San Francisco Bay Times - October 18, 2018

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2018) October 18–31, 2018 | sfbaytimes.com

LGBT Night on Warriors Ground Friday, November 2

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2018)

LGBTQ Community on Warriors Ground

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ast year, the Golden State Warriors (GSW) went into the history books by becoming the first defending NBA championship team to host an LGBT Pride Night. Continuing their support of our community, the team will host the Warriors LGBT Night for 2018 on Friday, November 2, when they will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. The San Francisco Bay Times is proud to partner with the Warriors for this event, which we hope you can attend.

In addition to the game, which will start at 7:30 pm, this year’s Warriors LGBT Night will include the following: • Pregame mixer for the San Francisco Bay Times group and others in attendance;

• LGBT-themed commemorative t-shirt only available for ticketholders; • National Anthem performed by the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band; • Halftime performance by CHEER SF;

Stephen Curry’s 2017-18 Championship ring

• and more!

“This year, we’re aiming to develop a game experience and curate content that will resonate with, excite, and celebrate the LGBTQ community that attends the game,” Warriors spokesperson Kimberly Veale told the San Francisco Bay Times.

VIDEO WILL BE CREATED TO COMMEMORATE THE EVENT She added that the Warriors this year have partnered with Bayview-Hunters Point Center for Arts and Technology (BAYCAT), a non-profit social enterprise that provides access, education and employment for low income youth, youth of color and young women. The organization educates, empowers and employs young people from historically underserved Bay Area communities in the digital media arts, including video production, music production, graphic and web design.

“BAYCAT, in partnership with the Warriors, will produce a video that highlights and celebrates the LGBTQ community and their allies, focusing on the importance, impact and values of allies,” Veale explained. “The video will identify our GSW allies and supporters, and will include tips/ways to be an ally.”

ACTIVISTS AND ALLIES A group from the San Francisco Bay Times was present last year when our friend and supporter, longtime LGBT activist Gary Virginia, received the Community Playmaker Award presented by Warriors President and COO Rick Welts.

Gary Virginia receives Community Playmaker Award from Warriors President and COO Rick Welts We also were there when Warriors Head Coach

Steve Kerr, during a press conference ahead of the 2017 Warriors LGBTQ Pride Night, shared the following:

“I want to say that first of all that I’m proud to be part of an organization and live in a region and area that really embrace diversity. There has never been a more important time in our country to respect the person next to you regardless of race, creed, color or sexual preference and sexual identity. I’m really encouraged by my kids’ experience here in California growing up, just in terms of acceptance. It seems that the young generation is learning more and more that we are all just who we are and we are all individuals.”

Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr

He continued, “What makes our country great is our diversity. The fact that we can respect each other and work together and embrace each other. It’s an important night for us so we want to welcome everybody from the LGBTQ community. Maybe, if you are coming to the game tonight, and your child says, ‘What does that mean?’ explain it to them and explain the importance of loving the person next to you and respecting them no matter who they are and where they come from. They are human beings; we are all human beings and we are all in this together.”

ON COURT EXPERIENCE The Bay Times group will get to enjoy an “on court experience,” being able to watch as Warriors players conduct their pre-game warmup activities, including Steph Curry’s famous tunnel shot. We will also gather for a special photo op with an NBA Championship Trophy.

During the Warriors pre-game show, the Oracle jumbotron will come alive with a light show featuring rainbow flourishes, fireworks, music and the announcement of the team, coaches and starting five. The arena’s ribbon board will send a circular digital LGBT Night message 360 degrees around the facility’s interior. The Warriors dance troupe will appear before the National Anthem is sung. Throughout the evening, we will cheer for the Warriors, with a good chance of being featured on ESPN, which will televise the game.

To read more about the 2017 celebration: https://www.nba.com/warriors/news-blog/lgbtq-pride-20171026 If you’ve never experienced an evening with the Warriors at Oracle, check out the videos: https://www.nba.com/warriors/ To join the San Francisco Bay Times group attending the upcoming 2018 Warriors LGBT Night on November 2, send a message ( Publisher@sfbaytimes.com ) or phone 415-601-2113.

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There’s No Staying Home on November 6

To the Left, To the Left Peter Gallotta The past few weeks have felt like some of the darkest days since November 2016. Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination and speedy confirmation to the Supreme Court was a devastatingly dark specter. Trump and his administration—who mercilessly wield their anti-immigrant, anti-women, anti-LGBT and anti-science agenda—now have full control of the highest court in the land. This has been the goal of not just conservatives, but the far right, for decades.

The day that Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court was not the day we lost. We lost on November 8, 2016, when the GOP won the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Every dirty trick pulled, every denigrating comment Tweeted and every Republican confirmation made is a scalding reminder: elections matter. And it’s time to fight back and vote.

a space for Democrats to help win back the House of Representatives.

The “Red to Blue SF” headquarters is located in the heart of San Francisco’s Castro District in the former Pottery Barn at 2390 Market Street (corner of Castro & Market). In the same District that made history by electing Harvey Milk to the Board of Supervisors in 1977, volunteers are phone banking and text banking every day and night of the week in the hopes of making history again by electing a blue wave of Democrats to Congress this November.

This is the single greatest opportunity we have to put a stop to Trump’s disastrous agenda before 2020. If you can spare a few hours, stop in. Bring a friend. Bring ten! Even if you’ve never phone banked before, the Red to Blue SF crew will show you how.

It’s easy, makes a difference and is a much healthier outlet than fighting with MAGA supporters on social media. You can find out more at https://www.redtobluesf.org/ In these troubling national times it’s easy to forget that all politics is local. There’s a lot at stake this November here in San Francisco, especially for the LGBTQ community. Let’s go down the ballot a bit, shall we?

That is why the San Francisco Democratic Party along with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi opened

While likely not on the top of your radar, the San Francisco School Board race this year isn’t one to skim or skip over. There are three open seats with 18 candidates running (yes, you read that right). It’s a super competitive race, but also potentially a historic one for the City’s transgender community. If elected, Mia Satya and Martin Rawlings-Fein would be the first openly transgender members of

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the School Board and the first transgender candidates ever to win elected office in San Francisco. They’d further shatter the pink ceiling first broken by Tom Ammiano, when he ran and was elected as the first openly gay member of the Board of Education in 1990.

At the same time, San Francisco’s LGBT community has been outraged in recent weeks over the transphobic comments of school board candidate Josephine Zhao. Zhao, who has the backing of Mayor Breed and Senator Scott Wiener, publicly advocated against AB 1266, California’s genderneutral bathrooms bill, aligning herself with the Pacific Justice Institute, a group categorized by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an “anti-LGBT hate group.”

Due to mounting public and political pressure, Zhao dropped out of the School Board race in September. Except there’s one catch—her name will still appear on the ballot. So, LGBTQ voters (and allies) beware. Instead, I hope you’ll join me in making history by supporting transgender community leader and youth advocate, Mia Satya, along with Alison Collins, Faauuga Moliga, and Gabriela Lopez—all leaders who understand the needs of our students and teachers and who will have the back of the LGBTQ community.

Our newly minted LGBTQ and District 8 Supervisor, Rafael Mandelman, is settling into his new job and continuing to show up everywhere in the District. Rafael will be on the ballot but is running virtually unopposed, giving him the opportunity to start tackling neighborhood issues

like homelessness and street trees. Go, Rafael!

Over in District 6, my Tenderloin neighbor and friend Matt Haney is facing a tough race for Supervisor to replace progressive titan Jane Kim. Matt’s two opponents are backed

by Mayor Breed and have teamed up with a 1–2 Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) strategy fueled by super PAC money from downtown and tech interests. That’s not surprising, given that District 6 is the epicenter of building development and the Supervisor will play a key role in land-use decisions in the burgeoning South of Market and Mission Bay neighborhoods. If we want more than a fair shake at keeping District 6 and our city affordable for all of us, Matt Haney is the voice and the vote we need on the Board of Supervisors.

There are always too many ballot measures, but if there are two to remember they are Prop 10 and Prop C. Both need our YES, or as we like to say, YASSS vote. Prop 10 is a state measure that would give cities the power to expand rent control requirements. San Francisco is a renters’ city and rent control is the reason that many queer and transgender people can still afford to live here. Given our housing affordability crisis, expanding rent control is a way we can keep rents affordable and keep more of our neighbors and friends from being priced out.

And speaking of housing, Proposition C or “Our City, Our Home,” is one of the most game-changing policies to address our homelessness crisis that I’ve seen in years. If passed, Prop C will infuse over $300 million

of funding into our City’s budget for permanent housing for 4,000 homeless people in addition to more rental subsidies and shelter beds. It does this by levying a small 0.5% tax on big corporations, most of whom just received a 15% cut under Trump’s tax plan. With support from the likes of Congresswoman Pelosi and Marc Benioff, the CEO of Salesforce, it’s hard to understand who wouldn’t support this measure that will make a real difference in the lives of people living on our streets.

So, San Francisco, it’s time to get out there and vote. Whether you vote by mail, at the polls, or at City Hall, there’s no staying home on November 6. Let’s not wake up on November 7 and wish we had done more.

Let’s instead awaken to a day that ushers in a new blue wave of Democratic resistance in the House of Representatives, in Governors’ mansions, and School Board chambers throughout the country. It’s time to drive out the darkness. And as Martin Luther King, Jr., once said, only light can do that. So, it’s time to f lip the switch with our vote. Elections do matter— and this one the most.

Peter Gallotta is a 30-something LGBT political activist holding on to the city that he loves thanks to rent control and two-for-one happy hour specials. He is a former President of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club and currently serves as an appointed member of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee and an elected delegate to the California Democratic Party.

Election Day Recommendations and Predictions Attorney General: Xavier Becerra Treasurer: Fiona Ma Controller: Betty Yee Insurance Commissioner: Ricardo Lara (LGBT, yay) Board of Equalization, District 2: Malia Cohen

Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History Louise “Lou” Fischer Here we are at the halfway point of “the 2nd illegitimate presidency” (Bush “W” being the first) with an important election less than a month away. On the national front, the outcome of the House and Senate elections will decide which America we will live in for another 2 years. On one side is Donald Trump’s version that includes blatant disrespect for rule of law, alienation of our allies, referring to Nazis as “fine people” and promotion of regressive socioeconomic policies. On the other side is hope and the possibility to undo some of the damage done to this country. This could be the most important election in our lifetimes and possibly U.S. history. Do not blow off this election; vote and encourage everyone you know in other states to vote.

On the local front, here in San Francisco, there’s a mix of ho-hum uncontested races and some competitive nail-biters. Below is my review of the November 6 election with candidate recommendations and predictions— because won’t it be cool if I pick all the winners?!

Federal: U.S. House, Nancy Pelosi; U.S. Senate, Dianne Feinstein Yes, Kevin de Leon is running against Dianne, but please. Did you watch the Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings? We are lucky to have Dianne and should be thankful that she’s willing to serve in this Administration instead of moving to Florida or wherever Jewish grandmothers go to retire.

Predictions: Pelosi and Feinstein State Assembly: David Chiu in AD 17 and Phil Ting in AD 19 are running basically unopposed. Vote for them.

Governor: Our own Gavin Newsom is running against a Republican; vote for Gavin. It’s his race to lose, so I predict a win for Gavin.

Lt. Governor: As I wrote in last month’s column, Eleni Kounalakis triumphed over a cast of thousands in the primary to take the top spot. She’s running against a Democrat. Vote for Eleni.

Prediction: Kounalakis In the following State races, the recommended candidates are the Dems running against a Republican or “No Party Preference” candidate. I predict a sweep for all of them.

Secretary of State: Alex Padilla

The office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is listed as nonpartisan but the June primary ended with 2 Democrats duking it out. I recommend Tony Thurmond over Marshall Tuck and pick him for the win in a close race.

The non-competitive races in the City include Assessor-Recorder, District 8 Supervisor and Public Defender. Carmen Chu is running for re-election and you should vote for her. Her opponent’s biggest problem is that he’s not Carmen Chu. Rafael Mandelman, emeritus columnist at the San Francisco Bay Times, is running against a tomato can so it’s an easy win for him. Jeff Adachi is running unopposed. I have begged every lawyer I know to run for that seat, but no takers yet, so we’ll have 4 more years of Adachi.

In the Community College race, there are 4 candidates and you pick 3, so there’s one odd man out. I recommend incumbents Thea Selby and Brigitte Davila and newcomer, Victor Olivieri. The odd man out is John Rizzo; nothing against him, but I think it is time to give a new person a chance and Victor has an impressive background in education as both a professor and administrator.

Prediction: Thea is a lock, Brigitte and John are a toss-up and Victor is running a good race, so I predict he wins a spot by a razor thin margin.

The Board of Education race has rivaled the best of Netflix in terms of entertainment value. Incumbent Emily Murase, one of my favorite elected officials, is not running due to a misunderstanding about the filing deadline and incorrect information provided by the very folks that run the elections. I could write an entire article about that travesty, but it’s a topic for another time. Another presumed favorite, Josephine Zhao, withdrew from the race due to negative comments regarding transgender students and various other controversial topics. Michelle Parker, an active parent and public school advocate, is my personal favorite in this race, but this is a “pick 3” and there are a thousand other candidates. OK, it’s only 19, but it seemed like a thousand when I had to sit through their presentations at a PAC endorsement meeting. This is a total free-for-all and it is virtually impossible to pick the winners. My guess is that voters will select the candidates who rolled up the most endorsements, so in addition to my prediction of Michelle Parker, maybe 2 out of this bunch will win: Alison Collins, Faauuga Moliga, Gabriela Lopez and Alida Fisher.

BART Board has 6 candidates running for the District 8 seat. I recommend Melanie Nutter in this race.

She has relevant background in transportation and is a fellow Emerge California graduate. Since I have no scien-

tific means of predicting the winner in this race, I’ll put it out to the universe to bring home the win for Melanie.

District 2 has 4 candidates for Supervisor. I’m recommending Catherine Stefani. She is the most qualif ied candidate, having served as Legislative Aide for the 2 former D2 Supervisors. We were in the same Emerge California training class (Class of ‘09!) and she was one of the most impressive members of the class—no small feat, as my class included current Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and about 10 other women who are now elected officials. The race is going to be a squeaker between Catherine and Nick Josefowitz, who has name recognition from his term on the BART Board. I predict Catherine, but it’s going to be close.

District 4 has 8 candidates with Jessica Ho and Gordon Mar as the front runners and Trevor McNeil as everyone’s sentimental pick because he’s such a nice guy and his 3 children are so cute. I don’t have a recommendation or prediction in this race. It could go either way, so I’ll be as surprised as everyone else on the day after the election.

In District 6 there are 3 solid candidates, any of whom could win, but Matt Haney, School Board Member, has the most momentum. The 2 other candidates, Christine Johnson and Sonja Trauss, formed an alliance to pick up each other’s 2nd choice votes, so that could swing the election for either of them. My recommendation is Christine with Sonja a close second, only because Christine has more relevant experience. I predict Matt will pull this out in the end.

District 10 has 6 candidates. The top 3 are perennial candidate Tony Kelly, School Board member Shamann Walton and former Youth Commissioner Theo Ellington. I’ll be diplomatic and do a ranked choice recommendation of Theo at #1 and Shamann at #2. Shamann has more experience and it’s his race to lose, but Theo, a Bayview native, is regarded as a “favorite son” of the District.

He’s just downright friendly to everyone; it’s hard to vote against him after meeting him. That said, Shamann has been working this District for a long time and has the edge in this race. I predict Shamann for the win in this election and Theo in 2026.

Don’t forget to vote on (or before) November 6. Every vote really does count. In 2014, Betty Yee won the primary in the Controller’s race by 484 votes out of 4 million; roughly 1/100th of a percent, yikes!

Louise (Lou) Fischer is the Immediate Past Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club and has served as an appointed and elected Delegate for the State Democratic Party. She is a proud graduate of the Emerge California Women’s Democratic Leadership program, was a San Francisco Commissioner and has served in leadership positions in multiple non-profit and community-based organizations.

Harvey Milk Plaza Redesign Update Following the presentation of the design at a reception in the Castro on Thursday, October 4, the plans were presented to the SF Arts Commission on October 15. To learn more, please visit http://www.friendsofharveymilkplaza.org

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Which LGBTIQ Case Will Reach Brett Kavanaugh and the Supreme Court First?

6/26 and Beyond Stuart Gaffney & John Lewis We, like millions of Americans, were deeply disturbed and disillusioned by the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. And as we’ve previously discussed in this column, the fear that Kavanaugh—who replaced Justice Kennedy, author of all the Court’s landmark gay rights decisions—could undermine LGBTIQ rights for a generation is unsettling, to say the least.

Kavanaugh may be put to the test very soon. Indeed, in the current 2018–2019 term, three cases the Court could hear concern an issue of enormous nationwide importance: whether Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 forbids employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity as unlawful sex discrimination covered by the Act.

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The first case the Court could take is Bostock v. Clayton County and pertains to Gerald Bostock, the former Child Welfare Services Coordinator for the Clayton County Georgia Juvenile Court System. Bostock claims that he was fired on trumped up cha rges when t he Count y learned he was gay. Bostock’s Supreme Court petition describes him as “a dedicated social services professional who has for many years been committed to ensuring that abused and neglected children have safe homes in which to live and grow.” A three-judge panel of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals threw out his case because it held that Title VII does not prohibit employers from terminating employees because they’re gay. Bostock asked the high court to hear his case.

The second case, Altitude Express v.

Zarda, raises the same issue and was filed on behalf of Donald Zarda, a now-deceased New York skydiving teacher who alleged that he was fired from his job for being openly gay. Last year, the Second Circuit en banc (meaning all judges of that appellate court, not just a typical 3-judge panel) reached the opposite conclusion to the Eleventh Circuit, allowing Zarda’s case to go forward and holding that Title VII prohibits dismissing an employee based on sexual orientation. (Last year, the Seventh Circuit en banc reached the same conclusion.)

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The Supreme Court was scheduled to discuss whether or not to take the Bostock and/or Zarda cases at its September 24 internal conference, but postponed the question probably, in part, because of the vacancy on the Court and possibly because of a third pending case, briefing of which should be completed this fall.

The third case, Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC, was brought by Aimee Stephens, a funeral director at Harris Funeral Homes, who was fired after she informed her employer that she was transgender and would be transitioning. The Sixth Circuit held that Title VII proscription on sex discrimination prohibited Stephens from being fired based on her gender identity. The funeral home seeks Supreme Court review of the decision.

The federal circuit courts have diverged significantly as to the scope of Title VII’s application to sexual orientation and gender identity, two related but different issues. We don’t know whether the Court will take up either or both issues or leave them for another day, giving time for other circuit courts to issue additional opinions or for Congress to amend Title VII to include sexual orientation and gender identity explicitly.

In dissenting from the Eleventh Circuit’s refusal to reconsider the Bostock case en banc, Judge Robin

Rosenbaum termed earlier circuit court cases holding that Title VII did not apply to sexual orientation as having “the precedential equivalent of an Edsel with a missing engine”—referring to the late 1950s monumental flop of a car sold by the Ford Motor Company.

At Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing, Senator Cory Booker asked him whether it would be wrong to fire someone because they’re gay.

Kavanaugh volunteered only, “In my workplace, I hire people because of their talents and abilities.

All Americans.”

Booker pressed: “There are a lot of folks who have concerns that if you get on the court—folks who are married right now really have a fear that they will not be able to continue those marital bonds. We still have a country where, if you post your Facebook pictures up of your marriage to someone of the same sex, we still have a majority of the states where if that employer of yours finds out that you’ve got a gay marriage and that you’re gay, in the majority of America states, you can fire somebody because they’re gay.”

Kavanaugh refused to respond to the concerns directly, citing the pending cases that he might be in a position to decide.

In response to questioning from Senator K ama la Har r is as to

whether he believed Obergefell, the Court’s nationwide marriage equality decision, was correctly decided, Kavanaugh refused to answer, but declared that the Court had decided that “the days of discriminating against gay and lesbian Americans, or treating gay and lesbian Americans as inferior in dignity and worth, are over ... . That’s a very important statement.”

Many are skeptical of Kavanaugh’s commitment to that statement when it comes to specifics—and more fundamentally agree with former Justice John Paul Stevens that Kavanaugh should not even be on the Supreme Court. But like it or not, Kavanaugh likely holds the deciding vote on whether Title VII protects LGBTIQ people from being fired because of their sexual orientation or gender identity if the Court takes up the issue. Now is the time to do everything we can to hold him to his words.

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.

Lewis, Foster and Chu for #GOTV The three names? Congressman John Lewis of Georgia, the late James Milton “Jim” Foster, and San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu.

Cross Currents Andrea Shorter With mid-term elections just a few weeks away, there are three names that are helping me to stay focused in the work to turn out the blue wave vote.

It’ll be of surprise, if not complete offense, to some that neither of those names are Kavanaugh. No, not now. I’ve spent enough energ y for the moment on the d isappoi nt i ng ap pointment of the new Associate Justice. Any further comment about the Justice, his brethren who predictably placed the ascension of blue blood white straight male privilege as the highest value above the truth of a woman he very likely sexually assaulted while a drunken to blacked out prep school frat brat, and the complete dismissal by the President and U.S. Senators of rightfully angry protestors against the conf irmation of Kavanaugh and to stand with assault survivors as nothing more than a nattering, sore loser “mob,” will be expressly made at the voting poll on November 6.

What link could possibly be powerful enough to serve as some self-imposed mantra to fuel a GOTV countdown?

After all, these are three diverse and multi-generational figures—an African American Civil Rights Icon, an LGBTQ historical figure, and a Chinese American woman and elected Assessor of the City and County of San Francisco. What unites them in history is the power and importance of the vote and inclusion of the marginalized in the democratic franchise.

John Lewis A living civil rights legend and icon, U.S. Congressman John Lewis needs little introduction to any forum or discussion about the hardfought f ight for the right to vote. He is most known for his role as a student activist who survived the “Bloody Sunday” merciless attacks on freedom f ighters as they attempted to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery for the right to vote of African Americans.

I thank John Lewis and the hundreds of others who literally spilt blood for the full enfranchisement of African Americans and others leading up to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. As efforts continue to this day to suppress African American votes in states and elections that could deliver November 2018 victories for democratic candidates like Stacey Abrams for

Governor of Georgia—ICYMI, she would be the first African American woman Governor in U.S. History— the sacrifices made by John Lewis and countless others become all the more sacred. No matter what, I must vote. It is my most sacred form of protest forged by the blood of John Lewis. I will always vote.

James Milton “Jim” Foster Jim Foster is the founding father of what is now the Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, the nation’s first and oldest gay Democratic club in the country. In 1972, Foster and Madeline Davis would become the f irst openly LGBT persons to speak before a national party convention in support of a presidential candidate, as they did so at the 1972 Democratic National Convention. Albeit their appearance before the convention occurred at 3 am, but they were there. Yeah, they were first.

But, most importantly, they were there.

Carmen Chu

nia is the third worst state for women’s voter registration, not one to agonize, she co-created and is leading the #WChallenge to increase voter registration and participation among California women.

It’s a simple challenge: registered voters pledge to help at least one woman to register and turn out the vote in the mid-term elections. Simple. Go to the site ( https://wchallenge.org/ ). I celebrate that the daughter of an immigrant experience once excluded by law from the democratic franchise is leading the way to make sure that every woman’s voice is heard, and that her vote counts.

I thank Carmen for t he #WCha l lenge and her strong belief in the democratic process and that all women’s experiences matter.

Carmen Chu is the Assessor-Recorder of San Francisco. She’s also a fierce feminist. Upon realizing that Califor-

So, it’s time to get out the vote, or GOTV, as known among the political organizers set.

In protest, in communion or in curiosity, sometimes just being there, being heard, being seen and standing up to be counted, to edge your seat closer to the table, can make a difference for generations beyond your material reach. We lost Jim Foster to AIDS-related illness on October 31, 1990. I thank Jim and Madeline for being there, for me to be here to vote as an openly LGBT Democrat.

Vote! You don’t have to wait until November 6. In most cities, you can vote early at the local elections department, City Hall or other designated polling places.

If you are registered to vote by mail, ballots have already dropped. If you’ve not received your VBM, call your department of elections office now! Don’t wait until election day.

As a California resident, you can register online and learn more about voting at https://registertovote.ca.gov// 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 marr iage equalit y. A Co-founder of the Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition, she was a 2009 David Bohnett LGBT L eadership Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

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Invest Like a Girl? That’s a Compliment! or they—can potentially help you to yield better investment results.

What Women Usually Do Right When They Invest

Money Matters Brandon Miller A favorite taunt of schoolyard boy bullies trying to bolster their fragile egos is to tell other boys that they do something “like a girl,” as if that were the worst insult in the world. The truth is, we could all benefit from doing a lot more things the way women get them done.

Investing is one of those areas. Yes, women really are better investors than men. And that’s demonstrated in study after study. Research from Fidelity Investments in 2017 showed that women earn higher returns than men while taking on less risk—an ideal combination. They also found that women save more than men do, which is good because they probably earn less.

These findings are supported by a 2016 paper from Australian economics professors, a 2015 study from a computerized portfolio management company, and all the way back to a 2001 scholarly article that found women earned 1.4% more in annual risk-adjusted net returns than did men.

So, what’s their secret?

Turns out, some of the traits we think of as inherently feminine are perfectly suited to successful investing.

This means that employing women’s strategies—whether you’re a he, she

Save more. The best thing that women do for themselves as investors is to put aside more of their earnings than men generally do. The Fidelity Investments study shows that women contribute an average of 9% of their paychecks into workplace retirement accounts vs. an average of 8.6% for their male counterparts. Outside of the workplace, IRAs and brokerage accounts, for example, the average percentages are 12.4% for women vs. 11.6% for men. At first glance, these percentages may seem small.

But with the miracle of compounding, over many years, these fractions can add up to hundreds of thousands of extra dollars.

Focus on goals. Perhaps women save more because they tend to view investing as a way to accomplish life goals for themselves and/or their families. Men too often view investing as a competition, a perpetual game of “beating” the market. Rather than make investing decisions based on whether they advance life goals, too many men resort to that stereotypical male trait of focusing on performance. And my, my, my that can lead to bad decisions.

Take less risk. Another trait that works in their favor for investing is that women are generally more riskaverse than men. Trying to maximize the efficiency of their investments, women are apt to use an asset-allocation strategy—just as every financial professional suggests. Women are particularly drawn to target funds, which manage risk based on when you need the money.

Overconfidence often leads men to take on more risk than is appropriate for their circumstances, or is needed to achieve similar results. They’re

also more prone to commit that financial sin of chasing returns, often watching their “sure things” and “best” investments fizzle out months after buying.

Buy and hold. Patience is most often considered a feminine virtue, perhaps because you have to be highly patient to choose to sacrifice your body for nine months to welcome new life. But lo and behold, patience is exactly what’s needed for the buy-and-hold strategy stressed by financial professionals.

Men, well, need I bring up that competition thing again? “Hey, how can you beat the market if you don’t buy and sell?” may explain why the Fidelity Investments study found that men are 35% more likely to make trades than women do. This can lead to higher fees and a lower return, which is obviously no one’s goal.

Admit they don’t know it all.

We could call this the “women will stop and ask for directions” trait. I hate to keep beating the same drum, but male overconfidence can also be blamed for men’s tendency to plunge in and buy or sell something without always understanding if it actually benefits them. Women are more apt to ask questions, do research and consult with friends and professionals before making decisions.

What I’m trying to emphasize is that if you want to pump up your portfolio, it might be smart to get in touch with your feminine side, regardless of how butch you consider yourself to be.

In a nutshell, you’ll probably benefit from taking a long-term view, saving more and trading less—just like women often do.

Brandon Miller, CFP® is a financial consultant at Brio Financial Group in San Francisco, specializing in helping LGBT individuals and families plan and achieve their financial goals.

Crossovers Continue Their Push But the powerhouse RAV4 is not immune to the blowing winds. Its September volume was off 12 percent from that month in 2017. The Mazda does less than a third of the RAV4’s overall volume, and it was off 16 percent. That’s still a strong showing compared to their sedan stablemates, though: the Camry was down 22%, and the Mazda6 tumbled 30%. Buyers are finding the exit door for sedans in record numbers.

Auto Philip Ruth If you’re shopping for a new vehicle, then you might have noticed some of the factors that made September 2018 a notably slow sales month. Interest rates are rising, and transaction prices are up, hitting just under $33,500. If you’ve been away from the showrooms for a while, your return might have cued up some good ol’ sticker shock.

Contributing to this shift is ongoing buyer migration from sedans to crossovers and SUVs. Prices are higher and margins for negotiating are thinner, which are to be expected when you want something that’s in demand.

Smack in the center of this evolving market are the compact crossovers we’ll examine this month—the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4. Both are common sights in the Bay Area, and the Toyota is especially popular; the RAV4 was the best-selling nonpickup sold in 2017. When Ford says it’s finished with slinging sedans, the RAV4’s unstoppable success is firm in its corporate mind.

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There are compelling reasons for this, two among them being the higher seating position and massively more practical interior space, which can be converted from people-carrying to antique-hauling in a snap. Urban drivers also appreciate a crossover’s parkability, because these tall wagons are shorter without a trunk on the back.

But we can lament the loss of driving fun. Crossovers have extra weight to carry, and the added height makes suspension tuning more a challenge than in sedans that hunker closer to the road. The contrast is made more vivid by the fact that both the Mazda6 and the Camry are remarkably fun to drive, even though the latter has suffered for years under a beige veil of drabness. The Camry is now finally awake, just as its market is withering.

By contrast, the CX-5 seems to be preoccupied, and the RAV4 is enjoying an afternoon nap. Neither pushes a driver’s buttons for engagement. The Mazda’s “Skyactiv” lightweight approach

to its construction makes it feel more pitchable than the RAV4, but its responses feel like the result of a web of decision made on your behalf, rather than a direct link between man and machine. Greater time with it might foster more of a connection.

The tested 2018 RAV4 is replaced for ‘19 with a model redesigned on Toyota’s global platform, dubbed “TNGA.” The 2018 Camry was the first to show the brilliance of this new foundation, and we hope its handling sharpness replaces the somnolence of the current RAV4. Because while there is an appreciation for a crossover’s virtues, enthusiast drivers like me don’t want to be left behind.

Philip Ruth is a Castro-based automotive photojournalist and consultant ( www.gaycarguy.com ). Check out his automotive staging service at www.carstaging.com

Mazda CX-5

Toyota RAV4

Coming Together to Address California’s Senior Care Crisis

By Dr. Marcy Adelman and Dr. Karyn Skultety Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.

Nearly a century ago, Helen Keller first uttered the phrase but it still holds true to this day. This sentiment was brought to life at the October 11 Advocating for LGBTQ Seniors in the Master Plan for Aging in California panel discussion co-hosted by We Stand with Seniors ... Will You? and Openhouse. It was remarkable to see the wide range of attendees pour into the San Francisco LGBT Center to learn from an outstanding panel why California so desperately needs a master plan for aging, how that plan will reflect marginalized communities and how the community can support the development of such a plan.

By 2030, California’s senior population will nearly double. That’s four

million new seniors in a little less than 12 years. Bill Earley from the We Stand with Seniors campaign explained how this epic demographic shift has been a slow-moving avalanche for years. Currently, twenty percent of seniors in California live in poverty. In San Francisco, that number jumps to thirty percent.

So, what has the state done to address this issue, especially in light of millions more seniors in the near future? Unfortunately, not much. That’s where We Stand with Seniors comes into play. Since early this year, the campaign has been working diligently to elevate senior issues among policymakers, break through the media clutter and urge the creation of a master plan for aging so that our older adults, their caregivers and families can age successfully in place.

To hone in on how this master plan for aging will ref lect marginalized communities specifically, Cecilia Chung with the Transgender Law Center, Tom Nolan with the San Francisco Department of Adult and Aging Services, Sarah Steenhausen with The SCAN Foundation and Senator Scott Wiener shared insights and experiences from their respective careers.

West Health COO/General Counsel Bill Earley with Openhouse founder Dr. Marcy Adelman

Not only did the audience hang on to each panel-

ist’s every word, but the discussion also c over e d i n - d e pt h the many challenges faced by our LGBTQ seniors, their caregivers and family members when accessing quality, af fordable health and supportive services, as well as prospective solutions.

In listening to commu n it y member s share their fears and concerns associated with long-term care facilities, accessing affordable housing, (Left to Right) State Sen. Scott Wiener; Sarah Steenhausen, Senior Policy Advisor, The SCAN Foundation; Karyn Skultety, Openhouse; Tom Nolan, Special Projects, SF Department of Adult and Aging Services: Clair Fairley, Senior Advisor to the dying alone, home- Mayor and Director of the San Francisco Office of Transgender Initiatives;and Cecilia Chung, Senior Director of Strategic lessness and more, it Projects, Transgender Law Center. was clear that events streets. And, it’s unacceptable for the Dr. Marcy Adelman, a clinical psylike this don’t happen often enough. state not to step in to address these is- chologist, is a Co-founder of OpenBringing statistics to life through sues. house. She is also a Commissionshared experiences helps to explain er on the California Commission on to state leaders why we need action At the end of the day, the challengAging, and a member of the board on this issue today, and why Califor- es faced by our aging population afof the Alzheimer’s Association of nia must prioritize all seniors in pol- fect all Californians. Now is the time Northern California and Northern icy discussions and why—as a com- to come together and urge candidates, Nevada. munity—we must make our collective policymakers and state leaders to act voice heard. on these matters.

Dr. Karyn Skultety is the Executive Director of Openhouse. Openhouse It’s unacceptable in today’s world for If you want to help ensure that all is a non-profit dedicated to serving an LGBTQ senior to feel like they Californians can age in the place they and celebrating LGBTQ seniors in have to go back in the closet in or- call home, surrounded by people they San Francisco and the Bay Area with der to access long-term care. It’s un- love, in a community where they feel housing, support and community acceptable for healthcare providers to they belong, take action. Pull up a building. discriminate against transgender in- chair. Get involved. Make your voice http://www.openhouse-sf.org dividuals. It’s unacceptable for mil- heard, because together we can do so lions of our elders to be living on the much.

Alegre Home Care is proud to support Dr. Marcy Adelman’s Aging in Community column in the San Francisco Bay Times.

Dr. Marcy Adelman oversees the Aging in Community column. For her summary of current LGBT senior challenges and opportunities, please go to: http://sf baytimes.com/challenges-and-opportunties/

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Supporting ‘One Fair Wage’ with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda in San Francisco

By Louise “Lou” Fischer Last month, multi award-winning actresses and icons, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, visited Piccino Cafe in San Francisco to have “Coffee and Conversation” with supporters of the “One Fair Wage” initiative. Organized by Emmy Award-winning journalist Grace Kahng with support from Horizons Foundation, the event raised awareness and much-needed funding for the movement that shines a light on the economic exploitation of restaurant workers across the country.

While California has already implemented full minimum wage for tipped workers, in 43 states, restaurant workers earn $2.13 an hour and must rely on tips to earn a living wage.

This disproportionately affects women, according to Saru Jayaraman, co-founder and president of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, as 70% of all tipped workers in the U.S. are women who often must tolerate sexual harassment in their interactions with the customers they serve.

Jane Fonda with beaming staff at Piccino Cafe

The goal of the organization is to mobilize voters in other states to approve ballot measures and demand that legislators adopt fair wage laws. When faced with reluctance from restaurant owners and arguments that businesses will fail, Jayaraman pointed out that in most countries, the responsibility to pay the worker is borne by the business owner, not the customer, and that “California has been doing it for decades and has a booming restaurant industry.”

For more information: http://onefairwage.com/

Pam David (second from right) from Horizons Foundation and Cheryl Lazar with Lily and Jane

The Bay Times’ own Dr. Marcy Adelman with Jane and Lily Emmy Award winning journalist Grace Kahng

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin at Piccino Cafe 10

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Horizons Foundation Gala 2018

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CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2018)

Photos by Rink, Paul Margolis, and Trish Tunney

One of the most anticipated fundraisers of the fall season in San Francisco is the Horizons Foundation Gala, held at the San Francisco Fairmont, including the historic Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar. This year’s event did not disappoint. It included a fantastic performance by the members of Vocal Rush, a two-time national champion acapella ensemble from the Oakland School for the Arts. Co-chairs Olga Talamante and Adam Blum then welcomed guests.

Horizons Foundation Executive Director Roger Doughty shared heartfelt words about the organization, as did Vice President of Development Deb Stallings, who challenged all to continue their support for the organization, which was the world’s first community foundation to be based in, and to serve, the LGBTQ community.

For more information: https://www.horizonsfoundation.org/

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Transgender activist Gavin Grimm received the Courage Award, presented by ACLU’s Abdi Soltani. Playwright, author and community leader Jewelle Gomez received the Visionary Award, presented by NCTC’s Ed Decker.

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Donna’s Chronicles

By Donna Sachet

he Kinsey Sicks blew into town and we couldn’t miss one of their hilarious shows. Terrence Taylor joined us at the Marines’ Memorial Theatre for Things You Shouldn’t Say, a 25th anniversary show that pushed envelopes and satirized every imaginable sacred cow, but also delivered some salient political points. In addition to funny sketches and remarkable ensemble singing, each performer had a solo turn, reflecting their individual character and style, but in the middle of the show, Benjamin Schatz, who plays Rachel and is retiring after this tour, delivered a show-stopping monologue that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Immediately after the show, the current and some former cast members reminisced about their San Francisco origin, 25 years of shows, and the memories they leave behind. It’s hard to believe how far four men in drag with tight four-part harmony and razor-sharp wit have come!

Duboce Park again provided the perfect setting for our little role in Fleet Week as we emceed demonstrations of highly trained canines working with the SF Police, SF Sherriff’s Department, BART, U.S. Marines and U.S. Coast Guard. This was the third year for this family friendly event and the dogs did not disappoint! Coordinated with the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management, Bark at the Park is an amazing look at what dogs can do after disasters and in other emergency situations, and it’s a great way for Fleet Week to reach out to a local neighborhood.

Saturday night we attended Horizons Foundation’s annual gala at the Fairmont Hotel. We joined Chris Carnes, Gretchen Fleishman, Mark Leno, Russell Kassman, Manny Yekutiel and others to celebrate a successful year of giving and distributing dollars within our Community. Honored that night were Gavin Grimm and Jewelle Gomez, introduced in glowing and obviously loving terms by Ed Decker of New Conservatory Theatre. After an inspiring and emotional speech by Executive Director Roger Doughty, board member Olga Talamente led an amazing fundraising plea. During the evening we caught up with Adam Sandel, Okan Sengun, Dan Joranstaad & Bob Hermann, Juan Barajas, Derek Barnes, Ed Eishen & Jeff Lewy, Bob Dockendorff, Diane Sabin, Matthew Denckla and one of Horizons most avid supporters, Deb Stallings, who introduced her visiting mother.

Finally, most of the attendees spilled into the iconic Tonga Room for final refreshments and a little Tiki nostalgia.

Sunday’s Castro Street Fair seemed to us to be one of the most successful in years with perfect weather, a clearly organized layout, room to move, great music and lots of happy people. The Castro businesses certainly seemed pleased!

We wrapped up Sunday night in the company of James Holloway with another fantastic performance of Varla Jean Merman in Under a Big Top at Oasis. How fortunate we are to have such a versatile venue, owned and operated by members of the LGBT Community and welcoming such diverse entertainment! And what a consummate professional is Varla, merging video, music, comedy and theatre into a mesmerizing show. Take it from us: Never miss a Varla performance!

The 26th annual Tenderloin Neighborhood Housing Corporation’s Celebrity Pool Toss once again amazed us at the Phoenix Hotel with its seamless production, enthusiastic support and tremendous fundraising. Priya Clemens, Director of Public Affairs for the Golden Gate Bridge; Linda Hill of Aegon Real Assets; Commander David Lazar from the SF Police Department; Minna Tao, General Manager of Recology Golden Gate; and others all willingly succumbed to a toss in the pool from the top bidder, raising thousands of dollars and eliciting lots of laughter. Along with a silent auction and raffle tickets, in addition to ticket sales, this event is bound to provide significant funding for an organization committed to improving life in the Tenderloin. And working with one of our favorite local television personalities, Cheryl Jennings of ABC-7, as well as the SF Chronicle’s Tony Bravo, Lynn Winslow, Neil Figurelli and Lisa Cohen, is always a delight! Afterwards, we shared a cocktail with Lewis Sykes & Jim Connor at nearby Emperor Norton’s Booze Joint.

Friday morning, we gave moral support to friends who had accepted the challenge of Over the Edge to rappel down the side of the Hilton Union Square for charity. Sister Roma, Mark Leno, Michael Kuehl and others faced the challenge as friends watched through the window of the 46th floor. Lots of money was raised to support Outward Bound California, providing healthy outdoor activities to young people and students.

We will be the first to acknowledge that we have received more than our share of praise, awards, and recognition from many sources, but last Friday’s Mighty Real Gala for PRC was something very distinct. Having served on the Board of Directors, watched its management mature and develop, and witnessed its life-altering work year after year, we will forever champion PRC! While many charitable organizations have well developed annual galas, honed over years into the slick productions they are, PRC only recently stepped into this milieu, using the Four Seasons Hotel as its setting and bringing in Reggie Aqui of ABC-7 and Michelle Meow of KBCW and CBS-SF as emcees. Hundreds of guests enjoyed cocktails on the patio with splendid City views before entering the elegant ballroom for entertainment by Jason Brock accompanied by Dee Spencer, a four-course dinner, and the formal program. Craig Miller, originator of the AIDS Walk, received a well-deserved Vanguard Leadership Award and Kaiser Permanente received the Keystone Service Award for their historic generosity and corporate leadership. After dinner, Chief Executive Officer Brett Andrews shared his powerful vision for PRC, followed by an inspirational video, and Michael Tate of the SF Gay Men’s Chorus skillfully auctioned off several tempting packages and directed a spirited fund-a-need. With an over-the-top introduction, Michelle then presented us with the Sylvester Community Pillar Award, a memorable moment to which we will long cling. Deana Dawn and James Holloway took the stage in their Gayest attire to present Gary Virginia with his Sylvester Community Pillar Award. Gary’s humble and gracious remarks reminded many of us of the simple beginnings of PRC, the importance of the contributions of so many along the way and Gary’s pivotal place in PRC’s history. At our table, Dave Earl, Kaushik Roy, Chris Carnes, Susan Fahey and Zoe Borkowski added a personal touch to the experience. The evening ended with music and dancing that clearly evoked the memory of Sylvester and the many nights we’ve spent spinning on a dance floor.

Sometimes the smaller events are the most meaningful, such as a birthday party for a friend in a bar in the Castro. But when that friend is Gary Rahlf (The Queen) and that bar is 440 Castro, there is nothing small about it! Scores of well-wishers flooded the bar from noon to 4 pm this past Sunday to celebrate in an old-fashioned way,

“You run into the same people on the way down as you do on the way up.”

-Donna Sachet

Calendar a/la Sachet Every Sunday Sunday’s a Drag 10:30 am Brunch, 11:30 am Show The Starlight Room Sir Francis Drake Hotel, $75 inclusive https://starlightroomsf.com/sundays-a-drag Now through November 3 Into the Dark: Terror Vault Tours starting at 6:30 pm–10 pm The San Francisco Mint 88 5th Street, $60 (Ages 21+ only) https://www.intothedarksf.com/terror-vault Wednesday, October 17 Mr. International Freedom Contest 6 pm, Show at 7 pm Oasis $20 General Admission, $50 VIP Seating https://tinyurl.com/yatqkdfa Thursday, October 18 Let’s Misbehave Celebrating the 90th Birthday of the Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel 7–11 pm The Starlight Room 450 Powell Street $25 (presale)–$35 (at the door) https://tinyurl.com/y7xo6off Saturday, October 20 OurTownSF Nonprofit Expo 12:30–4:30 pm Eureka Valley Recreation Center, Free https://tinyurl.com/ybrvyemh Sunday, October 21 5th Anniversary + Photo Wall Shoot + DJ Haute Toddy 2–5 pm Beaux 2344 Market Street, Free https://bit.ly/2QZCimw Friday, October 26 Tribute: 40th Birthday Concert San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus 8 pm St. Ignatius Church 650 Parker Avenue, $35–$60 https://tinyurl.com/yaw39sva Saturday, October 27 40 & Fabulous San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Noon Reception, 1 pm Lunch Sir Francis Drake Empire Ballroom 450 Powell Street, $60 https://tinyurl.com/ycc6f67y Saturday, October 27 Glow in the Streets Comfort & Joy 4 pm–9:30 pm Noe Street between Market and Beaver $10–$20 https://tinyurl.com/y8rsrt7t

(continued on page 30) PHOTO BY SHAWN NORTHCUTT PHOTO BY SHAWN

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Still We Rise triumph over them. As an example, I mentioned Viktor Frankl, the Viennese psychiatrist who found that, even in the hell of Auschwitz, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

Roland Schembari and Bill Hartman, Co-Founders Randy Alfred, Founding News Editor 1978 Kim Corsaro Publisher 1981-2011

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Examined Life Tom Moon, MFT I n t he d ay s fol low i n g t he K avanaugh conf ir mat ion hearings, I talked with women and gay men who had been re-traumatized by the whole spectacle. I heard stories of rape, beatings, threats and bullying, almost always at the hands of young men. Some said that they had never told their stories before, and almost all said that they carry the wounds of their experiences to this day. Their suffering, and their courage and resilience in responding to it, was deeply moving.

The last time I wrote about “victors”—t hose spir itua l g iants among us who are able, not merely to survive their traumas, but to

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A former staff member at Glide Memorial Church and the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, Munoz volunteered for many benefits suppor t ing t he LG BTQ community.

He bravely fought several illnesses recent ly, includ ing cancer for which he underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy, all while remaining upbeat and supportive of friends and family. After his passing on October 12, a GoFundMe page was created to help with funeral expenses ( https://tinyurl.com/y94bocla ).

As of this writing, they are short of the modest goal ($2500), so please consider helping out.

Photographers Rink, Phyllis Costa, Jane Higgins Paul Margolis, Chloe Jackman, Bill Wilson, Jo-Lynn Otto, Sandy Morris, Abby Zimberg, Morgan Shidler, JP Lor

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Freeman was tried and found guilty, but he was only jailed for one day. Four days after his re-

Edward “Eddie” Munoz

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But this week, one hero who seems particularly relevant is Maya Angelou, whose story of survival and victory is one of the most inspiring I’ve ever heard. It was hard enough to be a black girl trying to grow up in the Jim Crow South, but at the age of eight she was raped by her mother’s boyfriend, a man named Freeman. She only told her brother, but he told the rest of the family.

Hear her celebrate her victory: “Out of the huts of history’s shame I rise/ Up from a past that’s rooted in pain I rise/ I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,/ Welling and swelling I bear in the tide/ Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise/ Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear I rise/ Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave/ I am the dream and the hope of the slave./ I rise/ I rise/ I rise.”

How was she able to overcome so much? I know of nothing in any of the psychology I’ve studied that would explain it. I seriously doubt that I personally would have survived if I had been subjected to the level of torment that she endured. But rather than dwell on my own limitations, I want to re-

ceive inspiration from her example and that of all victors. They show us that we are not defined by our suffering, but that, even in the midst of winter, we too have within us an invincible summer. I want to remember that the same fire that burned in them lives in me as well, and to respond to the lesser trials in my own life in the light of their example.

It is winter in America now. I have never seen my country so lost, so full of greed, hatred and delusion. But if Viktor Frankl, Nelson Mandela and Maya Angelou could find the inner strength to be victorious in much more dire circumstances, then maybe I, too, can respond with courage and dignity to this time in our history. We are called to connect with our own invincible summer, to nurture it in each other and to act in the world from that light.

We know what we have to do.

Politically the questions couldn’t be simpler: Shall we stand with the victims or with the perpetrators? With the oppressed or with the oppressors? The answers are equally simple.

Tom Moon is a psychotherapist in San Francisco. For more information, please visit his website http://tommoon.net/

In Memoriam

Mario Ordonez Juan Ordonez

Jan Zobel

PHOTO BY SANDY MORRIS

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I also mentioned Nelson Mandela, who wrote that, after twenty-seven years in prison, “As I walked out the door to the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison,” and who, from this spiritual understanding, was able to lead an entire country through a process of forgiveness and reconciliation.

lease, he was murdered, probably by relatives of Angelou. Angelou stopped speaking for almost five years because she believed that speaking up had killed him. She wrote, “I thought, my voice killed him; I killed that man, because I told his name. And then I thought I would never speak again, because my voice would kill anyone.” But it was during this period of silence that she found her love for language and literature, so that when she recovered her voice, she was able to speak truths that lifted up millions.

Recog nized nationally for her expertise as a financial advisor and tax consultant for small businesses and the self-employed, Zobel was an author, advisor and leader of work shops who helped countless others, and particularly LGBTQ , minority and women businesses owners. Her book Minding Her Own Business, published in 2005, is considered a vital resource, especially for self-employed women and independent contractors seeking to navigate the steps of starting their own business. Frequently quoted as a tax expert in Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal and by Microsoft, Charles Schwab and more, Zobel received the Small Business Administration’s Accountant Advocate of the Year Award. It is not surprising that one of her clients wrote: “Is it strange that I love my accountant?”

Many readers of the San Francisco Bay Times knew Zobel through vacations spent at her property in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; her role as co-host of an annual East Bay Hanukkah Party for LGBTQ women; her support

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for, and participation in, the Bay Times SF Pride Parade contingent and much more.

She is also remembered for her debates with anti-LGBT advocates during the campaign to defeat the Briggs Initiative in 1978. She was profiled by The San Francisco Chronicle for her courage as a novice competitor in mountain biking at the 2002 Gay Games in Sydney, Australia, where she won a gold medal.

In 2003, she was recognized for her decades of philanthropy by the Astraea Foundation.

Zobel died at her home in Oakland after a long illness.

Norman Tanner Black Brothers Est e em c o - fou nd er Norman Tanner passed away on October 5, the v ict im of a hitand-run accident in San Francisco at Oak and Baker Streets. Beloved for his work in establishing support resources for gay and bisexual African American men, he was nicknamed “Stormin’ Norman” by friends and colleagues who knew him and observed his tireless volunteering, including for sobriety advocacy. Tanner was active as a volunteer in programs of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Glide Memorial Church.

He was also known for mentoring jail inmates who were struggling with addictions.

Plans for a memorial service are underway.

For more information, contact Tony Bradford: abradford@sfaf.org

James L. Manges, Jr. The popular C i nch ba r on Polk Street was the site of a large gathering on Saturday, October 13, when friends and family gathered to celebrate the life of popular bartender Manges. Known for his love of food, friendship

with the late renowned chef Julia Child (he cooked with Child at her home), and support of the Pittsburgh Steelers (he often wore black and gold attire, and was frequently greeted with: “Hey, Pittsburgh!”), Manges passed on August 30 after a lengthy illness. The celebration of his life included a display of his impressive collection of cookbooks, hats and candid snapshots, as well as many food items.

As reported in The Tribune-Review based near Pittsburg, Manges served as a congressional page in the U.S. House of Representatives and completed high school in the page program at the Library of Congress, giving his senior class graduation speech in the Rose Garden of the White House. He attended Georgetown University and initially worked as a paralegal after settling in San Francisco. Upon retiring from that work, Manges decided to pursue his interest in bartending.

Donations in his honor can be made to Maitri Compassionate Care: http://www.maitrisf.org/

John Tomlins A former registered nur se at St a n ford Hea lt h Care, Tomlins helped to fundraise for A I D S E mergency Fund (AEF) and Positive Resource Center (PRC), among numerous other local organizations.

He was memorably featured as Mr. April in the 2016 Bare Chest Calendar. On Sunday, October 14, “Remembering John Tomlins” took place at the SF Eagle. As friend Ray Tilton shared at Facebook, “Many charities benefited from John’s overall community involvement and support, but it is most fitting to donate to PRC.” To make a donation to PRC dedicated in Tomlins’ name or that of another loved one, please go to: https://tinyurl.com/y99a9e9v

GLBT Fortnight in Review

By Ann Rostow

Once Again …

A quick review of my previous column reminds me that I spent scads of space on the sad saga of the High Court and the slow death of our hopes and dreams for powerful legal victories. Instead of a few more years of litigation to dot our i’s and cross our t’s; instead of a few more cases to help us travel the final steps of our long journey into the sunlight of permanent constitutional protections; instead of the post-gay era, we are falling backwards into the unknown.

(Cue: Cries of “Heeeeelp!” fading into faint screams as Gay Law is lost to the abyss.)

At any rate, there’s no reason to review our SCOTUS situation again in this issue, as it will only depress us all and cause loyal readers to wonder why I feel compelled repeatedly to return to tedious and simplistic reviews of Title VII or Price Waterhouse v Hopkins.

And speaking of rehashing the same subject ad infinitum, I also have another story about gay penguins, even though it has only been two weeks since we shared the adorable tale of the gay male penguins in Odense, Denmark, who chick-napped a baby from a careless heterosexual penguin couple. Consistency would suggest that I skip the recent gay penguin item, much as I now hesitate to bore you with another round of legal recaps. But these are gay penguins! Surely, these days, there are never enough gay penguin stories in our sad lives.

The latest penguin headlines come to us from Sydney, Australia, where zookeepers realized Magic and Sphen had eyes for each other early on. The two males collected little ice pellets, a nesting technique, and bowed to each other like mates. When one of the straight couples had two eggs, the penguin masters gave one of them to Magic and Sphen, who by that time had built a proper nest with pebbles. Normally, penguins only raise one chick, so second eggs are ignored and die. Indeed, the actual parents did not even notice that their extra egg was gone.

And that’s it for the news. The penguins are busy caring for the egg, so I’m guessing we’ll have more details if or when it hatches. Meanwhile, what is it with gay male penguins? We don’t see such variations on the Kinsey scale from the rest of the animal kingdom, and I also don’t recall any lesbian penguins.

Strike that. I just googled “lesbian penguins” and discovered an April 2017 article about a pair of 24-year-old females, “Thelma” and “Louise,” from New Zealand, who were raising an egg together.

Penguins only live to 20 years old as a rule, so this couple defied not one, but two parenting barriers.

I just wasted half an hour trying to find out if these New Zealand penguins were still alive, without success, but I did trip over a 2013 piece about lesbian penguins in Israel. I must move on, but I suppose were I not human, penguin life would be my second choice. In a zoo, that is. Not huddled in the cold on a windy ice f loe in Antarctica.

It’s All About Me As you may have read, Matthew Shepard will be interred at the National Cathedral on October 26, almost exactly 20 years after his death. Shepard’s parents were afraid that his grave would be vandalized, so they held onto his remains. Now, in a service that will include our gay Episcopal bishop Gene Robinson, Shepard will join

a select group of luminaries buried within the cathedral’s marble depths.

Fun fact! I was a National Cathedral girl until I was expelled from the D.C. private school for smoking marijuana in the cathedral basement ladies’ room. My friends and I often roamed the hidden corners and climbed the narrow winding staircases of this magnificent edifice, touching the rose window or peering through the metal bars of the cave-like reliquaries.

I was oddly proud to read in one recent Kavanaugh article that Holton Arms and Georgetown Prep were not considered quite as posh as National Cathedral and St. Albans. I retain a strange affection for the place, much as I disdained the rules and regulations at the time—pompously refusing to join in the Nicene Creed, smoking cigarettes behind buildings, stealing change from the fountains in the Bishops’ Garden, shoplifting Callard and Bowser licorice from the Herb Cottage and, in Fourth Grade, becoming the youngest girl to be suspended in the history of the school. The final straw that year was hiding a walkie talkie in the trash can and taking the other one into the closet where I amused everyone by saying: “Hi, Miss Clifford. This is your trash can speaking.”

Harmless fun met by punitive overreactions from adults. The story of my youth.

Whither Lambda?

Let’s see. There’s a long Huffington Post story about Lambda Legal’s recent turmoil, which sounds pretty dramatic. In the two years since Rachel Tiven replaced Kevin Cathcart in the top spot, the legal eagles have lost half their staff and half their caseload amidst a cacophony of complaints about management that led Tiven to resign last August. The article includes a few Tiven defenders of sorts, who pointed out that Lambda needed a shakeup and change is hard, but really, there’s no excuse for taking a wrecking ball to the morale and dynamism of an important GLBT community institution like Lambda. Maybe I’m missing something, given that I’ve spent all of 20 minutes reading about this affair? Nah. Veteran New York activist Richard Burns, a former Lambda board member and head of the New York City LGBT Community Center, will take over as interim CEO. Meanwhile, the work goes on. This week, Lambda took aim at the state of Kansas, one of three states, along with Ohio and Tennessee, that still refuses to let transgender citizens revise their birth certificates. Transgendered men and women can change their driver’s licenses in the Sunf lower State, but without an accurate birth certificate they lack access to a foundational form of identification that is used for proof of citizenship, passports and also as the basis for other types of ID. In other Lambda news, the lawyers have filed suit on behalf of Helen Thornton, a 63-year-old Washington State resident who lost her partner of 27 years back in 2006. Lambda and Thornton are suing the Social Security Administration for spousal benefits that she would have received had the women been able to marry before Marge Brown died of ovarian cancer.

The case will be significant for the many other survivors, who lived as married prior to the High Court’s marriage equality (continued on page 30) S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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Largest SF LGBTQ Resource Fair to Take Place on October 20

By Paul Margolis On Saturday, October 20, OurTownSF along with the Eureka Valley Recreation Center and TurnOut will host the 3rd annual OurTownSF Nonprofit Expo. This free event will feature over 100 service providers to the San Francisco LGBTQ community and over $1,000 in door prizes.

From 2016 to 2018 the Expo grew from 56 to 105 groups participating, and attendance grew from a few hundred to over 1,000. This will be the largest ever San Francisco LGBTQ resource fair, with arts, community, fundraiser, health, legal, political, recovery, service and spiritual groups serving our community attending. Warning: This event is gonna be super gay!

Food from over a dozen local eateries will be served by the sexy men of the 2019 Bare Chest Calendar. There will also be fabulous entertainment.

Note that resources will be available in English & Spanish. And don’t miss the silent auction items in the toddler room, where you can sign up for a free chair massage.

This event is brought to you by OurTownSF https://www.ourtownsf.org/ , a resource guide to over 300 SF LGBTQ nonprofit service agencies, arts and athletic groups, in partnership with the Eureka Valley Recreation Center ( https://tinyurl. com/y9sy8mwn ) and TurnOut ( https://www. turnout.org/ ).

The Eureka Valley Recreation Center has a fenced-in dog park and is wheelchair accessible.

Sponsors The sponsors this year are Alto Pharmacy, Dermatology Center of San Francisco, Dignity San Francisco, Elizabeth Taylor 50+ Network, Gilead, Granite Solutions Groupe, Kevin Ho and Jonathan McNarry of Vanguard Properties, Maitri Compassionate Care, Mark D. McHale of Vanguard Properties, Positive Being, Reproductive Science Center, Attorney Roger Gross, St. James Infirmary, UCSF AHHA Study & Anchor Study, Until There’s A Cure, Walgreens, Wallbeds “N” More and Wicked Grounds.

The media sponsors are this paper, the San Francisco Bay Times, along with Left Magazine, MXD Magazine and Pride Radio.

Co-Emcees Donna Sachet - first lady of the Castro, singer, emcee, fundraiser, San Francisco Bay Times columnist, producer, & hostess at “Sunday’s a Drag” at the Starlight Room; Toni Newman - executive director at St. James Infirmary; Race Bannon leather columnist in the BAR, blogger at Race’s Bar; Natalie Summers - mission engagement manager at Openhouse.

New This Year Kids & Family Area in the fully equipped children’s playground located at the entrance; made possible via collaborating partner Our Family Coalition; Face Painting courtesy of the San Francisco Department of Recreation & Parks; HIV & Aging Resource Area with collaborating partners Vince Crisostomo of Elizabeth Taylor 50+ Network & Derrick Mapp of Shanti; Women’s Resource Area with collaborating partner Cameron Stiehl, board member at the Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation; Latino Resource Area with collaborating partner Erick Arguello, program coordinator at Aguilas; Transgender Resource Area with collaborating partner Tita Aida, associate director of HIV Prevention at San Francisco Community Health Center; Youth Resource Area with collaborating partner Jack Beck, executive director at TurnOut; Legal/Political Resource Area with collaborating partner Okan Sengun of The LGBT Asylum Project;

Sound: Sound Productions; Videography: Archive Productions; Photography: Jouke Lanning, Linda Lee; Blessing: Rose Mary Chicken of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence; Pet Adoptions: Family Dog Rescue; Chair Massages: Positive Being; HIV Testing: UCSF Alliance Health Project; Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance: SF Community Health Center (formerly API Wellness); Voter Registration: Alice B Toklas LGBT Democratic Club; Drag Makeup & Makeup Tutorial: Queens of the Castro.

Look for these additional services: Dermatology Center of San Francisco; SF Spine Pain Relief Center spine exams and injury consultations; Skin On Market - face mapping; Spunk Salon; Awakening Stillness - introduction to craniosacral therapy; Gender & Sexual Diversity in Dentistry at the UCSF School of Dentistry - will perform free oral health screening, checking people’s mouth to see if they have any cavities, decay or cancer–they will also be providing fluoride varnish to teeth in order to prevent cavities–Castro Community on Patrol - self-defense training upstairs from 3 pm–4:30 pm (space is limited); Castro Podiatry - Wayne Rash, DPM, will be conducting foot exams.

Food & Beverages

Donna Sachet

Toni Newman

Food and drinks will be provided by: The Castro Fountain, Five Star Truff les, Flore, Hot Cookie, Kasa Indian Eatery, La Mediterranee -Noe, Oz Pizza, Project Juice, Starbuck’s, Super Duper Burger and Trader Joe’s.

Participants Academy of Friends, Aguilas, African Human Rights Coalition, AIDS HIV Nightline-SF Suicide Prevention, AIDS Legal Referral Panel, AIDS Lifecycle, Alexander Hamilton Post 448, Alice B Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, Archive Productions, Awakening Stillness, Bare Chest Calendar, Bay Area Open Minds, Bay Area Queer Zine Fest, Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition, The Billys, Black Brothers Esteem, Race Bannon Bridgemen, Castro Ambassadors, Castro Animal Hospital, Castro Cares, Castro Community on Patrol, Castro Country Club, Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, Castro Merchants, Castro Street Fair, Castro/ Upper Market Community Benefit District, Center for Immigrant Protection-LGBT Asylum Project, Center for Research and Education on Gender and Sexuality, Cheer SF, Companions of Dorothy the Worker, Deaf Counseling, Advocacy & Referral Agency, Dignity, Dining Out for Life, Discovery Community, District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, Dog Eared Books, Elizabeth Taylor 50-Plus Network, El/La Para Translatinas, Emperor Norton’s Fantastic SF Time Machine, Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association, Eureka Valley Recreation Center, Family Dog Rescue, Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza, GAPA - Gay Natalie Summers Asian Pacific Alliance, Gay and Lesbian Sierrans, Gay for Good, Gaylesta, The GLBT History Museum & Historical Society, GLBT National Help Center, Golden Gate Business Association - GGBA & Foundation, The Grand Ducal Council, Harvey Milk Photo Center, Horizons Foundation, HRC Action Center & Store, Imperial Council of SF, Inscribe World AIDS Day, Intersex & Genderqueer Recognition Project, Jewish Community Center of SF - The Q, Larkin Street Youth Services, Lavender Seniors of the East Bay, Left Coast Theatre, Lesbian/Gay Chorus of SF, LGBTQ Credit Union Coalition, LGBTQ Cultural Heritage Strategy, Liberation Institute, Lyon-Martin Health Services, LYRIC, Maitri Compassionate Care, Man Dance Company, The ManKind Project, Marty’s Place, MAX SF, Mental Health Association of SF, Metropolitan Community Church, Mr. Friendly 2016-Kippy Marks, National AIDS Memorial Grove, New Conservatory Theatre, Ohlhoff Recovery Programs, ONYX Northwest, Openhouse, Our Family Coalition, OurTownSF, Outlook Video, Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG), Peninsula Family Service, Pink Triangle Park & Memorial , Positive Being, PRC, AIDS Emergency Fund, Baker Places, Project Open Hand, Put Ur Play On Productions, Queens of the Castro, Queer Land Trust, Queer Tattoo Alliance, Rainbow Honor Walk, Rainbow Street, Rainbow World Fund, Recycled AIDS Medicine Program (RAMP), Rice Rockettes, The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation - REAF, Sacred Space, St. Francis Lutheran Church, St. James Infirmary, San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance, San Francisco Bay Times, San Francisco Community Health Center, San Francisco Drag King Contest, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, San Francisco Impact Partners, San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, San Francisco Night Ministry, San Francisco Spine Pain Relief Center, San Francisco State Univ. Together Study, Seniors Tell All, The Shanti Project, Pets Are Wonderful Support - PAWS, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Skin On Market, Spunk Salon, Strut, Sundance Saloon, Sunday’s a Drag, Sweetleaf Collective, Temenos Catholic Worker, Tenderloin Tessie, Theatre Rhinoceros, TransLife, Trans Thrive, TurnOut, UCSF AHHA & Anchor Study, UCSF Alliance Health Project - AHP, UCSF DuoPACT Study, UCSF School of Dentistry - Gender & Sexual Diversity in Dentistry (GSDDA), United in Spirit, Until There’s A Cure, Wayne Rash DPM of Castro Podiatry and Western Star Dancers.

OURTOWNSF NONPROFIT EXPO 2018 Admission: Free!

Saturday, October 20, 12:30 pm–4:30 pm Eureka Valley Recreation Center 100 Collingwood at 18th Street, San Francisco

Book Signing by Cleve Jones, author of When We Rise: My Life in the Movement, a 2017 Lambda Literary Award Winner.

Paul Margolis is the founder of OurTownSF and now volunteers as director and photographer.

He moved to San Francisco in 1979 and has an extensive history with local nonprofits. He was among the founding members of both Positive Force and Rainbow Toastmasters. He also served on the SF HIV Planning Council, fundraised as Mr. March on the 2012 Bare Chest Calendar, and has volunteered for several nonprofits including Academy of Friends, Pride, Leather Alliance, Art for AIDS, Shanti, Folsom Street Events, Frameline and Under One Roof.

We also thank:

For more information: https://www.ourtownsf.org/nonprofit-expo.html

Deaf Interpreters provided by Deaf Counseling, Advocacy & Referral Agency (DCARA);

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Entertainment at OurTownSF Nonprofit Expo 2018 This year’s OurTownSF Nonprofit Expo has an incredible lineup of entertainment, and you can enjoy it all for free! Here’s the schedule: 12:30 pm: Blessing by Sister Rose Mary Chicken of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence followed by the Sisters and San Francisco titleholders leading us in song; 1 pm: Cheer SF official cheer-leading team of SF; 1:15 pm: Sundance - our community’s premiere country-western dance club; join in, no partner needed; 2 pm: San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band - “Official Band of San Francisco” & the first openly gay musical organization in the world; 2:30 pm: Emjay Mercury - one of the reigning SF Drag Kings winners; 3 pm: BeBe Sweetbriar - Billboard recording artist, Dance Radio top 10, 2017 most notable drag; 3:30 pm: Leanne Borghesi solo-performer specializing in the creation and performance of comedic theatrical cabarets; earlier this month she performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC; 4 pm: Rice Rockettes SF Bay Area drag troupe since 2009.

We hope to see you at the Expo!

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From the Coming Up Events Calendar See page 27 Friday, October 26 - Sarah Bush Dance Project’s Spirit & Bones @ Taube Atrium Theater, 4th Fl, SF War Memorial Bldg, 401 Van Ness Ave. World premiere dance highlighting female resilience. 8pm.

Also Oct 27-28. http://www.sarabushdance.org

Saturday, October 27 - Glow in the Streets: A Comfort & Joy Block Party @ 2298 Market St (Noe between Market & Beaver). Halloween block party with DJs, art, visuals & costume contest. 4-9:30pm. http://www.playajoy.org

From Afrolicious to Vampire-slaying Buffy: Halloween in San Francisco

Photos by RInk

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alloween has ancient pagan roots, which are still at the heart of Samhain for Wiccans, but in the words of lesbian poet Judy Grahn, it is also “the Great Gay Holiday.” The fact that our LGBT community has embraced an observance associated with longer nights and shorter days (Daylight Saving Time ends on November 4) is a testament to our life force. While some may quietly hibernate indoors sans sweets with the porch lights off, most of us revel in the freedom and creativity unique to this still-magical celebration.

Preparations have been underway for weeks in the Castro, on Polk Street and all over town. The variety of events is overwhelming—truly something for everyone—so we decided to compile a list of just some of your options. As San Francisco Bay Times columnist Donna Sachet in the guise of Glenda the Good Witch advised on a beautiful and now collectible 2005 Halloween poster: strive for “good music, good times (and) good behavior.”

And don’t forget to check out the views on the 24/7 live-streaming Castro Street Cam when the informal costume parade happens throughout the evening on Saturday, October 27, and also on Halloween itself: Wednesday, October 31. ( http://sfbaytimes.com/castro-street-cam/ )

One Half Gifts, Polk Street

Afrolicious @ The Independent, 628 Divisadero Street. Smoked out soul.

8 pm https://ticketf.ly/2yGy8bq Buffy the Vampire Slayer Live! @ Oasis, 298 11th Street. Dust off your wooden stake, get your garlic and holy water ... it’s vampire season! Show starts at 8 pm. https://sfoasis.com/events/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-live2018 Spooktacular Open Mic @ Dog Eared Books Castro, 489 Castro Street.

Scaaary stories are welcome for this special open mic hosted by Tony Vaguely, Kathy Queer and Connie Champagne. 7 pm. http://www.dogearedbooks.com Pumpkin Decorating @ Castro Farmers’ Market, Noe Street Between Market and Beaver. The Castro’s own weekly farmers’ market invites you to join the fun of decorating pumpkins and also to check out the season’s fabulous selection of fruits, vegetables and much more. 4–8 pm. http://pcfma. org 54th Annual Big Book Sale @ Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, 710 Van Ness. With a Halloween theme this year, the largest book sale on the West Coast encourages costumes based on your favorite character, and the chance to peruse more than 500,000 books priced at $2–$4. 8 pm. http://www.friendssfpl.org

PO Plus, Castro Street

Kid-Friendly Spooktacular Halloween Parade & Dance Party @ Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy, 4235 19th Street. Join the fun at this annual costume parade around the Castro followed by a dance party in the schoolyard. All families are welcome and costumes are optional. 2:30 pm–3:35 pm.

Volunteer info: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e094ca8ab22a5fe3-hmcra1 7th Annual Shotwell Halloween Stroll @ SFFD Station 7, 2300 Folsom Street. This familyfriendly neighborhood event, hosted by the Central Mission Neighborhood Organization, begins at the Fire Station where you can check out the fire trucks, enjoy the costume contest and win prizes from local businesses. 5:30 pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/351670338708221/

Cliff’s Variety, Castro Street

Wednesday Postcard Writing Happy Hour @ Standard Deviant Brewing, 280 14th Street. Launch your evening by sharing a drink, socializing and writing letters to get the vote out for the 2018 midterm elections. 6–8 pm. http://www.standarddeviantbrewing.com The B-52s @ The Fillmore, 1805 Geary Street. The iconic rockers present a Halloween show. 8 pm. http://www.thefillmore.com The Boy from Oz presented by Theatre Rhino @ Gateway Theatre, 215 Jackson Street. Directed by John Fisher with music director Sheela Ramesh, the show takes you down under with the late great performer Peter Allen (1944–1992), whose original songs are featured. Through November 17. http://www.therhino.org 8th Annual Astrozombies Halloween Hell Raiser @ Elbo Room, 647 Valencia Street. The Misfits tribute band Astrozombies brings their annual Halloween show to The Elbo Room as the venue’s final October 31 celebration. http://www.astrozombiessf.wordpress.com Into the Dark’s Terror Vault @ San Francisco Old Mint, 88 5th Street. The underground vaults of the Old Mint are the setting for a terrifying new attraction hosted by Into the Dark and co-created by Peaches Christ.

Multiple tour times through November 3. http://www.intothedarksf.com The Rocky Horror Picture Show! @ Landmark’s Clay Theatre, 2261 Fillmore Street. Hosted by Bawdy Caste, the screening of this classic film and all that goes with it are sure to thrill, chill and fulfill. 9:45 pm–1:15 am. http://www.bawdycaste.com Honey Soundsystem & Kosmetik: Halloween Night @ The Stud, 399 9th Street. Dance the night away with international music masters Violet from Lisbon, Portugal, and Photonz of London. 9 pm–4 am.

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REMOTELY HOMOSEXUAL Nomenus Wolf Creek, Short Mountain, Zuni Mountain and Kawashaway are all sanctuaries operated by what loosely affiliated worldwide network and countercultural movement?

A) Dykes on Bikes B) Imperial Court System C) Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence D) Radical Faeries ANSWER ON PAGE 24

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One Half Gifts, Polk Street

Karin Jaffie, aka Kit/Kitty Tapata, won the title of Mr. Gay San Francisco in 2011 and has earned many other honors since.

Connect with Jaffie via Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ktapata

45th Annual Castro Street Fair

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Always on the first Sunday in October, the annual Castro Street Fair is a favorite festival enjoyed by neighbors and visitors along with those representing vendors, local businesses, nonprofit groups and volunteers.

CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2018)

Held this year on Sunday, October 7, the event filled the streets in and around Castro and 18th, and featured Main Stage entertainers: emcees Carnie Asada and Miss J, along with artists Big Dipper, Spice Queers, The Monster Show, Ms. Jackson and Fou Fou Ha! Dance Alley drew a large crowd of dancers enjoying tunes spun by DJs Siobhan Aluvalot, Robin Malone Simmons, Elaine Denham and Trevor Sigler. Sundance Saloon members were on hand to lead Country Line Dancing sessions.

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San Francisco Bay Times’ booth team–Juan Davila, Jaime Botello, Fred Sullivan, Leticia, Eli, Mayra, Vicente and Karen–distributed goodie bags and prizes. Congratulations to the Castro Street Fair organization on another year carrying on Harvey Milk’s community tradition.

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by Rink at the 1978 Castro Street Fair.

It was to be his last such event, given his assassination on November 27 of that same year. Milk had founded the Fair four years prior to promote LGBT businesses and to help unify the Castro community.

Milk’s shirt that day was covered with buttons. One says, “Closets Are Health Hazards.”

Yet another reads, “No on 6,” referring to The Briggs Initiative. Sponsored by conservative state legislator John Briggs, the initiative sought to ban gays and lesbians from working in California public schools. It was put to a referendum on the state ballot of November 7, 1978, and was soundly defeated.

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Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun don Breed. “We should believe victims when they come forward, and their stories must always be more important than any political goals.”

Our own Senator Kamala Harris expressed outrage “at this hasty and unjust process. She urged, “It is now up to each of us to continue to fight for justice and equality and hold our government accountable.”

By Sister Dana Van Iquity Sister Dana sez, “After only nine people were interviewed (and excluding Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford), the FBI gave a secret report that was a total sham and a farce. Now I know what F.B.I. stands for: Fake Background Investigation.”

On October 5, the SENATE voted 51–49 for cloture on perjurer Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the SUPREME COURT, including one Democrat. The Congressional Repugnant Party (except Senator Lisa Murkowski, reciting the Judicial Conduct Rule in opposition) is obviously anti-woman. And Joe Manchin is a traitor to the Democratic Party. Just remember that the Midterm Elections are coming! VOTE! It’s important that we get as many sane people out to the polls this year as we can. Should anyone ask, California residents can register by mail or online up to October 22. They can also register in person even on voting day, November 6. Online registration is here: https://registertovote.ca.gov Ironically, October 5 was also the first anniversary of the #metoo Movement.

“The confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court is an insult to women and survivors of sexual assault,” comments SF Mayor Lon-

Sister Dana sez, “Let’s take to the streets! Let’s keep up the pressure! And let’s make sure that everyone knows we’ll remember who stands with us today—and who stands with Donald ‘Hoax’ Trump, Mitch McConnell and Brett Kavanaugh! And let’s pray for the Blue Wave!”

Take heart! There is some good news. Also on October 5, the U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA ruled that San Francisco’s sanctuary ordinance is lawful, and concluded that the Trump administration’s attempt to deny federal funding to the City is unconstitutional.

It was a spectacular evening at MAKE HISTORY! the gala presented by the GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY featuring Tony nominee and Obie-winning trans-genre cabaret star Mx. Justin Vivian Bond!

We gathered at The Green Room at the War Memorial & Performing Arts Center on October 5 to support the GLBT Historical Society in presenting LGBTQ history through their world-renowned archives and museum. GLBTHS Executive Director Terry Beswick welcomed everyone, saying, “Now in our 34th year, the Historical Society is in a period of transition and growth fueled by an increasing hunger for knowledge of our LGBTQ past.” He added, “We are all history makers here.”

Later he announced a $50,000 year-

end matching challenge from several generous supporters, which will match all donations received through December 31. It was an evening full of entertainment and fun inspired by LGBTQ history.

At this year’s gala, they highlighted the vibrant history of our community by honoring archivist, collector and curator Lisbet Tellefsen with the Clio Award presented by Amy Sueyoshi; the SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS on the occasion of their 40 year anniversary with the History Makers Award presented by Tina Valentin Aguirre and SFGMC director Chris Verdugo; and Thomas E. Horn, president and trustee of the BOB ROSS FOUNDATION, with the Willie Walker Award presented by Senator Scott Wiener. They also celebrated the memory of pioneering LGBTQ studies and human sexuality scholar and educator Dr. John P. De Cecco with a very special recognition

by Beswick and Dr. John Elia, and with the renaming of the GLBTHS archives after Dr. De Cecco. The fundraiser also helped GLBTHS as they plan for a new, world-class museum and public history center in San Francisco. I especially enjoyed the old B&W home movies of gay people way back in the day enjoying themselves privately when just their celebrating was a crime. Entertainment was provided by Kippy Marks on electronic violin and by Mx. Bond in a glorious cabaret performance accompanied on piano by David Sytkowski. Offsides, I reminisced with Justin about the time in the early 80s when we worked together on the first gay comedy sketch show on Comedy Central, Out for Laughs. Bond knocked us out with her set, including “Revolution,” which she wrote on a Radical Fairies retreat; a piece about her “first snorting heroin at the age of 50;” an anti-assimilation anthem, “Time

SF Sketch Randy Coleman

Takes a Cigarette;” and a classic, “Hustlers.”

Sister Dana sez, “There is a new wave of children in the immigration courts across America.

Though the exact figures are not known, lawyers who work with immigrants said the large number of migrant children now being held in detention has given rise to a highly unusual situation: more and more young children (many under age 6) coming to court. This is reprehensible!”

The monthly CASTRO ART WALK sponsored by CASTRO MERCHANTS continued its every first Thursday evening event on October 4 for another exciting selfguided experience. Participating in the Castro Art Walk (and most likely will continue to exhibit all October, so go check them out) was Art Attack, 2358 Market Street (where I was pleased to again see more acrylics on canvas by Tracy Piper using contrasting colors to vividly express the emotions of the persons pictured: #2, “Always & Forever;” #3, “Hold Fast;” #6, “Droughtful;” and #22, “Violet.”) Also, I noted that the artist, Serge Gay, Jr., has two acrylics from the recent STRUT exhibition, #16, “Miss Bunny;” and #20, “Safe Space.” Also worthy of special mention was Spark Arts, 4229 18th Street (including live entertainment by musicians and vocalists) with famed artist and teacher Thomasina De Maio offering a live female model for a sketching opportunity for anyone so inclined. My fave series there was “Housewives & Breadwinners” by Barbara PollakLewis with her dozen little, wooden, painted-on plaques of various housewives—possibly from the 1950s. Also enjoyable are the fine art archival pigment prints of female nudes of Susan R. Kirshenbaum. Other venues with art to enjoy all month long are Berkshire Hathaway, 2324B MarRandy Coleman hails from New York, but has lived in San Francisco since 1975. Coleman shares that before moving to the Bay Area, he studied Art History and Architecture at Boston University while working as a resident artist for architectural rendering at a Massachusetts historical society. “All of my life I’ve been an artist,” Coleman says.

“To know me is to know that I have a passion for art and architecture. I love this project for the San Francisco Bay Times, and hope that you enjoy my sketches.”

ket Street; Blackbird Bar, 2124 Market Street; Ruby’s Clay Studio & Gallery, 552A Noe Street; The Artist’s Gallery, 4406 18th Street; Brewcade, 2200 Market Street; Norden Living, 3618 17th Street; Ixia, 2231 Market Street; Local Take, 3979 17th Street; The Academy, 2166 Market Street; and Dog Eared Books, 489 Castro Street. Do give ‘em a look!

Sign I spotted in a Mission apartment house window: “Never Again Is Now.” Think about it. It’s spot on!

Meanwhile, stand with one million other Tax March supporters and sign this petition. Demand Trump release his tax returns.

The 45th annual CASTRO STREET FAIR was held on Sunday, October 7, from 11 am to 6 pm in the heart of the Castro. It was a great day of entertainment, exhibitors, food and beverages. For the first time ever, there were no booths or stages on Market Street. So, they moved the main stage to 18th & Castro.

There were way kewl performances all day long by such talent as Big Dipper, Spice Queers, Cheer San Francisco, San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, SF LA Queer Nightlife, The Monster Show, New Conservatory Theatre Center Presents Avenue Q, Siobhan Aluvalot, Fou Fou Ha!, Ms. Jackson, and hosted by Carnie Asada and Miss J. Dance Alley was in the Walgreens parking lot at 18th, between Castro and Collingwood. People danced their buns off to DJs Trevor Sigler, Siobhan Aluvalot, Robin Malone Simmons & Elaine Denham. There were roaming performances from the local collective Dolores Flow with flagging, hooping, and moving entertainment featuring Action V. Jackson, Liam Ocean, Cindy Sparks, Sasha Vu, Magical Morgaine and Aaron Zammaron.

There was a plethora of information available in booths of such organizations as PRC, Rainbow Walk, AIDS/LifeCycle, Theatre Rhinoceros, Bare Chest Calendar (and some hot bare-chested babes to sign your calendar), SF AIDS Foundation, Bay Area Musicals, PFLAG, Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District, UCSF Alliance Health Project, LGBT Asylum Project, San Francisco Bay Times, Academy of Friends and AIDS Healthcare Foundation. At the Companions of Dorothy the Worker Radical Ministry, you could get your pet blessed by The Rev. Diana Wheeler. My tabby, Panther, is how sanctified with a tiny little medal of the patron saint of animals, St. Francis of Assisi (after whom San Francisco is named). At the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, you could pie your favorite (or least favorite) politico smack in the face! The gayborhood folks could learn about the New Harvey Milk Plaza at the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza booth, where we discovered that the final architectural renderings for a planned redesign of the Castro’s Harvey Milk Plaza have been released. https://tinyurl.com/ycrbdkgo I was pleased to once again find the colorful Rainbow World Fund bus parked on 18th & Castro, encouraging folks to come inside, have a seat and learn more about RWF. Executive Director Jeff Cotter explained how to help LGBT refugees and their countries’ humanitarian needs, currently specifically focusing on Guatemala, Uganda, Iraq and Syria.

Jeff revealed the sad/mad news that this year the annual RWF Tree of Hope would NOT be in City Hall for Christmas. He could not say why. For more info, go to http://www.rainbowfund.org

© Randy Coleman, 2018

Folks joined Juanita MORE!, Supervisors Rafael Mandelman, (continued on page 30)

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A Darkly Funny Queer True Crime Story: Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Film Gary M. Kramer Can You Ever Forgive Me?, opening October 26 in the Bay Area, is director Marielle Heller’s fabulous dark comedy-drama—based on a true story— about Lee Israel (Melissa McCarthy), a lonely lesbian who was once a New York Times bestselling author, but now can’t pay her vet bill.

As the film opens, Lee gets fired from a job, and tries to figure out her next move. Broke and antisocial, she just wants to write a biography of Fanny Brice, but her agent Marjorie ( Jane Curtin) claims that there is no market for her work. Moreover, Marjorie insists that if Lee wants to be taken seriously again she needs to be nicer to people—and be sober.

A heavy drinker, Lee heads to Julius’, the gay bar in the village, to get drunk. It is at Julius’ where Lee reconnects with Jack Hock (Richard E. Grant), a gay man she once met at a party, who becomes her drinking buddy and coconspirator.

The pair develope a close bond, having fun pranking a bookseller who gave Lee grief, and getting tight at every opportunity.

But with money tight, Lee needs to find a way to pay some bills. She even-

tually resorts to selling to bookseller Anna (Dolly Wells) a personal letter Katharine Hepburn wrote to her.

When she discovers some original Fanny Brice letters in a library book, Lee realizes there is a lucrative market in famous letters, so she concocts a scheme to forge some. Lee procures different typewriters and creates old, “authentic” stationery, forges signatures and writes bon mots in the style of Noel Coward and Dorothy Parker, among other literary luminaries, to make the phony letters more valuable.

Lee has instant success selling these documents to Anna as well as to others in the collectibles world, including Paul (out gay actor Stephen Spinella), and Alan (Ben Falcone). With her despair suspended, and batteries recharged, Lee starts enjoying life again. She splurges, taking Jack out to dinner and to a drag performance, getting vet care for her sick cat and even cleaning up her apartment, which has been a disaster area for far longer than Lee cares to admit.

(There is a very good reason for why she is having a fly problem.)

What is more, Lee picks up on the hints that Anna wants to date her, and even agrees to go out to dinner with the bookseller who is enamored

with the once-famous writer. Their date is awkward and sad, but it is hard not to hope for the misanthropic Lee to connect with someone on an emotional level. While she advises only Jack of her criminal enterprise, their friendship gets tested as Lee’s forgeries start generating some unwanted attention and she employs Jack to handle some sales and other matters.

Can You Ever Forgive Me? starts out as a darkly funny comedy, with the bitter Lee misbehaving towards others and dispensing some hilarious one-liners.

Lee drips cynicism and sarcasm in a diner sharing Jack’s food while he leers at a cute Latino waiter and asks him inappropriately about his cinnamon buns. But as the film progresses, it gets oddly poignant as Lee uses her talents to her advantage, albeit illegally, and finds a sense of self.

McCar t hy ma kes L ee quite sympathetic even when she is most pathetic. The actress gives a sly dramatic turn, capturing Lee’s anger and frustration at being almost forgotten in the literary world with her secret satisfaction of getting one over on all the folks she scams. It’s a high wire act of a performance, and (continued on page 24)

Jessica Kingsley Publishers Launch Gender Diversity List tersects with many of the areas where we already publish, so it was a natural step. We publish books for transgender and genderqueer people and their supporters, parents, teachers, and mental health professionals, and the public at large. JKP’s gender diversity books provide vital tools to those who seek to be seen and heard, and to those who advocate for such on their behalf.

Words Michele Karlsberg David Corey, manager of the U.S. sales and marketing office for Jessica Kingsley Publishers ( JKP), is featured in this issue of the San Francisco Bay Times. It was a pleasure for me to speak with David about a very important line of gender diversity books from JKP. Michele Karlsberg: It is very exciting that you have launched a superb gender diversity list addressing and dismantling the gender binary. Can you tell us what inspired JKP to create such an expansive list and why it is important?

David Corey: Jessica Kingsley Publishers’ inspiration is the readers who are vital in guiding editorial direction. For example, we publish books on autism, counseling and mental health; special education; social work; adoption; and foster care. Gender diversity is an underserved topic that in-

Michele Karlsberg: You are publishing many transgender/ gender diverse titles for young readers. Do you think these books will help adults understand various gender challenges better?

David Corey: Helping children and teens has always been central to JKP’s mission. Our gender diversity books for younger readers are simply an extension of that mission. Books for children and young adults are the thin end of the wedge in expanding understanding of a topic or issue to people of all ages. After all, it is adults who largely seek out books to help young readers. And in helping, these adults also learn. Children’s books a lso explain concepts simply without taking on a lecturing tone, benefiting adults who might be otherwise confused or resistant to understanding, such as the difference be-

tween sex, gender and sexuality, or how gender identity and gender expression are not interchangeable concepts. Books such as Who Are You? and Trans Teen Survival Guide are excellent examples of this.

Michele Karlsberg: Despite the progress in the LGBTQI community, institutions are still dealing with acceptance issues. Are there titles that you have published that can help with inclusiveness?

Dav id C orey: A bsolutely. I n November, 2018, JKP will publish Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Trans (But Were Afraid to Ask), a myth-busting “trans 101” on hot button issues and debates relating to transgender people across all aspects of life. In addition, we recently published two excellent books targeted

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This Month at the Castro Farmers’ Market PRODUCE STARS OF FALL: WINTER SQUASH, PUMPKINS AND DECORATIVE GOURDS Summer is gone and the glorious fall season is here with its cooler weather, falling leaves and Halloween fast approaching. It’s also the time when we want to cook heartier meals. Comfort foods come to the forefront. Your farmers’ market producers have everything you need for delicious fall recipes, especially winter squash.

INTER SQUASH EASY ROASTED W ut , acorn, kabocha) 2 winter squash (buttern Olive oil Salt and pepper Mixed dried herbs

Pumpkins and decorative gourds are also stars of the market this month.

With Halloween and Thanksgiving both in sight, the yearning to decorate for the season is drawing us to the colors and shapes of fall. The desire to cook up warm soups is increased as we enjoy cooler weather.

Pumpkins and winter squash were found by the colonists when they arrived on America’s shores. Native Americans were using these gourds and squash as food, household products and medicines.

Through the ages, new varieties, colors,

Line a baking dish with Preheat oven to 40 0°F. into four pieces. Remove foil. Carefully cut squash h. Brush generously with seeds. Place in baking dis salt, pepper and herbs. olive oil. Sprinkle with for 20 minutes. Remove Cover with foil and bake r 20 –25 minutes, until foil and bake for anothe cook and purée for let tender. Serve as is, or soup.

Recipe: PCFMA Staff shapes and sizes developed. The heirloom Long Island cheese pumpkin is thought to be the precursor for all of the other pumpkins that we see today. The sugar pie pumpkin, a small variety, was discovered to be best for pumpkin pies and purées. There are new bumpy ones, smooth ones, blue ones, white ones and everything in between. There are even Asian varieties, like the kabocha or Chinese pumpkin.

Happy Boy Farms from Freedom, near Watsonville, will have tasty butternut squash, perfect for roasting

Remembering Mr. Ly Thao Nyia Yi of Nyia Yi Farms

and stuffing. And Fifth Crow Farm from Pescadero will have sugar pie pumpkins and butternut squash, good choices for pies and soups.

Stop by your local farmers’ market for the most amazing fresh produce around, along with fresh eggs, honey, grass-fed meats, apples and berries, handmade baked goods and a variety of gourmet foods. There is something for everyone at your Castro Farmers’ Market, where you’ll find only products grown or handmade by the folks who bring them to market.

We would also like to note the passing of Mr. Ly Thao Nyia Yi of Nyia Yi Farm who passed away in August. A stalwart supporter of farmers’ markets, he was a kind and gentle soul who will be sorely missed by customers, sponsors and the staff at Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market. His son, King Ly, has informed our Castro Farmers’ Market manager that he would like to return to the market.

We send all the best to his family and look forward to having them participate in the market again.

Solange and Maurice Darwish

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Having recently returned from a well-deserved summer vacation, Cove Cafe owners Solange and Maurice Darwish are back at the popular restaurant and welcoming diners as they have for decades. Maurice’s family took over the restaurant, perviously known as The Norse Cove, in 1971, and it has continued since then as a Castro Street destination and community gathering point. The restaurant holds Legacy Business status and is known for its ongoing support for the LGBT community. You can enjoy a meal there Monday through Sunday, 8am-9pm at 434 Castro Street. http://www.covesf.com

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The Cove on Castro

As Heard on the Street . . . What are your thoughts about The Cove on Castro restaurant being named a legacy business?

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John Vlahides

Annie Van Buren

Matthew Van Spraklaar

Daniel Bergerac

Dana Hopkins

“It has kept the spirit of the neighborhood alive. A fine storefront and a top spot for checking out passersby.”

“I’m so glad San Francisco values its long standing businesses. It’s an honor to work at the Cove!”

“I definitely believe that the Cove deserves this status. With amazing staff, in the front and back, amazing customers and community.”

“It is well deserved. They are a lovely couple (owners Solange and Maurice Darwish) and I wish them the best.”

“The Cove is a landmark part of my life. I have celebrated new partners and painful breakups there, had holiday meals with my sons, mourned friends, and still counsel young LGBT folks there over a meal. ”

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CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2018)

CASTRO STREETCAM presented by

GGBA’s Dawn Ackerman and friends were on hand to enjoy the artworks on display and for sale at the Art for AIDS benefit at the Metreon on September 21.

Among the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence members volunteering at the 2018 Arts for AIDS benefit was Sister Rosemary Chicken.

The Sisters were thanked for their help at this annual event for the past 23 years.

A colorful depiction of Harvey Milk by artist Robyn Cochran Ragland was a favorite among artworks available for purchase at UCSF Alliance Health Project’s annual Art for AIDS benefit held on September 21

http://sfbaytimes.com/

items of the week

Philanthropist Joel Goodrich (center) and friends at the REAF One Night Only benefit on September 24

Department 56 Last Laugh Asylum An attached lit gate and tri color lighting are main features that elevate The Last Laugh Asylum to one of the best Halloween designs that Scott Enter has ever created. This old decrepit mansion has faded from glory days past to haunting nights now.

New for 2018, lighted building, set of 2, 10.75 inches high, adapter included

United Nations Association Film Festival’s Jasmina Bojic (left) welcomed film directors to the organization’s press event held at the World Affairs Council.

Beth Schnitzer, auctioneer Lenny Broberg and Celebrity Cruise’s LaTonya Lawson were on hand at REAF’s One Night Only benefit held on September 24 at the Marines Memorial Theater.

Halloween Skeleton for Día De Los Muertos Painted Sugar Skull Mask Made from quality resin base, hand painted with acrylic painting for wear or decoration. Great for masquerade party, Halloween costume party, wall art decor or a Dîa de Los Muertos mask for wear or decoration.One size fits most

H

Panelists at the Indigenous Peoples Two Spirit Day event entitled Before Columbus We Were Here and Queer, held at the SF Main Library on October 4, included Osa Hidalgo de la Riva, moderator Randy Burns, Hulleah J. Tsinhnahjinnie, Blackberri and Jesús Barragán.

Italian Consul General Lorenzo Ortona and his guests were among the large crowd of attendees at the Castro Theatre on September 22 for the Via Veneto Party held in conjunction with a day devoted to screenings of films by Marcello Mastroianni.

Grubstake owner Jimmy Consos (second from left) welcomed Poan Chen, Jessica Berg and Alexis Pelosi for their visit to the historic railcar themed diner offering American comfort food and Portuguese menu selections.

Storyteller Guy Clark was welcomed as the featured speaker at Smack Dab’s September event held at Dog Eared Books Castro by cohosts Dana Hopkins and Larry-Bob Roberts.

Max Pavesic and Paul Cobb, who were Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights Movement, congratulated former SF Board of Supervisors member Carol Ruth Silver at her 80th Birthday Party held as a benefit for World Village, an organization supporting schools for girls in Afghanistan.

alloween has arrived in full force! Cliff ’s is full to the brim with all of your costuming and decorating needs.

Of course we have all of your regular everyday stuff too, but you knew that.

Mrs. Vera and Mr. Tina (left) welcomed Sister Dana and Harvey Milk Photography Center’s Nicola Bosco-Alvarez and Dave Christiansen to the opening of their show at the Center on September 21. Verasphere is a costumed art exhibit that includes more than 20 outfits created using recycled materials.

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Mood Check Before Fitness

Take Me Home with You!

You might think that you need motivation. How about the phrase “exercise compliance”? Yikes!

Who wants to achieve that? You might not know that most gyms count on the fact that at least 50% of their paying members will not show up, or else they would be over-crowded.

Easy Fitness Cinder Ernst Gracie

“I’m Gracie! I’m a gentle giant, weighing in at nearly 100 pounds. Happy-golucky would be a great way to describe me, and I’ve been told that my love of life is contagious. I’m looking for a quieter home, possibly with older children, and a special someone who will take me on lots of adventures!”

Gracie 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 Gracie.

To meet Gracie as well as other pets seeking their forever homes, please visit: San Francisco SPCA Mission Campus 250 Florida Street San Francisco, CA 94103 415-522-3500 Aside from major holidays, the adoption center is open Mon–Fri: 1–6 pm and Sat– Sun: 10 am–5 pm. Free parking is available for those wishing to adopt!

For more information: www.sfspca.org/adopt

Dr. Jennifer Scarlett and Pup

Your mood matters when it comes to how you approach fitness. It matters first and foremost, actually. Here’s why. The ideas that come to you when you are in a good mood are inspired and will allow you to act with ease.

The ideas that come to you when you are in a less-than-good mood will take much more effort, willpower and motivation to implement. When something is hard to do, you are likely to stop early and not reach desired goals.

The fitness industry is pretty much based on the less-than-good mood approach because worry is dominant in the mainstream wellness arena. Worry does not a good mood make. You might be worried about your health in some way and believe that exercise will save the day. Most advertising and marketing play right into your worries. Many people implement fitness plans from that state of worry and feel bad about themselves. Those plans are hard to stick to over time.

We’ve identified worry as an indicator of a less-than-good mood.

Worry captures a lot of the bad mood territory. What other emotions might we find in this category? In addition to anxiety, feelings of sadness, anger, despair, revenge and hopelessness can also affect fitness. We all experience them, but just remember that you don’t have to change or fix the bad mood. Instead, resist the urge to act on an idea that was born from that lessthan-good mood. Cultivate a sense of gratitude and purpose.

When you get an idea, ask yourself, “What mood am I in or was I in when the idea came?” If you were in a good mood, go with the idea and let it play out. If you were in a less-than-good mood, table that idea for now. Wait for the next time that you are in a good mood and see what happens.

Notice the difference. Start paying attention to what mood brings what result. The unintended yet wonderful side effect of this paying attention is that you will probably be in a good mood more often. Watch out: the next thing you know, you’ll be happy!

Vitality is the state of being strong, active and having energy. Vitality is born out of a bunch of good mood

moments stringing together the good ideas. When you are paying attention to your emotional guidance system, you will make better decisions for your body. My words will not prove this to you. Prove it to yourself.

Cinder Ernst, Medical Exercise Specialist and Life Coach Extraordinaire, helps reluctant exercisers get moving with safe, effective and fun programs.

Her book, “Easy Fitness for the Reluctant Exerciser” ( https://tinyurl.com/y94epxu9 ), is available in paperback and E-book.

She specializes in fitness and rehab for plus-size clients, but her stressfree approach is suitable for all.

Find out more at http://cinderernst.com

KRAMER (continued from page 21)

KIT’N KITTY’S

QUEER POP QUIZ ANSWER (Question on pg 18) D) Radical Faeries

The Radical Faerie movement was founded in California in 1979 by gay activists Harry Hay, Mitch Walker, John Burnside and Don Kilhefner, who wanted to create an alternative to what they saw as the assimilationist attitude of the mainstream U.S. gay community.

McCarthy induces giddiness as she acts all unassuming while plotting ways to pull off her hoax. She is also quite touching, most notably when she meets her ex, Elaine (Anna Deavere Smith), to have a heart-to-heart with her during a particularly low period in her life. McCarthy is ably abetted by Richard E. Grant, who is perfectly cast as the feckless Jack—always up for mischief. While his relationship with Lee falters when he abuses and loses her trust, Grant’s performance is always top-notch.

The fun of watching Lee getting away with her forgeries eventually takes a serious turn as Lee gets creative in trying to escape the law and procures some real letters so as not to arouse suspicion from her vendors. Nevertheless, Can You Ever Forgive Me? is mostly a rollicking good time about bad behavior. Lee’s impersonating Nora Ephron to

get Marjorie to take her calls, or her catty rapport with Jack, add to the hilarity. Moreover, some of the witticisms when she writes as Dorothy Parker about her hangover are very amusing.

Heller features a terrific soundtrack of old songs to emphasize the film’s wistful mood and includes some clever comic bits at the end, making sure that Lee and audiences get the last laugh. © 2018 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

KARLSBERG (continued from page 21) directly toward organizations and human resource departments: Gender Diversity and Non-Binary Inclusion in the Workplace and Transgender Employees in the Workplace. (We also just published Transitioning in the Workplace, a self-help guide to those seeking to transition while balancing c a r e e r a m b it io n s w it h personal privacy needs.)

Michele Karlsberg: How do you foresee the future of JKP with your gender diversity titles and community involvement?

David Corey: Our relationship coordinator is responsible for forming and growing connections and community with those organizations that are on the front lines of advocacy on behalf of readers. In Philadelphia alone, we maintain connections with the Mazzoni Center, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and other smaller advocacy groups, organizations and individuals. These are the organizations that are doing the blessedly hard work of helping transgender and gender diverse people. Our role is simply to provide resources and support anywhere we can.

Michele Karlsberg Marketing and Management specializes in publicity for the LGBTQI community. This year, Karlsberg celebrates thirty years of successful book campaigns.

San Francisco Bay Times Wishes You a Happy & Safe Halloween.

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Weddings, Occasions & Relationships Motivation: The Key to Empowering Ourselves

Lonely No More Scott Tsui

If your journey to love has been discouraging or despairing, this article could help you to f ind hope and to feel motivated about achieving relationship success.

In this column so far, we’ve covered how the relational types— Natural, Learner, Blamer—impact the quality of our relationships and how self-awareness is the first of five elements of love.

Today, we’ll cover the second element: motivation.

Rejection, cheating, lies, abandonment or “ghosting” destroy motivation. This is why many gay men lose the will to pursue, keep or repair relationships. They instead choose to replace them with friendships, family or pets—missing out on the magical experience of true intimacy.

Sometimes we can feel that the odds are against us, easily believing that love will never happen and so we give up. I want to share my experience, which hopefully will inspire you.

All of my dreams and hopes of spending the rest of my life with my first love vanished when my 15-year relationship failed, leaving me feeling pain, disappointment, frustration and devastated.

Deep down, I felt that I’d given my all and had done everything possible to maintain the relationship that I valued more than anything. Even though the relationship didn’t work out the way that I wanted it to, I acknowledged myself for trying to repair our disconnection.

I could have decided to believe that love doesn’t exist and simply give up looking for a new special man to share my life with. I made the decision to pick myself

up and feel motivated about finding that special someone. I believed that it was only a matter of time before I would meet the right person, as long as I remained hopeful. I researched and realized that relationships involve skills that can be learned. I had entered a new world of learning all I could about relationships, and essentially discovering more about myself. That hunger for knowledge fueled my motivation to learn and apply these skills in my own life.

4 Steps to Staying Motivated When You Feel Like Giving Up 1. Understand why.

Why do you want to find that special someone? Why do you really want to love, and be loved? Love has many aspects; it could include how much love you want to give and receive as well as fulfilling our different levels of need. Some want to experience the magic of connection, adventure or physical touch, while for others, it’s more about companionship.

We get to choose.

2. Empower yourself.

Think about past accomplishments that initially seemed impossible, and yet you succeeded.

Along the journey you persisted and found a way, learning from mistakes to achieve your goal. How did that make you feel? What was that sense of pride and the satisfying feeling like? Rediscover those feelings to empower yourself again now.

Whether dealing with sickness, death, unemployment or conflict, challenges will always be there. Personal growth and progress play important roles in our journey. There are other challenges in relationships to deal with. It’s a matter of adapting to new insights and skills and empowering ourselves to overcome them. Our strength comes from dealing with challenges.

3. Find new meaning.

Analyze negative experiences from positive perspectives. Be curious, and find an opportu-

nity to embrace them as lessons learned instead of feeling hurt, judgmental, shame or embarrassment. Invest time to understand why people behave the way they do, and more importantly, understand why we behave or react the way we do.

Why and how do we fall into those same traps? Learn from each experience; don’t judge.

Don’t let anger, fear or negative emotions take control. Allow yourself the space to learn and discover new life patterns rather than repeating the same ones. Shift to learning mode.

You’ll feel differently and will get away from the vicious cycle and break through.

4. Take action.

Improve those areas that were mentioned in the past selfawareness article, day by day.

Be more patient and kinder towards yourself. Learn something new on a consistent basis and embrace progress. Read, attend workshops, begin the journey of self-development, get coaching, find mentors and role models, and do whatever you can to become wiser and stronger. Avoid anger and negative people. Become aware of red f lags. Be giving, contribute towards others instead of just yourself. Prepare for a relationship.

Growth fuels motivation to become a better, wiser and stronger person. Gain clarity, to help see other opportunities so that you no longer feel trapped and in the dark. If we are willing to change, take action and stop being passive, we’ll gain momentum to stay motivated and will overcome many challenges. Eventually, we’ll succeed.

Scott Tsui is the Relationship Results Coach, author of “Lonely No More – 8 Steps to Find Your Gay Husband” and the creator of the world’s first online gay relationship training: Gay Men Relationship Blueprint. Tsui works to help gay men find, attract and sustain meaningful relationships. For more information: http://scotttsui.com/

Halloween Store Windows

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Four Decades of an LGBT Free Press - Reception & Panel contributor and SF City Supervisor Rafael Mandelman; and Andrea Shorter, current contributor and commissioner, SF Commission on the Status of Women. Thank you, from the San Francisco Bay Times, to sponsors NAPA Cellars Wines and Extreme Pizza, and to the Museum’s staff, panelists and all attending.

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The GLBT History Museum on 19th Street in the Castro welcomed a standing room only crowd on Friday, September 28, for the reception and panel discussion honoring the San Francisco Bay Times 40th Anniversary. Terry Beswick, the Museum’s executive director, welcomed attendees and Dr. Bill Lipsky, moderator, introduced the panelists: Randy Alfred, founding editor; Susan Calico, founding production manager; Cleve Jones, founding contributor; former

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2018)

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS http://sfbaytimes.com/ OCTOBER

18 Thursday Love & Pride The Musical @ SF LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street. An innovative new musical about identity and dialogue that follows the stories of six characters and their journeys. 7pm.

Also on Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 & 8. http://www.loveandpridethemusical.com

Ross Valley Players’ Twelfth Night @ Barn Theatre, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross. The Shakespearean classic continues through October 21. http://www.rossvalleyplayers.com Fun Home @ Mountain View Center for Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View.

Based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel, this musical won 5 Tony Awards. It explores the story of a loving yet dysfunctional family.

Performances through October 28. http://www.theatreworks.org Raise the Roof Benefit Concert @ The Sacred Stream Center, 2149 Byron Street, Berkeley.

LGBT community favorite Barbara Higbie will be joined by cellist Jami Sieber and singer/songwriter Laura Chandler for an evening of music for a great cause. 6:30pm. http://www.sacredstream.org This Old Bag: The Power of the Purse @ Clift Hotel, 495 Geary Street. The annual benefit for Breast Cancer Emergency Fund features an array of bags contributed by celebrities, designers, retailers and fashionistas to help women in need. 6:30-9:30pm. http://www.bcef.org (Re)Call Counternarratives Exhibit @ Lindsay Dirkx Brown Art Gallery, 12501, San Ramon.

Curated by Pallavi Sharma, the exhibit includes works by LGBT community favorite Lenore Chinn and others. Exhibit continues Monday to Friday, 8:30am-8pm through October 29. lenorechinn@sbcglobal.net Nightmare on 16th Street @ Roxie Theater, 3117 16th Street.

SpookFest Film Fest returns to the Roxie with 13 new independent short films showcasing “the monsters among us.” Continues through October 21. http://www.roxie.com

The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? @ Custom Made Theatre, 533 Sutter Street. The 2002 Tony Award winner for Best Play, Edward Albee’s work addresses the unconventional love of a goat by a man who lives with his loving wife and gay teenage son. Continues through October 20. http://www.custommade.org

Marga Gomez’s Latin Standards @ The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. Marga’s final work in the solo performance genre has received critical acclaim nationwide. 8pm and continues through November 17. http://www.themarsh.org

Refugee Voices and Euripides’ The Trojan Women @ Royce Gallery Playhouse, Mariposa & Harrison Streets. Multi Ethnic Theater, a community theater that is multicultural, multi-ethnic and gender inclusive, presents the story written by Euripides two and a half thousand years ago. Continues through October 21. http://www.wehavemet.org

Baby Doll @ Shelton Theater, 533 Sutter Street. This dark comedy by Tennessee Williams, about a virgin child bride and her alcoholic husband, has been called a triumph over traditional female roles. Through November 3. http://www.sheltontheater.org

19 Friday District 8 Office Art Opening Reception @ San Fransisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton Goodlett Place, Rm 284. Supervisor Rafael Mandelman welcomes artist Jun Yang whose art is currently on display.

4-5pm. mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org Third Friday Lesbians at The Rake @Admiral Maltings Pub, 651 W. Tower Avenue, Alameda. An East Bay lesbians-over-40 friendly activity group. 6-8pm. https://bit.ly/2EqOPh9 Comedy Returns to El Rio @ El Rio, 3158 Mission Street. Join host Lisa Geduldig, Clara Bijl, Victor Pacheco, Bridget Schwartz and Jon Alcabes at the monthly comedy show now in its 11th year. 7pm. http://www.elriosf.com San Francisco Opera presents Strauss’ Arabella @ San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Avenue. A preopera talk will be presented by a noted music educator prior to each performance scheduled through November 3. http://www.sfopera.com Queer as Us: A Night with Lambda Literary @ Strut, 470 Castro Street. The program features Lambda Literary Award winners Annalee Newitz and Juliana Delgado Lopera with moderator Lisa Galloway. 8pm. http://www.dogearedbooks.com

20 Saturday OurTownSF Nonprofit Expo @ Eureka Valley Recreation Center, 100 Collingwood Street.

The third annual Expo will feature more than 100 organizations offering support and services concerning the arts, health, legal issues, politics, recovery, spirituality and more. 12:304:30pm. http://www.ourtownsf.org

San Francisco Opera presents Tosca @ War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Avenue. Giacomo Puccini’s classic, which is one of opera’s most popular and frequently performed works, with Italian soprano Carmen Giannattasio in the title role.

7:30pm through October 30. http://www.sfopera.com

21 Sunday Daytime Realness Halloween - Final DTR of 2018 @ El Rio, 3158 Mission Street. Hosted by Heklina and Carnita with DJs Beatpig, Pound Puppy SF and Kosmetik plus performances by Juhnay Arabesque. 2-8pm. http://www.elriosf.com Stories I Can’t Tell in Church with Dr. Jim Dant @ 170 Valencia Street. Hosted by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus,

the event will feature a one-man talk entitled “My Life as a Straight White Male Baptist Minister Ally of the LGBTQ Community,” by the pastor of the First Baptist Church, Greenville, South Carolina. 5-6:30pm. https://bit.ly/2QQIKfr Holotta’s Un-BOYlievable Drag Show @ Club 1220, 1220 Pine Street, Walnut Creek. This 1st and 3rd Sunday monthly event features the best of drag in the East Bay. 9pm. Holotta’s Un-BOYlievable-Drag-Show on Facebook

22 Monday Monthly LGBT Social Mixer @ San Rafael Joe’s, 931 4th Street.

Held on the 4th Monday, this monthly networking mixer is organized by The Spahr Center.

4:30pm. http://www.thespahrcenter.org

Queerborhood at SF Decompression 2018 @ Potrero Point Power Plant, 23rd Street at Illinois. Queer and queer-friendly camps from the Burning Man community come together to produce a Black Rock City experience. 2pm-2am. http://www.burningman.org Bravo 26 @ The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia. A solo show by Eliza Gibson. 8pm Thursdays and 5pm Saturdays through October 27. https://bit.ly/2yiSA2X Beatles’ Night Benefit for Josie’s Place @ Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez Street.

LGBT community favorite Laura Zucker will perform. 8pm. http://www.laurazucker.com Artist Irene Hendrick Fall Open Studios @ Hunters Point Shipyard, Building 101, Studio 1224. Join painter Irene Hendrick and more than 150 other artists for this year’s Fall Open Studio event. 11am-6pm and also on October 21. http://www.irenehendrick.com S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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Mister Sister Mondays @ Midnight Sun, 4067 18th Street.

RuPaul’s Drag Race RUviewing Party.

9pm–2am. http://www.midnightsunsf.com

23 Tuesday Sister Circle @ Openhouse, 55 Laguna. A monthly 4th Tuesday event for women-identified LGBTQ community members to make new connections over lunch. 12-1:30pm. sylvia@openho

26 Friday

Drop In Support Group for LGBTQ+ Parents @ Children’s Day School, 333 Dolores Street.

Hosted by Our Family Coalition, the event is free, held on 4th Tuesdays, with pre-registration and includes a meal followed by facilitated discussions about family and child-rearing. 6-8pm. http://www.ourfamily.org

Sarah Bush Dance Project’s Spirit & Bones @ Taube Atrium Theater, 4th Floor, SF War Memorial Building, 401 Van Ness Avenue. The world premiere of the production, highlighting female resilience in times of darkness, features an intergenerational cast of fifteen dancers ranging in age from 23 to over 70. 8pm. Continues on October 27 and 28. http://www.sarahbushdance.org

24 Wednesday Castro Farmers’ Market @ 16th and Beaver Streets. The Castro neighborhood’s Farmers’ Market has begun a new season with fresh veggies, fruits, crafts and artisan-made goodies. 4–8pm.

Castro Farmers’ Market on Facebook Fighting Back: Health and Wellness for LGBTQ People @ GBLT History Museum, 4127 18th Street. The latest in the monthly “Fighting Back” series exploring contemporary issues in a historical context, the forum will be moderated by the SF AIDS Foundation’s Felipe Flores, 7-9pm. http://www.glbthistory.org Bingo @ Billy DeFrank LGBTQ Community Center, 938 The Alameda, San Jose. Gay Bingo every Wednesday and Drag Queen Bingo every 3rd Wednesday each month with bingo, cherry bells, snacks and networking. Early Bird: 6:30pm / Regular Game: 7pm. http://www.defrankcenter.org Grab ‘Em by the Stories @ The Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Avenue, Albany. Featuring music

by DJ Ladyfinger, host Kim Lembo welcomes women storytellers and poets including Maya Dorn, Elana Isaacs, Melissa Stein, Anne-Christine d’Adesky and Willa Mamet. 8pm. http://www.ivyroom.com

25 Thursday Creatures of the NightLife @ California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. The Boulet Brothers present the annual Halloween drag show and costume contest with a sinister twist. The evening will include VR games with Urban Safari and horrifying machines from the Pacific Pinball Museum’s collection.

DJ Omar Perez will present a monster mash on the dance floor.

6pm. http://www.calacademy.org Rainbow Toastmasters @ St. Francis Lutheran Church, 152 Church Street. This every Thursday event is the Bay Area’s largest communications skills training SA N FRANCISCO BAY T I ME S

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AGUILAS Monthly Social @ San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street. On the final Thursday each month the organization supporting Latino men and their friends hosts this event featuring a show and dinner. HIV testing available. 6pm. http://www.sfaguilas.org

Stonewall Reading & Discussion Group: When Things Fall Apart @ Strut, 470 Castro Street 3rd Floor Group Rm 1. Facilitators Kyle Temple and Sharleen Phillips lead the group in discussions of authors and writings on topics related to harm reduction, healing and overall wellbeing. 4-5:30pm. http://www.strutsf.org

Durst Case Scenario: Midterm Madness @ The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia Street.

Written and performed by political comedian Will Durst, the show analyzes where America and society stand post-election. Tuesdays through October 30. 8pm. http://www.themarsh.org

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resource for the LGBT community.

Dinner follows at a local restaurant.

6-7:30pm. https://bit.ly/2P7Y7mC

Academy of Friends Art + Fashion Season Kickoff Party @ Art Attack SF, 2358 Market Street. Party with a purpose as Academy of Friends will launch its 39th Season and will announce the organization’s 2019 beneficiary partners. 6-9pm. http://academyoffriends.org

SoicalGUYzing @ Rainbow Community Center, 2118 Willow Pass Road, Suite 500, Concord. A social networking event for gay, bi, trans and ally men that includes discussion of topical issues. 7-9pm. http://www.rainbowcc.org Lesbian & Queer Women of Color Support Group @ The Pacific Center, 2812 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley. A monthly peer support group on the final Friday each month for queer women of color. 7-9pm. http://www.pacificcenter.org Tribute: Our 40th Birthday Concert @ Saint Ignatius Church, 650 Parker Avenue. San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus presents a special concert, featuring acclaimed soprano Ellie Dehn, and including a performance of “When We No Longer Touch,” the first requiem dedicated to those lost to AIDS. 8-10pm. http://www.sfgmc.org Ginger’s Drag-o-Licious Halloween Edition with Olivia Hart @ Ginger’s, 86 Hardie Place. Following a private event earlier in the evening, Ginger’s will open at 9pm and the show begins at 10pm continuing all night long with DJ Reeact. http://www.gingers.bar

27 Saturday Fabulous at 40: SFGMC Birthday Party @ Sir Francis Drake Hotel, 450 Powell Street.

The Chorus will celebrate with a cocktail reception and lunch featuring Mayor London Breed and emcee Curt Branom from Steve Silver’s Beach Blanket Babylon with special guest Armistead Maupin and a Streets of San Francisco menu.

12pm reception/1pm Lunch. https://www.sfgmc.org/seasonconcerts/ Glow in the Streets: A Comfort & Joy Block Party @ 2298 Market Street (Noe Street between Market and Beaver. A Halloween/Samhain season block party now in its second year with DJs Black, Power Top Ramen, Justime and Hil Huerta and also featuring art, performances and visuals plus a costume competition and finale show at 8pm. 4-9:30pm. http://www.playajoy.org All Hallows Nunsense: A Grand, Gay Cabaret @ LEVYdance, 19 Heron Street. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will host an evening with the SWAG

Foundation featuring an intimate night of music and masquerade where costumes are encouraged.

7-10pm. http://www.levydance.org

28 Sunday Ghost Tour: Shipwrecks of Point Reyes @ Point Reyes National Seashore Assocation, 1 Bear Valley Road, Bldg 70, Point Reyes Station. For adults and youth age twelve and up, the event is an outdoor visit to an historic cemetery and sites of maritime tragedies. 10am-5pm. http://www.ptreyes.org Spooktacular @ Noe Valley Town Square, 24th Street.

Costume contests for kids, pets and adults plus haunted houses, face painting, carnival fun, cotton candy, live entertainment and more will be offered at this second annual event. 12noon-5pm. https://bit.ly/2NRnqVq Hamilton The Drag Experience Benefit @ San Jose Improv, 62 S. Street, San Jose.

The annual benefit, hosted by the SV/SF LGBTQ ERG Alliance and supporting the Billy deFrank Center, returns with a unique parody of the hit musical. http://www.defrankcenter.org Shake It! Booty Band and B.C. Three @ The Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Avenue, Albany.

The evening features a crazy disco-funk group of professional women musicians along with a classically trained musician with her own band linking its roots to “old school” hard rock and metal.

2:30pm. http://www.ivyroom.com

29 Monday Voter’s Playbook: Grand Lake @ Oakland LGBTQ Center, 3207 Lakeshore Avenue.

This free event is a workshop on voting presented by Black Women Organized for Political Action, League of Women Voters of Oakland and Women’s March Oakland. 6-8pm. https://bit.ly/2EqW8W8 Strut Book Club Reads Night Sky with Exit Wounds @ Strut, 470 Castro Street. Read the book of poetry by Ocean Vuong and join the group for some wine, snacks and great conversation about literature. 7:30pm. http://www.strutsf.org

30 Tuesday Book Release Party for Mr. Pack Rat Really Wants That @ Dog Eared Books Castro, 489 Castro Street. Author Marcus Ewert will present his new children’s book with illustrations by Kayla Stark. 7pm. http://www.dogearedbooks.com Give Back Tuesday Benefiting Sonoma County Pride @ Rainbow Cattle Company, 16220 Main Street, Guerneville. Santa Rosa GayDar Social Group and Rainbow Cattle Company will host this event to support Sonoma County Pride.

6-8pm. http://www.queersteer.com

31 Wednesday SEE PAGE 18 FOR HALLOWEEN EVENTS

NOVEMBER

1 Thursday The Indian Is Still Alive: Two Spirit History & Drumming @ GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th Street. An evening of music with history featuring the Bay Area American Indian Two Spirits (BAAITS) drum group, including

a screening of the documentary The Indian Is Sill Alive and the Indian Knows the Songs. 7-9pm. http://www.glbthistory.org S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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ROSTOW (continued from page 15)

ruling in June of 2015 and lost their partners before they could legalize their union. I was about to say that when a spouse dies, you can either receive your own social security or your spouse’s benefit, whichever is higher. It then occurred to me that I’m no expert on social security benefits.

So, take that with a big grain of salt. Whatever. There’s obviously some kind of advantage if we’re suing the government for it, right?

Safety in Numbers for Some Speaking of transgender discrimination, here’s a situation for you.

The other day, a middle school in Stafford County, Virginia, held a lockdown drill. According to the local GLBT advocacy group, a transgender girl was in a class that was near the PE locker rooms when the drill began. Instead of sending her into one of the locker rooms for shelter with the rest of the class, the teachers sent her alone into the gym, and later let her stay in the hall outside the locker room doors. Keep in mind, this was (I’m assuming) a drill for what to do in case of a school shooter. I don’t know about you, but sitting alone in the gym or the hallway is not my idea of an emergency plan.

“Let me be clear,” wrote Equality Stafford on Facebook about the girl. “During an event that prepares children to survive an attack by actual assailants, she was treated as if she was so much of a danger to peers that she was left exposed and vulnerable.”

On October 9, the incident was discussed at a school board meeting, where a family friend read a letter from the girl: “If there was someone armed in my school, I would have been the first one gone,” she wrote. “I felt like an afterthought. If the whole thing wasn’t bad enough, the embarrassment caused me to have a panic attack in front of everyone.”

School Superintendent Scott Kizner apologized to the student and her family, vowing to review guidelines and improve. Keep in mind that in May of 2015, this same school board voted to bar a transgender fourth grader from the restrooms of his or her preference. Not sure what happened to that situation, but it just reminds us that for every case that turns into a story or a lawsuit, there are dozens or more under the radar.

And before we move on, you should know that the ACLU won a jury trial on behalf of two transgender women at the University of Wisconsin, cancer researcher Shannon Andres and graduate student Alina Borden, who were denied transition care under the state’s health insurance policy. Andres won roughly $480,000, while Boyden was awarded $301,000. Nice going, civil libertarians.

Paging the Kitsch Patrol

SISTER DANA (continued from page 20)

I’ve got to ask you. Have you seen the bizarre fantasy painting of Republican presidents sitting around in casual attire at a bar or a club? The Andy Thomas original lacks only a cigar puffing pug with a poker hand in his paw, and I’m not sure it’s painted on velvet, but it should be. Trump, who is pictured in this atrocity along with Lincoln, Reagan, TR and others, has hung it up in the West Wing. Maybe in the oval office, nearby. He loves it!

I know. Why should we be surprised? Speaking for myself, I reached some kind of limit and can no longer feel shock, awe or outrage. I recognize that these sensations are still operating within me, but I suppose it’s something like the way pain must work if you’ve broken a leg and are lying helpless in a ravine for several days. It goes away or goes in and out. The other day he said that climate change might happen, but then it “might go back.”

He also pointed out that there were some powerful hurricanes many decades ago. He went on to tell us that he talked to King Whatsit from Saudi Arabia, who was “very strong” in his denial that his government had Jamal Khashoggi murdered. Then he called Stormy Daniels “horse face,” and said James Mattis was “sort of a Democrat” and that he, Trump, knew more about NATO than did Mattis. Just let us survive this. Let the country and the world survive it.

I have to mention the lawsuit in Great Britain, where an Irish bakery was vindicated for refusing to make a cake that read: “Support Gay Marriage.” The case went up to the U.K. Supreme Court, where after four years of litigation, the judges overturned a lower court that had ruled against the bakers. What annoyed me was the notion, repeated in various press accounts, that Ashers Bakery was the Irish version of Masterpiece Cakeshop.

But that’s not true! Ashers was asked to deliver a specific message that it did not support. Masterpiece was asked to sell a product to gay men, the same product routinely sold to straight customers in a state that banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. If you and I had a bakery and someone asked us to make a swastika cake, we have the right to refuse. If a Muslim woman asks for a half dozen cupcakes to break Ramadan, we do not.

And folks, the difference is not complicated or nuanced. It does not involve some obscure legal technicality. It’s not rocket science! No one can force you to support equality for gays or anyone else, but if you operate in the public square, you may not refuse to serve people who are protected under civil rights laws. arostow@aol.com

Hillary Ronen, Jane Kim, and BART Director Bevan Dufty and an all-star cast of co-hosts in celebrating the birthdays of our Hometown Heroes CLEVE JONES AND BRIAN BASINGER for a birthday fundraiser party to benefit the YES ON C CAMPAIGN—the boldest effort in a generation to tackle the housing affordability and homelessness crisis to make our City clean and beautiful again. The party was on October 8 at Juanita MORE!’s new restaurant, MORE!jones, 620 Jones Street. Happy birthday to both of you wonderful boys and good buddies! https://tinyurl.com/ya7wrz6n

corporate patterns similar to the textile motifs I have been using in my work. So, I pixelated pictures that men have given me on Scruff, Grindr and other apps. The pixilation gives anonymity but also resembles quilting squares. I wanted to create pin-up like portraits of men of color who also have to deal with navigating cultural and gay identities. I used textile patterns that resemble bed sheets and back pack straps that remind us all of our boyhood. All these things come together to create collage-like pieces that capture the complexities of growing up gay and queer.”

PRC (Positive Resource Center) presented the MIGHTY REAL Gala on October 12 at San Francisco’s Four Seasons Hotel.

Chief Executive Officer Brett Andrews said that PRC had much to celebrate as they continue their double merger with AIDS EMERGENCY FUND and BAKER PLACES, and as they unveil the plans for their new consolidated service center at 170 9th Street.

Their goal was to raise $250,000 for PRC’s lifesaving HIV/AIDS, mental health, and substance use services as well as the infrastructure to support those programs. He said, “To the survivors, we believe you; and to the Black Lives Matter, we see you and value you; and to the never again against gun violence movement, we stand shoulder to shoulder with you.”

Michael Tate of SF Gay Men’s Chorus was auctioneer. The amazing television, film, and stage star, Jason Brock, was the featured entertainer, accompanied on piano by Dee Spencer. He sang “You’ve Got a Friend,” “The Greatest Love” and “Last Dance” by the iconic Donna Summer.

THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS is now playing at one of my favorite intimate theater venues, Gateway Theatre (that used to be Eureka Theatre), 215 Jackson Street, now through October 21. Produced by the delightful folks at 42ND STREET MOON, the show that was nominated for seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, will make you tap your feet, laugh out loud and maybe even shed a few tears. Based on the true story of Texas’ Chicken Ranch brothel, it’s a real foot-stompin’ mid-70s country and western musical. Director/choreographer Christina Lazo has given life to this classic show. The choreography is unbelievably impressive. The guys do amazing tap, high kicks, acrobatics and more. The ladies are equally remarkable in dancing—with the exception of a rather stiff performance from a dozen (well, maybe possibly because they’re made of wood). At times I worried that the small stage might collapse. And the ensemble cast of 18 sings their hearts out. Each actor plays a multitude of different roles to perfection. Beware of having flashlights shined on you by the creepy televangelist crusaders. You will want to hiss at the villainous, hypocritical politicos and cheer the misunderstood ladies of the evening.

Miss Mona’s “establishment” has operated for decades with a turned eye from the local Sheriff, entertaining everyone from politicians to the local bare-chested college football players. If you saw the movie, you’ll be glad that all of the classic numbers are there. All I can say is, “Yeeee haaaaw!” And next up for 42nd Moon is Dames at Sea. https://tinyurl.com/ybb84ken

Honorees included founder of AIDS WALK SAN FRANCISCO (raising over 90 million dollars over his 30 year career), Craig Miller, as the recipient of the Vanguard Leadership Award presented by anchor Dan Ashley; KAISER PERMANENTE as the recipient of the Keystone Service Award, accepted by Baker Place founder Tim Illig; and community leaders, Donna Sachet (presented by co-host Michelle Meow) and Gary Virginia (presented by Deana Dawn) as the dual recipients of the Sylvester Community Pillar Awards. Both are Mighty Real in this nun’s opinion! After dinner, PRC hosted a dynamic afterparty with music by DJ Lamont and disco dancing until midnight, along with a special bourbon tasting bar, courtesy of Seven Stills distillery.

Sister Dana sez, “October is the month of our High Holy Gay Holiday, HALLOWEEN. But there are other events happening this month. Check these out!”

For the month of October, STRUT will be exhibiting the work of Alexander Hernandez, J-PEG. On October 5, STRUT held his opening reception to celebrate his work.

Artist’s statement: “My current work explores gender expectations and cultural assimilation. I wanted to in-

Sister Dana sez, “Why do the Repugnicans get away with saying we nonviolent protesters are ‘an angry mob’? And yet there are ‘some’ Nazis and White Nationalists that are ‘good’?!”

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (HRC) will hold their 34th annual SF GALA DINNER on Saturday, October 20, but at a different venue than originally offered. Due to the ongoing strike at the Westin St. Francis, the HRC Gala has been moved to the Hyatt Regency Hotel located on the iconic Embarcadero at the start of Market Street.

To allow enough time for set up, the start times have been pushed back slightly. VIP Reception will start at

5:30 pm, and General guests should arrive at 6:30 pm. Guests should check in with their photo ID upstairs in the stunning main atrium lobby of the Hyatt, where they will be hosting the reception and silent auction.

HRC is proud to feature a special performance by transgender recording artist Shea Diamond. https://www.sfhrcgala.org D’Arcy Drollinger presents: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER LIVE! at the Oasis, now through November 3, Thursdays at 8 pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 7 pm, 298 11th Street & Folsom, with a special Wednesday night performance on Halloween. Last year’s awesome cast is back along with some wicked additions for a mash-up of season 3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this loving tribute and high-camp parody of the popular 90s supernatural television series known for its groundbreaking themes, smart quips and indierock score. It is part drag show, part swashbuckler and part horror fantasy send-up. http://www.sfoasis.com ALL HALLOWS NUNSENSE: a grand, gay cabaret, is hosted by the SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE and features SWAG Foundation. Come celebrate an intimate night of music and masquerade, as we present songs from members of the SWAG Foundation. As this is Halloween weekend, feel free to don a mask or go all out in fabulous Halloween regalia. Saturday, October 27, with two show times: 7 pm–8 pm and 9–10 pm at LEVYdance, 19 Heron Street.

SWAG is a vocal ensemble comprised of 18–20 singers. Focusing on gospel, R&B, hip-hop and pop genres, SWAG was formed to focus on outreach to underserved, oppressed, underrepresented and minority communities, especially youth & elderly. https://tinyurl.com/yao6uqvs This Halloween/Samhain weekend, COMFORT & JOY is back with an even more dazzling Castro block party for their second annual “GLOW IN THE STREETS!” Come get your life on the dance floor with booty-shaking beats all evening, compliments of DJs Black, Power Top Ramen, Justime and Hil Huerta. Saturday, October 27, 4–9:30 pm, Noe Street between Market and Beaver—2298 Market Street. They’ll also be serving up amazing art, performances and other festivities throughout the night. https://tinyurl.com/ycwhm28u DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS is hosted

by BACK TO THE PICTURE on November 2, 6–9 pm, 934 Valencia Street. They’ll have some traditional Mexican Day of the Dead treats, food, wine, etc. and Day of the Dead art exhibited by dozens of artists. www.backtothepicture.com Sister Dana sez, “Happy Halloween to everyone, and to those who are trying out drag for the first time: you gooo grrrlll!”

DONNA SACHET (continued from page 13) i.e. face-to-face! We reunited with many not seen for years or at least weeks, like Brad Cavalier, Veronika Fimbres, The Cove’s Solange Marzouk Darwish, Lu Conrad, Mark Abramson, Robert Larabee, Patrick Noonan and so many others. Gary is a rare man, whom we’ve known at least a couple of decades and many there longer, and he is loved for his open acceptance of all, irreverent humor and generosity of spirt. When the birthday song rang out, Gary must have felt the love in the room!

A quick shout out to our newest Mr. Gay San Francisco K ing K halil Munro and Miss Gay San Francis30

SA N FRANCISCO BAY T I ME S

co Amoura Teese, selected by an esteemed panel of judges at the recent pageant under the aegis of the Imperial Court of San Francisco. May they have a successful year! And speaking of Imperials, word has it that Reigning Emperor Leandro Gonzales in his only officially sanctioned appearance in drag during his reign was a Latina bombshell, thanks to Empress Alexis Miranda!

The SF Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 40 years of singing with a weekend of festivities. Not to be missed is their concert on Friday, October 26, 8 pm, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church; you have to hear in person the story of the chorus’ history with this church to beO C TO B E R 1 8 , 2 0 1 8

lieve it! On Saturday morning, October 27, 11 am, the chorus will be joined by the Gay & Lesbian Freedom Band at the AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park, previewing a permanent memorial to singers and supporters lost to AIDS. Later that day, the Sir Francis Drake Hotel’s Empire Ballroom hosts a celebratory luncheon emceed by Curt Branom of Beach Blanket Babylon with special guest Armistead Maupin. And finally, the SF Gay Men’s Chorus and their supporters will fill The Starlight Room on Sunday at 10:30 am for a gourmet brunch and at 11:30 am, Sunday’s a Drag, now in its 13th year of entertaining. Do you even need to

ask who will emcee that day? After all, we proudly acknowledge that we were born at an SF Gay Men’s Chorus retreat many years ago. Congratulations to the chorus and to its wonderful Artistic Director Tim Seelig!

This issue’s calendar may not look as full, but don’t miss the listed events and head out to the many theatrical, musical and fundraising activities within our LGBT Community.

Why not get a jump on things and start planning your holiday events, including The Golden Girls: The Christmas Episodes, November 29–December 23 at Victoria Theatre; Miracle on Powell Street at Sunday’s a Drag every Sunday in December; and Drag Queens

on Ice in Union Square on Thursday, December 6, at 8 pm. This year, for the first time, we are looking for additional talent, queens and kings, to display their skills on skates! Make a short video of yourself and submit it for consideration. Complete details are at https://tinyurl.com/ydykcp2z 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

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