media capital, but, at a time before the rollout of the Internet, YouTube, Google, Facebook and iPhones, relying significantly on brave mortals willing to sacrifice their bodies, Les Miserables-like, on the barricades. If

Members of a mass movement turned themselves into the instruments for streamlining the FDA’s lengthy drug-approval process.

you look closely, you can see an encounter between an NYPD mounted officer, his horse, and an implacable, middle-aged female protester that says everything that can be said about putting your body on the line when the times demand it.

French and his filmmaking team create some useful signposts on the film’s timeline, roughly 1981-96, when the miracle combinationdrug cocktails arrived. Each chapter starts from a blackout to a specific year, with a glimpse at a World AIDS death clock. As with David Weissman and Bill Weber’s heroic depiction of how the San Francisco AIDS treatment model evolved in We Were Here, How to Survive a Plague deals with the totally scary early plague years, when People with AIDS (PWAS) were literally evicted from their homes, dumped by families and lovers, and often refused hospital treatment. There’s a ghoulish scene where a snarling administrator tries to evict ACT UP demonstrators from his emergency room, in a moment reminiscent of the high satire of Paddy Chayefsky’s 1971 farce The Hospital.

Plague launches an ambitious recollection of how members of a political mass movement turned themselves into the instruments for streamlining the Food and Drug Administration’s lengthy drug approval process, and more significantly, actually partnered with FDA staff and drug company scientists to create new combinations of the toxic ingredients that would eventually slash HIV viral loads and save upwards of six million lives.

As the world turns and French’s AIDS Death Clock spins, I flashback on the memory of my good friend Robert P., and his desperate battle (circa 1990) to stay alive by taking what a female ACT UP member calls “what the hell” drugs: “There’s some evidence it could be useful, it’s unlikely to be harmful, what the hell!” For months Robert ingested egg lipids, Chinese cucumbers and the like in a futile bid to stave off the ticking bomb within, as I reported on KQED radio. In the film, there’s what can only

be termed a dark-comedy moment where volunteer Derek Link explains his job volunteering at the People with AIDS Health Group, “the largest underground buyers’ club in the United

within ACT UP over the controversial tactics of “collaborating with the enemy,” namely the FDA and drug companies. Victory was finally declared, not because of the politicians, but very much in spite of them.

One of the most uplifting moments at the end of this magnificent film is the sight of the hardy band of survivors who have aged normally, and now, paradoxically, face the once-unthinkable question of what to do with the rest of their lives.▼

<< Fine Art

22 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

▼

Gender expression & repression in China

by Sura Wood

T

ransformation is the dominant theme and would be a fitting title for Women, a thought-provoking, eye-opening new show at the Chinese Cultural Center that discusses feminism, gender and expressions – and repression – of diverse sexual identity in modern China. Women may seem like a confusing misnomer, but the Chinese character for “women” is the same as for “we,” an indication perhaps of the traditional cultural view of female autonomy.

This small but daring exhibit of drawings, paintings, videos, photographs and installations by a dozen, mostly straight (and a few LGBT) male and female artists from the U.S and China sent shockwaves through Shanghai when it debuted there last year, and elicited a deluge of angry responses; a warmer reception is anticipated here.

While it’s not an occasion for great art, and doesn’t claim to be, the exhibition does represent an important pulling-back of the veil on hidden sexual minorities who haven’t ventured forth until very recently, and rarely declare themselves. Self-identifying as anything other than straight is still a risky proposition in China; such declarations can still bring shame and social stigma, and threaten one’s professional career. If you’re an outspoken, independent woman there, you’re not on easy street. Think of the bad old, backward days in the U.S. during the 1950s and early 60s, when women were on valium and stuffed themselves into girdles (literally and metaphorically), and gays entered into sham marriages and led double lives, and you get a picture of the social climate in China, where the tentative emergence of gays mirrors, but has not kept pace with, the country’s rapid urbanization. Increasingly, Western influence and the Internet, despite strict government

Courtesy the artist

Courtesy the artist

Still from Moth, a video about gender identity by Mu Xi (2011).

controls, have allowed feminists and LGBT people access to information and connections to like-minded souls around the world. Though some may have gained more space to be themselves, many still feel safer remaining invisible. In My Little One, a documentary about the experiences of gays living in Guangzhou Province, the interviewees wear masks on-camera – a fashion designer even dons a rabbit’s head – to disguise their identities.

Filmmaker Er Gao, a dancer/choreographer whose avant-garde dancetheater dramas address gender, spoke with college students, members of advocacy groups, gay men married to unwitting women, and lesbians, who, confronted with the added burden of being female in a patriarchal and sexist culture, face the greatest discrimination.

For historical perspective, there’s Qui Jin, China’s answer to Joan of Arc. A feminist prototype and women’s rights activist in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, she attempted an armed uprising and became the first female martyr for China’s 1911 revolution. Her exploits are chronicled in Autumn Gem, a film by Bay Area

husband-and-wife team Rae Chang and Adam Tow; it can viewed at the show in iBook format.

Among the works most emblematic of a spirit of metamorphosis is 29-year-old Shanghai artist Mu Xi’s Moth, a striking video that poetically illustrates the ambiguity and fluidity of gender during adolescence, a period of sexual curiosity and experimentation. Derived from his painting “Portrait of Youth” and utilizing simple animation techniques, it shows a dancer, seen from behind, as he sprouts wings and evolves into other beings.

Hong Kong-born, San Francisco artist Man Yee Lam’s installation “Silk Cocoon,” a web of heavy white silk string leading to a life-size cocoon, is accompanied by a video in which the artist weaves herself into it, then cuts her way out of a confining structure of her devise, a process symbolizing rebirth. It’s based on stories of ancestors in her hometown of Shun De, where the silk production industry was run by a predominantly female work-force.

These financially self-sufficient women, contrary to custom, reject-

Silk Cocoon, installation and video by Man Yee Lam (2011).

ed marriage, took a vow of celibacy and were known as “self-combing” women.

Though most of the artists here are not part of the contemporary Chinese art boom, He Chengyao, a prominent and controversial performance artist in China, should be. In searing images that document her staged art and the toll of her troubled family history, she uses her naked body as canvas and battleground and her traumatic autobiography as content, an approach reminiscent of audacious Serbian provocateur Marina Abramovic. A former oil painter, He Chengyao was born to an unwed, disgraced teenage mother who, hounded by the incessant gossip in her town, went insane and ran through the streets naked; the humiliating spectacle and her mother’s mental illness are specters that haunt her work. “She was always running around naked with her hair in a mess,” the artist recalled in an interview on culturebase.net. “I’m always having flashbacks. I could never get away from it. When I grew up, I used to feel that it was me running naked, not my mum.”

Those blurred boundaries between mother and daughter are poignantly revealed in Mother and Me, a series of color portraits in which her mother is seated in a chair, slouched, vulnerable and childlike, nude except for a pair of white pants, while He Chengyao stands behind her, also half-naked, suggesting an inescapable legacy of pain passed down through the generations. Another photograph shows the artist hiking along the Great Wall partially nude – Chinese critics charged that she strips for sensationalism – but a group of pictures called 99 Needles tells a painful story of a woman wrestling with inner demons. Triggered by memories of her mother enduring an “acupuncture cure” – He Chengyao has compared her mother’s screams to those of a pig being slaughtered – she photographed her own face and body pierced by multiple needles, her contorted expression channeling bottomless anguish.▼ The Chinese Cultural Center is in on the 3rd floor of the Hilton Hotel, 750 Kearny St. Women runs through Nov. 30; free. www.c-c-c.org

Read more online at www.ebar.com

September 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 23

<< Theatre

24 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

▼

Ben Yalom

Amy Prosser, foreground, plays a spiritual guide who takes the passengers on a luxury cruise on a traumatic journey in Port Out, Starboard Home at Z Space.

Cruise control

by Richard Dodds

A

www.ebar.com

nother ship of fools is now ready to board. The lobby of Z Space is the embarkation terminal where personnel dressed in Capristyled nautical attire and frozen smiles distribute boarding passes, also known as the playbill for Port Out, Starboard Home. And just before the auditorium doors are opened, the staff performs a welcoming song. The tune is cheery, but the lyrics are edged in disdain.

“You are fools, for you know not what you need,” they trill while we supplicantly grin back.

Sheila Callaghan, who wrote Port Out in collaboration with foolsFURY Theatre, has castigation in mind as her cast of characters takes their places on the deck of a luxury cruise ship on which disco dancing, endless buffets, and spiritual enlightenment are on the itinerary.

“No one is stupid on a cruise,” says a gung-ho veteran voyager, who, like his fellow travelers, disguises a deepseated unhappiness behind a facade.

All eyes are on the mysterious Maya, wafting through the group carrying an infant, who will be their guide on a promised spiritual adventure of an unknown nature.

The playwright is well-known in the “downtown” New York theater scene, and foolsFURY will be encoring its production at La MaMa Etc. late in the fall. It’s hard to get a clear

fix on Callaghan as a writer from Port Out, for her words are there as an unsubtle framework for a piece that combines stylized dialogue, quirky movements, and choreographed numbers. The mood can range from a burlesque interpretation of a glutinous attack on a buffet line to morning-after wooziness as the stricken passengers emerge from their spiritual session with Maya.

Director Ben Yalom, along with choreographer Erika Chong Shuch, have found inventive ways to communicate a mood as well as a message on Dan Stratton’s sleek deckside set. The actors unevenly connect with their respective characters, but all demonstrate fortitude in communicating the non-traditional material that leaves the characters definitely sadder and only possibly wiser.

Fortunately for the audience, the spiritual session takes place offstage, and we hear about it after the fact. It’s meant as a slap across the face for the shipboard participants, and by extension, for the audience.

We may all be guilty of pampered complacency, although the only knowable commonality is that we are all theatergoers. Bad on us, I guess.▼ Port Out, Starboard Home will run through Sept. 23 at Z Space.

Tickets ($20-$35): (800) 838-3006 or go to www.zpace.org.

▼

Books>>

September 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 25

Kink du jour

by Jim Piechota Playing Well with Others

by Lee Harrington & Mollena Williams; Greenery Press, $19.95

E

rotic and BDSM educators Lee Harrington and Mollena Williams have produced the ultimate handbook for understanding and playing within and around the wide, wonderful BDSM and kink communities in Playing Well with Others. Whether you’re dipping your toes in for the first time or are an experienced participant with sling rings above your bed, this book can serve as both an educational tool and an inventive refresher course.

Proud, self-described “Sexual Sherpas” Harrington and Williams split their guidebook into 11 chapters, with four appendices (glossary, hanky codes, resources for “kinky inspiration,” etc.), encompassing an “everything you need to know” approach without being overbearing, unduly graphic, or oversimplified.

Comprehensively examining this

particular “realm of sexuality perceived to be outside the mainstream” is no easy feat; there are limitless variations and levels of interest and skill at play, all at the same time. They start slow in discussing the “who” (a “mind-boggling” variety of humans!) and “why” (it’s sexy, arousing, adventuresome, and exploratory) of the kink world, and suggest different means through which a person can begin to immerse themselves in the community. Through private parties, public events, and Internet connections, the authors encourage readers to get out there and discover new experiences, but are quick to dispel myths and dispense etiquette standards for the kink and BDSM communities. As with any group, there are jerks and closedminded posers, they warn, and different clothing statements can mean vastly different things within different relationships.

One myth they discuss is both timely and relevant to today’s cul-

ture: the assumption that “the past was the golden age of BDSM.” Harrington and Williams argue that the community has indeed not “fallen from grace,” but still remains intact with fresh, younger-minded perspectives collectively integrating with the “old guard.” Instinct,

r responsibility, courtesy and r respect remain the corners stones of the community, they a assert, and in looking back, ack knowledge that “we are forever i indebted to those who came b before us as sexual explorers.”

The authors offer bars, fet tish balls, kink parties, sex-ed c classes, private dungeons, publi play spaces and samplers as lic fine opportunities to explore y your inner kinkiness and conn to a tribe that suits your nect n needs and makes you feel alive a welcomed. and Auxiliary chapters include d discussions on negotiations, “ “behavior awareness” (one of th the best and truest chapters in th the book), play spaces (what’s a “squick”?), what and how to pack for larger leather/kink events (including whether or not to check toys in your luggage), and the nuances of networking and making friends (and/or play partners) in a multi-diverse community with members that can run the gamut from the shy and introverted to

You’ve got to be carefully taught

by Tavo Amador

A

re all homosexuals “gay,” in the modern sense of the word? No, insists David M. Halperin in How To Be Gay (Belknap Harvard Press, $35).

For him, embracing “gay culture” is independent of sexual behavior, thus theoretically appealing to heterosexuals and lesbians. What is “gay culture?”

According to Halperin, who is openly gay and teaches the History and Theory of Sexuality at the University of Michigan, it’s based on “camp,” a concept briefly discussed by Christopher Isherwood in his 1954 novel The World in the Evening, then given

wider attention by Susan Sontag in her 1964 essay Notes on “Camp.” Sontag admitted it was difficult to define, but included an exaggerated emphasis on style, a love of artifice, and a way of converting the serious into the frivolous. She linked camp to perspectives held by gay men. Halperin builds on Sontag’s foundation, adding that gay culture centers around enthusiastic admiration for a certain type of female star.

His book resulted from a class of the same title that he taught at Ann Arbor, which attracted national attention and led to speculation that he was instructing students in explicit maleto-male sexual behavior, which was hardly the case. In essence, Halperin sees camp and gay culture as embracing male femininity, thus defusing it of its pejorative connotations. On a personal level, it took him awhile to

get to that point. For example, while living in San Francisco in the 1970s, he would attend “serious” films at the Castro Theatre, but avoided gay favorites like The Women (1939). He didn’t understand the appeal of female deities, such as Judy Garland, enshrined in many gay men’s pantheons.

In How To Be Gay, he focuses on Joan Crawford (1906-77) in her Oscar-winning performance as Mildred Pierce (1945). Halperin admits that had he selected another actress and film, his conclusions about gay culture would be different. Crawford is a surprising choice, but one he justifies because in films like Heathers ((1988), a new generation lilinked fascination with her to gay males. He cites referen ences to Mildred Pierce in co contemporary punk-rock so songs, the renewed intere in Crawford spurred est b her adopted daughter by C Christina’s vicious and h highly suspect memoir M Mommie Dearest, and the 1 1981 Faye Dunaway film v version of the book. He a also mentions Lypsinka’s v various cabaret acts based o Crawford. on For Halperin, Crawf ford’s Mildred is strong, s successful, glamorous, yet a abject and tortured by her u ungrateful daughter, Veda ( (Ann Blyth). He believes that Crawford embodies these conflicting traits in a way that makes her u uniquely appealing to a gay male sensibility. To him, the key scene in the movie – when Mildred tells Veda to get out before she kills her – symbolizes gay male culture.

The moment is tragic and campy, with melodramatic dialogue delivered without humor.

Crawford was likely a late arrival to the Gay Pantheon, probably not entering it until the mid-1950s, after 25 years as a major star. For decades, her primary audience was workingclass women. Bette Davis, Tallulah Bankhead, Mae West, Katharine Hepburn, Ethel Merman, all of whom had strong personalities with exaggerated, easily and frequently imitated voices and mannerisms, were probably more popular with gay men in the 1930s and 40s than Crawford was, and they continued to appeal to gay Baby Boomers. Halperin concedes that for most young gay men today, Crawford

has been replaced by Madonna and Lady Gaga.

He discusses gay culture’s relationship to misogyny, and understands why many feminists decry it. He insists, however, that camp transcends misogyny by honoring the female component of many gay men’s personalities. He’s impatient with the Brokeback Mountain view of hypermasculine gay men.

While the male homophobic tree has many roots, perhaps the deepest, widest, and strongest is misogyny, which presumes that when two men

have sex, one is playing the “female” part, because he is being penetrated.

Even in Ancient Greece, which venerated the love between a young man and a teenage boy as the ideal romantic relationship, the younger partner’s allowing himself to be entered was regarded as an extraordinary act of love, something his lover could only hope to enjoy after a careful courtship. At least that was the official story. Scholar K.J. Dover argued that homoerotic sex in Ancient Greece was intercrural and See page 38 >>

the sexually-expressive, to the allhugging, “hippie-granola” types.

Throughout the exploration of this unique community’s kaleidoscopic array of members, the authors implore one universal suggestion to ensure everyone’s comfort and level of general hygene: “Just bathe.”

The authors, both experienced in the exploration and educational application of sexuality and spirituality, are a unique team with interesting histories of their own.

Self-described “Executive Pervert” Williams is a former Ms. San Francisco Leather (2009), International Ms. Leather (2010), and a founding member of San Francisco’s Crowded Fire Theater Company, while Harrington, a transman, is a noted author, blogger, gender explorer, and adult-film performer. Together they combine their wit and 30+ years of kink wisdom in creating this indispensable guidebook for anyone with a curiosity about the darker side of sex, and the push and pull of dominant/submissive relationships that symbiotically orbit the otherworldly leather and kink universe.▼

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

26 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

▼

Music >>

Don’t rain on her parade Gems on an upcoming release from Barbra Streisand

by David-Elijah Nahmod

F

ew people deserve our love and support as much as Barbra Streisand. As far back as 1992, when Elton, Ellen and Rosie were still in the closet, Barbra was taking very public, courageous stands for LGBT equality. This was an extraordinary thing to do at a time when we were still largely invisible in popular culture. Then there’s that extraordinary voice. Can anyone alive today sing as beautifully as Barbra?

In Release Me, her upcoming offering, Streisand pulls 11 previously unreleased tracks from her vaults.

All had been recorded for earlier albums, and for reasons unknown, rejected from them. As a few of these songs date back to the 1970s, some may listen to these lovely tunes and wax nostalgic for the good old days when their favorite diva was still in full voice. But as she proved with her 2009 album Love Is the Answer, Barbra’s voice has lost none of its power

over the years.

Selections on Release Me include the great torch song “Willow Weep for Me.” With a full orchestra, Barbra intones one of the ultimate “cry in your beer” lyrics: “Whisper to the wind to say our love has sinned, to leave my heart a-breakin’.” Is there a person alive who can honestly say that these words have never applied to them? Is there a singer alive better able to get under the skin of these lyrics and give them new meaning? With her incredible range and her incomparable ability to convey emotion, Barbra weeps with her voice.

During her 1993 concert at New York City’s Madison Square Garden (still available on CD), Streisand expressed her affection for songs that tell a story. In the lovely “Mother and Child,” she’s a young Mom who’s just put her baby to bed, hoping that her little girl is safe and warm during the night. But midway through the song, her voice rises by

several octaves. She becomes the child in the next room, hoping that Mommy is on the other side of the door, watching over her. The effect is quite sweet.

Broadway show tunes have been a big part of Barbra’s career. Her superstar status was in fact cemented in 1964, when she starred in the Great White Way production of Funny Girl. On Release Me, she offers her own classic take on two show tunes that are steeped in magic and fantasy: Her medley of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” from Finian’s Rainbow and “The Heather on the Hill” from Brigadoon represents classic Broadway at its best.

She also offers a remake of “With One More Look at You,” which originally served as the first half of her finale number from A Star is Born in 1976. In the film, the song was a funeral march of sorts – her character Esther had just lost her husband.

On the CD, the song is given a more Pop/Top 40 edge.

If there’s a standout among the 11 tracks, one that towers head and shoulders above the others, it would no doubt be Barbra’s stunning take on Randy Newman’s “I Think It’s Going To Rain Today.” The most simply produced of all the selections, it features nothing more than a gentle, in-studio piano performance. Barbra pulls back for this song, singing under the music a la Peggy Lee, rather than performing in her trademark belt. When she sings “scarecrows dressed in the latest styles, with frozen smiles to chase love away,” many of us will no doubt shake our heads sadly as we recall the times we went looking for love in all the wrong places.

Barbra Streisand is now 70 years old. Firmly ensconced as a legend

DVD >>

Sweet nothings

by Gregg Shapiro

M

y Blueberry Nights (Weinstein Co.) You’re going to wish that you had a slice of warm blueberry pie and a scoop of vanilla ice cream to give you a little sugar buzz after sitting through Wong Kar Wai’s drowsy English language debut My Blueberry Nights, out on DVD. A postmodern road movie dipped in the candycolored neon of New York, Memphis and Las Vegas, it stars singer/

songwriter Norah Jones making her acting debut as Lizzie. After getting her heart broken, she becomes yet another lover on the lam who leaves her keys in the fishbowl at the diner run by Jeremy (Jude Law). Jeremy’s keys are in there, too, and he tells Lizzie the stories behind the keys and their owners.

After nourishing herself and her spirit at the diner, Lizzie hits the road for Memphis, where she attempts to make a fresh start.

Waitressing at a diner during the day and a tavern at night, she meets

A Arnie (David Strathairn), a c whose separation from cop w Sue Lynn (Rachel Weisz) wife d drives him to drink and w worse.

While on the road, L Lizzie sends Jeremy postcards k keeping him abreast of h situation. Following a her t tragedy in Memphis, Lizzie h heads west and ends up waitressing in a Nevada casino where she meets Leslie (Natalie Portman), a Jaguar-driving gambler

who will be well-remembered long after we’re all gone, she shows no signs of slowing down. Reportedly, she’ll be playing Mama Rose in an upcoming remake of Gypsy. She’ll also be performing in concert at the HP Pavilion in San Jose on November 5. For millions of Barbraholics, Release Me will serve as a reminder of just how great her talent is. It will rev up the masses to line up for her future appearances.▼ Release Me will be available on October 9 in both CD and vinyl editions.

who gets Lizzie to go to Vegas with her to make amends with her father.

Back in New York, Jeremy is finalizing the end of his relationship with Katya (Chan Marshall aka musician Cat Power, a prominent voice on the soundtrack). As the year comes to a close, Lizzie’s on the road again, and you don’t need a crystal ball to figure out where she’s bound. My Blueberry Nights isn’t a total failure or stain on Wong Kar Wai’s resume (which also includes the gay-themed film Happy Together), but it doesn’t live up to its sweet promise. DVD special features include a Q&A with the director, a making-of featurette and more.▼

Read more online at www.ebar.com

September 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 27

<< Out&About

28 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

Tie It Into my Hand @ ODC Theater

(8:45pm). $8.50-$11. 429 Castro St. 6216120. www.castrotheatre.com

Divining Divas @ Books Inc Editor Michael Montlack and contributors Christian Gullette, Montoya Rose, Kevin Killian, Jay Siegel, Kirk Read and Wonder Dave read from their contributions to the anthology of essays by gay men about their female icons. 2275 Market St. www.booksinc.net

Scott Suchman

Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes @ The Rrazz Room

The Normal Heart

New; normal

by Jim Provenzano

A

recent study of gay male sexual behavior showed that fewer people are practicing safe sex. In fact, the highest risk groups are men in their mid50s, and late 20s. Whether you’re among the generation that experienced the early AIDS crisis, or the one that thinks it mere history, it seems everyone needs a little reality bitchslap about HIV. Fortunately, Larry Kramer’s play The Normal Heart is enjoying an acclaimed local run at American Conservatory Theatre.

See George C. Wolfe’s Tony Award-winning revival of the strikingly still-relevant drama about the early years of the AIDS crisis in New York City, with a stellar cast of Broadway and TV actors. $25-$80. Tue-Sat 8pm.

Sat & Sun 2pm. Some special curtain times.

Special events and pre-curtain discussions through the run (Theatre on the Couch, Sept 21; AIDS Then, Sept 22; Audience exchange Sept 25, Out with A.C.T. Sept 26). Thru Oct. 7. 415 Geary St. 749-2228. www.act-sf.org Family Programming Are having gaybies and double-wide strollers The New Normal? Perhaps in Ryan Murphy’s latest extra-gay TV show. Survey variations on “family values” at Family Programming, seven gay-themed short plays (by Steven Korbar, Rodney Taylor, rich Orloff, Joseph Frank/ Aaron Tworek, James A. Martin and Chauncey Wales) from Left Coast Theatre Company, the producers of the popular Eat Our Shorts series. $15-$20. ThuSat 8pm. Thru Oct.13. Shelton Theater, 533 Sutter St. www.leftcoasttheatreco.org We also value sex; naughty, ribald and risqué. Get your kinky weekend started off with Tom Orr at The Rrazz Room.

The Devil Wears Nada!, the gay comic singer’s new naughty show, includes the Tom Shaw Trio accompanying. $25-$30. 2-drink min. Friday, Sept. 21.

10:30pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.TheRrazzRoom.com Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! It may be church and drag racing for the ‘normal’ types, but it’s leather and kink Tom Orr drag for Bay Areans. The Folsom Street Fair, the largest street fair of its kind, once again fills SoMa with leatherclad kinksters, looky-loos and booths showcasing kinky products and tasty food and beverages. Stage acts include AB Soto (our September BARtab cover cutie) and many others. Donations at the gates. Sunday, Sept. 23. 11am-6pm.

Folsom Street between 11th and 7th. www.folsomstreetevents.org For more fun, Deviants at Public Works, the official after-Folsom outdoor/indoor 12hour dance entertainment event, features DJ collectives Honey Soundsystem, Hard French, Horse Meat Disco (in from London) and Stereogamous (from Australia!), plus outdoor bars, food carts, drag and kink fun. $20-$30. 3pm-3am. 161 Erie St. at Mission.

Jim Provenzano www.deviantsarcade.com Folsom Street Fair.

Thu 20>> Afterschool Special @ Oddball Cinema Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack!, an odd anti-drug TV movie with June Lockhart as the mom! Plus odd trailers and vintage commericals. Sept 21, Strange Cinema, an offbeat short film sampler. Both $10, 8pm.

275 Capp St. 558-8117. www.oddballfilms.blogspot.com

Big Book Sale @ Fort Mason Center Friends of the Public Library’s annual massive used/overstock book sale, with bargains by the pound; everything $1-$3.

10am-6pm. Thru Sept 23. Festival Pavilion, Marina Blvd, at Buchanan. 626-7500. www.friendssfpl.org

Children’s Hospital Benefit Concert @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Lady Antebellum headlines a concert benefit for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, with comic Dana Carvey, and other guests.

MC Hammer DJs the after-party at City Hall. $250-$1000. 6:30 reception, 8pm concert.

99 Grove St. 476-6400. www.theconcertforucsfbch.com

Classic Films @ Castro Theatre Enjoy a week’s worth of interesting double and triple-features at the beautiful theatre.

Sept 20, Office Space (7pm) and Secretary

Veteran R&B group (“If You Don’t Know Me

by Now,” “The Love I Lost”) performs their classic hits. $30-$37.50. Thru Sept 23, various times. 2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (800) 380-3095. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Homo File, Fuck My Life @ CounterPulse Seth Eisen’s multi-layered performance exploration of gay rights author, scholar and tattoo artist Sam Steward; and Xandra Ibarra’s darkly comic study of Hollywood “Latina bombshells.” $20-$30. Thu-Sun 8pm. Thru Sept 30. 1310 Mission st at 9th.

626-2060. www.counterpulse.org

Music Matters Variety Show @ Victoria Theatre Concert fundraiser for local elementary school band programs, with The Whoa Nellies, Darius Rose, Alan Choy, Becky Jones, Jessica Aebi, Linda Kosut, Tom Shaw & Roberta Drake, and Thomas Stafford & The Tom Cats. $25. 7pm. 2961 16th St. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/265784

Fri 21>> Chinglish @ Berkeley Rep David Henry Hwang’s ( M. Butterfly) hilarious play, direct from its New York run, set in China, explores the cultural and linguistic confusion a businessman faces while attempting to secure a lucrative company contract. $15-$99. Tue, & Thu-Sat 8pm.

Wed & Sun 7pm. Also Sat & Sun 2pm.

Extended thru Oct. 21. Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St. at Shattuck, Berkeley. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org

The Ella Effect @ Shotwell Studios The local singer/dancer Josh Klipp and his band The Klipptones celebrate the life and music of Ella Fitzgerald (who was a dancer before becoming a singer), along with Freeplay Dance Crew, Sarah Bush Dance Project and others. $15. 8pm & 9:30pm only. 3252A 19th St. http://www.brownpapertickets. com/event/267259 www.joshklipp.com

Erotic Art Exhibition @ Gallery 4N5 Second annual group exhibit of nude, fetish and kink art, mostly straight, or of women.

Kink, fetish and bondage demos daily. $5.

21+. 4pm-10pm. Sept 22, 1pm-10pm. Sept 23, 12pm-5pm. 863 Mission St. at 6th. www.eroticartevents.com

Grand Opening @ Buble Street, Sausalito Opening reception for a new art gallery focusing on imaginary realism, NeoVictorian and Steampunk arts. 6pm-9pm.

565 Bridgeway Blvd., Sausalito. 339-0506. www.danielmerriam.com

Hansel & Hansel @ Performance Art Institute

Fri 21 Hungarian Rhapshody: Queen Live in Budapest @ Embarcadero Cinema Remastered concert film of the classic rock band, and Freddie Mercury’s last filmed concert performance. $12. 7:30pm. Also Sept 23, 2pm & Sept 27, 7:30pm.

1 Embarcadero Center. 352-0835.

Also at other theatres. www.queenonline.com www.landmarktheatres.com

Open Studio @ Mark I. Chester Studio The veteran leather-kink photographer displays his iconic imagery, and offers a free digital portrait of you and your leather pals, subs, masters, and whatevers. 7pm-10pm.

Sept 22 1pm-5pm. Sept 23, 11am-6pm.

1229 Folsom St. 621-6294. Also exhibited at Wicked Grounds thru November.

289 8th St. www.markichester.com www.wickedgrounds.com

The Other Place @ Magic Theatre Sharr White’s acclaimed thriller about a strange Cape Cod unexplained mystery. $22-$62. Tue 7pm. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2:30pm. Thru Oct. 7. Fort Mason Center, Bldg. D, 3rd floor. Marina Blvd at Buchanan.

441-8822. www.magictheatre.org

Port Out, Starboard Home @ Z Space Fools Fury Company performs Sheila Callaghan’s black comedy about a group of cruise ship tourists who stumble upon a mysterious island ritual. $12-$35. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Thru Sept 23. 450 Florida St. www.zspace.org

The Real Americans @ The Marsh Dan Hoyle returns with his acclaimed solo show with multiple characters based on his travels to the most liberal and conservative regions of America. $25-$50. Fri 8pm. Sat 8:30pm. Thru Sept 29. 1062 Valencia St. 282-3055.www.themarsh.org

SF L/G Freedom Band @ Ebenezer Herchurch San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band kicks off its 35th Anniversary Concert Season with the world premiere performance of two new arrangements of rarely performed compositions: John Philip Sousa’s Humoresque, The Band Came Back and Ferde Grofe’s Valley of the Sun Suite. Free. 8pm.

678 Portola Drive. Also Sept 23, 4pm, at Terra Nova Theater, 1450 Terra Nova Blvd.

255-1355. www.sflgfb.org

Crowded Fire Theatre Company’s production of Rachel Willson-Broyles’s translation of Jona Hassen Khemiri’s Obie-winning dark comedy about Middle Eastern misrepresentations. $15-$30. Wed-Sat 8pm. Thru Sept 29. 505 Natoma St. www.crowdedfire.org

My Fair Lady @ SF Playhouse Modern stripped-down adaptation of the Lerner & Lowe classic musical based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion. $20$50. Tue-Thu 7pm.Fri & Sat 8pm. Sun 3pm.

Thru Sept. 29. 533 Sutter St. 677-9596. www.sfplayhouse.org

Trannyshack @ DNA Lounge Kylie Minogue gets the drag lipsync treatment from host Heklina, Miss Rahni, Becky Motorlodge, Cookie Dough, Ambrosia Salad, Mahlae Balenciaga, Lindsay Slowhands, The Rice Rockettes, U-Phoria and others. $15. 9:30-3am. Show at 11pm. 375 11th St. www.dnalounge.com

Sat 22>> Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi Musical comedy revue, now in its 35th year, with an ever-changing lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs.

Reg: $25-$130. Wed, Thu, Fri at 8pm. Sat 6:30, 9:30pm. Sun 2pm, 5pm. (Beer/wine served; cash only). 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd (Green St.). 421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com

Cindy Sherman @ SF MOMA Retrospective touring exhibit of 150 photos by the artist who poses as different fascinating and obscure characters. Free-$18. Daily 11am-5:30pm, except Wed. late Thu until 8:45pm. Thru Oct. 8. 151 Third St. www.sfmoma.org

Les Délices @ St. Mary Magdalen, Berkeley SF Early Music Society presents a new wind trio, who perform works by Couperin, Chavon and Lambert. $30-$35. 7:30pm.

Also Sept 23, 4pm at St. Mark’s Lutheran, 1111 O’Farrell St. www.sfems.org

The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Diety @ Aurora Theatre, Berkeley Aurora Theatre Company’s production of Kristoffer Diaz’ smart, action-packed play about racial stereotypes in the world of professional wrestling. $32-$50. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm & 7pm., Also Tue 7pm. Thru Sept 30. 2081 Addison St. (510) 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org

Gina Yashere @ Brava Theatre British-Nigerian comic performs her act for a DVD taping. See interview on page 20. $20-$18. 8pm. 2781 24th St. at York. (800) 838-3006. www.ginayashere.com www.Brava.org

Hal Sparks @ Yoshi’s Actor-comedian ( Queer as Folk) performs his irreverent stand-up act. $24-$28. 8pm & 10pm. 1330 Fillmore St. www.yoshis.com

Henry V @ Presidio Parade Lawn SF Shakepeare Festival’s production of The Bard’s political royal drama; Bring a blanket, a picnic and enjoy fascinating outdoor theatre. Free. 2pm. Also Sept 23. Main Post Parade Ground Lawn, Graham St. at Lincoln Blvd. www.sfshakes.org

Iconic dancer-choreographer, known mostly for her work with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre and her own company, shares an onstage conversation about her career with journalist Farai Chideya. $20-$30. 8pm.

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St. 979-2787. www.ybca.org

Invasion! @ Boxcar Playhouse

Shakespeare’s summer romantic comedy, where fairies make asses of humans, gets an appropriate outdoor production by Marin Shakes. In repertory with The Liar. $20-$35.

Thru Sept 30. Dominican University of California, 890 Belle Ave., San Rafael.

499-4488. www.marinshakespeare.org

Paul Festa’s experimental dance-music film, about art and the teacher-student connection, includes violin-playing performances

by Alan Cumming, Peter Coyote, Mink Stole, Robert La Fosse, Miguel Gutierrez, Yannis Adoniou, Carey Perloff, Tony Taccone, Daniel Handler, Barbara Hammer, Theophilus Brown, and Wesla Whitfield. Also, a screening of his glam silent comedy, The Glitter Emergency. Also Sept 22. $15-$35. 7pm. 3153 17th St. 863-9834. www.odctheater.org

Judith Jamison @ Lam Research Theater

Niki Ulehla’s unique puppet & marionette show recreates the old fairy tale, with Exhidna’s Choir Boys. $15-$20. 8pm. Also Sept 22. 75 Boardman Place. 501-0575. www.theperformanceartinstitute.org

A Midsummer Night’s Dream @ Forest Meadows Ampitheatre

▼

Q Jitterbugs @ Magnet Monthly swing dancing, with lessons, for same- and opposite-sex partners. $10.

7pm-9:30pm. 4122 18th St. www.QueerJitterbugs.com www.MagnetSF.org

Thu 20 SF International South Asian Film Festival @ Castro, Roxie Theaters Third annual five-day festival of 20 documentary and narrative features and short films from nine countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, The Maldives, Canada, South Africa, UK and the US. Thru Sept 23. $15 single to $135 full pass. Castro: 429 Castro St. Roxie, 3117 16th St. Also at Camera 12 Downtown, 201 South 2nd St., San Jose. www.thirdi.org

(re)collection @ Intersection for the Arts Group exhibit collaboration with Lost and Found: Family Photos Swept by the 3.11 East Japan Tsunami. Free. Tue-Sat 12pm-6pm.

Thru Oct. 27. 925 Mission St. at 5th. www.theintersection.org

SF Hiking Club @ Muddy Hollow Join GLBT hikers for an 8-mile hike starting at Limantour Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore. The area around Muddy Hollow is good for wildlife viewing. Bring water, lunch, sturdy shoes, jacket, hat, sunscreen. Carpool meets 8:15 at Safeway sign, Market & Dolores. 596-1304. www.sfhiking.com

▼

Out&About >>

September 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 29

12:30-6pm. Marina Green Blvd at Fillmore.

Free but mat-space RSVP required: www.sf.wanderlustfestival.com

Mon 24>> Piano Bar 101 @ Martuni’s Sing-along night with talented locals, and charming accompanist Joe Wicht (aka Trauma Flintstone). 9pm. 4 Valencia St. at Market. www.dragatmartunis.com

Ten Percent @ Comcast 104

Wed 26 Niagara Falling @ Renoir Hotel Jo Kreiter’s Flyaway Productions’ women aerial dance company performs another amazing outdoor work, with a suspended boat, scaffold and wall dancing, and video projections.

Free. 8:30 and 9:30pm. Thru Sept 29. 7th St. at Market. www.flyawayproductions.com

Strange Travel Suggestions @ The Marsh Oakland author Jeff Greenwald’s witty insightful solo show about his travels and wanderlust, with audience participatory “spin the wheel” story selection. $20-$50.

Saturdays only, 8:30pm. Thru Sept. 29.

1062 Valencia St. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org

Tour de Fat @ Golden Gate Park New Belgium Beer’s annual festival of fun, cycling and beer! Live acts, music, tune-ups, funky fashions and outdoor amusements. Join or renew a membership with the SF Bicycle Coalition and get a free beer. $5 beers, free bike valet. 10am-5pm.

Lindley Meadow. www.sfbike.org/?fat

of modern piano classics by Igor Stravinsky, John Coltrane, John Cage, Sun Rah and other composers. $15-$20. 4pm. Thru Oct. 7. 75 Boardman Place. 501-0575. www.theperformanceartinstitute.org

Delphi Trio @ Old First Church Aritsts-in-residence perform newly commissioned works by composer Sahba Aminikia, plus masterworks of the piano trio repertoire. $14-$17. 4pm. 1751 Sacramento St. at Van Ness. 474-1608. www.oldfirstconcerts.org

William S. Paley Collection @ de Young Museum A Taste for Modernism, a new exhibit of varied and little seen Modern Art works collected by the New York art patron with a diverse taste, including paintings by Cezanne, Picasso, Matisse Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec and others. $10-$20. Tue-Sun 9:30am5:15pm. (til 8:45pm Fridays) Thru Dec. 30.

Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. 750-3600. www.famsf.org

Women 我們 @ Chinese Cultural Center Exhibit of works video works, installation art, photography, sculpture, and more by a diverse array of LGBTQ artists including Mu Xi, Yang Meiyan, He Chengyao, and other emerging artists based in China as well as five U.S.-based artists, among them Man Yee Lam and Stella Zhang. Tue-Sat 10am4pm. 750 Kearny St., 3rd floor (inside the Hilton Hotel). 986-1822. www.c-c-c.org

Sun 23>> AIDS Quilt Interactive @ San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles

Mauro Fortissimo and Robert Soper (with weekly guests) perform in weekly concerts

Still Life & Tromp L’Oeil @ John Pence Gallery Group exhibit of subtle, colorful “fool the eye” and still life paintings by local and regional artists. Exhibit thru Oct. 6. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. Sat til 6pm. 750 Post St. 441-1138. www.johnpence.com

Thunder From Down Under @ The Rrazz Room

Sun 23 Bear Comedy Night @ Deco Lounge Charlie Ballard hosts a night of gay ursine laughs, with Kurt Weitzmann, David Gborie, Nick Leonard, Antwan Johnson, Richard Dreyling, Bobby Salem, Alex Q. Huffman, Tommy Broome and Al Gonzales. $10. 21+. 510 Larkin St. 346-2025. www.decosf.com

Imagining Val Travel @ Glama-Rama Salon Local collage artist Tofu’s exhibit focuses on vintage travel imagery, based on his research discovering that the salon’s building formerly housed Val Travel agency at the height of the “glam travel” 60s. On view thru Nov. 3. 304 Valencia St at 14th. www.tofuart.com www.glamarama.com

Sunday’s a Drag @ Starlight Room Donna Sachet and Harry Denton host the weekly fabulous brunch and drag show. $45. 11am, show at noon; 1:30pm, show at 2:30pm. 450 Powell St. in Union Square.

395-8595. www.harrydenton.com

Wanderlust Yoga in the City @ Little Marina Green Les Leventhal and Mark Morford are two of several instructors who lead a huge outdoor yoga day, with music, speakers and swag.

The Australian male strip troupe performs its women-focused show. $35-$55. Thru Oct 6. Wed & Thu 8pm. Fri & Sat 7pm & 9:30pm. 2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (800) 380-3095. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Thu 27>> Keith Hennessy/ Circo Zero @ YBCA Innovative politically-focused choreographer and his performance ensemble premiere Turbulence (a dance about the economy), with alternating guest performers Laura Arrington, Jesse Hewit, Emily Leap, Jorge De Hoyos and Hana Erdman. $15-$25. Thu-Sat 8pm. Thru Sept. 29. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Forum, 701 Mission St. 979-2787. www.ybca.org

LunaFest @ Herbst Theater 12th annual fundraising film festival dedicated to promoting awareness about women’s issues, highlighting women filmmakers and bringing women together in their communities. $10-$50. 6pm reception, 7:30 screening. 401 Van Ness Ave. www.lunafest.org

Rhinocéros @ Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley Parisian-based Théâtre de la Ville performs an internationally acclaimed new production of Eugène Ionesco’s masterpiece of absurdist dark satire about social conformity and fascism. $30-$90. 8pm. Also Sept 28, 8pm. Sept 29, 2pm. Bancroft Way at Telegraph Ave., UC Berkeley campus. (510) 642-9988. www.calperformances.org

Zhukov Dance Theatre @ Z Space Choreographer and set designer Yuri Zhukov’s fifth season of new balletic yet ultra modern works, Product 05: Coin/C/Dance, about unplanned coincidence and chance, performed by his amazing dancers. $20$50. 8pm nightly thru Sept 29. 450 Florida St. www.zhukovdance.org

Art in Nature @ Redwood Regional Park, Oakland

A Brief History of the Piano @ Performance Art Institute

For Love and Community: Queer Asian Pacific Islanders Take Action 1960-1990s, a new exhibit organized by queer and transgender Asian Pacific Islanders. 4127 18th St. 621-1107. www.glbthistorymuseum.org

Enjoy groovy surf guitar music by the lesbian musician and her band. $5. 5pm. 1304 Lincoln Ave. Alameda. www.susansurftone.com

New exhibit marking the 25th anniversary of the AIDS Quilt; a 42-inch interactive touchscreen tabletop that allows users to search through and examine detailed individual images from the 1.3 million square feet of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Tue-Sun, 10am-5pm. (Also 7pm-11pm first Fridays).

Thru Oct. 14. 520 South First St., San Jose.

(408) 971-0323. www.sjquiltmuseum.org

Samavesha’s annual music art and alt. culture day, in a beautiful woodsy section of the park, with 200 artists and themed areas. Bring lunch and beverages (no food/ drink sales onsite). Free/donations. 11am5pm. Stream Trail, Redwood Regional Park.

Shuttle buses at Merritt College parking lot, 12500 Campus Drive, Oakland. Oakland. www.artinnaturefestival.org

For Love and Community @ GLBT History Museum

Susan Surftone @ Forbidden Island, Alameda

Wish You Were Here @ YBCA Season opening party with a debutante ball theme; performances by Double Duchess, Kirk Read, Maryam Farnaz Rostami, Mica Sigourney/VivvyAnne Forevermore, DJ Doc Sleep and Tim Fite, drinks, nibblies, and artsy fun. $5-$10. 8pm-12am. Galleries and lobby, 701 Mission St. www.ybca.org

Tue 25>>

Wed 26>>

Twelfth Night @ Hyde Street Pier We Players’ latest outdoor theatre adventure brings Shakespeare’s mistaken identity, gender-bending, romantic comedy, set at Illyria’s seaport, to the historic local pier.

Evening show includes a live jazz band, drinks and snacks. $40-$60. Fri 5:30. Sat & Sun 12pm & 5:309pm. Thru Oct. 7. Jefferson St. at Hyde. 547-0189. www.weplayers.org

David Perry’s talk show about LGBT people and issues. This week, Perry chats with noted gay composer David Conte and speaks with designer and “sexual yoga” teacher Kaidan Erwin. Mon-Fri 11:30am & 10:30pm. Sat & Sun 10:30pm. www.comcasthometown.com

To submit event listings, email jim@ebar.com.

Fri 21

Deadline is each Thursday, a week before publication.

Bob Mould @ The Fillmore Prolific musician performs his new CD Silver Age, and the 1992 Sugar album Copper Blue in its entirety, plus Husker Du and other songs. $25-$35. 9pm. 1805 Geary St. www.thefillmore.com

For more bar and nightlife events, go to www.bartabsf.com

www.ebar.com

<< DVD

30 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

▼

Adam Champ in his own words

by Ernie Alderete

I

left home after finishing college in 2000 when I was 24 years old. My first stop was Miami. Life was fantastic in South Beach. At that point, everything was new to me, I felt as if I was in Paradise. While I worked as a personal trainer, several porn companies attempted to induce me to work with them. The money was tempting, but the altar boy in me won out over the devil in me.

“After a couple of years, I moved on to New York City, where I started working as a flight attendant. I was flying long-haul routes between Puerto Rico, New York City and South America. Tired of life on the wing, but still in the Big Apple, I started dancing at the Gaiety Theater in the Time Square area. It was the first time in my life that men

“It was the first time in my life that men showered me with love, attention and affection.”

– Adam Champ

showered me with love, attention and affection, telling me I was handsome and beautiful. It was a sensory overload. Working there, I met many people who were edging me ever closer to work in the skin trade.

“A year later, I crossed the continent to explore the fabled Golden

Gate I had heard so much about.

San Francisco was everything I had dreamed of. It was there that I was enticed to work at the famous Nob Hill Theatre, a place I consider to be the cradle of my career in erotica.

There, in Baghdad-by-the-Bay, I met most of the porn industry honchos.

“When I was living in San Francisco, I liked to visit Union Square, and I enjoyed long walks to Golden Gate Park. I liked to feed the squirrels and visit the buffalo herd. Also I liked strolling in the Castro, but I wasn’t very familiar with the club scene.

I was like a kid looking in on a candy store, but not really knowing how to get in. I never really went into the bars. Even though I was a totally nude go-go boy, I was still pretty shy.

I was hoping someone would see me walking by and pull me in.

“I am a huge fan of the Folsom Street Fair. I enjoy the freedom you can experience only on the streets of San Francisco. We can let our hairy asses hang out, and hold hands in broad daylight! Believe me, we couldn’t do that in a million years in my hometown of Buenos Aires, or ‘Bueni,’ as I call it. The gay scene down there is still unfortunately pretty repressed, although there are major gay discos and saunas that rock around the clock.

Courtesy Colt Studio

Sex film star Adam Champ: ‘I am a huge fan of the Folsom St. Fair.’

“While I was dancing in New York, I met Mexican television producers who invited me to work with them. The idea of appearing on Latin TV seduced me from the first moment. So I didn’t sweat it, and gladly moved to Mexico City.

As I prepared for my television debut, I learned that I had to blunt my sharp Gaucho accent. Nowadays you can’t identify my accent. I went to language boot-camp to learn how to speak Spanish without a telltale South American accent. I did live appearances at clubs in Mexico City, and many TV commercials, and I was the poster boy for one of the most important discos. People there loved me, and still do. I think that was the key of my success in that country. To become one with the people.

“When I started working in a very popular soap opera, I received the third proposal from Colt Studio. While on the telenovelas I had so much fun, and I had the opportunity to meet many Mexican celebrities. I always appeared almost naked; I must admit I enjoyed that very much! I guess I was just eyecandy. After contractual disagreements I decided to depart Mexico, and accepted the longstanding Colt Studio proposal. I moved to San Francisco, where my new, more sexual life blossomed.

“My first shoots were awesome, I felt remarkably comfortable. John Rutherford asked me if I had not done porn before, because I was so natural on screen. I fell right into it was my pairing with the incredible Luke Garret. Our personal chemistry made me oblivious to the cameras and crew around us. I didn’t need any little blue pills, Luke kept

me hard during the entire session.

“The one who captivated my undivided attention was sexy Italian Carlo Masi. I was single for five years, and the thought of a serious relationship was the last thing on my mind. But Carlo seduced me mind, body and soul; so we quickly decided to become boyfriends.

Wonderful things began to unfold for us, as well as complications. We were living in San Francisco almost a full year, but later we decided to move to Carlo’s home city: glorious Rome. At first it was a major challenge to adapt myself to European culture. Carlo was my connection, my guide, my translator, my loving facilitator, he gently eased me into the stylish Italian lifestyle.

“My actual persona is very different from the boy you watch onscreen. I know sex is an important matter in life, but it is not everything. Onscreen I am 110% sexual and dominating. Actually, I am dominating in real life, but not so pervasively sexual. I am a very quiet and calm man.

“My favorite movie is Naked Muscles, where I was on the cover, and featured in two scenes. One with Chris Wide, the other with my boy Carlo. Shooting the scene was complicated. It’s not easy shooting a scene with someone you are involved with. When it is something solely physical, it’s much simpler.

“I also like my solo in Minute Man 29, where I was also featured on the cover. It took a very long time shooting that scene due to technical difficulties; it was a very hot day, and my tender skin burnt in no time. But it was worth the sunburn; that movie earned the 2008 GAYVN award in the best solo category.”▼

Read more online at www.ebar.com

September 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 31

<< Leather+

32 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

▼

Folsom is here!

by Scott Brogan

I

t’s Folsom weekend! Check out the expanded calendar for all the official and major events going on throughout the weekend. The “official” events begin today, but there have already been parties and events stretching back to last weekend. The leather flag banners have been on display on the lamps along Market Street all month. I’m always proud of our city for embracing our Leather Month by displaying these banners.

Leather Week officially started last Sunday with the 21st annual Mama’s Leather Walk. The festivities began around 11:30 a.m. at the Harvey Milk Plaza on the corner of Castro & Market. Sandy “Mama” Reindhardt has been the Walk’s driving force from the beginning, and she was on hand to thank everyone, introduce a few speakers and give a few awards. State Assemblyman Mark Leno presented Mama with a special state proclamation honoring Mama and the Leather Walk.

The SF Leather Daddies raised the Leather Flag at the top of the plaza at around Noon. Immediately afterwards everyone filed behind the sound truck (featuring John Webber, Alexis Miranda, Raquela & Brian Kent, and others). The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence blessed the event, and off we went down Market. The stops included all the watering holes in SoMa and ended at The Beatbox.

A fitting way to start the week!

Ready for your close-up? Manmade Multimedia is filming as much of the week’s events and festivities as possible. Manmade is the production company behind the Reel Gay videos, documentaries, and podcasts. The 30th anniversary of the Folsom Street Fair is just two years away, so perhaps they’re making a documentary? Be sure to ham it up if you see them over the weekend.

Go to: www. reelgay.com or their YouTube

bartabsf.com

Scott Brogan

Sandy “Mama” Reindhardt leads the Leather Walk last Sunday.

SF Leather Week begins with the raising of the Leather Flag over Castro & Market.

Scott Brogan

channel for examples of their work.

SF Citadel’s Armory Club opens. The SF Citadel’s new bar, The Armory Club (1799 Mission), had its soft opening last Saturday night. The club has a basement reserved for some kinky good times (it

was roped off last Saturday). The style of the bar is similar to their Victorianstyle “upper room.” The bar is something to see, so be sure to stop in for a drink or two and soak up the atmosphere. Go to: www.armoryclub.com.

Enjoy Folsom Weekend!▼

Coming up in leather and kink Thu.-Mon., Sep. 20-24: Folsom Street Fair Weekend: The Powerhouse, Kok Bar, Truck, Hole in the Wall and all other clubs in the area have many events running all weekend. All are opening early on Sunday – stop in and support our businesses! Go to: folsomstreetfair.com/leather-week for details.

Official Folsom Street Fair Events: Thursday, Sep. 20: Blow Buddies Play Party (933 Harrison). Doors open 7:30 p.m.-3 a.m. Go to: www.blowbuddies.com.

GEARwear at The Powerhouse (1347 Folsom).

Jockstrap auction with Tony Hunter and crew. 9 p.m.-close. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Total Well-Being Workshop Series: Creating Lifestyle from Within at the SF LGBT Community Center (1800 Market). 2 p.m. Go to: www.whitecloudhouse.com.

Friday, Sep. 21: SF Roll Call presented by the California B&B Corps (location TBA). 7 p.m. Go to: www.bbcorps.com.

Bearracuda at Public Works (161 Erie). 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Go to: www.bearracuda.com.

All-Male Foot Fetish Party (location provided via e-mail from www.FootPartySF.com). 8 p.m.-2 a.m.

Haus of Stiel at Beatbox (314 11th St.). Featuring DJ Shane Stiel. 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Go to: www.beatboxsf.com.

Exiles’ Pre-Folsom Meet n Greet at The Women’s Building. 6-8 p.m. Go to: www.theexiles.org.

Anal Play with Ms. Cynthia at The Women’s Building (3543 18th St.). 8 p.m. Go to: www.theexiles.org.

Joint Gear Buddies/Blows Buddies Play Party at Blow Buddies. 9 p.m.-? Go to: www.gear-buddies.com.

RECON Full Fetish dance party at 525 Harrison. 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Men’s-only event, DJ Frank Wild. Go to: www.recon.com.

Folsom Fetish at The Powerhouse. Featuring Knotty

Brent & DJ Gehno Aviance. 9 p.m.-close. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

UP YOURS fisting party hosted by Hell Hole at the Mr. S Leather play space (XXX). 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Go to: www.hellholesf.com.

15 Association’s Men’s BDSM Dungeon Play Party at the SF Citadel (181 Eddy St.). By invitation only. 8 p.m.-10 a.m. Go to: www.15sf.org.

SF Erotic Art Exhibition 2 at Gallery 4N5 (863 Mission). 4-10 p.m. Repeats on 9/22 & 23. Go to: www. eroticartevents.com.

Saturday, Sep. 22: Cum and Glitter, a Live Sex Show (featuring all sexes). 2 a.m.-12:45 p.m. For tickets and location, go to: www.cumandglitter.com.

SoMa Saturday – Indoor Fetish Market at Beatbox (314 11th St.). Get your fair outfit from vendors present. 12-5 p.m.

SF Men’s Spanking Party at the Power Exchange (220 Jones St.), a male-only event. 1-6 p.m. Go to: www.foy.com/201188/.

SuperHero Street Fair at Islais Creek Promenade (Indiana St. at Cesar Chavez). 2 p.m.-Midnight. Go to: www.superherosf.com.

Hot Boots Party at The Mix (4086 18th). 2-5 p.m.

Go to: www.folsomstreetevents.org.

Rainbow Leather Cruise in SF Bay (Embarcadero, Pier 3). Presented by the Golden Gate Guards. 3:307:30 p.m. Go to: www.ggguards.org.

Joint Golden Shower Buddies/Blow Buddies Play Party at Blow Buddies (933 Harrison). Official play space for Folsom Street Fair. 3 p.m.-4 a.m. Go to: www.blowbuddies.com.

Nips in the Afternoon at The Powerhouse. 2-5 p.m.

Go to: www.nippleplay.com.

See page 33 >>

▼

Letters>>

September 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 33

A long letter to the community I

n a recent column in the Bay Area Reporter [“SF Eagle will re-open,” Leather, Sept. 6], it was implied that my partner and I failed to pay our bills at the Eagle Tavern, that we were delinquent in our rent “for seven months.” It was also stated at a public meeting recently that we must have neglected the property. Not much could be further from true.

We bought the San Francisco Eagle in 1997.

We paid $290,000 for the business and the lease.

That lease seemed excessive even then. Things like paying the landlords’ property taxes and bearing the cost and responsibility for any and all repairs scared us. But the place was dying. It didn’t deserve such a fate, we thought.

AIDS, rats, and time had turned it into an empty shell. Only the Sunday beer bust was still a (really great) party. So our little band of queer biker freaks pounced on changing the SF Eagle into something weirder. It was sacrilege, people said. We opened the charity beer busts up to not just our local leather clubs but to causes and clubs from across the city and even the state. We dared to re-name that world famous bar the Eagle Tavern.

There was shock, outrage. People were moving to Palm Springs, they said, because of what we had “done to the Eagle!” But we kept on going.

We uncovered the windows, put in a wooden floor, replaced the roof, built a new bar, re-designed and re-built the stage, planted new trees, handcarved and hand-welded new signs, and loads of industrial artwork. We hung bike parts and rock and sex posters everywhere. Everything we did was called dire desecration (and bad decoration). But it worked. Musician Doug Hilsinger brought in local and world-famous rock bands who found the idea of playing in an S&M biker bar thrilling and fitting. Fourteen years later, the Eagle Tavern was called a sacred icon of the queer and underground community.

Over those 14 years the rent soared higher and higher and higher. As we replaced the plumbing several times

over. As we had the sewers dug up and replaced. As we twice replaced the patio fence (once in a howling windstorm). As the furnaces died, they were repaired and replaced by us. While the rats chewed through the paper-thin walls, we kept on patching and painting. As we kept on rocking.

Because we believed in our community and in sexual freedom in the potential genius of music.

We gave 14 years of our middle-aged lives to keeping the Eagle Tavern up and running, but in the end we could no longer afford it. The landlord did nothing in all that time, except nearly double the rent. So in early 2011 we approached our manager, Ron Hennis, as well as Lila Thirkield, owner of the Lexington Club. They drew up plans to maybe make the place work, and they agreed to buy it. Months went by. Escrow was opened. We felt that all our hard work would now land in someone else’s good hands. But after picking over Thirkield and Hennis’ plans, the absentee landlord declared that he wanted the bar for himself.

The deal was unceremoniously killed, and all of us were left stunned. Either we sell him the bar, the landlord flatly stated, or we stay and keep paying his overblown rent, continue repairing his property, and end up bankrupt – or we hit the road now. So we decided that all we could do was leave, and we informed our employees of that. In one final blow, since we refused to sell the man our bar, he slapped us with a lawsuit and eviction notice, claiming that we owed almost $20,000 in back rent. In truth, he had agreed months prior to lower our rent while Hennis and Thirkield went through the long process of buying the place. He accepted checks in this amount. Now he was demanding that entire difference in rent plus any lawyers’ fees.

But it was also known in the SF business community that we were not being allowed to sell our bar to people of own choosing. In a move that was both kind and smart (he thought), Steve Engelbrecht from the Skylark

From page 32 Rubber Men of SF: Conversion at The Powerhouse.

5-9 p.m. Go to: www.rmsf.org.

bar over in the Mission district offered to buy our liquor license and to try and wrangle some kind of new lease from the landlord, a person whom he had known many years in the past. It was this or nothing, we figured. Still, when some from the community discovered that Engelbrecht was not gay, there was immediate fear and outrage.

We would not be allowed to sell our license to a straight man, we were told. Surprised, we backed out of the deal, left holding nothing but a bogus lawsuit. Newspapers phoned us. This time we were informed that the owner of the Dallas, Texas Eagle was anxious to buy. Good solution. Everybody would be happy now, we thought.

But this buyer from Dallas quickly informed the entire city via those same papers that he would never be foolish enough to agree to the landlord’s outrageous rental demands, and that not only had we mismanaged our bar all these years, but that our business was virtually worthless. He offered us half of what we had paid for the place 14 years ago (without even meeting us), then posted everything on the Internet. Again we were left holding nothing, sucker-punched and angry.

On May 1, 2011, the Eagle Tavern shut its doors.

It is September 2012 now. Not being allowed to sell the bar that we owned for a decade and a half has cost us our life savings. That’s just the way it is. It’s like a hurricane. There’s no use whining about it. But to be told as well that we are nothing but low-class bums who neglected the very place we built up and nurtured for 14 years is just plain wrong. These facts need to be set straight for posterity. Until now, we’ve kept our mouths shut. After this, we will continue to do so.

That is the whole story. Hate us or respect us for it, whoever you are, whatever you please, whatever your reasons. But we ourselves believe in change. It is change, not fear, that keeps our city alive, evolving. And there is life and the power of change in all of us still. A living community, this community, will evolve and continue and prosper.▼ John Gardiner and Joe Banks San Francisco

kokbarsf.com.

Fri., Sep. 21: Mister App Meet & Greet Party at Kok Bar. 8 p.m.-close. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.

Rubber Pride Flag Processional & Dedication at The Powerhouse. 9 p.m. Go to: www.rmsf.org.

Fri., Sep. 21: Michael Brandon’s Edging toward Folsom at The Edge (18th & Collingwood). 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Go to: www.xxxmichaelbandon.com.

Luther: Folsom at The Holy Cow (1535 Folsom).

Luther’s first trip to SF, many other top DJs. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Go to: www.folsomstreetevents.org.

Fri., Sep. 21: Bay Area Queer Leather Happy Hour at Tryptych SF (1155 Folsom). 5-8 p.m. Go to Facebook for details.

Magnitude, the official Saturday dance event of Folsom Street Fair (525 Harrison). 9 p.m.-4 a.m. Go to: www.folsomstreetevents.org/magnitude.

Sat., Sep. 22: Beer, Boys & Bondage: Mr. S Leather Party, Mr. S Leather (385 8th St.). Drinks served all day. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Go to Facebook for details.

Black Saturday Folsom Eve at The Powerhouse. 10 p.m.-close. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Sunday, Sep. 23:

Sat., Sep. 22: Annual BigMuscleBears.com Charity Event at DNA Lounge (375 11th St.). 1-4 p.m. Go to Facebook for details.

The One and Only Folsom Street Fair (Folsom from 7th to 11th St.). 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sat., Sep. 22: Durrty Folsom Jockstrap Party at Kok Bar. 3-7 p.m. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.

Deviants Adult Arcade dance party at the Public Works (161 Erie). Go to: www.folsomstreetevents.org.

Sun., Sep. 23: SF Citadel Pansexual event. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.

Blow Buddies Post-Fair Play Party starts at 4 p.m. Go to: www.blowbuddies.com.

Mon., Sep. 24: Trivia Night with host Casey Ley at Truck. 8 p.m. Go to: www.trucksf.com.

Bear Comedy Night at Deco Lounge (510 Larkin St.), favorite Bear-esque comedians! 8 p.m. Visit their Facebook page for details.

Mon., Sep. 24: CLIMAXX, Folsom After Hours, the Last Party at Beatbox. 2-10 a.m. Go to Facebook for details.

Monday, Sep. 24:

Tue., Sep. 25: Ink & Metal at The Powerhouse. 9 p.m. – close. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com for details.

Blow Buddies Wind-Down Play Party at Blow Buddies. Doors open 7-11 p.m. Play till late.

Other happenings: The Carter-Johnson Leather Library on display, Sep. 19-25, presented by the Bay Area Leather Alliance at the SF Center for Sex and Culture (1349 Mission St.), interactive collection that goes all the way back to the year 1701!

Thu., Sep. 20: Black Light/Lights Out Folsom Party at Kok Bar (1225 Folsom). 9 p.m.-close. Go to: www.

Wed., Sep. 26: Pit Stop at Kok Bar. Happy Hour prices all night. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.

Wed., Sep. 26: Leather Buddies/Underwear Buddies at Blow Buddies, a male-only club. Doors open 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Play till late. Go to: www.blowbuddies.com.

Wed., Sep. 26: Nipple Play at The Powerhouse. Show off your nips for drink specials. 10 p.m.-close. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com for details.

www.ebar.com

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

34 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

▼

TitanMen.com

Dirk Caber shocks Jesse Jackman in the Rough film Loud and Nasty.

<<

ebar.com

Karrnal Knowledge

From page 17

is a bit too methy for me). The Rough line doesn’t fuss too much with sets.

Your basic secluded, concrete-floored room will suffice, with perhaps some camouflage netting or the like to define the play space.

The most recent Rough title is Pissed and Probed. In its first scene, smooth Adam Herst is topped by hairy Collin Stone, making his porn debut. Rapturous kissing has Herst pissing his pants, the dark stain spreading from crotch to knee, where it breaks through the denim and cascades to the floor. The first thing you may notice about Stone is his huge basket. But he’s wearing one of those molded leather codpieces. Though it’s alluring, you know what architectural wonders those things can be.

Inside could be diminutive returns or a crackerjack prize. Aha, with Stone it’s the latter, a thick slab of meat atop bloated balls. Lots of piss play for this pair. Stone’s dark black hair and beard look especially hot when wet.

Next, Tristan Phoenix doms Tibor Wolfe. Bound to a chair, Wolfe endures intense verbal abuse. Sure, being called a fag can be part of that. But what’s the residual effect when internalized homophobia is reinforced? At any rate, Phoenix is scary-mean, putting Wolfe in a chokehold, pounding his chest, and throwing him a traditional fuck ’n’ suck which turns nontraditional with a solid fisting. Some artsy/fartsy film-school moments of black & white can’t damp down this scene’s heat. The movie ends with Kris Anderson topping Alessio Romero on a motorcycle. Anderson’s a big dude with a whopper cock that looks swell sporting a thick rubber cockring – he needs one so big that if I put it round my head it’d still probably slide down past my nose. For his part, Alessio has his sizable tool choked up by a very broad Oxballs cockring. Looks good.

You know I’m mad for fetish wear, but I just can’t get these hard-to-stretch numbers on by myself. Which perhaps explains the turnover in “personal assistants” I employ, whom the IRS would rather I didn’t deduct as business expenses. Whatever. The two men are aggressive deepthroaters when swapping blowjobs – Romero showing special accomplishment when downing Anderson’s big one – and Anderson’s an aggressive fucker.

The movie Loud and Nasty has

TitanMen.com

Loud and Nasty star Jesse Jackman with Rough series director Paul Wilde, giving the thumbs up to all kinds of fetish play.

many a taunt. Leo Forte fists Race Cooper before hammering two amazingly big dildos up his ass. I’m not sure that I’d realized before this how commodious Cooper’s ass was. And yowling hot thing Jessie Colter is tied to a St. Anthony’s cross and flogged by Brad Kalvo, who is hairy and handsome in classic Marlboro Man fashion. Piss may not have herbs in it, but I’ve always found it a revivifying tisane. So I got a real kick outta Kalvo when he lies beneath Colter, points Colter’s dick at his mouth, and mainlines Colter’s heavy piss-stream right in there. And if I’m bored by flogging, I thought the sight of Colter’s cute little buns thrust up and out to receive the lash sure was sweet. Used to be, filmmakers had to find specialists for this kind of thing; nowadays, every leatherman is conversant. But I wondered. Does Colter like to get flogged in real life? I doubt it. I’m sure he’s flogging4pay.

The keeper scene of Loud and Nasty is the electro-play Dirk Caber delivers with sure expertise to Jesse Jackman. I’m a big Caber fan; I love how he delivers sadism with a knowing smile. He always seems open to his partners, bringing intimacy to his scenes. That’s magnified here, as he’s performing with his “real-life” boyfriend. Caber looks particularly hot, always hard in poke-through leather jock and cockring. The scene culminates in swell flip-fucking, but that can’t top their electro-flipping. Caber’s a real pro with a violet wand, leaving no inch of Jackman un-electrified.

Especially a nipple – what screams

that elicits! I was especially intrigued with a device that Caber holds in his hand, making his body the electrical conduit. His own fingertips convey the shock wherever they touch. A strand of pre-cum that stretches from Caber’s piss-slit to Jackman’s vibrates with the electric charge it carries, and when their cockheads touch – well, yow.

The final movie I’ll report on is Fight, Fuck and Fist. The “fist” part would be always-superlative lover Alan Silver, pulling a piggy-sized Oxballs “Oink” buttplug outta Tibor Wolfe to insert a hand that explores slow and deep. An added thrill is the double-wide Oxballs ball-stretcher that has Wolfe’s nutsack swollen tight, shiny purple. The “fight” is a sparring match between Spencer Reed and inked-up, purple-Mohawked punk Draven Torres. This kid’s so hot. I wouldn’t know it their bout is realistic, and besides, I was dickstracted by glimpsing Reed’s big bone inside his Lycra wrestling briefs. The “fuck” part of the movie’s title comes in a mudwrestling sequence that’s certainly novel, as well as surprisingly erotic.

Pitted together are Shay Michaels and Hunter Marx, both of them considerable woofs in my book. Marx is a devotee of the art, with a wrestling pit in his backyard. The slippery mud they’re covered in is white, and very defining of body contours. Although during rimming and such, I can’t imagine how it tastes.▼ www.TitanMen.com

Read more online at www.ebar.com

September 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 35

36 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

▼

Read more online at www.ebar.com

September 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 37

Film >>

South Asian windows on the world 3rd i SF International South Asian Film Festival highlights

by David Lamble

T

he story of a nation that is literally sinking, and 20 other emotionally resonant features from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sir Lanka, the Maldives, and the South Asian Diaspora in Canada, South Africa, the UK, and the US, make up this year’s vibrant cinema lineup at the 3rd i SF International South Asian Film Festival.

(Sept. 19-23 at the Castro and Roxie Theatres in San Francisco, and Sept.

30 at San Jose Camera 12 Cinemas) The Island President When first we meet him, the young Mohammed Nasheed has just assumed the all-toomodest powers of his island nation’s top-elected office. His story belies the tranquil atmosphere of the 2,000 lowlying coral islands that dot the Indian Ocean southwest of Sri Lanka. Confined for years in a corrugated metal shed for championing free speech, Nasheed defeated the old dictator – a true ogre who devised bizarre tortures for his enemies, including covering them in honey so that ants might devour their flesh – only to confront a more implacable foe: global warming, the side effects of which may literally sink his tiny country (roughly the size of Berkeley, with twice the population).

Employing a stunning pictorial design that makes one simultaneously aware of both the beauty of the Maldives as well as the watery forces threatening their extinction, Bay Area doc-maker Jon Shenk details the quixotic campaign of Nasheed to save his country from both fossil fuels and a world community content to watch them drown. The music of Radiohead provides an angelic backdrop to a story of environmental catastrophe. Ultimately, Shenk is arguing that the Maldives comprise an ecological canary in the coal mine, warning the world of the consequences that may someday threaten the Bay Area coastline and national treasures like the New York

<<

Courtesy 3rd i

Scene from director Avie Luthra’s Lucky.

subway system. (Roxie, 9/19) Decoding Deepak From the opening frames where Lady Gaga sings his praises, to a whirlwind world tour from Bangkok (observing the primitive beauty of Thai kickboxing) to Tokyo (where devotees gather at the foot of Mt. Fuji) to New York (where he bounces from Fox to CNN), Gotham Chopra’s carefully crafted, intensely personal portrait of his famous guru dad Deepak Chopra explores how DC became the go-to guy for postmodern spirituality, jumpstarted by an early90s TV-celebrity baptism on Oprah.

While his public utterances echo the mostly bland Westernized Buddhism popularized in the 1960s by New Age radio preacher Allan Watts, up-close in an affectionate if slightly irritable bond with his camera-wielding son, Chopra reveals a sophisticated and not necessarily totally cynical ability for marketing His Word to an adoring American public. His audience includes media moguls, fame-battered celebrities (a troubling chapter with the late Michael Jackson is broached but not fully explored), and a bookbuying congregation corresponding to the demographics of Public TV.

Dickens. Here the relationship of a prickly, African-fearing old Indian woman and a black village boy becomes a canvas for the turbulent state of ethnic relations in postApartheid South Africa, with its huge opportunity gaps.

Following the AIDS death of his prostitute mom, Lucky discovers that reliable male role models are as hard to find as actual biological dads. The emotional subtext of hostility and mistrust between ordinary people and officialdom, and the vivid depiction of a class of displaced youth, make this film a useful supplement to accounts of the country’s AIDS epidemic and the recent brutal government crackdown on black miners. (Castro, 9/22) The World Before Her The Miss India Pageant is the backdrop for examining traditional and modern beliefs about the evolving role of women. (Castro, 9/22) Big in Bollywood When he’s not borrowing his neighbor’s lawnmower, Omi Vaidya, a Palm Springsborn actor and natural-born joker of Indian descent, averages 20 auditions for every gig, where he’s usually the funny ethnic guy. Omi’s luck

turns when he lands a juicy role in the Bollywood comedy The 3 Idiots.

Big in Bollywood is Bill Bowers and Kenny Meehan’s madcap depiction of an LA boy adjusting to the disorienting spin of overnight fame in the world’s top film center, avoiding cultural vertigo by hanging onto his band of white college roomies. Omi never visibly loses his grip on reality, despite memorizing bathroom gags in a language he can barely speak. His dad compares Bollywood to a never-ending episode of I Love Lucy churned out by an Indian film industry that slavishly copies American tabloid glitz, right down to an awards show that’s a Tower of Babel version of the Oscars, with twice the audience.

Employing a hyper video style somewhere between YouTube and a less bitchy TMZ, Omi and his buds, with their fake press cards, SoCal hairstyles and bromance-friendly hugs and kisses, adapt to a culture whose teeming masses affirm every second that the population clock has indeed struck 7 billion. (Camera, 9/30) ▼

tween actors. “I’m very excited about the Kinsey scene,” Eisen said. “It’s dialogue, but done in a very special way.”

Eisen’s previous show Blackbirds: Honoring a Century of Pansy Divas looked back at performers who broke barriers of sexual identity. “Since a really young age I’ve been into connecting to our gay ancestors,” Eisen said. “There aren’t many obvious role models for young gay people if you want to know about relationships and sex,” Eisen said. “Those aren’t taught in school.”

Sex was a big part of Steward’s life, as manifested in the still-extant “stud file” he maintained on his encounters. “We’re still experimenting with how to represent sex on stage without being too literal,” Eisen said. “You feel the sexuality more than see it because Sam was bigger than just his sex. I’m trying to write about the human being.”

Homo File will run through Sept.

30, and tickets are available at www. counterpulse.org.

ecutive Director John Fisher. Here are the other plays and events making up that season.

Tennessee Williams wrote an early version of Something Cloudy, Something Clear in 1941 after a fight with a summer lover in Provincetown. He revised it for a 1981 production, and this seldom-seen play will begin its Rhino run on Jan. 2 at the Eureka Theatre.

Starting March 7 at the Eureka, Shirlene Jones’ A Lady and a Woman tells the story of two African American lesbians in the 1890s who find a way to a loving relationship.

Caryl Churchill (Top Girls, Cloud 9) uses two gay men in an obsessive relationship as a metaphor for US power and UK servitude in Drunk Enough To Say I Love You. The 45-minute play, first staged in 2006, will start its run on May 30 at the Shelton Theatre.

Rhino will also present two special events in its 2012-13 season. Comedian-singer Lea DeLaria will headline the annual New Year’s Eve celebration at the Victoria Theatre, and an all-local, all-queer roster will take the stage for a March 24 benefit performance at the Eureka. Season subscriptions are available at www.therhino.org. ▼

In the end, father and son reach an uneasy truce back in their Indian homeland. Deepak extracts a vow that Gotham not scatter his ashes in the Ganges, despite the son’s amused despair over his Blackberry-addicted dad’s endless need to prove that his personal “I” is everywhere. (Castro, 9/22) Alms for a Blind Horse Freshman director Gurvinder Singh employs an evocative title and a subtle cinema palette to frame a classic story about the social waves and unrest following the destruction of a Punjabi village sparked by a inter-tribal land dispute. Singh makes effective use of his story’s backdrop, the accelerated pace of life in an economically volatile modern India. Note the constant use of trains, busses and even pedal-cabs as props and metaphors.

Singh also appears to have worked a great many members of his extended family into the shooting of the film. (Castro, 9/22) Lucky In a film based on her award-winning short, Avie Luthra deflects and dilutes the heavily sentimental baggage carried in many orphan stories, beginning with

Samuel Steward

From page 17

Steward. “Michael was this younger man going and visiting this old guy who had all these extraordinary stories,” Eisen said. “I was just fascinated by that passing on of the lineage, and I got a lot more insight into the man himself than from just reading the book.”

With so much personal and historical information available, Eisen had to be a strict editor. “What I’ve tried to do is isolate key moments and tipping points that I think will help people to get an understanding of Sam,” he said.

While the techniques Eisen is using are generally not the stuff of traditional theater, he is following a chronological format and using projected titles to help ground the audience. That is not always the case with Ned Brauer, who plays Sam Steward.

“I come from a circus background,” said Eisen, who has worked with Keith Hennessey’s Circo Zero, “and the lead actor also happens to have a background in aerials. So there are times when he is in aerial straps, upside down, and we’re using that as a metaphor both for bondage, which was part of Shepard’s sexual life, and also as a metaphor for sexual inversion, which was the term from Havelock Ellis’ book [published in 1896] that was such a big influence on Sam.” Two forms of puppetry bookend the biography. Working with artist Diego Gomez, Eisen is using shadow puppets to represent Steward’s earlier life, and Japanese-style bunraku puppets to illustrate his older self, when he was largely forgotten in post-Stonewall fervor. There are also scenes of more-or-less traditional dialogue be-

Courtesy 3rd i

Deepak and Gotham Chopra in a scene from Decoding Deepak.

Rhino at 35 As noted a couple of weeks back in the fall theater preview, Theatre Rhino will launch its 35th season on Nov. 24 at Thick House with Slug and Kicks, a new backstage comedy by Rhino Ex-

Samuel Steward, seen here in 1957, led a double life as a reserved professor and a tattoo artist, part of his history chronicled in Seth Eisen’s Homo File.

www.thirdi.org/festival

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38 • BAY AREA REPORTER • September 20-26, 2012

Music >>

Paul Ryan’s iPod

by Gregg Shapiro

W

hat do you think Paul Ryan, Willard “Mitt” Romney’s veep choice, listens to on his iPod while training for marathons (that he will later lie about) or while at the gym dreaming about soaping Aaron Shock’s broad shoulders in the shower? It’s a safe bet that you’ll find Ted Nugent, Beenie Man, Big & Rich, Lil Wayne, Katy Perry, John Tesh, Jim Brickman and Switchfoot in his playlists. Here are a few more possibilities.

One-man-bland Owl City (aka Adam Young), who continues to manufacture fistpumpers for home-schooled shut-ins on his latest album The Midsummer Station (Universal Republic), surely gets Ryan’s heart rate going. Aiming for a bigger, more anthemic sound (perfect for stadiums full of worshipful music fans), Young gets the praise party started with “Dreams and Disasters,” in which he lazily rhymes “rising” with “horizon.” He follows it with “Shooting Star,” featuring another sluggish rhyme in “burst” and “disperse.” Maybe if he put down the New Testament and picked up a rhyming dictionary, he might have better luck with his songwriting.

Young rocks out (!) on “Dementia” (with the aid of Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus) before going full-on club kid on “Speed of Love.” The ubiquitous and oh so questionably talented Carly Rae Jepsen can be heard on “Good Time,” which isn’t one.

Following Romney’s awkward intro of Ryan as his running mate (as the “next President of the United States”), Ryan has probably been spending a lot of time imagining his ascent to the highest office in the land, following some tragic event or other. He’s a Midwestern Eva Peron if there ever was one (“Don’t Cry for Me, Wauwatosa” anyone?). Lucky for him, there’s the New Broadway Cast Recording: Evita (Masterworks Broadway). Living his own “la vida loca,” Ryan finds himself strangely comforted by out singer Ricky Martin’s portrayal of the everyman Che, in spite of his feelings about the working class. But gosh darn it, he has a hard time understanding Argentine actress Elena Roger as Evita (and he’s not the only one), preferring fellow Great Laker Madonna’s portrayal. Fortunately, for Ryan, he can watch the 15th anniversary edition of Evita (Hollywood Pictures Home Entertainment) on Blu-ray (for the first time) when he gets home.

Paul is likely torn when it comes to vocal cord-shredding heavy metal act Lamb of God. Initially misled by their name (why couldn’t they just have

<<

How To Be Gay

From page 25

didn’t involve oral or anal penetration, despite considerable evidence to the contrary found on pornographic Greek pottery.

Alas, Halperin doesn’t suggest an alternative paradigm to applying male/female sex roles to male/male sexual behavior. In such a paradigm, each pairing would be distinct, and the latter wouldn’t be an “unmanly” variant of the former. Given the long history of misogyny and its tenacious hold on modern society, however, such a view may be unrealistic. It is, nonetheless, worth considering.

Ironically, How To Be Gay is a very serious book about what often should be a humorous topic. Halperin’s prose is frequently stiff and academic, making it a tough but rewarding read.

The book is carefully researched, has

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picked an obvious name like Metallica?), Ryan fondly recalled his shortlived head-banging years (he sheds a tear for his mullet) and gives them a spin. But golly gee, maybe his mom was right. These songs on Resolution (Epic) all do sound exactly the same!

Still, playing air guitar is a great way to work out his feelings of aggression for the Democrats.

An admirer of the late Whitney Houston’s portrayal of God-fearing single mom Emma in the remake of Sparkle, no doubt Ryan puts Houston’s soulful rendition of “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” from the Sparkle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (RCA) on repeat. Ryan may be straight (as he likes to say), but even he knows this soundtrack, including new compositions as well as a few of the classics penned by the late Curtis Mayfield for the previous movie version, can’t hold a candle to the original one recorded by Aretha Franklin.

Ryan’s been told he’s got moves like Jagger (although, reportedly, he was actually told he’s got moves like a jagoff), so naturally, he’s a big fan of Maroon 5. Although he prefers their earlier albums, there are songs that he likes on the aptly titled Overexposed (A&M/Octone). “Lucky Strike” is perfect for an aerobic workout, while “Ladykiller” (which reminds Ryan of Michael Jackson) is just right for cooling down. But Ryan is going to have to remove his ear-buds, put his foot down and flex his muscle somewhere, and as far as he’s concerned the foul language in “Payphone,” featuring rapper Wiz Khalifa, is unnecessary.▼

an impressive bibliography and footnotes. Still, he errs in saying Crawford adopted five children – she adopted four. Halperin’s assertion that Davis’ glamour was as potent as Crawford’s reveals a misunderstanding of both stars. Davis insisted throughout her career that she wasn’t and never wanted to be glamorous, which she claimed was incompatible with serious acting.

(She was also smart enough not to compete in an area where she knew she wouldn’t do well.)

Halperin rejoices in the growing acceptance of homosexuality in mainstream society, although he’s quick to point out that homophobia is still potent. He doesn’t want gay culture to be lost as assimilation increases. It’s a legitimate concern, and he makes his case forcefully, although his argument would have benefitted from judicious editing and some levity.▼

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