San Francisco Bay Times - March 25, 2021

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2021) March 25–April 7, 2021 http://sfbaytimes.com

Celebrating 20 Years of Trans Artistry & Community:

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Fresh Meat Productions and the Trans Arts Revolution

See pages 2–3

Celebrating 20 Years of Trans Artistry & Community

Celebrating 20 Years of Trans Artistry and Community: Fresh Meat Productions and the Trans Arts Revolution

“It’s hard for people to imagine today,” explains Founding Artistic Director and trans choreographer Sean Dorsey to the San Francisco Bay Times. “But in 2002, almost no one was putting transgender and gender-non-conforming artists onstage.

It was almost impossible for us to get high-production-value, well-paying gigs in mainstage theaters.”

This led Dorsey to bring together a group of local queer and trans artistactivists to put on what they thought

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would be a one-time event, calling it the FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL.

Trans singer-songwriter Shawna Virago performed at that first FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL. “That first festival was like three-and-a-half hours long!” laughs Virago. “I mean, we were all starved for that kind of artistry, that kind of gathering. The audience didn’t mind that it was a bit of a marathon.”

Dorsey continues, “At that time, there was this amazing groundswell of all this brilliant trans and gender-non-conforming artistry in the Bay Area—but no one would touch us. So, we decided to get ourselves on stage: we wanted to create an event that centered trans voices, BIPOC voices, gender-non-conforming voices.”

The community’s response to that first standing-room-only festival was so overwhelming that the organizers immediately understood that there was a larger calling and mission for their work to continue.

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This year, San Francisco’s beloved trans arts champion Fresh Meat Productions celebrates its 20th Anniversary Season. Since its founding in 2002, Fresh Meat has been a trailblazer, and instrumental in transforming the national landscape for trans artists.

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It is a tremendous accomplishment for any nonprofit arts group to make it to the 20-year mark. But when the group is a transgender arts organization whose dual mandate is to lift up the extraordinary artistry of trans communities while simultaneously battling discrimination, censorship, and exclusion ... now that really is something to celebrate!

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2021 Sean Dorsey Dance AT-HOME Season

Fresh Meat Productions soon grew to host year-round programs including the centerpiece annual FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL; trans-supportive dance workshops and classes; FRESH WORKS! creation grants to BIPOC trans/queer artists; a national education program; free intergenerational community engagement programs; and advocacy for trans, racial, and disability justice in the arts. Past programs have also included trans visual arts exhibitions and commissions to BIPOC trans/queer folkloric and traditional dance artists.

And at the heart of Fresh Meat Productions’ programs is resident company Sean Dorsey Dance (SDD); SDD performs, tours, and teaches Artistic Director Dorsey’s original dance-theater. To date, the company has toured and taught in more than 30 cities across the U.S. and abroad.

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“We also knew that our work had to always be intersectional: you can’t separate fighting white supremacy from trans liberation or from disability justice,” says Dorsey of the organization’s founding principles.

Shawna Virago

Sean Dorsey Dance

Dorsey is positively effervescent with enthusiasm and excitement as he reflects upon this 20-year milestone—and speaking with him provides a window into Fresh Meat Productions’ famous (and infectious) energy.

If you’ve ever been to the FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL, then you know the spectacular, vibrating, loving, and over-the-top celebratory energy of this beloved annual event.

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PHOTO BY KEGAN MARLING

Dorsey himself is a pioneer: he is celebrated as the U.S.’s first acclaimed transgender modern dance choreographer, and has created new space in modern dance for trans and queer bodies and stories with his award-winning dance-theater.

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Fresh Meat’s Digital and Social Media Manager StormMiguel Florez adds, “It’s a term you hear a lot from the artists, staff, volunteers, and crew involved in Fresh Meat—we all call it the ‘Fresh Meat Family.’

Because it truly is a family.”

“It’s the glue that keeps us together and working so hard, for this common cause,” explains Production Manager Eric Garcia, who has been with Fresh Meat for over 11 years, “We come together with love, to uplift exquisite artistry, and to host the most incredible audiences. It’s a privilege and a blessing to do this StormMiguel Florez work.”

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PHOTO COURTESY OF NALEIHULU.ORG

Tajah J That same energy imbues everything that Fresh Meat Productions does. The key? “Everything starts from the heart,” explains Dorsey. “As a longtime activist, I’ve found that the most powerful change comes from a heart-centered place—a place of invitation and chosen-family connection.”

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Fresh Meat Productions and the Trans Arts Revolution

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2021)

Save the Date!

Fresh Meat Productions 20th Anniversary Events Fresh Meat Productions is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a year brimming with free events, programs, videos, interactive online activities, and more.

Here are a few highlights: 20 Commissions for 20 Years This year, Fresh Meat Productions awarded commissions to 20 artists to create new works and contribute to the 20th Anniversary Season—watch for these new works, which will premiere throughout the year.

April 16–18 (online) Sean Dorsey Dance’s AT-HOME Season World premiere of all-new dance films created by SDD during the pandemic, plus a special message from Dorsey. Free (donations welcome), online, and closed-captioned.

Summer–Fall 2021 The launch of Season Two of #stayFRESHatHOME, The Futurist Pledge, The Dictionary Of Joy & Pleasure, Postcards From The Future, online performance events, and more! https://freshmeatproductions.org/

PHOTO BY KEGAN MARLING

PHOTO BY KEGAN MARLING

June 17–19 (online) 20th Anniversary FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL of trans & queer performance Premiere of new works commissioned especially for the Anniversary, audience favorites, plus archival footage from the past 20 years! Free (donations welcome), online, and closed-captioned.

Javier Stell Fresquez and Ivy Monteiro Randy Ford

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit last year, that love prompted Fresh Meat Productions to respond swiftly and powerfully—paying all their staff, artists, and workers in full for the entire year, despite event cancellations or postponements, and then launching all-new programs to support communities during this challenging time.

“No one was laid off; no one’s hours were furloughed or reduced,” says Dorsey proudly. “And, in fact, we actually increased artist fees and created new paid opportunities for artists to create, teach, and work during the pandemic.”

Early in the pandemic, Fresh Meat launched #stayFRESHatHOME—a free, online, closed-captioned video series supporting trans, gender-non-conforming, and queer creativity and wellness. Fresh Meat commissioned local and national trans, gender-non-conforming, and queer artists to self-film short videos inviting the viewer into everything from guided meditation, to jazz dance taught in ASL (American Sign Language), to beginner bachata dance, to seated movement, to singing. The series is a joyous, accessible way to stay creative and connected during the pandemic.

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Antoine Hunter

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Cohdi Harrell

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Alice Sheppard and Laurel Lawson

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And don’t miss the celebration of where it all began: this June 17–19, the 20th Anniversary FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL of trans and queer performance will be streamed online, closed-captioned and free of charge.

AXIS Dance Company

In fact, Fresh Meat has made all of their programs and events free of charge during and through the pandemic. “We know that our communities are under intense stress, hardship, and isolation,” says Dorsey. “So, making all our programs free is an act of love.”

In celebration of its 20th Anniversary Season, Fresh Meat Productions and its resident company Sean Dorsey Dance have launched an exciting multi-year project: THE LOST ART OF DREAMING imagines and creates expansive futures for our communities.

The project kicks off April 16–18 with Sean Dorsey Dance’s online ATHOME Season, when the company will premiere all-new dance films and more.

This Summer, THE LOST ART OF DREAMING project continues with a cornucopia of free events and activities including: a Futurist Pledge you can download and sign; a Dictionary Of Joy & Pleasure to scroll through; new dance films; and the release of a special full-color art postcard series “Postcards From The Future”—mailed to you by request, with a special handwritten message from SDD.

Astoundingly, even after two decades, everything that Fresh Meat Productions creates, produces, and presents is still, well ... fresh! The arts and artistry they create, commission, and present are always of the highest artistic caliber—innovative, moving, relevant, and powerful, and shared with the accessibility and care we have come to expect from the Fresh Meat Family.

What are Dorsey’s proudest achievements of the past 20 years? “The artistry—the artists we’ve been blessed to work with and support. Being here to celebrate our 20th Anniversary Season! Continuing to pay all our staff, artists, and workers in full, with love, during the pandemic. Being a force for change, and finally seeing change start to happen.”

Learn more about Fresh Meat Productions’ upcoming programs and events: https://freshmeatproductions.org/

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Solidarity with the Asian Community PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN LEWIS & STUART GAFFNEY

Love Is Winning in Japan

6/26 and Beyond Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis When we were first invited to Japan to speak about marriage equality and LGBTIQ rights seven years ago, we asked those in attendance at our talk to raise their hands if they knew a gay person. No one did. Japan not only did not have marriage equality, but also not even a single locale had passed any form of same-sex partnership recognition.

Last week, a court in Sapporo, Japan, declared that the nation’s exclusion of LGBTIQ couples from marriage is unconstitutional. The court did so in one of a coordinated set of lawsuits brought by queer couples across the country. One of the plaintiffs, Ryosuke Kunimi, said that after learning of the ruling he simply “could not stop crying.” It reminded us of the joy we felt when the trial court ruled in our

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Recognizing that sexual orientation is immutable, the Sapporo court held that barring same-sex couples from marriage was discrimination forbidden by the Japanese Constitution. Plaintiffs believe the Sapporo decision will likely influence upcoming decisions in the other four lawsuits across the country expected later this year. Gon Matsunaka, director of the Marriage for All Japan coalition, characterized the importance of the Sapporo decision as “absolutely measureless.”

The decision will be appealed, however, and legal experts appear to believe that even with victory in the courts, Japan’s parliament will need to pass affirmative marriage equality legislation. The current conservative ruling party holds a strong majority in the Diet and has been resistant to change.

But the Sapporo decision could be a turning point, and the change we’ve witnessed in Japan over the last seven years gives us much hope.

Last year, we were lucky enough to make a trip to Japan to speak in Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto just before the COVID-19 worldwide lockdown. This time when we asked audience members at a university whether they personally

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favor back in 2005 in the California marriage cases.

knew a gay person, many hands shot into the air.

By the end of 2021, at least three Japanese prefectures (similar to states) and over ninety municipalities will be issuing partnership certificates to same-sex couples.

Although the certificates have little legal significance, their symbolic importance is substantial and the sheer speed of enactment from zero to over ninety in less than seven years is unprecedented in Japan.

On our trip last year, we also had the honor of meeting some of the plaintiff couples and attorneys in the Japanese marriage equality cases when we gave joint presentations at LGBTIQ community centers in Tokyo and Osaka. One of those couples was Ikuo Sato and his partner. Connecting with these queer kindred spirits who live 6,000 miles away was electric.

Ikuo Sato, John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney

Sato and his partner’s life journey reflects that of many Japanese gay people. When the case was originally filed, Sato described to the court and world the traumatic struggle he experienced being gay. Sato, a professional HIV educator, also explained that he was HIV-positive with additional serious medical conditions. He wanted to use his visibility in the lawsuit not only to achieve marriage equality but also to further HIV education in Japan. He told the court, “There would be no greater happiness than legally marrying my partner and becoming a couple in the real sense before I die.”

Strikingly, Sato’s partner was not by his side at the court, but sat anonymously in the audience because he had not come out either to his family or co-workers because of fear of discrimination. Risk of discrimination at the workplace and within families, schools, and the broader

community remains a serious concern for many LGBTIQ Japanese.

At the news conference, Sato read a statement from his partner, saying: “I really want to stay side-by-side with my partner, but can’t. I would like to win the suit, show my face in public, and end my legal battle with a smile.” Together, they hoped for a better life for themselves and for future generations.

One of the most frustrating aspects of civil rights advocacy is that the need for change is immediate, yet the undeniable reality is that changing laws, institutions, and public attitudes nearly always takes time. Tragically, Sato and his partner’s personal dream of equality for themselves will not come true. Sato died in January of this year.

We know Sato’s partner’s grief must be immense. But their motivation (continued on page 24)

Solidarity with the Asian Community LGBTQ Solidarity Against Anti-Asian Violence even in our own homes throughout the HIV/AIDS crisis stemming back to the 1980s.

Cross Currents Andrea Shorter The LGBTQ community should be at the forefront to stand with our Asian/American and Pacific Islander brothers and sisters against the anti-Asian violence and hate crimes on the rise locally and around the nation. If there is any community of people who should understand how prejudice, blame, hate, and violence can be visited upon its people during a serious public health crisis, it’s ours.

There are too many of us whose own coming out stories are integrated with firsthand accounts as victims, witnesses, supporters, caregivers, or mourners of victims of violence and hate crimes against us on our neighborhood streets, on public transit, in our workplaces, or

Violence and assault against same gender loving and gender expansive people obviously existed well before the start of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The watershed events of Stonewall became the anthemic protest and resistance against sanctioned anti-LGBTQ violence. At the onset of that epidemic being initially primarily associated with men who have sex with men, there were quarters of personal, public, and political reaction to the emerging fatal plight that were as vile, vindictive, and violent as is happening now to AAPI identified persons.

In the 1980s, the largely silent treatment from the Reagan White House on the emerging crisis portrayed as only affecting and being transmitted by deemed undesirable populations of gays, Blacks, and Latinx people was deafening. Silence=Death was the urgent rallying cry and banner under which I was compelled to come out while an undergrad in the Reagan eighties.

This time, however, the xenophobia, white nationalism, and bellicose Asian blaming for the cause of this pandemic from the most powerful bully pulpit on Earth held by the former president was loud and clear.

It centered on neglect and shifting responsibility away from his own spectacular failure to lead a serious response to a life-threatening public health crisis to the Chinese, and, by proxy, anyone within our own borders who is Asian.

This shameless, nonsensical, yet wildly purposeful self-serving blamegame gives license and sanction to a readied audience of half-cocked grievance-filled followers, who, as we well know, only need half a reason to unleash violence and mayhem onto another racial or ethnic defined group categorically deemed unwelcome, undesirable, and unworthy by their dear leader.

In the aftermath of vicious assaults on Asian elders on the streets of San Francisco, Oakland, Orange County, and beyond to the gunned down deaths of six women of Asian descent who worked in a series of massage and spa establishments in Atlanta, Georgia, government response to this crisis has so far involved Congressional hearings, as well as a visit with community leaders in Atlanta by our first Black and Asian-American Vice President, Kamala Harris.

In addition to statements urging solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community at large by national organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign, coalitions

Mayor London Breed addressed the need for solidarity and support for the Asian community of San Franicsco.

are forming to support and follow the leadership of AAPI-led organizations like Stop AAPI Hate, the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, and the Asian American Feminist Collective. Locally, organizations including the Asian American Law Caucus and the Edwin Lee Democratic Club are also working across communities to educate, raise awareness, and respond to the violence.

Concerned citizens, co-workers, and neighbors are asking, “What else can I do to be helpful?” beyond phoning 911 whenever witnessing assaults. My longtime sister Commissioner, Julie Soo, recommended checking out iHollaback’s “Bystander Intervention to Stop anti-Asian/American and Xenophobic Harassment” training. ( https://www.ihollaback.org/ ) The preamble to the training mentions, in part, “Unfortunately, antiAsian and Asian American racism and xenophobia is not a new phenomenon. It has been part of American history for a long time, and we have seen it manifested against different Asian/American and Pacific Islander communities in many ways over the years.”

It adds, “As the coronavirus pandemic escalates, we have seen more harassment, discrimination, and even violence directed at these com-

munities. The Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation has been documenting hate crimes and hate incidents since 2017 at StandAgainst Hatred ( https://www. standagainsthatred.org/ ), which is available in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.”

It should go without saying that no matter our histories, race, gender identity, or sexual orientation, we should all stand together against this new wave of anti-Asian/American violence simply because it is wrong. At times, however, we need to be reminded of our histories fighting horrific injustices visited upon us because of our race, gender, place of origin, or sexual orientation, as well as our histories of standing together—not alone—to pushback, resist, and non-violently advance towards a more just and inclusive democratic society. This is one of those times.

Andrea Shorter is a Commissioner and the former President of the historic San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women. She is a longtime advocate for criminal and juvenile justice reform, voter rights and marriage equality. A CoFounder of the Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition, she was a 2009 David Bohnett LGBT Leadership Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

A large crowd listened to speakers during the Castro To Chinatown rally at Jane Warner Plaza on Sunday, March 21.

Castro to Chinatown: An LGBTQ+ Solidarity March for Asian Lives Photos courtesy of Blake Dillon In response to the recent violence against Asians in the Bay Area and other parts of the U.S., a coalition of LGBT organizations and supporters—including San Francisco Pride, Soul of Pride, the Bayard Rustin LGBTQ Coalition, the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, Castro Merchants, the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, and others—co-sponsored a rally and march on Sunday, March 21.

PHOTO BY RINK

Speakers at the rally held in Jane Warner Plaza included Mayor London Breed, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, Assemblymember David Chiu, Sister Roma, and numerous other community and civic leaders.

The Sit.Walk.Listen organization included a moment of prayer in the Stop Hate Against Asians rally held at Civic Center on March 21.

Assemblymember David Chiu and Mayor London Breed

Following the lineup of speakers, participants marched from the Castro on Market Street, following behind the familiar refurbished vehicle known as “the stage bus.”

The help families and individuals affected by the recent attacks, donations can be made to the AAPI Community Fund or the verified GoFundMe campaign: http://www.gofundme.com/c/act/justice-appi-community

Organizer Michael Trung Nguyen welcomed and thanked participants from the stage bus platform.

Sister Roma and Troy Brunet

Supervisor Rafael Mandelman S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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GLBT Fortnight in Review You Are Getting Very Sleepy My eyes usually glaze over when I stumble over a poll headline, but I was drawn into the latest Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) report, which illustrated an astonishingly high level of support for GLBT rights access the board in this country. The annual survey is not one of these random internet questionnaires. Some 10,000 Americans are interviewed for the report, which this year showed 76 percent of us in support of full nondiscrimination laws covering gay and transgender men and women. The number has crept up from around 70 percent five years back, and includes 85 percent of Democrats and 62 percent of Republicans.

Majorities support GLBT rights in every faith group, across all racial divides, and in all generations. The more supportive religious believers were white mainline protestants, at 82 percent. The least supportive, white evangelicals, still came in at 62 percent in favor. Respondents under 50 were roughly ten points more favorable than those over 50, with responses in the 80 percent range versus high 60s or low 70s.

When it comes to the key question of whether a religious business should be allowed to refuse service to GLBT customers, a slimmer majority agrees with us that this kind of bias is wrong. Relatively high levels of Republicans (58 percent) and white evangelicals (49 percent) still think these businesses should be allowed to discriminate based on faith. All other political and religious groups disagree, with 61 percent opposed to antigay business practices and 33 percent in favor. That’s better than we tend to imagine, if I may speak for the entire GLBT community off the top of my head.

Even majorities of Republicans now support marriage equality, up to 51 percent from 31 percent less than ten years ago, while white evangelicals are the only group still to hesitate on this score with 43 percent in favor of our unions and 50 percent opposed.

Hey, I apologize if I just made your eyes glaze over, but these numbers make clear that we are making progress, major progress, and that national Republican politicians are way off the mark if they turn their backs on GLBT legislation as they seem intent on doing.

It also suggests that GLBT activists who never stray from horrific talking points do us a disservice. Like the slogan says, it gets better.

Bless Me, Father I think it’s because of our sense that it’s getting better that the news out of the Vatican last week was so jarring.

Clarifying a matter of Church law, some mucky mucks in Rome issued a Vatican decree, stating that same-sex unions are “illicit,” “not ordered to the Creator’s plan,” and could not be blessed. Since the Pope is obliged to sign off on such statements, there was no denying the fact that everyone’s favorite broadminded pontiff was taking a step away from our side.

I don’t feel like going back to the PRRI poll for exact details, but I can tell you that American Catholics rank very high on the gay-friendly scale, much friendlier, for example, than our friends in the white evangelical churches. That said, the Catholic Church is the Catholic Church, and even if Pope Francis is famous for once musing, “Who am I to judge?” the answer is that he’s the guardian of a relentlessly strict theological doctrine and that God “cannot bless the sin.”

Care to join me for a few Hail Mary’s and a cocktail?

Are They Out There?

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By Ann Rostow

Before we continue, did you happen to read that the government will soon release a report on “Advanced Aerial Threats,” detailing our experience with UFOs? According to John Ratcliff, the Trumpy former head of the intelligence services, the report will be big! Speaking to the once-credible Maria Bartiromo, Ratcliff told viewers, “There are a lot more sightings than have been made public.” The report, mandated somewhere in the fine print of the 2020 appropriations bill, will also include UFO sightings from around the world that found their way into our files.

Oh, who knows? I have read several depressing articles by impressivesounding physicists who explain that it’s impossible for advanced civilizations to have visited us in secret. But have none of them watched Star Trek?

Isn’t it likely that such visitors would have rules against making themselves known to simple species like us, and would instead observe us from hologram hideaways or cloaked ships?

I’ve always been annoyed by people who complain loudly that the government is “hiding” stuff from us, as if any responsible government leader would issue press announcements about creatures from outer space.

Our citizens had a crazed mass panic attack in 1938 when it seemed Martians were heading our way. Why would anyone expect the American public to react with thoughtful maturity if some actual evidence came to light? We’d be back in the streets screaming.

Now, however, we’ve all seen enough movies and watched enough episodes of Ancient Aliens to be able to handle the truth. Particularly if the truth does not involve mummified space people. Bring it on!

Ryan’s Song So, I guess Amazon is in trouble for “cancelling” an anti-trans book called When Harry Became Sally, written by a guy called Ryan Anderson, who seems to dine out on making politically incorrect remarks about gay couples and transgender men and women. The Harry Sally book has been in print for several years, but Amazon has recently taken it off the list, creating a big hue and cry about censorship.

I guess Anderson styled himself as a handsome young rightwinger back in 2015, when he ran around making “measured” arguments against marriage equality, and reveling in his contrarian status. In a profile that year, when Anderson was 33, The Washington Post said he had been “taking unexpected positions all his life, as an antiabortion activist in college and as a conservative at the liberal Quaker Friends School in Baltimore, where he grew up.” Anderson, we learned, was also a percussionist, and “keeps in his Washington apartment a marimba, a vibraphone, a hammered dulcimer, and an electronic drum set.”

A hammered dulcimer! Give me a gay break, as we used to say. Anderson, who clearly was aiming to carve out a space in the up-and-coming conservative iconoclast rubric, apparently failed to get enough traction out of trashing same-sex marriage, and like many of our frustrated adversaries, turned his attention to trans-bashing. Even though I haven’t read his 2018 book, I think I can deduce, from the scathing reviews and from Anderson’s own dim view of transgender activism, that his conclusions are not useful additions to the marketplace of ideas.

As for Amazon, they have recently decided that they will no longer sell books that “frame LGBTQ+ identity as a mental illness.” Reading that, Mr. Anderson jumped into the fray and demanded to know exactly MA RC H 2 5 , 2 0 2 1

where in the book he used the phrase “mental illness.” Meanwhile, four senators, including our new Most Despised Senator, Josh Hawley, pounced on Amazon with the usual complaints about cancel culture and censorship.

Kristi Backs Down As we’ve been saying, transgender attack bills are all the rage in the state legislatures this session, and the bills keep coming, particularly those that bar trans girls and women from playing sports. On Friday, March 19, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, she of Trumpety COVID19 fame, announced she would not sign the anti-trans sports bill that sits on her desk, recommending instead that lawmakers restructure the bill so it doesn’t apply to college kids.

Noem apparently recognizes that the NCAA runs college athletics in this country, has its own trans-inclusive rules, and wouldn’t hesitate to blackball South Dakota as it once did to North Carolina.

She is nonetheless in trouble with conservatives in her state, a state, by the way, where there are no transgender school athletes and where only one transgirl has ever been officially enrolled in school sports, according to the South Dakota High School Activities Association.

Also, please check out, if you will, the testimony of Brandon Boulware, speaking before the Missouri House in support of his transgender daughter who plays volleyball, tennis, and dance at school. Just google his name. You’ll be glad you did.

Celebrating

Women's History Month 2021

Making History: LGBT Community Women Entrepreneurs Women Impacting the Castro Neighborhood “The impact women have had on the Castro can’t be overstated. They have always had loud, progressive voices that have shaped not only our iconic neighborhood but also LGBTQ rights and other causes that have moved our city and our country forward. Women have also helped weave the creative fabric of the Castro with their support of arts and culture, as well as opening some of the most engaging businesses in the district. Most recently, it is our female community leaders that are using all their political and entrepreneurial might to help lift the Castro back from the pandemic.”

- Dave Karraker, Castro Merchants Association

Carol Gancia Kokak Chocolates connect@kokakchocolates.com http://www.kokakchocolates.com

My Little Pony Let’s see, what else? Japanese gays and lesbians are celebrating a key court ruling that may eventually pave the way for a High Court ruling in favor of marriage equality in the next couple of years. Slow but steady, I guess. I’ve always preferred fast and furious.

And I couldn’t help but notice that the Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament will be played from March 25 to the 28th in Wellington, Florida, at the International Polo Club.

“The Gay Polo League,” we learn, “is dedicated to inspiring and empowering those individuals who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other nontraditional sexual or gender identities through the promotion of and participation in the sport of polo.”

Hmmm. Is that a thing? Gay rights and polo? Are we being reverse snobs to turn up our noses at this association? I think so. If people are going to play polo, they may as well do it in the right spirit.

Speaking of rich gay people, I guess there were two British gay men who became somewhat famous for wanting a family back in the day and adopting a whole bunch of kids. Tony and Barrie Drewitt-Barlow are now separated, but are still good friends.

Apparently, Tony made a ton of money investing in bitcoin, and at any rate, they all went on Below Deck Sailing Yacht with their 21-year-old twins (Saffron and Aspen), 17-yearold son (Orlando) and 11-year-old twins (Dallas and Jasper). Also, along for the ride was Scott Hutchison, Saffron’s former boyfriend who is now Barrie’s significant other, and their daughter (Valentina).

There was I time, I confess, when the various Below Decks were one of my guilty pleasures, although I phased out after all the shows started seeming alike. (To be honest, this was, in part, because I was accidentally watching the same ones two and (continued on page 24)

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Reopening California Schools Safely tives for them to do so. Schools that remain shuttered will not receive any additional money, leaving millions on the table.

Assemblymember Phil Ting Like many parents, I feel somewhat relieved. California has finally begun bringing back more students for inperson learning this month—thanks to AB 86, a compromise between the Governor and the Legislature to reopen schools.

Back in December, I wrote in this column about my original legislation to reopen schools, AB 10, and I’m proud it provided the groundwork for this final plan. Because of that early engagement, my role as Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, and the mounting frustrations I felt as a parent, I was spurred to play a key role in the negotiations.

Under the new law, younger students and vulnerable students of all grades, such as English learners, homeless youth, and foster children, are among the first to return to their classrooms. Then, as COVID-19 infection rates decrease and schools gain experience in how to reopen safely, more students would return alongside them.

Under AB 86, the state is allocating $6.6 billion to school districts, giving them the resources and tools necessary to help our children go back to school. While it does not force schools to reopen, it does provide guidelines and financial incen-

The allocation also addresses learning loss, allowing for longer school days or summer school to help students catch up. We know children have suffered academically and emotionally after spending a full year learning online.

In addition, the state has set aside 10% of its vaccine supply for school employees, adding another level of safety for campuses to resume operations.

It’s unfortunate that many school districts have been slow to fully embrace AB 86, including San Francisco Unified, where my children attend. I’m disappointed they are not reopening as many schools as the state plan requires to receive additional funding. Our city has some of California’s lowest infection rates, yet we are lagging behind places like Los Angeles and San Diego when it comes to serving our students’ best interests.

Despite their COVID-19 case rates being among the highest in the state, their reopening plan is more expansive than San Francisco’s.

All-virtual lessons have taken a mental toll on our kids, and we cannot let this manner of learning go on indefinitely. I worry, too, that the pre-pandemic progress we’ve made in closing the achievement gap will be erased by our extended reliance on online schooling. I will continue to work with local administrators throughout my Assembly district to see what

else we can do to welcome back more students.

Scientifically, it makes no sense to keep classrooms closed. Many studies show very few COVID-19 outbreaks in re-opened schools around the world. There are best practices that can be utilized without great health risks. For resources to help with reopening, staff and parents can visit the State of California’s Safe Schools for All hub: https://schools.covid19.ca.gov/ Meanwhile, the Legislature’s next debate will be whether to allow distance learning again next year, as the current waiver permitting it expires June 30th. While we should take into account the special circumstances some children and teachers may face, including those with compromised immune systems, we must get schools back to their main mission: provide an education in a safe environment, so our kids can reach their full potential.

Phil Ting represents the 19th Assembly District, which includes the Westside of San Francisco along with the communities of Broadmoor, Colma, and Daly City.

Ending Exclusionary Zoning and Allowing Four-Plexes munities, and to ensure that these efforts also prevent displacement and protect our communities.

I have called for an effort to undertake changes to our zoning, to allow a wider range of more affordable housing options in more places. Exclusionary zoning is being reconsidered in many cities, including Sacramento and Berkeley, and now also Oakland, to analyze how the City of Oakland could implement such a change in zoning density by allowing the building of four-plexes in areas that have historically been limited to only single-family residences.

If we build four-plexes in areas previously zoned for single family residences, especially in high resources areas near public transportation, we help address the need for additional housing. While no one solution can address all of these problems, the shortage of affordable housing is a need that must be addressed.

Out of the Closet and into City Hall Oakland City Councilmember At-Large, Rebecca Kaplan The housing situation in the Bay Area and elsewhere in California is problematic. Market rents are too expensive for most longtime residents of Oakland to pay. There simply is not enough affordable housing being built to match the demand. Homelessness has become a problem that is too big for even the most ambivalent to ignore. Our neighbors have been displaced from apartments or houses and forced out of the city or onto the streets.

The pandemic has exacerbated the problem. And many decades of exclusionary zoning have prevented the construction of a larger number of housing units that are affordable to more people, and have perpetuated racial inequities. We need more housing options for all in our com-

There is an additional benefit to changing the zoning to allow four-plexes: the equity it brings. Single-family zoning has been used as a tool of racial and ethnic exclusion from the time these neighborhoods were originally planned.

Redlining and other exclusionary tactics on the part of realtors and bankers reinforced the original intent to keep these neighborhoods segregated. By studying the four-plex model, which would also examine how not to displace existing tenants from their homes due to building four-plexes, we are creating the opportunity to inject equity into a housing process where it has been sorely lacking.

The study will also consider certain unavoidable realities. Wildfire is an everpresent danger for certain areas of the city. Therefore, the impact of fire risk and other topographical and geographic limitations will also be factored in the analysis for study.

I am thankful to my colleagues for their unanimous vote in support of my proposal at our meeting on March 16—to launch a study process with community input to advance this effort. In addition, we appreciate the tenants’ rights and affordability advocates who are helping to contribute vital components to this effort, as we work to bring about policies that are both pro-housing and pro-justice.

As we look to expand housing options, we must also include provisions to prevent displacement and provide affordability. The timing is good as other cities are also exploring this model, and we can work collaboratively to adopt effective practices. We must consider a full range of solutions to solve the housing issues that face the city and our region.

Councilmember At-Large and Council President Rebecca Kaplan was elected in 2008 to serve as Oakland’s citywide Councilmember; she was re-elected in 2016 and 2020. She also serves on the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC). Follow Councilmember Kaplan on Twitter @Kaplan4Oakland ( https://twitter.com/Kaplan4Oakland ) and Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/Kaplan4Oakland/ ).

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Supporting Small Businesses in the Castro & Beyond

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“Quality Matters” is the slogan for this popular bubble tea shop located in the storefront adjacent to the longstanding Sit & Spin laundry. Declaring itself to be “The first authentic Boba Shop” in the Castro, QualiTea opened in early March of 2018 and has thankfully thus far survived through the pandemic.

From Pink Sparkle with its sunny fruity hues to Matcha Blossom with a burst of tea green, Qualitea’s beverages are almost too beautiful to drink, but they are irresistible in a good way. Consider their Whole Avocado Shake that makes for a satisfying nutrition boost on the go.

Also offered are lattes and coffee options, plus hot chocolate to round out the choices.

The impressive tea selection includes Hōjicha, Genmaicha, White Peach Oolong, and caffeine-free options such as Golden Buckwheat and Rose Garden.

Other menu favorites include House Milk Tea, Golden Oolong, Taro Kisses, and a host of others.

COVID-19 adjustments include social distancing, facemask requirements, and limited dinein capacity. Mention the San Francisco Bay Times when you order to receive a free topping!

Photos courtesy of Mudpuppy’s

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536 Castro Street 10 am–6 pm Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm Saturday & Sunday 415-999-9791 Contact: Todd Ahlberg & Daniel Bergerac todd@mudpuppys.com http://www.mudpuppys.com The Castro’s favorite dog grooming spot would be the likely description of this dog-loving shop that has cared for thousands of pups since 1999. Mudpuppy’s also operates from a second location, which includes the Sit & Stay Café, at the Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park in Richmond.

Services include “everything a dog could need” in terms of grooming care, from a basic wash and blow-dry to full-service grooming, nail trimming, gland expression, teeth brushing, ear cleaning, de-matting, and more.

Dog owners on our team can vouch for this statement from Mudpuppy’s: “We hire only the best professional groomers, and ensure that your pups are warm and loved during their visit. Your pup will love the attention, and you’ll love the fabulous new haircut!”

Pandemic adjustments include extensive cleaning and disinfecting, social distancing, and contactless payments.

The Sausage Factory 517 Castro Street 4 pm–9 pm Tuesday–Friday; Noon–9 pm Saturday–Sunday 415-626-1250 Contact: Mario info@thesausagefactorysf.com http://www.thesausagefactorysf.com It doesn’t get more classic in the Castro than The Sausage Factory. Located in a late 19th century building, this family-owned Italian restaurant was founded in 1968 and has been serving up Italian comfort food and an assortment of drinks for more than 50 years.

Think Mama Salad with lettuce, tomato, onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, salami, egg, olives, and mozzarella. (Mama didn’t hold back!) Or Salmon Gremolata with a hearty portion of salmon served with parsley, lemon, and garlic. There are so many other entrée choices, including at least 22 pasta dishes.

We have not even mentioned the numerous pizza possibilities made on either traditional or gluten-free crust.

Members of our San Francisco Bay Times team love this family-friendly, home-awayfrom home spot where you can still make friends and everyone will (eventually) know your name. Adjustments to meet COVID-19 protocols include outdoor serving at the restaurant’s welcoming parklet.

As a recent visitor wrote at Yelp: “This Italian restaurant has all the historical ambiance San Francisco has to offer. Must visit for all young and old. The food is as authentic and has many generations to back it up ... Don’t forget to leave room for the tiramisu.”

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QauliTea 4023 18th Street Noon–8 pm 415-712-9364 Contact: Johnny Choi johnny.choi.1990@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/Qualiteasf

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Busting Open the Closet Door in Steeltown U.S.A.

By Paul Ellis

Coming Out Stories

My coming out story is a good deal different from so many others. Let me tell you why. Sure, I grew up in a conservative town, Pittsburgh, PA: Steeltown U.S.A. as it was known then. Life was mostly about basic metal commodities for mining and refinement for transport. Life was about forwarding that. I had been born and raised in my early youth in McKeesport, an industrial town just south of Pittsburgh that owed its entire existence to the production of steel, iron, copper, and aluminum for transport and further production.

Okay, that is just the setting. The opening shot, if you will.

Enter my parents, Jane and Elmer Ellis.

Dad put himself through architecture

Paul Ellis (2021)

Paul and his partner Richard Elter (1983)

school at Carnegie Tech in night school on the GI Bill while he worked days. He was passionately committed to learning, finding that his greater reality was not limited to his military service.

Mom went to Duquesne University and was the first woman to graduate with a degree in law. She too was committed to learning. Not taking her final degree, she worked for IBM and eventually sought a doctorate in education, which she

Photos courtesy of Paul Ellis

achieved. So, when they married and ultimately produced my elder sister Alice, and then and me, we grew up in a suburban environment that was somewhat at odds with the normative of the time. Dad continued to work as an architect both as part of a larger firm, and later on his own with a single partner. Mom went on to take her significant education to teach in primary schools.

My sister and I were encouraged to learn and grow, never to shy from something new because it was different. Our parents supported every effort we had to learn and grow. Yet, I still harbored this unease about myself as somehow not in tune with the rest of life as it was presented, regardless of the support of my parents.

In middle school and high school as I struggled with my growing understanding of my difference from others, I learned to keep my head down, dodge and weave in the halls, stay to the back in gym class, and sometimes deliberately dumb myself down in order to avoid being classed as an “egg head.” (I had been started a year early to school because of my precocity.)

Somehow, though, I got the moxie to come out sexually at 17. To feel myself fully alive and awake as an adult sexual person was exhilarating. The closet door had not merely opened, it was busted from its hinges. The man who brought me out was old enough to be my father, yet he honored me and my passage into adulthood. I will never forget the contribution he made to me and my life to come. He helped me to see myself as not damaged, but fine and free.

The later 70s were a revelation of free sex and unbridled exuberance. I had no idea of what was coming. Who could? I coupled with whomever and however it seemed right at the time.

In 1983, after a prolonged long-distance relationship, I relocated to Santa Barbara, where my first love Bobby and I explored life together. We soon found that, though we had much to teach each other, a permanent life together was not what either of us wanted. So, we parted amicably and

remained in contact for a long time. Bob Gerard passed some years ago. I miss him sorely.

Subsequently, I moved to San Francisco, which has been for the better part of my life the home of my heart. It was here that I both faced my demons, and found my true strengths. It was during the first awful wave of the AIDS crisis that I learned about what it means to care for others, but also what it requires of us to care for ourselves.

I lost so many. So many. So many. I worked, and still do so, at a business in the heart of the Castro, and during that awful time we would gather each Thursday morning to see who had passed, by looking at the obits in the Bay Area Reporter.

One Thursday, we were all checking it out, as usual, and I just plain lost it. The cumulative effect of all those folks whose lives had touched mine through my work welled up finally and overtook me. Over the course of the day, I would suddenly find myself sobbing uncontrollably. I was mourning, at last, all those people, many of whom I didn’t even know by name, whom I had helped in some small way, and knew as part of the community in which I lived. I finally mourned their passing and fully felt their loss.

I cannot say I have always been a person of honor. There are dark spots in my days, many, as there are for most of us. I will say this. Living my life as I have, and dealing with what I have faced, has made me a stronger, more honorable person, and though those dark bits are nothing I am proud of, they have contributed to who I am now. That person is someone I am proud to know, and proud to know to be me.

All of us have the chance to surmount the trials we have faced, to look at them and say, “You will not own me.” That is the legacy I bring to my days now. My past does not own me. It helps me be the person I am proud to be today.

Paul Ellis is a Manager at Cliff’s Variety in the Castro.

Pittsburgh’s Gay Life, February 1977

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2021)

Jason Chan, Clair Farley Photos by Mark Rhoades In June 2020, LGBT community leader and PR strategist Mark Rhoades contacted popular artist fnnch and suggested that he paint rainbow honey bears all over the Castro.

Fnnch loved the idea, and added that he would like to honor Pride by painting one specific wall, with one dynamic focus: the SF LGBT Center. Rebecca Rolfe and Roberto Ordeñana of the Center approved the mural, which is dedicated to fnnch’s late gay uncle.

Now Rhoades is taking photos of LGBT leaders, well-known artists, and others in order to support the Center. In this column the San Francisco Bay Times is featuring highlights from the colorful collection of images that will be exhibited at the Center for SF Pride 2021.

For More Information Mark Rhoades PR https://www.markrhoadespr.com/ fnnch https://fnnch.com/

Clair Farley, Senior Advisor, Trans Initiatives at the City and County of San Francisco

SF LGBT Center https://www.sfcenter.org/ Jason Chan, Director of External Affairs at AT&T S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun On NETFLIX only through April 5, I highly recommend this emotional musical SATURDAY CHURCH in which a teen struggling with gender identity, bullying, and family tensions seeks hope and support in NYC's underground LGBTQ ballroom community. Add your fave all-stars from TV’s POSE, and how can you lose?!

Kim Corsaro Publisher 1981-2011

2261 Market Street, No. 309 San Francisco CA 94114 Phone: 415-601-2113 525 Bellevue Avenue Oakland CA 94610 E-mail: editor@sfbaytimes.com www.sfbaytimes.com

By Sister Dana Van Iquity

The Bay Times was the first newspaper in California, and among the first in the world, to be jointly and equally produced by lesbians and gay men.

We honor our history and the paper’s ability to build and strengthen unity in our community.

Sister Dana sez, “Thank you to all the Republicans who unanimously voted for the COVID-19 Relief Bill. Nah. APRIL FOOLS!”

The Bay Times is proud to be the only newspaper for the LGBT community in San Francisco that is 100% owned and operated by LGBT individuals.

Dr. Betty L. Sullivan Jennifer L. Viegas Co-Publishers & Co-Editors

Beth Greene, Michael Delgado, John Signer, Abby Zimberg Design & Production

Kate Laws Business Manager Blake Dillon Calendar Editor

Kit Kennedy

Poet-In-Residence

J.H. Herren

Technology Director

Carla Ramos Web Coordinator Mario Ordonez Distribution

CONTRIBUTORS Writers Rink, Sister Dana Van Iquity, Ann Rostow, Patrick Carney, Kate Kendell, Alex Randolph, Heidi Beeler, Gary M. Kramer, Jennifer Kroot, Robert Holgate, Dennis McMillan, Julie Peri,Tom Moon, Tim Seelig, Cinder Ernst, John Chen Rafael Mandelman, Jewelle Gomez, Phil Ting, Rebecca Kaplan, Kin Folkz, Leslie Katz, Philip Ruth, Peter Gallotta, Bill Lipsky, Elisa Quinzi, Liam Mayclem, Karen Williams, Donna Sachet, Gary Virginia, Zoe Dunning, Derek Barnes, Marcy Adelman, Stuart Gaffney & John Lewis Brandon Miller, Jamie Leno Zimron Michele Karlsberg Lyndsey Schlax, Randy Coleman, Debra Walker, Howard Steiermann, Andrea Shorter, Lou Fischer, Karin Jaffie, Brett Andrews, Karen E. Bardsley, David Landis, Jan Wahl

ANGELS Around Us and Among Us on March 11 by SFGMC commemorated the 30th anniversary of “WHEN WE NO LONGER TOUCH,” the world’s first requiem dedicated to those lost to AIDS, with a rebroadcast from SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS’ momentous 40th anniversary concert that took place on October 26, 2018, at San Francisco’s St. Ignatius Church.

This moving work was commissioned

by SFGMC Artistic Director Dr. Timothy Seelig and the TURTLE CREEK CHORALE in Dallas, Texas. The evening also included the premiere of a video celebrating the creation of SFGMC’s Artist Portal at the NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL GROVE located in Golden Gate Park. The memorial included the names of regional, national, and international arts organizations from all disciplines who have also lost members. The program began with a painful history of the very beginning of the terrible AIDS epidemic and horrors to come—with a massive loss of lives. Personally, I stopped counting at 100 of my friends lost to the dreadful disease of “mysterious pneumonia” in the early ‘80s. “Never Ever” (as the Chorus sings) will we forget. This concert was tearful, mournful, yet joyful. https://www.sfgmc.org/angels

THE FRIENDS OF EAGLE PLAZA is an independent 501(c)3 organization founded to activate events on the Eagle Plaza. They expect leather pride themed crosswalks to be installed soon, followed shortly by plaza completion. http://www.eagleplaza.org/ Meanwhile, the SF EAGLE bar moves forward towards obtaining Historic Landmark status. The next hearing date is May 19. Your support matters!

Good news: the I.R.S. has extended the deadline to file federal taxes until May 15, and Biden has promised: “Nobody making under $400,000 a year will have their taxes increased.”

(Editor’s note: For those who must make estimated tax payments, the deadline is still April 15.)

In watching the SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE hold their first hearing on the EQUALITY ACT, Sarah LeDonne of LGBTQ VICTORY FUND said, “It’s infuriating, but not surprising, that U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley opened the hearing by repeating a litany of antitrans myths, pretending to care about young women playing sports, and stating his intent to call a number of rightwing witnesses bent on claiming that LGBTQ equality will destroy religious freedom and harm women. If you’ve paid even a little bit of attention to U.S. politics over the years, you know that Chuck Grassley and his ilk don’t actually care about women or ending LGBTQ discrimination. They just

PHOTO COURTESY OF DENNIS MCMILLAN

Roland Schembari and Bill Hartman, Co-Founders Randy Alfred, Founding News Editor 1978

The first time out for Sister Dana in many months was a visit to the salon Nail Me, where he placed a poster in the front window promoting the Sisters' annual Easter celebration coming up on Sunday, April 4, 1–3 pm. With Sister Dana and Sister Roma in their familiar co-host roles, the event will include guest emcees Honey Mahogany, Alex U. Inn and Juanita MORE! To find out more, visit http://www.thesisters.org

care about enshrining their bigoted beliefs into law.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said that he will filibuster “till I fall over” to prevent the Equality Act from becoming law on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show. The EQUALITY ACT, which would expand existing federal civil rights protections to include LGBTQ people, passed the HOUSE last month, and the SENATE is now considering it. While Democrats hold a slim majority—50 senators plus the tiebreaking vice presidential vote— under current Senate rules 60 votes are required to end a filibuster so that the chamber can vote on a bill. This means that LGBTQ advocates have to find 10 Republicans to vote to end the debate on the Equality Act, or Senate Democrats have to end or restrict the filibuster.

Sister Dana sez, “Deb Haaland made history when she was confirmed as the first Native American cabinet secretary ever in America. Secretary Haaland,

a tribal citizen of the Laguna Pueblo, will be a fierce advocate for our public lands, advancing climate and environmental justice, and Indigenous rights in her role as the Secretary of the Department of the Interior.”

I caught the pande-larious monthly LOCKDOWN COMEDY show on March 18. You can enjoy hearing yourself and others laughing out loud every 3rd Thursday on Zoom. This time the show featured world-renowned Shazia Mirza (London), Dana Eagle (LA), Joseph Nguyen (SF), producer/comic Lisa Geduldig and her mom Arline (unfortunately ill that night, but both living in Florida now). https://bit.ly/3spMVBW Anti-Asian violence in the United States has been on the rise for years, and has skyrocketed nearly 150 percent since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. STOP AAPI HATE has recorded nearly 3,800 (continued on page 24)

Photographers Rink, Phyllis Costa, Jane Higgins Paul Margolis, Chloe Jackman, Bill Wilson, Jo-Lynn Otto, Sandy Morris, Abby Zimberg, Deborah Svoboda, Devlin Shand, Kristopher Acevedo, Morgan Shidler, JP Lor ADVERTISING Display Advertising Standard Rate Cards http://sfbaytimes.com/ or 415-503-1375 Custom ad sizes are available. Ads are reviewed by the publishers.

National Advertising: Contact Bay Times / San Francisco.

Represented by Rivendell Media: 908-232-2021 Circulation is verified by an independent agency Reprints by permission only.

CALENDAR Submit events for consideration by e-mail to: calendar@sfbaytimes.com © 2021 Bay Times Media Company Co-owned by Betty L. Sullivan & Jennifer L. Viegas

The San Francisco Bay Times wishes all a healthy and happy Spring 2021!

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Celebrating Women's History Month 2021 Jewelle Gomez

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Memory & Gratitude

Leave Signs Jewelle Gomez

Fortunately for me, it was then located in a Manhattan apartment only three blocks from my flat.

Floor to ceiling books and photos made it easy to feel like it was another home, especially if Irare greeted you at the door. I used to march with her and the LHA contingent every Pride when I lived in Irare Sabasu NYC. When Irare passed away this year, friends understood that she touched everyone who’d passed through the doors of the LHA searching for our history. It was unfortunate, given the pandemic, that I couldn’t travel back east to commemorate her; but I do so here.

On the other hand, I just happened to be in New York City last January for the production of my most recent play when I heard of the passing of sister poet/ activist/dancer/drummer Donna Allegra.

It was a harsh blow; especially because Donna was renowned for her attention to her health—no meat had passed her lips in decades and she biked everywhere.

Donna She’d trained as a dancer Allegra and drummed with a contingent of women drummers in Washington Square Park and for Pride

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Joan Nestle, Deb Edel, Judith Schwarz

marches—lively could have been her middle name. I saw Donna about three years ago when I was walking down 6th Avenue in Greenwich Village and I heard her shout over the horrific noise of traffic: “Hey, Girl!”

She darted perilously between cars on her bike, dreadlocks flying about her head, and screeched to a halt at the curb beside me. We talked for a half hour about poetry as if we’d just seen each other the day before.

Then last month I learned that Oakland photographer Lenn Keller passed away, and again I wondered, rhetorically, how such vibrant life can be extinguished. Lenn had chronicled the lives of lesbians, especially African American lesbians, for twenty years and founded the Bay Area Lesbian Archives in 2016. https://bit.ly/2OWyjf4

locks over a soft smile, and an acute eye that missed nothing still resonate within me.

LHA Banner, Christopher Sreet & 7th Avenue

It’s said that as long as one person remembers you, you are not gone.

I’m grateful whenever I take time to remember those who’ve enriched my life and our community.

Jewelle Gomez is a lesbian/ feminist activist, novelist, poet, and playwright. She’s written for “The Advocate,” “Ms. Magazine,” “Black Scholar,” “The San Francisco Chronicle,” “The New York Times,” and “The Village Voice.” Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ VampyreVamp

PHOTO BY LYNN KELLER

Irare Sabasu was a charming volunteer at the Lesbian Herstory Archives ( https://bit.ly/2NGSGMB ) in New York City. I’m not sure how a woman can be both soft spoken and boisterous, but Irare was that. A tall, full bodied, brown-skinned woman, she was proud of her connection to the LHA founded by Joan Nestle, Deb Edel, and Judith Schwarz.

LHA Pride March (1980)

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Still, I feel very lucky to have met a large number of people over the past years who’ve influenced me deeply, even if we weren’t close friends.

Growing my career during the lesbian feminist movement of the 1980s and 1990s was very fortunate and the women I met have formed the ground on which I stand. As we start to lose those women, I try to figure out how to honor them without it sounding tragic. Especially in a year that’s seen so much death.

PHOTO BY PAULA GRANT

Those who know me and my writing know that maintaining connections and community are at my heart.

That doesn’t mean that I pretend to remember a fan I met at a reading in 1985. I mean I’d like it if, say, Lily Tomlin remembered she met me twenty years ago (fat chance!).

Any event—dance, literary reading, rally, or memorial—found Lenn cruising the floor snapping photos in her easy way, smiling behind her big glasses. She was an avowed “proud butch lesbian” who made every effort to document any women’s event that ever occurred in our community. At least I was able to attend Lenn’s virtual memorial, which literally overflowed with people; some folks had to wait for others to leave. It’s the one Zoom I wouldn’t have missed.

At my age these remembrances are not without sadness, but these were the women who made community for me when the world told us lesbians weren’t worth it. Getting to write about them reminds me of how much they’ve given to get us to where we are now. A sonorous greeting at the door, flying dreadS AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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Broadcasting Legend and SF Giants P.A. Announcer Renel Brooks-Moon to Serve as Bal Masque Grand Marshal be sashed and lead a Second Line parade, she wrote, “I humbly and enthusiastically accept this tremendous honor! I’m thrilled to be included amongst this most illustrious list of your previous grand marshals—especially my friends Liam Mayclem and Jan Wahl, and the icon, Bruce Vilanch!” (Editor’s note: We are proud that two of the three listed are San Francisco Bay Times columnists!)

Renel, her widely known, one-word career name, spent 35 years as a local radio and television broadcaster, including stints at 106 KMEL, 98.1 KISS-FM, and CBS-5, among others. She has been recognized by the Baseball Hall of Fame as the first woman to public address announce a world championship game in any professional sport, following Game 3 of the 2002 World Series.

Kicking off the festivities as Grand Marshal and speaking at the masked ball will be Bay Area native Dr. Renel Brooks-Moon, who is entering her 22nd season as P.A. Announcer for the San Francisco Giants. In accepting the honor, when she will

KDK founder Gary Virginia (2018)

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Renel has received numerous awards, including honors from American Women in Radio and Television, Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame, 100 Black Women, Bay Area Black Journalists Association, and Girls, Inc. In 2008, her Alma Mater, Mills College, presented Renel with an honorary degree in arts literature. In 2018, she received a second honorary doctorate in arts and science from the University of San Francisco. She’s also an Emmy Award winner as host of the television series Forever Giants and is featured on a limited edition 2020 TOPPS baseball card.

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Q Foundation is a nonprofit technology company providing rent payment processing in the social sector.

It believes in a world where all people

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have a safe, decent, and affordable home. Toward that vision, they prevent homelessness by helping people keep the housing they have, provide resources to secure new housing, and promote public policy to expand opportunity for all. Over the past 17 years, it has become one of the leading agencies providing emergency rent assistance. In response to the COVID-19 housing crisis, they provided over $1M in emergency rent assistance in June 2020 alone.

Krewe de Kinque (KDK) is a social/ charitable club that raises awareness and funds in the spirit of Mardi Gras with an emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and emergency needs. Founded in 2004 by Gary Virginia, the allvolunteer organization has raised over $130,000 for 30 causes ranging from HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, LGBTQ asylum, local housing, and hunger programs; to emergency relief for Oakland warehouse fire victims, North Bay fire and flood victims, Hurricane Katrina, earthquake victims abroad, and more.

Club founder Gary Virginia stated, “In the most challenging of years, we’re proud to help the Q Foundation keep Bay Area residents housed.

We promise a captivating online Mardi Gras experience worthy of tips and donations. Grand Marshal Renel’s broadcasting fame is the perfect fit for our ‘On The Radio’ theme and we’re thrilled to honor her just

Renel Brooks-Moon

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San Francisco’s Krewe de Kinque (KDK) charitable Mardi Gras club is gearing up for “On The Radio,” the theme for Bal Masque XVIII, to be held virtually and in the Castro district on Saturday, March 27, 3–5 pm.

Known for its elaborate costumed shows and emergency fund relief, KDK’s year of fundraising for the Q Foundation will culminate with a free online broadcast and limited VIP seating outside of the production stage at The Castro Stitchery and Poesia restaurant (4072 18th Street).

days before the SF Giants season starts!”

The current KDK King and Queen XVII, Omar Kubian and Diana Wheeler, will preside over festivities including the National Anthem performed live, a traditional Second Line Parade, and the costumed tableaux show of singers, musicians, drag queens, and dancers. The benefit culminates with the crowning of King and Queen XVIII. Limited VIP reserved seating at Poesia restaurant’s parklet includes gift bags and waiter service ($20 by text

inquire to 415-867-5004). Free online viewing on YouTube and Facebook is accessible @Krewe de Kinque March 27, 3–5 pm, with donations encouraged. A sidewalk sale of gift baskets and Mardi Gras bling will be offered outside for everyone at 4072 18th Street next to the Grand Marshal VIP table.

More info: Gary Virginia, KDK Founder, MrSFL96@aol.com; Text to 415-867-5004 for tickets and links to donate. Q Foundation: 350 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco CA 94102; 415-552-3242; info@theqfoundation.org

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Donna’s Chronicles

“United we stand, divided they catch us one by one.”

By Donna Sachet

he Imperial Court of San Francisco’s calendar of events, although delayed by this pandemic, is now back in full swing with modified events that maintain their decades of tradition. On Sunday, Reigning Emperor William Bulkley and Empress Mimi Osa hosted Imperial Gala and Presentation of Candidates for Emperor & Empress. Traditionally, this event kicks off the season as the Reigning Emperor and Empress are winding down their year and attention turns to the race for the next Imperial Monarchs. When an organization has been active in the community for over 50 years, its events become entrenched in tradition, sometimes making change difficult, but the success of this first ever online Gala is a credit to the leadership and its ability to adapt to the challenging circumstances. All the necessary business of the Imperial Court was accomplished in new ways and our season has begun.

Absolute Empress LIV Baby Shaques Munro served as capable and lively emcee, ably supported by the technical expertise of Reigning Grand Duchess Katherine Rose. The Reigning Emperor and Empress delivered personal remarks, each in their own way, on their unprecedented year. Following longstanding tradition, Emperors and Empresses who are celebrating specific anniversaries of the years of their reign are invited to perform at this event. Celebrating his five-year anniversary, Emperor XLIV Salvador Tomas offered a Latin musical video performance that featured friends in various San Francisco locations and backed by slides of various moments from his reign. Absolute Empress LI Emma Peel performed a sassy live version of “Cabaret” in celebration of her five-year anniversary.

Then attention turned to the titleholders from the current reign, starting with Imperial Crown Prince Andrew MunRose singing live and accompanying himself on piano and Imperial Crown Princess The One and Only Rexy accepting her official tiara from her Empress. Throughout the event, Baby Shaques reminded viewers to make online contributions to the Imperial Council to support their ongoing charitable work.

After weeks and months of rumors and innuendos, we finally found out who the officially approved candidates for Emperor and Empress are. Candidate for Empress Juanita MORE! delivered a moving, soulful song backed by black and white images of civil rights struggles. Candidate for Emperor Mr. David Glamamore performed in a staged musical number with smoke and light special effects and fanciful costume accessories in support of Suicide Prevention. Candidate for Empress Ehra Amaya dedicated her upbeat musical presentation to essential health workers, demonstrating great videography, multiple outfits, and a slogan of Essential Ehra 2021! Over the next few weeks leading up to voting on April 17, you are bound to see these three candidates all over town and all over the internet, describing their qualifications, sharing their goals, and reaching out for your support. Two of these individuals will lead the Imperial Court into its fifty-sixth year of charitable fundraising, community development, and outstanding productions.

Gala continued with a reminder of the efforts of the International Court Council to have the U.S. Postal Service issue stamps honoring three drag icons, José Sarria, Founder of the Court System; Marsha P. Johnson; and Sylvia Rivera. The successful campaign for a stamp commemorating Harvey Milk was started by the International Court Council, representing nearly 70 chapters across the continent in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The celebration, including unveiling, at City Hall in San Francisco was an event to be remembered. We encourage our readers to support this latest effort.

The balance of Sunday’s Gala included performances by Mr. Gay Sage Sanchez Munro, Miss Gay SF Linda Summers, Mr. Golden Gate Ashle Blow, Mx. Cowhand Foxxy Blue Snacks, and a personal message from Miss Golden Gate Bernadette. Several of these videos featured spectacular special effects, elaborate costuming, and high energy talent. Gala certainly had a range of entertainment with something for everyone.

Watch this column’s calendar for a complete listing of upcoming Imperial events, leading up to Imperial Coronation 56, Saturday, April 24, 4 pm, available for all to view online free of charge, but welcoming generous contributions. If the professional production of Gala is any indication, the Imperial Court is alive and well and Imperial Coronation 56 will be well worth watching! Don’t miss it!

Important announcement: Krewe de Kinque Founder Gary Virginia tells us that the Grand Marshal for this Saturday’s Bal Masque XVIII is Renel BrooksMoon, the dynamic and gracious P.A. Announcer for the SF Giants! Great news!

Donna Sachet is a celebrated performer, fundraiser, activist and philanthropist who has dedicated over two decades to the LGBTQ Community in San Francisco. Contact her at empsachet@gmail.com

PHOTO BY SHAWN NORTHCUTT

–José Sarria

Founder of the Imperial Court

Calendar

a/la Sachet Saturday, March 27 Krewe de Kinque Bal Masque XVIII: On the Radio New Orleans-style party on 18th Street and online Grand Marshal Renel Brooks-Moon, Voice of the SF Giants Hosted by King XVII Omar Kubian & Queen XVII Diana Wheeler Benefits Q Foundation 3 pm–5 pm Free online, limited $20 VIP seating https://bit.ly/3tK8uh8 Saturday, March 27 Monarchs’ Monthly Fundraiser: Empress Showcase Reigning Empress Mimi Osa hosts, Empresses perform Facebook Live 5 pm Free, donations welcomed www.imperialcouncilsf.org Thursday, April 8 Nelly Queen: The Life & Times of José Sarria Online screening of the new film by Joe Castel 7 pm Panel Discussion 8 pm Screening $10 for pre-registered guests Free for GLBT Historical Society members www.glbthistory.org Saturday, April 10 SF LGBT Center’s Virtual Soirée Inspiration, entertainment, community Hosted by Liam Mayclem & Sister Roma Entertainment by Juanita MORE! 6 pm Sponsorships available, donations welcomed www.sfcenter.org Saturday, April 17 Voting Day for Emperor & Empress Details to follow Residents of San Francisco, San Mateo, & Marin Counties www.imperialcouncilsf.org Saturday, April 24 Imperial Coronation 56, online Step-down of Reigning Emperor William Bulkley & Empress Mimi Osa Crowning of new Emperor & Empress of San Francisco Special recognition of anniversary Monarchs 4 pm Free, donations welcomed www.imperialcouncilsf.org

Watch Donna’s latest video update presented along with Peanut: http://sfbaytimes.com/ S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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Limbo Thinking about an article about limbo, I did what I always do— begin with research into the word.

I’m kind of sorry I did. I assumed this would be the first, and perhaps only, definition: “an uncertain period of awaiting a decision or resolution; an intermediate state or condition.”

Last month, my article was titled “Change.” It was about facing change and turning it into opportunity. It outlined ways to manage the emotions that come with leaps of faith.

We have had an inordinate amount of change foisted upon us over the last year.

I had absolutely no idea. Had I any idea, I would not have looked. But then I couldn’t look away, like a car wreck. This is what I learned: Limbo is a legacy of Roman Catholic tradition, which stipulates that babies who died before being baptized did not go to heaven, but to an in-between state known as limbo. This is not to be confused with the parochial definition of Purgatory, which talks about purification and punishment. Wow! While the Catholic Church has a defined doctrine on original sin, it has none on the eternal fate of unbaptized infants or people born before Jesus came along. Theologians are free to propose different theories as they wish.

Jesus in Limbo by artist Domenico Beccafumi

Limbo

Street limbo London (2007)

PHOTO BY ANNELI SALO

PHOTO BY MARIE GRIFFITHS/WIKIPEDIA.COM

Back to COVID-19. It is difficult to remember where we were at the end of February last year. Imagine if we knew then what we know now.

Thank goodness we didn’t. Had anyone told us our country would

Folk music and limbo dance performance, City Hall of Port of Spain, Trinidad (2012) 14

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be shut down for a year, we would have laughed. If anyone had told us that in the next month grocery shelves would be empty, we would laugh even harder.

The laughter subsided as we began to stock up on toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and Net-

The Old Testament righteous follow Christ from Hades to Heaven (Russian Icon)

flix subscriptions. In fact, early pictures of Italy closing down brought responses of “that would never happen in the U.S.” Then it did ... for a year! We need to look away from the fact that Italy is now closing again.

What is interesting looking back is that during that time, at least things were clear. We knew where we could go and where we could not. We knew we couldn’t gather in groups. We certainly knew, because we were reminded often, that we could not sing near any other human. Most of us knew we were going to be homebound and soon learned what that meant. Every 2 or 3 weeks, the advisories were updated. For those of us in California, they didn’t change much.

Those in charge were clear. All we needed to do was follow. We were actually one of the states that listened to science.

Light dawned in January with the change in administration. A breath of fresh air carried hope on its wings. The last two months have been delightful. Unlike the previous four years, it has been good news every day instead of dreading the next tweet from the oval office.

PHOTO BY ENDISNIS (2007)

This little recovering-Baptist boy is speechless. I have no words. None.

Zero. Lest I get on my soapbox of disgust and disbelief that any religion would have any such thing in its doctrine. I’m certain some of that is why I was brought up being told Catholics were not Christians.

One of the other good ones was the Baptist doctrine that believers were free to talk to God with no intermediary. They need only listen to God—not their preacher. Oh, boy.

That’s another article.

WIKIPEDIA.COM

DIC TIONARY.CO

My first thought was the “game” we used to play at gatherings with friends. Even though it may have been called a dance in some circles, we ignored that and used it as a game. We were not allowed to dance, of course. It’s a cheap activity—also helpful. All you needed was a broom. We did not play music lest we move a body part below the waist that could be interpreted as dance that, of course, somehow led to pregnancy. I gotta say, I was pretty good at it. I think I could do well today if the broom were at about four feet, although bending backwards to make it under the broom might be a problem. I’d do more of a crouching tiger.

Limbo dancer attempting lowered pole (2006)

Byzantine depiction in the Church of Chora of Christ holding Adam and Eve in limbo

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Over the last month, we have had many changes in the messages we are receiving from all sides. The result of those changes is the disturbing feeling of limbo. I am certainly feeling this in every area of my life, both work and personal. The more I thought of it, the more it resonated.

WIKIPEDIA.COM

Dr. Tim Seelig

WIKIPEDIA.COM

But no, that is not the first definition. The first definition is: “in some Christian beliefs, limbo is the supposed abode of the souls of unbaptized infants, and of the just who died before Christ’s coming.”

TLC: Tears, Laughs and Conversation

Through no one’s fault at all, we find ourselves in limbo. We are looking for something concrete, some answers. They are not to be found. Our new president asked the country to wear masks for 100 days from January 20. State governors decided they didn’t need to do that. The Biden administration has (continued on page 25)

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BAY TIMES

Oakland Chef Nelson German Hopes to Become America’s Next Top Chef million yelpers staring at your food.

It was also great seeing a local legend like (Top Chef winner) Melissa King.

GG: How did having the show tape in Portland inf luence you? Do you have favorite restaurants there?

David Landis For Nelson German, a young Dominican American chef from the streets of New York who now helms two of Oakland’s most revered restaurants (alaMar and Sobre Mesa), being selected as the only Californian to compete in Season 18 of Top Chef (premiering April 1 on Bravo TV) is a dream come true. With a catch.

“Having the Bay Area and California on my back was a lot of pressure,” German explains to me for the San Francisco Bay Times, “but a lot of motivation, too.”

salsa. People really showed up in a safe way. It was amazing to get back to that kitchen that tells the story of my roots.

GG: Will being on Top Chef inf luence the way you cook, now that you’ve returned home?

GG: You’re not afraid to make new combinations, like Suya steak and Oaxaca cheese empanadas, but you also offer some classics like lobster thermidor.

NG: Portland is amazing.

I love that city and what it stands for, especially the food scene. They really respect food, history, and all sorts of life no matter what gender or race. Everything.

Mama Bird is a new grilled chicken favorite in Portland and I also enjoyed Bake on The Run, a Caribbean restaurant.

NG: The lobster thermidor is definitely inspired by the traditional recipe, but with a Caribbean-African influence (the Oaxaca beer cheese). It comes with a black bean puree and squid ink. It’s important to take inspirations, telling different stories with food. My cooking tells the story of my Dominican roots and the African diaspora and making sense of it. You need to make something unique: make yourself stand out.

GG: You’re one of the few Bay Area restaurants to offer

NG: The secret is to go back to your roots. Cook food

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NG: We were fortunate. At alaMar, we were open for so long before the pandemic that we had a big following, so we could stay open. Yes, we did a lot of charity work through alaMar. We delivered 20,000 meals to the World Central Kitchen effort over several months. (Editor’s note: The World Central Kitchen delivers meals to children and families, as well as seniors, during the pandemic.) And we delivered 300 meals per day to laid-off industry workers last April and May through the Lee Initiative (a restaurant workers’ relief program).

GG: What’s next?

NG: May 1 is our 7th anniversary for alaMar. Watch for details.

There are a lot of great things on the books. Follow us and support us.

There’s a lot on the horizon.

GG: And thank you, Chef Nelson, for giving our readers one of your popular recipes.

NG: It’s braised chicken, my favorite Dominican dish. Every time I visit my mom or grandmother, it’s the one dish I always ask for.

8 chicken thighs (boneless & skin on preferred) 1/2 cup soy sauce, Maggi or tamari (use tamari to keep it gluten free) 3 pints chicken stock/broth (vegetable stock is okay) 1 cup chopped garlic 3 small red onions (sliced) 4 tablespoons ground cumin 3 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning

GG: Why do you think the producers selected you for this Top Chef season?

1 tablespoon smoked paprika 10 green olives chopped

NG: That’s a good question. I’m not sure, but perhaps it’s because of everything we’ve done for the community and for our restaurants— and for the recognition I’ve been getting the last few years, especially locally. Perseverance, too. We’ve survived the pandemic and are still running the businesses.

3/4 cup tomato paste 2 oranges (zest & juice) sancochito stew. Is it a family recipe?

that is special to you and tells people who you are. You have to feel comfortable. There’s a lot of composition to prep for, so it’s important to go back to foods you like to cook, your go-getters. I go back to things I grew up with, with a modern touch. It has to tell a story— like braised oxtails with plantains

GG: What was it like working with the celebrity judges: Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi, and Gail Simmons?

NG: Definitely. It already has. People will see it in the style of the food, how we plate, and the stories being told.

GG: You’ve just re-opened Sobre Mesa, your Afro-Latino cocktail/tapas bar. You did it on its 1-year anniversary, following shutting down for the pandemic.

NG: We had a great celebration, starting with live music.

Our music is a combination of Afro beat and jazz—music that is embedded in my history and culture: mambo, Cuban, and

NG: From watching throughout the years and knowing they’ll critique you, it’s nerve wracking. It’s like a SA N FRANCISCO BAY T I ME S

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Chef Nelson German (NG): It’s what I do. It’s a chef’s life.

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Courtesy of Chef Nelson German, chef/owner of Oakland’s alaMar and Sobre Mesa

Gay Gourmet (GG): With all that’s on your plate, I guess there’s no rest for the weary.

NG: The experience was amazing: an overwhelming, but gratifying experience. On the first episode, there is the awe, walking in to see the judge’s table, seeing the kitchen—the feeling of looking around and realizing it’s real.

You’ll see it in all of our faces. Just to be chosen, you realize that when you step into that kitchen. It’s like making it, in a way. After all the grueling hours, the burns, cutting yourself, you’ve finally made it.

Typical days were long days, just like working in the industry: really long hours. We’re used to that. Knowing you are part of something special keeps you going.

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Dominican Braised Chicken (Pollo Guisado)

The Gay Gourmet caught up with Chef German right after the March 4 re-opening of his tapas/cocktail bar venture, Sobre Mesa—and right before the 7th anniversary of his first restaurant, Alamar (May 1), as well as the premiere of his Top Chef debut. Needless to say, it’s a busy time.

GG: What was your Top Chef experience like? And what was a typical day like?

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

and pickled cabbage. Those dishes remind me of my family gatherings.

GG: I understand you had to execute a cohesive 7-course tasting menu.

What’s the secret to that when there’s such a short timeframe?

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NG: It’s a smaller version of sancocho, a hearty stew with 7 different types of meat.

It’s delicious. It’s the national stew of the Dominican Republic. It’s based on my grandma’s recipe; she’s the master.

Everyone is always trying to top hers.

1/2 cup canola oil 1/4 stick butter 3/4 cup sofrito (recipe follows)

GG: I adore rum and am glad to see your cocktail Dominican Braised Chicken program ref lect Dominican-style Sofrito that. Do you think rum has Yield: 2 cups regained its rightful place in cocktail culture?

1 bunch cilantro (use leaves and stem) NG: I think it is regaining that.

Mixologists are telling stories with their drinks, combining flavors that are seasonal and local, not using premade syrups. It’s important to use quality rum; all rums are different. It depends on the terroir and who is making it. We have our own special blend created by Berkeley’s Mosswood Distillers for our signature Sobre Mesa cocktail.

GG: alaMar has kept going throughout the pandemic, and during that time you’ve also done a lot of community work.

12 cloves garlic

1 red onion (chopped) 1 green bell pepper (chopped) 2 tablespoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon crushed black pepper 1/2 cup olive oil Preparation for the sofrito: Add all ingredients in a food processor and blend until mix is smooth. (continued on page 25)

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2021)

Rise Up with the Sisters This Easter Photos by Rink

By Sister Dana Van Iquity

teams at Folsom Street Events and the Queer Nightlife Fund. I mean, is it really even Easter without Hunky Jesus? The answer is no,” says Sister Roma to me for the San Francisco Bay Times. “Contestants should know that San Francisco audiences are smart, sophisticated, and have a very twisted sense of humor,” she adds. “You can’t just be hunky or foxy to win the title.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF SISTERS OF PERPECTUAL INDULGENCE

2021 marks the 42nd Anniversary of the San Francisco Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence! The Sisters’ annual “Easter in The Park” will be a virtual celebration, once again partnering with the SF Queer Nightlife Fund and Folsom Street Events.

This year’s theme, “Rise Up With The Sisters,” hopes to inspire viewers as we emerge from the turmoil and darkness of the past four years.

The highlight will be the annual Foxy Mary and Hunky Jesus contests. The Sisters invite anyone in the U.S. who “feels the Spirit” to submit their holy inspiration for review. A group of highly judgmental Sisters—including me and Sister Roma, the event hosts for more than two

Sister Dana (left) and Sister Roma (right) and a host of Sisters (below)

Past winners of the Hunky Jesus contest include “Viva Las Jesus,” an Elvis interpreter with a pompadour and jewel encrusted leisure suit who opened his hands to allow a red glitter stigmata to flow onto the stage; and “Refu-Jesus,” a Puerto Rican Jesus who came out and pelted the crowd with rolls of paper towels from the stage.

42nd Anniversary Easter in the Park Poster (2021)

2021 EMCEES

Alex U. Inn

Honey Mahogany

Bruce Vilanch (left) and Sister Dana at the Sisters’ Easter in the Park (2019)

Paloma Volare with Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence co-founder Sister Vicious (2014)

Hunky Jesus contest hosts Sister Roma and Sister Dana with the winner (2012)

Sister Mae Joy dressed up for the Easter Party formerly held annually at Café Flore. (2015)

Juanita MORE!

decades—will peruse the entries and present our favorites live on Twitch.

The Sisters hope to see this kind of creativity and brilliance in our online contest.

(Although please don’t pelt.)

The celebration will be hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race alum and trans activist Honey Mahogany, along with Bay Area activist and Drag King Alex U. Inn. The program will include electrifying performances from some of the city’s favorite entertainers, blessings from Sisters around the world, and a very special surprise announcement and auction that is guaranteed to raise spirits and funds for the Sisters’ Grant Program.

How to Join the Contests For the Foxy Mary/Hunky Jesus contests: Send us two photos in good quality and a short bio describing your Foxy Mary/ Hunky Jesus personifications. Be bold, be creative, be fun! Don’t forget to think of a name!

For the Easter Face Mask contest: Customize a face mask with an Easter theme and send us two pictures in good quality of you actually wearing the mask. Bonus points if your mask matches an Easter bonnet. Please send everything via e-mail to: eastercontest@thesisters.org

The live show will broadcast from the newly acquired Folsom Street Events Studio, produced by the team from the SF Queer Nightlife Fund. Tune-in on Twitch on Easter Sunday, 04/04, from 1 pm to 3 pm. https://www.twitch.tv/sfqueernightlifefund Our celebration used to draw over 10,000 people yearly before COVID daze. “We’re so lucky to partner with the incredible

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence co-founder Sister Soami with Frank Capey as the dapper rabbit at the Sisters 35th Anniversary Jubilee held in Golden Gate Park. (2014)

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Sister Dana Van Iquity is a longtime member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and is a columnist for the “San Francisco Bay Times.” Check out “Sister Dana Says” in this and every issue!

Fundraising Sisters In October 1980, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence held their first fundraiser, which was a:

A) bingo game and salsa dance B) Cockettes’ co-produced show C) karaoke night D) disco party in a roller skating rink

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2021)

Showbiz I Shouldn’t Love Neptune’s Daughter

Off the Wahl Jan Wahl Suddenly one of my favorite songs is not cool anymore. Frank Loesser’s Baby, It’s Cold Outside is a ball, especially when sung by Lady Gaga and Joseph Gordon-Levitt on YouTube. ( https://bit.ly/399wwKF ) The original singing of it from Neptune’s Daughter is also wonderful, with its catchy melody and celebration of the fun of flirting. Come to find out it’s now considered sexist. I still love it, so kiss my feminist backside.

I Love Lucy

to the stage by Liza Minnelli and Sammy Davis, Jr. From Myrna Loy to the incredible Nicholas Brothers, Gloria Swanson to Elizabeth Taylor, go into YouTube MGM Stars Old and All Together ( https://bit.ly/398XUYV ). Just There is nothing (OK ... almost) that Taylor’s necklace makes it worth thrills me more than a fabulous movie it. Maybe people check it out once ... but every week? I am somewhat musical. It doesn’t get too much betobsessed. ter than Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Based on the Sabine Sometimes a great movie has a women story from Plutarch’s Life of sequence even I cringe at. Kate Romulus, it tells the tale of abducted Hepburn and Spencer Tracy started women in the clutches of mountain their wonderful collaboration brothers. The songs, casting, and together in Woman of the Year.

Michael Kidd’s remarkable choreog- The sexual sparks fly, and the script raphy make this a movie musical not is divine. Unfortunately, there is a to miss. Apparently, I am insensitive dumb scene where Hepburn shows because I love it, absolutely adore it, she is useless in the kitchen. It just and watch it constantly. I promise I doesn’t fit at all with her character. will continue to do so, especially the But there it is, and I always avoid it barn raising dance. when watching this classic.

Let’s lower the bar, and you cannot get lower than 1995’s “erotic drama” Showgirls. That’s how it was once described, though I laughed often while watching the “serious” story of a street smart (?) drifter who goes from stripper to star Vegas showgirl.

Elizabeth Berkley, fabulous Gina Gershon, and Kyle MacLachlan put the three in threesome. This movie is so controversial that my sister and I had an argument if two people could really have sex in a swimming pool exactly like that. Yes, won out. The film is misogynistic and exploitative.

Be warned.

YouTube is a place I find everything to love, often videos I watch to put myself in a good mood. Over and over again comes classic Hollywood, from old What’s My Line shows (Mystery Guest only) to Oscar fashion. One that people wonder about is my fascination with the premiere of That’s Entertainment! when a huge group of MGM stars are called

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

There are many TV shows I love, but most agree that Northern Exposure, early I Love Lucy (especially when they are in Hollywood) and Frasier are terrific. But few can understand why I watch The Nanny over and over to this day. Though it was on from 1993 to 1999, the two characters I need to constantly visit are Fran Drescher and Daniel Davis as the butler Niles. It is everything I love. Jewish humor, a relationship between a WASP and a Jew, great pacing, and fun side characters. People tell me they don’t like or appreciate this show. Everyone has a right to be critic. Good thing I just listen to my own critical thinking!

Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian, film critic on various broadcast outlets, and has her own YouTube channel series, “Jan Wahl Showbiz.” She has two Emmys and many awards for her longtime work on behalf of film buffs and the LGBTQ community. Contact her at www.janwahl.com

MGM stars, 1943

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Gripping Gay Romanian Drama to Screen at SF International Film Festival

Photos courtesy of SFFILM

Film Gary M. Kramer The 2021 San Francisco International Film Festival, April 9–18, offers dozens of features, shorts, and documentaries both online ( https://sffilm.org/ ), and outdoors at the Fort Mason Flix drivein theater.

One of the festivals highlights is Poppy Field, director Eugen Jebeleanu’s striking debut, about Cristi (Conrad Mericoffer), a closeted Romanian man. He is first seen spending time with his French lover, Hadi (Radouan Leflahi), who is visiting Bucharest. Cristi’s sister Catalina (Cendana Trifan) shows up, unexpectedly, but deliberately, to meet her brother’s boyfriend.

However, things are chilly between the siblings, and Catalina upsets the lovers’ cozy domesticity. When Cristi heads off to work—he is a cop—he is forced to resolve a standoff in a movie theater, where an ultra-nationalist, homophobic group has disrupted the screening of a queer film.

During this extended sequence, Cristi attacks a gay man who could out him, forcing the cop to be exiled in the theater as the situation is resolved. One by one, various colleagues “babysit” Cristi, and try to calm him down. Each recounts a story of acceptance that never explicitly acknowledges what Cristi most fears. It’s a canny approach, and it culminates in a quietly powerful ending. Jebeleanu shoots with a handheld camera to capture Cristi’s emotions and expressions in what feels like real time. Mericoffer gives a remarkable performance; he is completely unselfconscious playing someone who is incredibly self-conscious.

I spoke with Jebeleanu via Zoom for the San Francisco Bay Times about Poppy Field.

Gary Kramer: Poppy Field starts out very micro with the gay couple and then gets more macro with the incident in the theater. Can you talk about making a film both personal and political?

Eugen Jebeleanu: I did not want this to be a coming out story. For me, it was important for the character to see how politics can influence our inner life, but also how intimacy is changed by political things. The idea was to show the context of Cristi’s life and his relationship. I wanted to show how he deals with this identity struggle, and how, during the conflict in the cinema, we see his own homophobia come out. It was important not to make him a victim or a hero, but to show all that we learn and live, and change our own options about ourselves and this subject.

Gary Kramer: What decisions did you make in presenting the relationship between Cristi and Hadi?

Eugen Jebeleanu: It was to show Cristi is not having an “adventure” for the first time, or one time. It’s more about the [long-distance] relationship being more serious, and how Hadi is staking the territory of Cristi’s apartment. This is what makes Cristi anxious; he doesn’t know how to share his space. He tries to feel free with his partner, but he’s not used to it, and doesn’t know how to 20

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react, move, be, or manage the situation. I wanted to show their relationship was not just about sex. It’s Cristi learning how to be who he is and understand himself. He’s creating a big monster from his own fears about what others will think, or will say, or judge.

Gary Kramer: Conrad Mericoffer is very intense and gives such an interior performance.

How did you work with him on the role?

Eugen Jebeleanu: Conrad was really relaxed, but he expresses something mysterious and anxious at the same time. That is what makes the character so powerful. It’s about his inner anxiety. We don’t know where it’s coming from—from this event, or something deeper? Even though we talked about the character’s backstory, we never tried to understand his sexuality. His sexuality is not changing his way of being, acting, or speaking. It was more about his fears, and his difficulty to feel secure with himself and others. Not about how he lies or hides who he is, but more about what he has inside, and his authenticity. What was more difficult for him was seeing him in his

silent moments and reactions. He’s not someone who is expressive.

Gary Kramer: Can you describe the attitudes about homosexuality in Romania?

Eugen Jebeleanu: A cop we talked with during pre-production said if they know someone is gay, they don’t discuss it; they don’t want to validate it—but they are not against it. I put the other cops in the film in the position of not knowing if they are against Cristi or not. In Romania, people are becoming more open to the idea of homosexuality—but we still have a lot of work to do. It’s still a taboo subject and we don’t talk about it. It comes from inequality between men and women, and this macho society, and anything that is non-traditional. The Orthodox church is very powerful here. They wanted to change the definition of family in the constitution. © 2021 Gary M. Kramer Gary M. Kramer is the author of “Independent Queer Cinema: Reviews and Interviews,” and the co-editor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina.” Follow him on Twitter @garymkramer

A Coming of Age Trans Woman’s Story Through Music

Liam’s LGBTQI List Liam P. Mayclem Meet Francesca Fey, the dreamyvoiced lead singer of San Francisco music duo Goth Lipstick. The seventrack downloadable album Crystalline Corset is eclectic, thought-provoking, and deeply personal—it’s the coming-of-age story of a young trans woman.

The newly released digital dance album is both bangin’ and beautiful, and was recorded during the 2020 lockdown. Francesca says, “The entire thing was produced at home, literally in my bedroom.”

She recently spoke more with me for the San Francisco Bay Times regarding her life and music.

Liam Mayclem: What’s behind the name Goth Lisptick?

Francesca Fey: There is a tube of black lipstick that I wear for special occasions and stuff and I just thought it was a cool name for a band and no other band had it. So here we are. It stuck.

Liam Mayclem: Who is Goth Lipstick?

Francesca Fey: Lipstick is a duo of myself and my high school friend J. Both of us just exchange ideas on song writing and production and collaborate.

Liam Mayclem: How has music helped you on your journey, coming of age as a young trans woman?

Francesca Fey: It’s definitely helped a lot. I find that I write the best when I essentially use my lyrics, kind of like a journal or a diary, and just get my thoughts out and emotionally deal with things. So, when I’m writing a song, lots of what I’m thinking about is about how can I deal with my life right now—and how can I process all these feelings.

That’s definitely very important and is part of my songwriting style.

Liam Mayclem: What has the reaction been to your music, your openness, and sharing of your trans story?

Francesca Fey & J

Francesca Fey: When we put it out, I was kind of thinking that it was going to be an album that my friends would listen to and like for a couple of weeks and then it would kind of fade away. But it has actually reached lots of people in the community and lots of trans fans have just reached out to me and said, “Hey, I appreciate how honest you are about your journey in this record and I connect with it a lot.” And that is just like the greatest compliment I could receive. Just that I am connecting with someone and maybe sharing a part of their experience that they would choose to express if they could. So that’s beautiful.

Liam Mayclem: Your music defies categorization, but it mostly makes me want to dance. What exactly is your sound?

Francesca Fey: The refusal to be categorized by something. We were most conscious of that when we were writing. We have settled into a label of glitch pop, just because we are playing on these classic pop song writing structures with very glitchy, weird production aesthetics. However, if I’m describing our music in a more general sense, I like to just say experimental electronic, just because that kind of hits more boxes for people.

Liam Mayclem: We’ve all endured a year of lockdown.

You must be eager to be able to venture to a club and perform.

Francesca Fey: I think about it every single night. There are so many tracks on this record where when I was writing them, I was thinking, wow this is gonna be so cool, people are gonna be going crazy to this and dancing. Unfortunately, we’re not there yet, but when we are it’s going to be hype.

Liam Mayclem: Your home town San Francisco is partly the star of the video for the song “transhuman.” What did it take to produce that video?

Francesca Fey: Making that video was so much fun. It was as much shooting a music video as it was just hanging out with my friend Kayla who produced the whole thing for me. We just went Francesca Fey to go hang out by the piers in SF and then we maneuvered our way over to Salesforce Tower and the surrounding area. We’d do a cartwheel here or we’d dance there. We did the whole thing in just a few hours.

Liam Mayclem: Who inf luenced or inspired your music?

Francesca Fey: My hero, Sophie Zeon. May she rest in peace. She is probably the most influential producer to our music. She led the way.

Liam Mayclem: Fans are digging your sound. To quote one fan, NIBBS26: “From the candy pop inf luenced ‘Catgirl Goes to College’ to the industrial sounds of ‘transhuman,’ this record tells a unique story of self-discovery that is completely unique and original.” Who do you hope will discover your music, and what do you hope the take away will be?

Francesca Fey: I am very consciously and decidedly a trans artist. One motivation for me creating this record was that I just don’t see enough representation of trans people in popular music. I just wanted to create a piece of content that would resonate with other people like me: feelings of confusion, being a little lost, getting older, and entering adulthood. It’s got those who couldn’t find that kind of album or band out there in the world right now.

Liam Mayclem: I am rooting for you, Francesca, and hope many have the opportunity to listen to your music. I hear a few dance f loor fillers for sure. Now remind us where we can discover more Goth Lipstick?

Francesca Fey: Please go online ( https://gothlipstick.bandcamp.com/ ) and you can find our entire discography, two EPs and our new marvelous album, Crystalline Corset.

Gothic Lipstick Album Art

Note: All proceeds from Goth Lipstick music sales benefit the Transgender Law Center in Sophie Zeon’s name. https://transgenderlawcenter.org/

Francesca Fey

Emmy Award-winning radio and television personality Liam Mayclem is regularly featured on KPIX as well as KCBS, where he is the popular Foodie Chap. Born in London, Mayclem is now at home in the Bay Area, where he lives with his husband, photographer Rick Camargo. For more information: https://www.bookliam.com/

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Dykes

With Drills

Tip of the Week

By Julie Peri

Artshot Abby Zimberg

How to Make Perfect Measurements Making accurate measurements while woodworking can be very tricky. That is why we want to share a few tips on how to make perfect measurements.

First, pull out your measuring tape and mark your measurement. The best way to mark is using a V shape, or carrot, with the tip of the V pointing directly towards your measurement.

Then, once you have your measurement marked, you can use a speed square (found at hardware stores) to make a perfectly straight line. A speed square is a tool that helps you to find angles, to determine quickly if something is square, and to make square lines.

Line up the edge of your speed square on the tip of your V and then draw your line. Now you have a perfectly straight line you can use when you make your cut!

(Above) Santa Rosa - Elvis Hood Ornament

Learn more about woodworking with us in person in San Francisco, or online from the comfort of your own home. Here is what we have coming up next:

(Left) Quotation of artist Ruth Asawa

Make Your Own Charcuterie Board, March 27, Online Build Your Own Loom and Weaving Workshop, April 10 & 17, Online Learn Advanced Wood Burning, May 22, Online

Abby Zimberg is a licensed California Marriage Family Therapist with training in art therapy. She formerly worked as a graphic designer and has always been a photographer. https://theartoftherapysf.com/

For more information about these and other events, go to: https://www.dykeswithdrills.com/workshops Julie Peri is the Founder and Director of Dykes With Drills. https://www.dykeswithdrills.com/

Hairy Homosexual Horror Host Stan the Mechanic

Words Michele Karlsberg

Take Me Home with You!

“My name is Jesse! I’m 10 months old and still full of puppy energy—I just want to play, play, play! Romping around at the dog park and going on new adventures in the city are my favorite activities. I love meeting new people and making new friends, both canine and human. I’m looking for an adopter who is ready to share a lifetime of love and adventure with me! If you’re ready to have a loyal best friend by your side, please come meet me.”

Jesse is presented to San Francisco Bay Times readers by Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, the SF SPCA’s Co-President. Our thanks also go to Krista Maloney for helping to get the word out about lovable pets like Jesse.

Dr. Jennifer Scarlett and Pup

To apply to meet Jesse, visit https://www.sfspca.org/adoptions/ 22

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In the great tradition of Vampira and Zacherley, Stan the Mechanic is the new TV horror host who has hit the airwaves. Stan, as the one and only Satanic Mechanic, has been chosen by the Devil to perpetuate all sorts of mischief and mayhem against humankind by using automobiles.

During his downtime he likes to relax and crack jokes with his friends while watching horror movies.

Stan the Mechanic was created by actor, writer, and comedian John A. Hernandez. A proud New Yorker of Puerto Rican/Italian heritage, Hernandez is an out-and-proud gay man who identifies as a member of the bear community. (As he says on his website: “Hairy. Homosexual. Horror Host.”) With Stan the Mechanic, he hopes to give visibility to the LGBTQ community and people of size in the horror genre. A longtime horror fan, Hernandez is thrilled to bring Stan the Mechanic to a global audience. This month I met with John at Stan’s shop to check in on his TV series.

Michele Karlsberg: When did you first come up with the concept of Stan?

John Hernandez: I’ve always wanted to bring a new horror host character to life, and I knew I wanted him to be a mechanic as a wink to Michael Myers, my favorite horror character (who famously wears cov-

eralls). It all crystallized in June of 2019. My husband and I were attending a horror convention and having a couple of drinks when we got to brainstorming about my character.

We were trying to figure out what would make a mechanic spooky. As any good gays would, we turned to a musical for inspiration and remembered the “satanic mechanic” mentioned in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Stan is a derivative of that. So essentially, he is Stan, the Satanic Mechanic. But he’s a good demon!

You know, like naughty and mischievous, not feasting on the souls of the innocent and stuff like that. The rest of the character flowed naturally from there.

Michele Karlsberg: Are there any challenges creating the script and being the lead actor?

Writer’s block? What is your writing process?

John Hernandez: I look at it as an advantage to both write and perform the material. As I am writing it, I am picturing the delivery, hand gestures, and “shtick” that will go along with each line. The pressure typically comes from me worrying if people will find it funny, but mostly it is lots of fun to do. When I am script writing, I will watch lots of movies until one inspires a storyline for Stan in my head. I would say, for every script written, I’ve experimented with three to four films. Once the story becomes clear and I think it’s funny, I proceed into research on the filmmaking process. After that, I lock myself in a room and write until the episode is complete. It’s a definite rush. I am looking forward to writing more episodes soon.

Michele Karlsberg: Do you think there has always been an interest in horror hosts, or is that interest a more recent occurrence?

John Hernandez: Oh, for sure!

Once the world met Vampira in 1954, the interest in horror hosts boomed, and by 1957 they were a

John Hernandez

necessity when the Shock Theater collection of films were released.

These were a set of classic Universal (Studios) monster movies packaged with lower profile mysteries and spy movies. Horror hosts like Zacherley would host the films to both standardize the runtime of the movies (since they were anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes) and to give the audience a reason to tune into the “less desirable” titles. The tradition continues through to today.

John A. Hernandez is the creator and star of the new horror host show “Stan the Mechanic.” He resides in New York City. https:// www.stanthemechanic.com/ Michele Karlsberg Marketing and Management specializes in publicity for the LGBTQ+ community.

This year, Karlsberg celebrates 32 years of successful marketing campaigns. For more information: https://www.michelekarlsberg.com

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GAFFNEY & LEWIS (continued from page 4)

SISTER DANA SEZ (continued from page 10)

that their advocacy benefits not just themselves but also today’s youth and queer people not yet even born serves as an inspiration to us all. Indeed, we had barely been born when Frank Kameny’s fighting back against the so-called “Lavender Scare” decades ago commenced the modern movement for legal LGBTIQ equality in the U.S. The shared wish of many LGBTIQ activists that future generations not suffer the way we did has been instrumental to our successes and imbued the movement with generosity. The movement is about both now and the future.

cases of anti-Asian discrimination in the past year alone. Anti-Asian violence has gone for too long unchecked by allies. No longer can we allow Trump’s antiAsian hate and white supremacists continuing to attack vulnerable workers in Asian communities.

The time we spent with Sato last year was magical, and Sato’s magic will benefit many to come. We hope that last week’s court decision in Sapporo marks a turning point for Japan that will emanate across other parts of Asia and beyond.

Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis, together for over three decades, were plaintiffs in the California case for equal marriage rights decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008. Their leadership in the grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA contributed in 2015 to making same-sex marriage legal nationwide.

ROSTOW (continued from page 6) three times each.) I liked the hedonism, the endless champagne, beautiful coastlines, and the lovely food— except for Chef Mila.) But I never liked the guests. Because if you had that much money, would you spend it on a discounted yacht trip that required you to be on TV the whole time? Answer: no.

As for the famous gay Dads, did I really read that Barrie has a child with his daughter’s ex-boyfriend?

Come On, Joey Finally, here’s another one of those cases where longtime partners who married at the first opportunity still did not qualify for a marriage benefit that should have been theirs. Patricia Rolfingsmeyer and Tina Sammons met in 1997, and stayed together until Sammons died of cancer in 2014. Sammons died about three months after the pair managed to legally marry in Baltimore.

But even though Sammons worked for the Air Force and the Post Office for many years, her widow did not qualify for federal spousal pension benefits because they had not been married for the required nine months when Sammons died. Rolfingsmeyer sued, but the Trump administration opposed the benefits and the case is now pending appeal at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The court has put the case on a hold until the Biden Administration presents the government’s new legal posture, which we’re assuming will be more friendly than Trump’s.

According to The Washington Post, some 700 or so survivors are in a situation similar to Rolfingsmeyer; having spent their lives with a same-sex partner, but married too late to receive social security benefits. Some courts have ruled in favor of some of these couples, a positive sign for would-be federal pensioners as well. arostow@aol.com

On March 21, activists held CASTRO TO CHINATOWN: LGBTQ+ Solidarity March to protest violence against Asians and Pacific Islanders. Folx met at Harvey Milk Plaza to grieve, heal, organize, and rage. The event ended at Civic Center with a closing rally venturing on towards Chinatown, Japantown, Little Saigon, and SOMA Pilipinas. (See page 5 of this issue for more about the march.)

Sister Dana sez, “Congratulations to my favorite newscaster, Rachel Maddow (who happens to be proudly lesbian), for winning a wellearned Grammy for spoken word album!”

March 20 was NATIONAL NATIVE HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY (NNHAAD), a national mobilization effort designed to encourage American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians across the U.S. and Territorial Areas to increase their awareness, get tested, get involved in prevention efforts and be treated for HIV. Therefore, THE NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL honored the lives lost in the Native community to AIDS with a special virtual exhibition of the AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT, featuring 16-Quilt blocks that contain panels made to honor loved ones from the American Indian, Alaska Native, and the Native Hawaiian communities. The exhibition is also meant to raise greater awareness about the rising rates of HIV infection among certain age groups within the AI/AN/NH population. It is featured as part of a 50-state virtual exhibition of the Quilt that was launched on World AIDS Day and features more than 10,000 Quilt panels. Visitors can now view the exhibition at:www.aidsmemorial.org To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening of the GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM and the 36th anniversary of the GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY’s foundation, the society is hosting a virtual LGBTQ history trivia evening on March 26, 6 pm. This rollicking good time will be co-hosted by Nick Large, member of the GLBT Historical Society Board of Directors; and Andrew Shaffer, director of development and communications. Special guests include Senator Scott Wiener, Isaac Fellman, Nalini Elias, and Terry Beswick. Participants will mix and mingle with other queer history buffs and show off their knowledge of our vast queer past. The top-scoring teams will win fabulous prizes, including a private museum tour, complimentary memberships, and limited-edition merchandise. https://tinyurl.com/ywkb38bd Let the GOOD TIMES roll with KREWE DE KINQUE King & Queen XVII Omar Kubian & Diana Wheeler as they present “ON THE RADIO”—KdK Bal Masque XVIII benefiting THE Q FOUNDATION! We’re thrilled to honor legendary broadcaster and P.A. announcer for the SF GIANTS Renel Brooks-Moon as our Celebrity Grand Marshal. Everyone from around the world can view the two-hour tableaux show FREE on March 27 from 3–5 pm with a 2:45 pm musical slideshow countdown on Facebook or YouTube @KreweDeKinque with a suggested donation of $5–$10 with tips appreciated during the costumed extravaganza. From the “National Anthem” performed live and the Grand Marshal Second Line Parade, to the drag, dancers & musicians leading up to the crowning of the next King & Queen, you’ll enjoy classics from the era of Donna Summer, disco, the Age of Aquarius, & all things radio!

Bay Area residents have the option to purchase your VIP Reserved seat to watch the LIVE STREAM while celebrating in the Castro in the decorated parklet at Poesia restaurant (4072 18th Street at Castro) with full bar & food waiter service, VIP gift bag, & restroom access. Limited to 30 advance purchase ($20) through Gary Virginia 415-867-5004 (text or phone inquiry). Payment by cash, Venmo @GaryVirginia, or PayPal MRSFL96@aol.com Tell ‘em KdK Queen VII Sister Dana sent ya!

THEATRE RHINOCEROS will present PANDEMIC PERFORMANCES on April 2, 8 pm, hosted by Jesús U. Bettawork and Kim Larsen. This promises to be an entertaining evening of short video clips celebrating the creative output of Bay Area LGBTQ shows during the youknow-what virus. Featuring Lili Argüello, Tanika Baptiste, Leanne Borghesi, Cookie Cutter, Robby Kendall, Gino Lucas & William Hester, Matthew Martin, Jerry Metager/Ms. Vicky, Nitrix Oxide, Peaches Christ, Piranha, The Quarantine Singers, Raya Light, Tom Shaw, Stan Stone, Michael Vega & Erin-Kate Whitcomb. With special appearances by Lea DeLaria (Orange is the New Black), Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, Marga Gomez, Danny Scheie (Rhinoceros at ACT), and Darryl Stephens (Noah on Noah’s Arc, Boy Culture). Free! On Zoom. Register now at: https://tinyurl.com/mszppttu I am excited to announce that comedian, actress, television host, and producer Niecy Nash (newly married to wife Jessica) will be hosting the 32nd Annual GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS! Don’t miss this spectacular event, premiering on YouTube on April 8, before it streams on Hulu! https://bit.ly/3lW58Fb Sister Dana sez, “So the Pope won’t bless same-sex marriage. Oh well. Come on over to Grace Cathedral in SF where being LGBTQ is not just okay—but is BLESSED and CELEBRATED! Amen!”

QUEER POP QUIZ ANSWER (Question on pg 18)

A) bingo game and salsa dance The event was very well-attended. This was due, in part, to popular San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen (1916–1997) promoting the event in his column.

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Speaking to Your Soul

Astrology Elisa Quinzi

A most indelible astrological year has come to a close and none of us are quite the same for it. The light indeed returns, and with it, seeds shift and turn under dark soil, cracking open to sprout new forms of life. We do well to align with nature and follow her cues.

Elisa Quinzi is a certified professional astrologer who brings a strong spiritual perspective, as well as over 20 years of experience, to her work with clients. Contact her at futureselfnow@gmail.com or at 818-530-3366 with your exact birth time to schedule or to ask questions.

ARIES (March 21–April 19) A beloved teacher wrote, “Fate is the refusal to be born again.” Like the Grand Canyon was carved into magnificence by a rushing river, and just as diamonds were once coal under massive pressure, you, Aries, have been sculpted into an even better version of yourself. We celebrate you at this dawning of spring.

LIBRA (September 23–October 22) Spring fever is in the air and no doubt you’re feeling it. Whether single or partnered, whether young or old, if we are alive on this Earth, one of the soul’s greatest joys is felt in its connection to all of life.

Make out with your spouse. Buy flowers for a neighbor. Renew the spark of connection, Libra. It’s been a long year and we all need your loving ways.

TAURUS (April 20–May 20) Self-renewal requires you to let go of patterns, people, and structures that no longer serve you. As the familiar falls away, do not cling to dying forms. Walk through the hills after the rain and let all of your senses notice how the beauty and brilliance of life continue.

SCORPIO (October 23–November 21) Seminal astrologer Dane Rudhyar wrote, “Man suffers because he is more than he knows himself to be. Suffering is the condition for breaking man’s identification with the ‘less’ as he climbs on his way to the ‘more.’ It is the pressure of his greater destiny upon his attachment to his lesser goals.” Resurrection is your superpower, Scorpio.

Use it or lose it. The wind has your back.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Let your discontent propel you toward your ideals. Push the boundaries of tribal limitations and risk being metaphorically burned at the stake for the sake of those who will come after you. Your soul’s hunger is not for self-satisfaction so much as for the continuing evolution of humanity.

CANCER ( June 21–July 22) Check your ambitions to be sure that what is good for you is good for the whole of everyone involved. While you can’t always please everyone, you must wield your power with an ethical compass. Keep your feet firmly on Mother Earth to know from your core what must be done going forward, and trust it.

LEO ( July 23–August 22) The meaning and significance, or lack thereof, of various relationships throughout your life have been coming to light. Have the courage to break free from molds that were set a long time ago. Explore for yourself what you value based on who you’ve become and are becoming, so that life and love do not lose their sparkle.

VIRGO (August 23–September 22) A wise person once said, “If it’s hysterical, it’s historical.”

When you find yourself emotionally triggered, pause and go within yourself to investigate the source of your fear. To experience connection, share your vulnerable process with another. To deepen trust, share your vulnerability with the one who triggered you.

SEELIG (continued from page 14)

LANDIS (continued from page 16)

redoubled efforts to move COVID-19 vaccines from warehouses into arms. That is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Preparation for the chicken:

But ... a new PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll ( https://to.pbs. org/3f1LGoJ ) released last week found that 30 percent of Americans said they do not plan on getting vaccinated. Those numbers include 41 percent of Republicans saying they would not be vaccinated and 49 percent of Republican men who will not. The exact number of people who must be vaccinated to reach herd immunity is not known.

Limbo. Seventy percent of the country is going to unbelievable lengths to make this happen while 30% refuse. The reasons are beyond belief.

There is no data to prove any of them. A portion of our population has been conditioned not to listen to science, not to believe the news, and not to trust anything coming from Democrats.

Adding to limbo are the color-coded stages: Purple, Red, Orange, Yellow. And we go back and forth. With as much moving around, it should just be a watercolor. The reality is that COVID-19 ignores manmade hard lines, boundaries, and politics. Hopefully, we are on a steady march toward Yellow—or white/transparent!

Can we meet in groups? Perhaps we can meet with family members

by July 4th to set off some firecrackers. That’s nice. People still can’t sing in a group. They’ve even been frowning on a single person singing indoors. But they are opening up churches. That took a federal lawsuit against the State of California to make that happen. Just so you know, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus has no plans to sue the state in order for us to gather, even though the chorus is church for many. We will listen to science instead, and we will wait ... in limbo.

It is unsettling not to know what is ahead, but at least our limbo is not a holding room for those who, through no fault of their own, got the Go to Jail Card. No $200 for them. If we were there, of course, we’d be singing.

Speaking of singing, the chorus is certainly not in limbo. We’re singing our hearts out, just not together. So now what? What are our hopes and dreams? We hope we can gather in some kind of group by mid-August.

It is pretty certain we will be able to do that. (Did you see what I did there? Pretty certain = limbo.)

SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21) “Freedom is just a word for nothing left to lose,” penned Kris Kristofferson for Janis Joplin. Relatable, but not ultimately true for you, Sag. The soul contract you signed before entering your infant body doesn’t define freedom as a state of loss and loneliness. Rather, you signed up to make freedom your priority so that you can have all the necessary experiences to develop into your most authentic self, and know the joy and endless abundance that life provides.

CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19) Tall trees grow thick roots far into the ground. Skyscrapers trust in solid foundations. And Capricorn’s greatest achievements are seeded from a deep invisible core at the center of your being. If it’s power you need, your best strategy is to unplug and cultivate a meditation practice starting now. Galaxies are birthed in silence.

AQUARIUS ( January 20–February 18) You, Aquarius, can seem like a dichotomy. On the one hand, fiercely concerned with progress. On the other, a tendency to dig your heels into the mud and not budge from your narrow focus. Your current cosmic cue comes as a fiery sun melting away the crystallization of thought forms that have been blocking your brilliance from taking flight. The peace you seek is at higher frequencies. Change channels.

PISCES (February 19–March 20) The portal that is open now affords you the opportunity and invitation to apply your wisdom to your own life. To rise to the challenge of more effective living. To value yourself more than you have been and to make the best use of the life you were gifted.

1. Combine sofrito ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend well. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the sofrito for marinating the chicken thighs and set the last half cup aside.

2. In a large Ziplock bag, place the quartered chicken and sofrito. Marinate for 3 hours or overnight.

3. Preheat a medium aluminum or stainless-steel pan with 1/4 cup oil for about 5 minutes on medium high heat on the stove. This will allow the pan to heat up evenly so the chicken will not stick. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 2 minutes until golden brown then turn them.

4. Lower the heat to low and then add the onions and garlic to the pan. Sweat down the onion and garlic until soft. Now turn up the heat to high and deglaze with the soy, tamari or Maggi. Turn chicken twice so it can absorb the seasoning.

5. Add the cumin, smoked paprika, lemon pepper, and stock. Bring liquid to a boil and add tomato paste then sofrito; stir both well until dissolved. Add orange zest plus the juice, then the olives.

6. Lower the heat to low and cover with lid. (If there is no lid for the pan then use aluminum foil.) Braise chicken for 90 minutes or until preference of tenderness.

7. Plate the chicken on top of rice without sauce. Then add butter to sauce and stir until dissolved.

8. Add your delicious sauce on the chicken and enjoy! alaMar, Oakland https://www.alamaroakland.com/ outdoor dining, takeout/delivery

All we can do is embrace the limbo. Be grateful for the fact that the certainty of lockdown is gone and hope that we keep heading for that light. For now, limbo is definitely the glass half-full. Keep filling ‘er up!

Sobre Mesa, Oakland https://www.sobremesaoak.com/ outdoor dining, takeout starting late March, check for delivery; indoor dining at 25%, reservations only

Dr. Tim Seelig is the Artistic Director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus.

The Lee Initiative https://www.leeinitiative.org/

Bake on The Run, Portland https://www.yelp.com/biz/bake-on-the-run-portland-4 Mama Bird, Portland https://www.mamabirdpdx.com/ The Gay Gourmet’s Bits and Bites Occasionally, I’ll be adding some food-related tidbits at the end of my column. Feel free to ping me with any Bits and Bites ideas. Today’s Bits and Bites? Two different foodie-oriented events: Sony Pictures Classics premieres a film that’s piqued my interest called The Truffle Hunters. It’s a heartwarming fairytale about truffle hunters and their dogs in Piedmont, Italy, as they hunt for the elusive white Alba truffle (four of my favorite subjects). Who steals the show? Truffle-hunting dog Birba, whose octogenarian guardian treats her like the princess she is. It debuts locally at the Embarcadero Cinema in San Francisco and AMC Saratoga on March 26. It got accolades at Sundance, the Telluride Film Festival, the Toronto Film Festival and the NY Film Festival. Worth seeking out!

Trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFYhrc0AnVw And, in other foodie news, Michelin-starred SpanishAmerican chef Jose Andrés speaks online about food sustainability at 7 pm, April 6, as part of the ongoing Wallace Stegner Lecture Series presented by the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST). He’s the founder of the World Central Kitchen, which is a nonprofit devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters. Cost is $30 (proceeds benefit POST), but that entitles you to all the lectures in the series. POST protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all. Info: https://openspacetrust.org/wsls-erinbrockovich/#subscription David Landis, aka “The Gay Gourmet,” is a foodie, a freelance writer and a PR executive. Follow him on Instagram @GayGourmetSF, on Twitter @david_landis, email him at: david@landispr.com or visit him online at: www.gaygourmetsf.com

World Central Kitchen https://wck.org/

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Round About - All Over Town

Photos by Rink

AIDS Memorial Grove executive director John Cunningham spoke in front of a backdrop of quilts commemorating Native Americans.

National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was observed at the AIDS Memorial Grove on Saturday, March 20.

Participants joined in the unfolding of quilt sections during the National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day ceremony on March 20.

The UPS Store at 1819 Polk Street invited customers and friends to sign a letter in memory of those lost to COVID-19 during the past year.

A tribute shrine in memory of loved ones lost was displayed in the window at the UPS Store at 1819 Polk Street.

Quilt sections displayed on March 20th honored the lives of Native Americans lost to HIV/AIDS.

Hi Tops on Market Street offers parklet and outdoor seating areas.

Réveille’s parket and sidewalk seating area drew a crowd of customers at their 18th Street location on March 13.

As Heard on the Street . . . What are you most looking forward to, now that San Francisco and other cities are continuing to reopen? compiled by Rink

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Eric Gapasen

Mary Midgett

Raoul Thomas

John Weber

Daniel Cherry

“I am looking forward to being with someone mentally and physically.”

“Going to Castro Street to eat at The Sausage Factory.”

“I would love to go to New York and Connecticut to see family and friends, after Palm Springs.”

“I am looking forward to the community being culturally aware and truly fighting against discrimination on all levels. Most of all I want to hug my friends and tell them that I love them.”

“To ride the Muni underground again. Making connections with new people and seeing special friends.”

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Round About - All Over Town

Photos by Rink

CASTRO STREETCAM presented by

Enjoying the outdoor seating at Twin Peaks on St. Patrick’s Day, Weena and his friends continued the tradition of dressing up in green and bar hopping in the Castro.

Tipperary Cheese, made from milk from cows that feed on rich, fertile grass in Ireland, was proudly displayed at Mollie Stone’s Castro store on St. Patrick’s Day.

A St. Patrick’s Day display at the big, infamous grocery at Church and Market near the Lutheran Church and affectionately known as “Our Lady of the Safeway”

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Bob’s Donuts on Polk Street gave a nod to St. Patrick with an unusual shade of green frosting on their ever popular pastries.

Bob’s Donuts dressed their chocolate covered donuts with colorful green sprinkles. A long line waited for service!

Does Your Mother Know novelty shop in the Castro presented a green mannequin in their front window.

Items of the week Gardening time is coming, and you just might need a Goddess in the garden.

Each member of a Girl Scout cookie sales team, dressed for St. Patrick’s, held up their favorite variety while staffing their table at Harvey Milk Plaza.

Artist Jirsa showed her hand-painted shirts featuring an original graphic depicting Twin Peaks and the Castro Theatre.

A group of Twin Peaks regulars met for drinks to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Dancer Phillip Ruise entertained passersby, near 18th and Castro, with his distinctive costume and movements.

A bus stop sign on Castro Street wished pedestrians and bus riders “Happy St. Paddy’s” on a field of shamrocks.

GGBA Past President Gina Grahame (right) and Susan Boone enjoyed Shared Spaces in the Castro on Sunday, March 7.

Kevin Brar and Tom Kelley enjoyed the ongoing Shared Spaces Sunday event at Noe and Market Streets.

Entertainers Alina Maletti Galore, Ruby Red Munro, Mercedes Munro, Ming Munro and Mahlae Balenciaga performed on the outdoor stage at Midnight Sun on Sunday, March 8.

Christopher Dunn of Sewciopath Costumes displayed his creations for festivals and stage shows at the Shared Spaces area on Noe and Market Streets.

Davyd Morris, Eric Lipschitz, Johnnie Gormley and P.J. Cherrin, a group of friends, enjoyed cocktails at the Poesia parklet. Eric and Johnnie own Stump Town Lodgings in Guerneville.

Gardening adviser Juanjo Cuevas had his hands full at Plant Therapy’s new location, 2077 Market Street near Church.

Everyone seems to be downsizing, so how about a tiny room for your tiny home?

pring has hit San Francisco early; I think that groundhog was confused.

I can’t believe we are at the 1-year mark of the pandemic. It is easy to remember all the activities we miss doing. As things open up more and more, it is important to remember that if we all do our best to be safe now, we will get to the other side of “normal” that much faster. And I really need to get back to hugging, so let’s all do our part.

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