San Francisco Bay Times - August 27, 2020

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2020)

THE TRANSGENDER DISTRICT/PHOTO BY GARETH GOOCH PHOTOGRAPHY

August 27–September 9, 2020 | http://sfbaytimes.com

Photos Courtesy of The Transgender District/Gareth Gooch Photography

‘Black Trans Lives Matter’ Mural at Compton’s Cafeteria Riot Site for 54th Anniversary The Transgender District, in collaboration with the arts organization CounterPULSE, the Tenderloin Community Benefits District, and alongside Supervisor Matt Haney as well as District 6 staffer and trans community leader Honey Mahogany, on August 23 organized the painting of the words “BLACK TRANS LIVES MATTER” at the intersection of Turk and Taylor in the Tenderloin.

The bold street mural—featuring the pink, blue, and white colors of the transgender flag—honors the 54th anniversary of the Compton’s Cafeteria Riots, which took place at that intersection in 1966. The riot has been heralded as the first officially documented collective uprising of LGBT people in the country and predates New York City’s 1969 Stonewall Riots by 3 years.

The work was led by local trans artists KinFolkz, Sen Mendez, and Xara Thustra, who with their team created the mural at the heart of The Transgender District, which is the first officially recognized transgender cultural district in the world. The street art proclaims the need for Black Trans Lives to be included in the Black Lives Matter movement.

Mahogany—a cofounder of The Transgender District with Aria Sa’id, Janetta Johnson, Stephany Ashley, and Nate Albee—told the San Francisco Bay Times: “It is incredibly important at this time, with everything going on across the nation and globe, to have this painting right at the heart of The Transgender District. There is a convergence of history,

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given the historic importance of the site being the location of the Compton’s Cafeteria Riots and the area where transgender people and people of color have lived for decades.”

“The painting honors our intention to stay,” added Mahogany, who was the first black transgender individual to win an elected post in California (as a member of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee). A talented performer, Mahogany also made entertainment history by being the first San Franciscan on RuPaul’s Drag Race, having been chosen to appear in season 5 of the popular series.

Prior to the birth of the Castro District, the Tenderloin from the 1930s to the 1960s was known as a “gay ghetto” with a documented, ongoing presence of transgender residents. The new mural strengthens The Transgender District’s mission that aims, in part “ to create an urban environment that fosters the rich history, culture, legacy, and empowerment of transgender people and its deep roots in the southeastern Tenderloin neighborhood.”

Mahogany indicated that the street art will likely remain in the district for the next year or two, until a repaving project begins. At that time, there may be an effort to create an even longer-lasting mural.

There is hope for the future, given the current momentum behind the Black Lives Matter and Trans rights movements.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed has been a vocal supporter and this week, with City Administrator Naomi Kelly,

announced increased funding for organizations deeply rooted within the Black and Trans communities. The increase, seen in Grants for the Arts funding, is by an average of 34% over last year.

Upcoming observations of the Compton’s Cafeteria Riots will add to the momentum. On Friday, August 28, from 5 pm–8 pm, The Transgender District will host a virtual celebration commemorating the riots’ anniversary. It will feature entertainment from queer and transgender performers and artists ranging from San Francisco cultural icon Juanita MORE!, illusionist and reality television star Bionka Simone of AsiaSF and Transcendent, and acclaimed rapper and producer Wazi Maret. The event will be hosted by San Francisco LGBT icons Mahogany and Roma Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

For more information: https://bit.ly/3hA92jK Earlier that day, Bridging Black Trans Lives: Advancing Equity for All Black Lives will take place at San Francisco City Hall. The rally, which will also commemorate Black August, will bring awareness to the lived experience of Black Transgender and Nonbinary communities, and call to action the larger Black community to recognize that Black liberation is tied to the lives of all Black people. For more information on the rally, which will be livestreamed, go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/380675842930069/

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES (1978–2020)

Struggling San Francisco Small Businesses Hold Peaceful Protest at City Hall

PHOTO BY RINK

PHOTO BY RINK

18th Street ‘Shared Spaces’ Kickoff Deemed a Success, with Some Lessons Learned

Castro Merchants Association president Masood Samereie on Sunday, August 23, welcomed participants to the first day of the newly launched Shared Spaces on 18th Street in The Castro.

The Castro Merchants Association on Sunday, August 23, launched the 18th Street “Shared Spaces” program that established a car-free corridor between Collingwood and Hartford Streets. The launch marked San Francisco’s third Shared Street, with the other two being Grant in Chinatown and Valencia in the Mission. Hayes is set to be the fourth, with more expected in the weeks to come.

The program makes it easier to use outdoor places like sidewalks, streets, and open lots for business during the coronavirus pandemic. Permits are free.

PHOTO BY DAVE KARRAKER

Masood Samereie, President of Castro Merchants Association, informed the San Francisco Bay Times that a permit has already been obtained for 1 pm–8 pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday closures of the mentioned portion of 18th Street, but that the August 23 event was basically a soft launch. The first and final hours are dedicated to closing and reopening the street, although businesses remain open to customers throughout the entire time.

Samereie himself, along with two other members of his team, monitored the route to make sure that participants—both business owners and customers—were following guidelines. These included social distancing and wearing face masks when not eating or drinking.

Supervisor and former San Francisco Bay Times columnist Rafael Mandelman on Tuesday, August 25, joined other city and community leaders at a peaceful protest that brought together leaders from San Francisco business sectors unable to reopen since March and on the verge of complete collapse. The hour-long event drew attention to the problems faced by gyms and other fitness businesses, salons, massage studios, estheticians, tattoo artists, entertainment venues, performers, and more whose industries have been among the most adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Participants at the protest adhered to safety protocols. As Dave Karraker, co-owner of MX3 Fitness in the Castro and Lower Haight, said, “While we wish we didn’t need to gather together in order to focus the city’s attention, these businesses are at the end of their ropes and are about to declare bankruptcy/ shut their doors and are desperate to be heard.”

He was among the speakers at the protest.

“Let this sink in a minute: the city is standing by and watching not just one business, but entire business sectors in San Francisco literally collapse right before its eyes,” Karraker said during his speech. “More than 5,000 businesses are closed in San Francisco right now ... of those more than 2,000 have thrown in the towel and are never coming back.

And can you blame them? No substantial financial relief from the city ... no guidance on when or how we’re going to reopen. Nothing but silence.”

“I walked 9 miles during the event!” Samereie said, having checked his fitness tracker.

His team’s presence was needed, as some people were not following the face mask guidelines. When told to do so, most gladly complied, but the enforcement still required significant vigilance and effort.

He added, “I ask you Mayor Breed—can you imagine how terrifying that is for a small business owner who has spent every single penny of their lifesavings to chase their dream of owning their own business ... to not know anything about its future? Nothing. And with that fear, with that absence of information and support from the city, businesses are simply throwing in the towel, leaving more boarded storefronts littering the city.”

Another problem, Samereie noted, was certain businesses selling to-go alcoholic drinks that led to some people walking and drinking them in public, which is not covered by the permit. Smoking is also not allowed.

As a whole, however, the afternoon went smoothly and brought much-needed support to numerous Castro businesses. Please see the latest columns from Donna Sachet and Sister Dana Van Iquity for information on a few of the new drag shows in the neighborhood that added to the festivities.

Musician Arya Zarrinkelk from the band Manos Lindas also spoke at the protest.

“Going into winter, we humbly and respectfully request that the Health Department and the city work with all manner of small businesses: be they the catering industry, health and fitness, music venues, theatres, and dance studios to figure out how we can re-open safely,” she said as part of her speech.

The subject of entertainment during Shared Spaces, however, remains in question for a variety of reasons. These include concerns over bringing crowds together, music volumes, and more. The issue is expected to be addressed later this week by the city and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

After the protest, Mandelman expressed similar concern. “I am so proud of the Bay Area and our data science and fact-based response to the public health crisis,” he shared via social media. “But the data science and facts have disappeared around the small businesses that continue to be kept closed without any clarity about when they might be able to reopen, how they might be able to reopen, and how they should be planning.”

Once this matter and others are resolved, Castro Merchants in future plans to expand the program to two days (Saturday and Sunday) before moving to the full permitted three.

For more information: Castro Merchants: http://www.castromerchants.com/ Shared Spaces: https://sf.gov/shared-spaces

PHOTOS BY RINK

PHOTO BY RINK

(left) Members of the Castro Community on Patrol with Castro Merchants Association's Masoon Samereie at the intersection of 18th and Castro Streets

Harvey's customers filled the outdoor seating on 18th Street during the first day of the Castro's Shared Spaces program.

See the San Francisco Bay Times website ( http://www.sfbaytimes.com ) for more content and look for our next print issue Thursday, September 10!

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