San Francisco Bay Times - September 29, 2016

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September 29-October 12, 2016 | www.sfbaytimes.com

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In the News Compiled by Dennis McMillan San Francisco Becomes First City to Ban Public Spending in States with LGBT Hate Laws On Tuesday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted in favor of Supervisor Scott Wiener’s legislation to prohibit City spending—travel, purchasing and contracting— in states that have passed LGBT hate laws. The legislation was drafted in response to discriminatory laws passed in states like North Carolina and Mississippi that target the LGBT community. The legislation will statutorily ban city-sponsored travel to states with LGBT hate laws, codifying Mayor Edwin Lee’s executive order, and will further make San Francisco the first jurisdiction to ban city-funded contracting with companies that are headquartered in these states, as well as purchase of goods and services produced in these states.

The ordinance sets forth limited criteria for City Departments to seek exemption from the ban, including for public health and emergency crises, if there is only a single source that provides the service required, or for other issues that may be detrimental to the public interest. The ordinance also requires the City Administrator to create and maintain a covered state list that will be reviewed and updated biannually. sfgov.org Men Visiting Folsom Street Fair Attacked Friends Neil Frias and Jeff White of New York, who were in San Francisco for last weekend’s Folsom Street Fair, were attacked the Saturday night before the Fair outside of the McDonald’s at Golden Gate Avenue and Fillmore Street. The men report that five assailants pepper sprayed them as they shouted homophobic statements. “They were saying, ‘You fags are destroying family values,’” Frias told the San Francisco Chronicle.

“I said I didn’t want any trouble, and one got out of the van. I thought he was going to take a swing at me, but he sprayed me across the face.” A second assailant sprayed Frias again, while a third initiated a physical attack. Luckily a nearby woman shouted that she was calling the police, after which the assailants took off in their minivan. sfgate.com Volunteers Needed for Sunday’s Castro Street Fair The Castro Street Fair is here to recruit you! Volunteers shifts are still available for Sunday’s 43rd Annual Castro Street Fair. Volunteers are needed to help with a variety of positions — including safety, production setup and breakdown, entry gate, information, stage decor, stage hand and stage breakdown. As an incentive, a portion of the proceeds from the Fair goes towards many local neighborhood organizations. When you sign up for a volunteer shift, you can designate which local group you’d like your volunteer hours to go towards. The Castro Street Fair is Sunday, October 2, from 11am–6pm.

To volunteer, contact volunteer@castrostreetfair.org Lester Struggles, Trump Sniffs, Hillary Wins From Hi Tops in the Castro to Everett & Jones BBQ at Jack London Square, members of our community and more watched the first presidential debate of 2016. Debate moderator and news anchor Lester Holt “served as bottom to Trump,” many wrote on social media, referring to Holt’s inability to control Donald Trump talking over his allotted time.

Trump later accused Holt of asking “unfair” questions. Social media also lit up over Trump repeatedly sniffing loudly and drinking water, all while accusing Hillary Clinton of lacking stamina. Clinton, looking strong and over her recent bout of pneumonia, won the debate, a consensus of reviewers holds. As CNN put it, “Hillary Clinton takes round one.”

‘Gender-fluid’ Added to the Oxford English Dictionary The Oxford English Dictionary added 1,200 new words this week, including “gender-fluid.” The venerated keepers of the English language define the term as “(a) (in early use) not clearly or wholly male or female; androgynous; (b) designating a person who does not identify with a single fixed gender; of or relating to a person having or expressing a fluid or unfixed gender identity (now the usual sense).” Editor Katherine Martin told Time that of all the evolutions going on in the English language, she sees the “speed at which the English language is expanding” to accommodate identities like “gender-fluid” to be the most thrilling. lgbtqnation.com Iconic Lesbian Bar Commemorated On September 19 Supervisor David Campos, the GLBT Historical Society and a group of Lexington patrons and volunteers unveiled a commemorative plaque honoring the Lexington Club, San Francisco’s iconic lesbian bar that closed last year. Located in front of 3464 19th Street in San Francisco, the plaque recognizes the incredible contribution the Lexington Club made to the LGBT community in San Francisco, particularly in providing a space for queer women and the trans community. Supervisor Campos said, “When the Lexington Club closed after 18 years in operation, it felt like our community lost a leader, family member and friend.

Since it closed my office has been working together with the community to create a plaque to honor the legacy of the Lexington, and to celebrate the community it helped create.” The plaque reads: “The Lexington Club, January 31, 1997–April 30, 2015 Here marks the site of the Lexington Club, ‘your friendly neighborhood dyke bar’ where ‘every night is ladies’ night,’ which cultivated a close-knit community among San Francisco’s LGBTQ community over the course of two decades and touched many in this city and beyond. Dedicated on April 29th, 2015 to owner Lila Thirkield and all those who contributed to this vibrant space, with much love from those who treasured it.”

Free Legal Help Offered

by ALRP AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP) has partnered with San Francisco AIDS Foundation to offer free legal help to clients on a drop-in basis twice a month, on the first and last Friday of the month. ALRP provides free civil or legal (not criminal) help for people who self-identify as living with HIV. There is no proof of income or letter of diagnosis needed to access services, and ALRP provides services to people living in San Francisco as well as the six surrounding Bay Area counties. Brandon Lawrence, an attorney for ALRP, encouraged foundation clients to seek advice from ALRP for issues—even if they’re not sure if the issue qualifies as a “legal” one. Most often, ALRP helps clients access public benefits or with insurance issues, with housing rights and to fight evictions, and to create living wills or other healthcare directives. All services that ALRP provides in-house are free. If ALRP provides a referral to another law firm that specializes in a certain type of law (e.g., tax law), those services may be free or provided on a sliding scale. Upcoming ALRP drop-in sessions will be held: Friday, September 30, from 1 pm to 3 pm at Strut (470 Castro Street, 3rd floor); Friday, October 7, from 1 pm to 3 pm at 1035 Market Street (4th floor); and, Friday, (continued on page 30) S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES S EPT EM BER 29, 2016

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Republican-Built Double Standards plete list of the debunked conspiracies may be found at http://www.marketwatch.com/story/all-the-terriblethings-hillary-clinton-has-done-inone-big-list-2016-02-04

Tampa, Florida

Then there are the interviews. Nearly all begin with some version of: “You clearly have a trust issue. Why do you believe that people think you are dishonest?”

“We grade Donald Trump on a curve. If he does not drool, we call him presidential.”

-Eugene Robinson, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist

We used to have some appearance of decorum in American politics. We actually used to get things done in Washington and in state houses across our countr y. But over the past two decades, Repub licans f igured out that they don’t really have a positive course to governing, so they adopted a crash and burn approach of making things up and seeing what sticks … especially when it comes to Hillary Clinton.

A quick Google search of Republican-pushed fantasies over two decades of attacking Clinton include: • She once invested in commodities futures on the advice of a friend and made $100,000, proving she’s a crook.

• She once invested in real estate on the advice of another friend and lost $100,000, also proving she’s a crook.

• Unnamed and unverifiable sources have told Peggy Noonan things about the Clintons that are simply too terrible to repeat.

• The personnel murdered at Benghazi make her the first secretary of state to lose overseas personnel to terrorism (forgetting Condi Rice, Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright, George Shultz, Dean Rusk and some others).

Instead of writing about policies, programs or plans, the press call people to ask them what they think about rumors and how they feel about perceptions. These are not stories.

This is not journalism.

Those driving such drivel actually reinforce the false perceptions by treating them as facts.

T her e a r e p ol l s about polls, perceptions about feelings, and optics versus facts.

Photos courtesy of Hillary for America Campaign

A new report released by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy found Clinton has received far more negative coverage than any other candidate in the race thus far. The study was based on an analysis of news statements from CBS, Fox, the Los Angeles Times, NBC, the New York Times, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post.

Fairfax, Virginia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The findings indicated Clinton received nearly double the negative coverage of other candidates. The study reflects the facts of the unbalanced coverage just during this active race. It doesn’t Orlando, Florida even go back to the three decades of coverage that paved support, will be one of our nation’s the way. The decades of stories about greatest presidents. the fabricated distrust have actually It shouldn’t be this hard against a created distrust. Not one of the reaneo-Nazi who has degraded the repsons written about as the source of utation of American politics around distrust has ever been real, but the the world. This scam artist is clearpresence of the stories and the constant drip of the questions have cre- ly the benef iciary of a media douated the illusion. These are optics ble standard in the race. The myths created by the stories confused with reality that are packaged in misogyny and kept alive by themselves. the press have made it politically corWhat this illustrates is rect to hate Hillary and have fueled that the press ate it up the frightening possibility of a Trump and spit it out for voters presidency. to consume. In spite of all the “stories”—about And still she will rise.

Hillary’s supposed dis- You can make a positive difference honesty, her hair, her by taking a bus to Reno. How? Evclothes, her husband’s ery Saturday there is a bus to Reno affairs, what she eats, for Hillary. It leaves at early dawn who her friends are, her and those of us who take the journey alleged murders, her al- spend the day registering voters or leged pay-to-play, her canvassing to draw support for Clinemails, and so many ton. Getting a little dose of the realiother hit pieces—she ty of the voting in the rest of the world can and should win the gets me off my butt and into action. election and, with your During past weekends, our travels took us to a rib festival where we cajoled with proud NRA members and got plenty of stink eye from some drunken Trump supporters. On another weekend we mingled with motorcycle gangs while deflecting sexist comments. We occasionally find an anxious Clinton supporter: nervous not to be seen, but who is wanting to register. These are brave folks.

There are also plenty of eager new voters who are just waiting for someone to come register them.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBRA WALKER

This list of falsehoods could go on and on. Again, keep in mind that all have been disproved. A more com-

© DEBRA WALKER 2016

Debra Walker

It is a no brainer that if you keep asking someone why no one trusts them, suddenly no one trusts them. It is also pretty easy to wrap sexism around the bile-regurgitated package and just magnify the effect.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBRA WALKER

Bay Area volunteers for Hillary traveling to Reno

Volunteers phone banking in San Francisco 4

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As complacent as we can feel about the election here in California, where this race is really being run is in Nevada, Ohio, Wisconsin and Flori-

Fairfax, Virginia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

da—that is to say, in the swing states around the country. An interesting observation is that in almost every state at play, the pro-Clinton efforts are being led or assisted by activists and organizers from California.

What we do here therefore makes a huge difference.

Many working on the ground in San Francisco in the primary got hired by the campaign to go work in these swing states. That is why it remains so important for us to play our parts here: to join in making calls into swing states every day of the week at our HQ and in every neighborhood, or to join us on Saturdays driving to Reno and making a difference in this election.

As I have been working with amazing, passionate, committed Americans over the past few months, I am re-inspired on a daily basis to make sure the woman who moves us to do these crazy 18-hour bus trips, and make hundreds of calls each and every day is elected president. Our country needs her.

If your entitlement lets you believe that you are standing on principal by continuing the Republican litany and attacks against the most qualified candidate for president ever then you, my ex-friend, are as big a part of the problem as Trump is.

I am so with her because she is so with us. Join us. As a start, go to www.hillaryclinton.com/events and enter your zip code.

Debra Walker is a Commissioner for the City and County of San Francisco Building Inspection Commission. A past president of the Commission, the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club and the San Francisco Arts Democratic Club, Walker is also an internationally recognized painter and printmaker. For more information: http:// www.debrawalker.com/

Key LGBT Bills Expand Equality in California Mississippi, which have passed discriminatory legislation.

A B 2246, by Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach), requires schools to adopt comprehensive suicide prevention programs for grades 7–12.

Assemblymember Phil Ting When the Legislature adjourned last month, we sent a number of measures to Governor Jerry Brown to expand equality, justice, and inclusion to California’s LGBT community.

As I write, the following bills are pending with the Governor. He has until the end of the month to sign or veto them. You can urge him to act by contacting him through his website at www.gov.ca.gov AB 1732, which I authored, requires single-occupancy restrooms in government buildings, businesses, and places of public accommodation to be universally accessible to all genders.

This bill would create the most inclusive restroom laws in the country and expand restroom safety, fairness, and convenience for all Californians.

AB 1887, by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell), prohibits statefunded travel by state workers to a state that has enacted laws that discriminate against people on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. This bill was inspired by the actions of states like North Carolina and

AB 2640, by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson), requires medical care providers or those administering HIV tests to inform patients who test negative for HIV and are at high-risk of HIV about the effectiveness and safety of all FDA-approved methods that reduce the risk of contracting HIV. SB 524, by Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), would attempt to regulate facilities that may be illegally offering conversion therapy by establishing licensing and regulation for private institutions that offer alternative therapy for youth. In 2012, California made conversion therapy illegal and Illinois, Oregon, New Jersey, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., have since followed.

SB 1146, by Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), requires religious universities and colleges that receive government funding to publicly disclose if they claim religious exemptions to laws against discrimination.

I am pleased to report that Governor Brown has signed the following bills: A B 73, by Assemblymember Marie Waldron ( R-Escondido) and Assemblymember Mike

Gipson (D-Carson), states property owners are not required to disclose the HIV status of a previous occupant or if the owner had AIDS or died of AIDS when selling, leasing, or renting a home.

Oakland City Council Votes to Support Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s Opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline and Guillen, expresses the City of Oakland’s support of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s opposition to the DAPL, and details why our support is so necessary.

AB 2349, by Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco), ensures that parents who conceive through surrogacy in California won’t have their rights violated in other states.

SB 1005, by Senator Hannah Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), would make changes to several code sections in order to reflect California’s status as a state that respects marriage equality.

SB 1408, by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), allows organ and tissue donation between HIV-positive donors and HIVpositive recipients, potentially saving hundreds of lives each year.

California acts as a laboratory for progressive policy ideas— from our action on climate change, to our work in making the workplace fairer. We are unafraid of bold ideas and advocating for social justice. With a stroke of his pen, Governor Brown can continue our state’s leadership in equality by signing all of these bills.

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

The proposed DAPL will carry as much as 570,000 barrels of fracked crude oil per day for more than 1,100 miles from the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota to Illinois. The DAPL will grossly impact ancestral lands, including the removal of burial grounds and sacred cultural, religious, and historic sites.

Out of the Closet and into City Hall Oakland City Councilmember At-Large, Rebecca Kaplan I recently gathered with community activists in front of Oakland City Hall to express our solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the environment, and all First Nation Peoples, and spoke up in defense of the water and the Native people’s rights in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).

The pipeline threatens the safety of area drinking water, as the sovereignty of native lands. I introduced a Resolution to the Oakland City Council for us to officially go on record opposing the pipeline. Following this rally, I am proud to announce that Oakland City Council unanimously passed the Resolution in support of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s opposition to the DAPL. The Resolution, which I co-authored along with Councilmembers Kalb

The City of Oakland, which sits on native lands of the Ohlone Tribe, continues to appreciate diversity of its communities, their culture, and beliefs. Oakland is also an environmentally conscious city and has endeavored to support policy and legislation that will create healthier living conditions, leading to better quality of life for its community and its neighbors.

As the author of the Resolution opposing the Dakota Pipeline, I am proud to be part of a City that stands up for justice. Together, we have a moral obligation to say NO to poisoning our water, NO to the violence against those being harmed in North Dakota, and YES to honoring our First Nations peoples.

Oakland has a large Native American population and has often been a center of activism.

We continue an important tradition.

A related video may be viewed at: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs65FBTTSd A&feature=youtu.be Oakland City Councilmember At-Large Rebecca Kaplan was elected in 2008 and was re-elected in 2012.

She is working for safe neighborhoods, for local jobs and for a fresh start for Oakland. Councilmember Kaplan graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the Massachusetts Institute of Technolog y, obtained a master’s degree from Tufts University and a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School.

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King Harald and Lyric Scott: Can Love Win Again?

Somalia and Syria.” Indeed, he explained that his own grandparents had immigrated from Denmark and England in the beginning of the 20th Century. “It is not always easy to say where we come from, to which nationality we belong. Home is where the heart is. That cannot always be placed within country borders.”

6/26 and Beyond John Lewis & Stuart Gaffney When we took a few moments to catch up on the news last week, we came upon two striking online videos that could not have appeared more different: King Harald of Norway’s much lauded speech embracing diversity delivered at a royal garden party, and excerpts of Charlotte, North Carolina, resident Lyric Scott’s Facebook Live feed, recording her immediate reaction to the fatal police shooting of her father, Keith Lamont Scott, near her house.

The depth and honesty of King Harald’s words at first startled then delighted those in attendance, and resonated not just in Norway but around the world. In his speech, the 79-year-old monarch celebrated Norway’s diversity and exhorted its citizens to deepen their sense of their common humanity. In a voice quiet, yet full of conviction, he reminded listeners that Norwegians were not only those who had been born in the county, but that “Norwegians have also immigrated from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Poland, Sweden,

The King offered numerous examples of the country’s diversity, including “Norwegians (who) believe in God, Allah, everything and nothing.” And he embraced the LGBT community, explaining: “Norwegians are girls who love girls, boys who love boys, and girls and boys who love each other.”

In the beginning minutes of Lyric Scott’s Facebook Live video, Scott exclaims that “the police just shot my daddy four times for being black.”

In angry, impassioned, and expletive-laden language, Scott throughout the video records in real time her thoughts as to what is going on.

She expounds upon her belief that the police pulled up to her father’s car undercover as he was waiting to pick up his son at the school bus stop, and “shot my daddy because he was black. He was a sitting in the car reading a … book—so they shot him.”

Police say they were searching for someone else with an outstanding arrest warrant when they saw Keith Scott leave his car with a gun. According to police, Scott returned to his car; officers then approached the car; and when he came out of the car again with a gun, they shot him because they claim he “posed an im-

Campaign Party for Alex Randolph

minent deadly threat to the officers … .”

Lyric Scott questions how the police could have legitimately feared her father because she says he was disabled, and suspects the police were planting a gun in his car even as she spoke. She also complains about the ambulance response time, warns of repercussions if her father ends up dying, and taunts police officers— all the while worried about how her little brother will get home from the bus stop.

And then Lyric’s Facebook feed records her live reaction when she learns from news reports that her father has died. She cries out, “they just killed my daddy,” and “my daddy is dead.” She utters a primal wail of grief and despair—in one sense voicing universal human pain some of us experience only internally, and in another sense vocalizing anguish and desperation unlike anything we have had to experience in our lives.

We do not know the facts of what literally happened that afternoon in Charlotte. But we do know that wealth disparities and racial segregation and discrimination persist in our society. The recently released 2016 Allianz Global Wealth Report found that what it calls the “Unequal States of America” has the highest disparity of wealth of any nation in the world. Protests over police shootings of African Americans bespeak not only problems in American policing and criminal justice, but more generally of intolerable racial disparities. Regardless of wheth(continued on page 30)

Photos by Rink

Supporters and friends of candidate Alex Randolph gathered on Thursday, September 15, for a fundraiser at Don Ramon’s Mexican restaurant on 11th Street. Randolph, who is a columnist for the San Francisco Bay Times, is seeking re-election to the Board of Trustees of City College of San Francisco.

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Queer Fashion Week 2016 The second annual Queer Fashion Week (QFW) is now underway in Oakland at the historic spot called Venue (420 14th Avenue). The glamorous event, which runs through October 2, brings together the best names in queer fashion.

QFW came to life in April 2015 via the collaboration of Miz Chris of fiveTEN Oakland Events and Fallon Davis of the This is Butch Movement.

Their goal was to present the fashion, glam, modeling, and political standpoints of the queer community. Given the success of that first event, they are back for more!

With over 32 designers, 150 models, and 75+ production staff, QFW celebrates fashion and diversity representing a vibrant Bay Area LGBTQ community. Miz Chris recognizes that “Oakland is a very fashion forward town, where walking down the streets is like walking down its own runway filled with an amazing array of personal style.”

At the event this year, you will see designers who have been in the business for years, as well as some that are just starting out. You will see models who have walked the New York

runways during fashion week, and models for whom this will be their first time strutting the catwalk. You will hear from experts in the field, be able to attend workshops, grab some unique items in the vendor village, be amazed by the hair and makeup creations, and enjoy a diverse atmosphere of positive and like-minded individuals.

The idea remains to make a space where seasoned and new designers, models, stylists, entertainers, artists, brands, and community organizations can showcase together, network with each other and share with each of you their creativity. You will see and learn fashion, and you will be able to take a piece of it all with you by visiting the Vendor Village, now with over 30 confirmed vendors.

QFW & Conference is the Bay Area’s premier queer fashion event, celebrating diversity and the expression of individuality. As queer individuals and creative human beings, it is time for us to shine in all our queer diversity. The 2016 designer lineup includes Dapper Boi, Rebirth Garments, Tom Boy X, Size Queen Clothing and much more.

In addition to the three runway shows, the conference offers over 15 sessions through Friday including Modeling 101 presented by Fallon Davis, a graduate of LIM College, a private, specialized undergraduate and graduate college focused on the business of fashion in Midtown Manhattan. To maximize your queer fashion experience at QFW, purchase the VIP Unicorn Pass, the All Access to All Things pass that includes everyday conference and fashion show entrance, priority entrance and guaranteed seating to all fashion shows and entrance for all evening parties.

For more information: http://www. queerfashionweek.com/

SOME OF THE 2016 QFW DESIGNERS Apaulo Hart

Vicky & Charisse Pasche

Bertha Pearl

Leon Wu

Samantha Adams

Rachel Hospoder Treva Daniels

Angelica Hamlett

Iman Young T. Christal

Chanique Lauren & Kelly Moffat Dazey LaRue

Alyah Baker

Sabine Maxine Lopez

Sergio Yomar

Nik Kacy

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The World’s Greatest Authority on Your Experience Roland Schembari and Bill Hartman, Co-Founders Randy Alfred, Founding News Editor 1978 Kim Corsaro Publisher 1981-2011

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

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

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

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

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

Abby Zimberg Beth Greene

Design & Production

Kate Laws Business Manager Juan R. Davila Operations Assistant Blake Dillon Calendar Editor

Kit Kennedy Poet-In-Residence J.H. Herren Technology Director Jennifer Mullen Web Coordinator

Mario Ordonez Juan Ordonez Distribution

CONTRIBUTORS Writers Rink, Sister Dana Van Iquity, Ann Rostow, Kirsten Kruse, Kate Kendell, Alex Randolph, Heidi Beeler, Gary M. Kramer, Dennis McMillan, Tom Moon, Tim Seelig, Cinder Ernst, John Chen Rafael Mandelman, Kit Kennedy, Phil Ting, Rebecca Kaplan, Leslie Katz, Philip Ruth, Bill Lipsky, Karen Williams, Donna Sachet, Gary Virginia, Zoe Dunning, Marcy Adelman, Stuart Gaffney & John Lewis Brandon Miller, Jamie Leno Zimron Thom Watson, Michele Karlsberg Lyndsey Schlax, Elisa Quinzi, Elizabeth River, Debra Walker, Howard Steiermann

Examined Life Tom Moon, MFT From a reader: “When I was thirteen I started having sex in a cruisey park.

When I was fourteen I met an ‘older man’ (26) there who was hot as hell.

I chased him, but he avoided me at first because he was afraid about me being underage. But I kept coming on to him, and one night he took me home. He was my first boyfriend and the first guy I ever loved. We were together all through my high school years, and somehow managed to keep it all a secret. After I went to college, we drifted apart, but still have occasional contact by email. I remember him with affection and gratitude. The reason I’m telling you this is that I saw a therapist last year because I was depressed after a nasty breakup with another boyfriend. I told her about my first relationship, and I could see

that it made her really uncomfortable.

Later, she began bringing up my ‘sexual abuse issues’ as a possible cause for my depression. I pointed out that I started the whole thing and loved every minute of it. Eventually I flat out told her to stop focusing on something that isn’t a problem for me. She backed down, but only after making it clear that she thought I was in ‘denial’ about the ‘abuse.’ A few sessions later I stopped seeing her, partly because I was over being depressed, but partly because of how she reacted to what I told her.”

Thank you for telling me your story.

Here’s some information which you might find interesting. In 1998 three researchers published a meta-analysis of 59 studies of CSA [Child Sexual Abuse]. They found: “CSA was related to poorer adjustment, but the magnitude of the relation was small, not large. Family environment (e.g., physical abuse, emotional neglect) explained poorer adjustment ten times better … . For males especially, CSA, far from being 100 percent negative, was reported as being mostly positive or neutral.”

This study received an unexpected distinction: it was unanimously condemned by Congress. The researchers reported, “Conser vat ive radio host ‘Dr. Laura’ attacked us for months on her syndicated show. The

Recent Benefits at “The Freight”

Family Research Council … mobilized conservative congressmen to pressure the American Psychological Association (APA) to repudiate our study … . The APA, which initially defended our publication as a ‘good study,’ eventually submitted to pressure and made concessions to the conservative congressmen and psychotherapists who were so angry.

Raymond Fowler, the APA’s chief executive officer, indicated to us that he had no alternative, because he was ‘in hand-to-hand combat with congressmen, talk show hosts, the Christian Right and the American Psychiatric Association.’ And so the APA issued a statement condemning child sexual abuse (as if we had endorsed it!), disavowing the article, and promising that it would be re-reviewed by another scientific organization.”

They continued, “And, indeed, our study was re-reviewed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), America’s largest science organization. The panel found no fault with our methods or analyses, but reported that they did have ‘grave concerns’ with how our article was politicized and misrepresented by our critics, whom they rebuked for violating public trust by disseminating inaccurate information.”

Dan Savage, in his column, wrote, “Why is this controversial? Speaking

as a survivor of CSA at fourteen with a twenty-two-year-old woman; sex at fifteen with a thirty-year-old man—I can back the researchers up; I was not traumatized by these technically illegal sexual encounters; indeed, I initiated them and cherish their memory.

It’s absurd to think that what I did at fifteen would be considered ‘child sexual abuse,’ or lumped together by lazy researchers with the incestuous rape of a five-year-old girl.”

I understand why sex between minors and adults is an intensely emotional issue, because I’ve seen up close how sexual violence against children can cause a lifetime of emotional suffering. But our obligation to protect children doesn’t have to involve making the knee-jerk assumption that every sexual experience between a sexually active teenager and an adult must be psychologically damaging, even when the “victim,” with the perspective of many years of reflection, does not see what happened as victimizing. I congratulate you for not allowing your therapist to define your experience for you, because in the final analysis, you are the world’s greatest (and, in fact, only) authority on the meaning of your own experience.

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

Photos by Sandy Morris

The beloved Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley continues to open its doors for important benefits supporting programs and services that are highly valued by members of our community. On Wednesday, September 14, beloved musician Linda Tillery, along with the Cultural Heritage Choir, performed in a concert supporting the Meadows Livingstone School Scholarship Fund. Performers included Tillery, Rally Up, Rhonda Benin, Bryan Dyer, Javier Navarrette, Zoe Ellis, Tammi Brown, Bryan Dyer, Reyna Gillead and students from the school.

Gail Meadows, founder and director of the Meadows Livingstone School, spoke on behalf of the organization, and Davey D. served as emcee.

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

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National Advertising: Contact Bay Times / San Francisco.

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On Sunday, September 18, producer Judy Graboyes and emcee Melanie Berzon welcomed guests to “The Freight” for the 4th Annual Musical Extravaganza. The event supports the Charlotte Maxwell Clinic, which for 25 years has provided health services to low income women.

Performers included Tammy Hall, the Rita Lackey Band and Adelante Mujer, an all women’s salsa band. Members of the Rita Lackey Band include lead singer Stephanie Teel, Ariane Cap on guitar, Robin Roth on drums and Nzingah Smith on horns.

Circulation is verified by an independent agency Reprints by permission only.

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GLBT Fortnight in Review

By Ann Rostow

Where’s My Line?

I’ve spent the last ten days or so uncharacteristically avoiding political coverage on TV, because I could not bear to contemplate Trump’s improving chance for victory. After Monday night, I breathed a sigh of relief. I know I have a Hillary bias, but even taking that into account, I just watched the most lopsided political debate I can remember.

Naturally, Mel, our friend Claire and I were conducting a drinking game, so I was slightly tipsy. But still, I had a couple of moments of wondering exactly how many drinks I might have had because I could not understand what the hell Trump was talking about. It was like having two glasses of wine and standing up during a 4.0 earthquake. Woah! I didn’t think I had that much but the room is spinning! Was he speaking standard English? What was that about Rosie O’Donnell? Did he just brag about not paying any taxes? Did he just confirm that he saw the great recession as an opportunity to profit off depressed real estate? Sean Hannity?

Who weighs four hundred pounds?

What was the question?

And I know that none of the commentators really went there, but the initial combination of his staccato speech patterns combined with the sniffs had me seriously wondering what went on in the Trump green room just before the debate. Honestly folks. Those weren’t simple “sniffles.” He started off upbeat, talking fast, and then he drifted downhill, both physically and mentally, as time went by. His sniffs became less frequent and went away.

In other words, the cocaine wore off.

If not that, some other powdery drug.

What are the kids using these days anyway?

Who knows? In a way, I’m trying to be kind to the man by giving him an out. Have you noticed how pinched his face can get? Pinched face and pursed lips. Then, in an instant, his mouth goes rubbery in that weird wide clown smirk. It gives me chills of repulsion and I beg the Fates to deliver us from the specter of his presidency.

All of this is to say that I am back to my cable news addiction and am feeling much better!

Here’s to New York Hedge Funds Did you notice that GLBT rights are a non-issue this election? For that matter, abortion hasn’t exactly risen to the top of the priorities lists and we haven’t heard much about Jesus or the Bible, with the exception of Trump’s erratic visits to Christian Conservative venues. Is a new Enlightenment at hand?

I suppose we should be agitating for attention, but it’s something of a relief that we do not have to defend ourselves this time around. We’ve also tipped over into a world where candidates suffer more for being antigay then they do for favoring equality.

And it’s taking some people a lot longer than others to recognize the new balance. Did you read the GOP platform this year? Don’t bother unless you’re in a masochistic mood.

Interestingly, big business has in many ways led the march towards progress over the last decade or so.

When the NCAA and the Atlantic Coast Conference recently decided to boycott North Carolina, it was a decision borne of business considerations, not athletics. As most of you know, dozens of other businesses have withdrawn from the Tarheel state or limited their involvement in projects in response to the passage of HB2, the antigay and anti-trans bill scrambled into law in one frenetic day last March.

Now a group of some sixty investors representing managed assets of over two trillion dollars have demanded that the legislature repeal the bill.

In response, embattled governor Pat McCrory called them hypocritical New York Hedge Fund billionaires who, by implication, have no right to interfere with state affairs.

McCrory, who is roughly tied with the Democratic state attorney general in his race for reelection, recently said he would call a special session to repeal HB2 if the city of Charlotte would first agree to repeal its antidiscrimination ordinance. The ordinance, which (prior to HB2) had sought to protect GLBTs against bias in public accommodations among other things, was the reason the legislature passed HB2 to begin with!

Six months ago, panicked at the thought of Charlotte’s ordinance going into effect on April 1, lawmakers called themselves into session and created a bizarre mishmash of a statute that not only forced transmen and women to use the bathroom of their abandoned gender in state facilities, but also repealed the Charlotte ordinance and forbade Charlotte and other cities from passing civil rights laws covering GLBTs in the future. The law went even further and banned citizens’ ability to bring discrimination lawsuits in state courts. And the whole thing was written, introduced, passed and signed in a single day.

The notion that Charlotte should now repudiate her own support of equal rights so that the legislative toads in Raleigh can have an excuse to backtrack from their disastrous behavior is laughable. And indeed, Charlotte laughed. (Cue: Female alto: HA HA HA HA!) Pain and Suffering, Anyone?

While we’re on the subject of bathrooms, you should know that a federal judge in Ohio, Algenon Marbley, ruled September 26 that an 11-yearold transgirl has the right to use the girls bathroom in her Morrow County middle school, dismissing the arguments about “privacy” and “safety” advanced by the Highland Local Schools. He also told the district to respect her preferred name and pronoun.

“School districts that have encountered these very issues have been able to integrate transgender students fully into the academic and social community without disruption, and certainly without the doomsday scenarios Highland predicts, such as sexual predators entering an elementary-school restroom,” wrote Marbley, adding there was no evidence the girl posed a threat to the safety of her classmates.

By the way, I was just trying to check where Morrow County might be (it’s sort of in the middle of Ohio) and I noticed the County motto is “dolorem et dolor liberum,” which means: “pain and suffering are free.”

What kind of motto is that?

In related news, the American Civil Liberties Union has asked the Supreme Court not to review the case of Gavin Grimm, the Virginia transboy who won the right to use the boys facilities at his Gloucester high school earlier this year. Grimm’s victory at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit was (inexplicably) put on hold by the High Court while the justices consider whether or not to, let’s say, mess with success. It takes four justices to agree to hear a case so it’s possible that the conservative crew will convince Kennedy to join them in a review of the status of transgendered men and women under our civil rights laws.

Most people think such a review would be a good thing in principle, assuming it clarifies transgender civ-

il rights. That said, let’s keep our victories intact and wait for another case to rise on appeal.

I’m Over Down Under I wrote “Australia” down on my list, under the impression that the Parliament had formally rejected a national vote on marriage equality. Ironically, that’s basically what gay activists want to have happen. Everyone and their brother supports marriage equality in Australia, so marriage activists want Parliament simply to hold a vote, legalize marriage, and be done with it. They do not want to hold an expensive, time-consuming and nonbinding (yes, it would be non-binding) public referendum on the subject. Such a referendum is essentially nothing more than a political delaying tactic.

(Sort of like the Brexit vote, and we know where that got us.)

I wrote “basically” because Australian politics now appear Kafkaesque where marriage is concerned and there seems to be the possibility that nothing whatsoever will happen and the matter will simply linger for several more years. Under those circumstances, it would possibly have been better to hold an election, maybe next spring. Assuming that the equality side wins big as most expect, that exercise would put inescapable pressure on Parliament to pass equality in short order.

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On the other hand, such an election threatens to trigger a lot of antigay politicking and decisive shenanigans.

It will drain money from progressive pockets. And who knows? Maybe the outcome won’t be so great. (Sort of like the Brexit vote.)

Meanwhile, there are all kinds of meetings and a lot of sound and fury signifying that there is zero leadership on this subject and deeply frustrating the efforts of non-Australian commentators to understand the status quo. I have no idea what’s going on, and the more I try and figure it out, the less I care. This was all supposed to be an explanation of why I decided to skip the whole subject of Australia. But, as it turns out, I have rallied.

Oh, and I’m not even sure the Parliament has completely ruled out the plebiscite because nothing seems clear! The bottom line is this. If you see a headline out the blue next week that announces marriage equality has come to Australia, please do not ask yourself why your most trusted GLBT news purveyor did not alert you to this pending development.

J O H N S T O N, K I N N E Y & Z U L A I C A LLP

Generation Gaps You know, I didn’t realize that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s parents thought he was gay because he kept posters of male body builders tacked up on his wall when he was a boy. Apparently his mother asked the doctor if something could be done, while his father beat the stuffing out of him.

Poor guy!

I was never a supporter, and like everyone else, I was appalled when he twice vetoed same-sex marriage.

Still, I came around a bit after he did as well. According to a little piece in Pink News, one antigay guy unfriended Arnold after he came out in support of marriage and against Prop 8.

His response? “Hasta la vista.”

On a completely different subject, can I say something about generations? The baby boomers are post war through the mid-1960s, maybe 1964.

Everyone seems clear about that.

We also agree that Gen-X comes next, although some people start them in the early sixties and some in the late. Some people give them 15 (continued on page 30)

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2016 GLAAD Gala San Francisco

Photos by Rink and Paul Margolis

GLAAD’s Gala 2016 San Francisco, held on Thursday, September 8, at City View at Metreon, honored innovators in the Bay Area who advance LGBT acceptance through tech and new media. Recipients included Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO of Salesforce (Ric Weiland Award); and actress and NYT best-selling author Hannah Hart (Davidson/Valentini Award). Hosted by Aisha Tyler, the program featured special guests Wilson Cruz, actor; Mamrie Hart, YouTube personality; and Kara Swisher, Recode executive editor.

AIDS Foundation Tribute Awards

Photos by Rink and Paul Margolis

San Francisco AIDS Foundation’s Tribute Celebration 2016 was held on Saturday, September 17, at the San Francisco Armory. It honored achievements in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Honorees included AIDS Foundation co-founder Cleve Jones; SF Health Commissioner Cecilia Chung and Dennis Jones of the DREAAM Project. Also honored were the founding members of Black Brothers Esteem (BBE) and Senator Mark Leno. The Foundation’s CEO Joe Hollendoner was a featured speaker.

S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES S EPT EM BER 29, 2016

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PHOTO BY LOU FISCHER

Solutions to Ageism in the LGBT Community Offered at Recent Panel Discussion in SF

Aging in Community Michael Costa “I started with racism and sexism in the beginning and fought them so hard and was finally ready to relax.

Then, here comes ageism, and I feel like—Give me a break!”

-Yoko Ono

People have an idea of what it will be like to be old—retirement, a natural slowing down physically and mentally, senior citizen discounts and more.

There is also the dark side, captured with words like “cranky,” “old-fashioned,” “rigid,” “slow,” “unteachable,” and “non-sexual.” This is not a rosy future, it would seem, for those aging in a society that values youth and vitality.

For LGBT individuals the problem is worse because, as a group, we not only value young and vital. But we absolutely adore “pretty.”

The basic value of being young paired with widespread negative feelings about being old leads naturally to ageism, the subject of a recent panel hosted by the Alice B Toklas LGBT Dem-

Left to right: Michael Costa, moderator; Dr. Marcy Adelman, Openhouse founder; Shireen McSpadden, Department of Aging and Adult Services; Sam Trevino, California State University Monterey; Daniel Redman, attorney.

ocratic Club here in San Francisco.

I had the privilege of moderating it.

Ageism is a collection of negative stereotypes, prejudices, and discriminatory activities that devalue a group of people based on their age. Panelist Sam Trevino called it “an equal opportunity” prejudice, because no matter how you self-identify, or what your other demographic characteristics are, you will be subject to ageism eventually.

Ageism occurs in the workplace when people do not get hired or promoted based on their age. It occurs in our community when individuals cannot imagine dating someone older than themselves. It occurs when older individuals are treated in a demeaning manner during the course of their day. Underlying these and other examples is a belief that there is something negative about being old that justifies a particular attitude or behavior.

It is difficult to know what to do about ageism. This is due, in part, to the fact that ageism is widely accepted as a given in our society, and that few

attempts have been made to systematically acknowledge and address it.

Perhaps the best suggestion offered by panelists is to encourage more inter-generational activities in our community so that individuals of different ages can put a human face on other generations, which is a powerful disincentive to ageism.

There are legal and political remedies as well. Panelist Daniel Redman pointed out that age discrimination is prohibited under both federal and state law. There has not been a lot of litigation to set a body of precedents, however, and some issues such as employment discrimination are inherently difficult to prove. A more positive approach is to ensure that elected officials are against ageism, and are willing to introduce/support legislation to that effect. Asking them their positions when they are candidates is one potentially effective approach to increase awareness that may lead to action.

Panelist Dr. Marcy Adelman encouraged us to reflect individually on our (continued on page 30)

Alzheimer’s Association Launches ‘LGBT Dementia Care Project’ in San Francisco The Alzheimer’s Association, in partnership with Openhouse and Family Caregiver Alliance, on September 20 announced the launch of the “LGBT Dementia Care Project” in San Francisco. The project aims to increase access to dementia-capable care for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) seniors and adults with disabilities. The work will be funded by a two-year, $400,000 grant from the San Francisco Department of Adult and Aging Services.

“The LGBT Dementia Care Project, a recommendation of the LGBT Aging Policy Task Force, is now up and running,” said Marcy Adelman, PhD, Cofounder and Board Member at Openhouse. “It is an honor and a privilege to have worked with so many dedicated individuals committed to improving the lives of LGBT people with dementia. Thanks to everyone who made this project possible.”

Forming a Dementia Care Network A key element of the project is creation of an LGBT Dementia Care Network in San Francisco. Initial work includes training of 50 agencies and organizations in the city—hospitals, professional and communitybased organizations—on integrating dementia and LGBT cultural sensitivity into their programs. The 50 newly trained community partners will then be invited to form and become an active part of an LGBT Dementia Care Network in San Francisco.

“The specific needs of LGBT seniors with dementia cannot be an afterthought,” said Edie Yau, Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada.

“We hope that the Dementia Care Network that emerges from our ef14

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forts will serve as a model for the entire country.”

Connecting the Community to the Network Once an LGBT Dementia Care Network is in place, phase two of the project involves disseminating information to LGBT seniors through senior centers, libraries, faith-based communities, hospitals, long term care providers, and other related agencies. Agencies in the LGBT Dementia Care Network will also be asked to conduct outreach to LGBT seniors and to keep clients engaged with the network’s services.

“Raising the cultural competency among dementia care service providers is an important first step,” said Dr. Adelman. “Ultimately, connecting residents to the LGBT Dementia Care Network of services will be the key to reducing isolation and enabling the LGBT community to more fully access dementia care and support.”

LGBT Access to Caregiving Resources Is Currently Limited According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2016 Facts and Figures Report, 83% of caregiving help provided to U.S. adults comes from family members, friends, or other unpaid caregivers. LGBT seniors with dementia are statistically less likely to have family members available to act as caregivers, and may not have the resources to employ a paid caregiver.

One study of 616 older LGBT residents in San Francisco showed that: Nearly 60% of the participants lived alone.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) were neither partnered nor married.

Only 15% had children; 60% of whom indicate that their children are not available to help them if needed.

40% did not have the minimum income necessary to meet their basic needs.

Bias as a Barrier to Services LGBT seniors may also be less likely to access available services if they feel those services are not LGBT friendly. The Aging and Health Report showed that among LGBT older adults, thirteen percent say they have been denied healthcare or received inferior care. More than 20% do not disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity to their physician.

Alzheimer’s Disease the Most Common Cause of Dementia Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, and is one of the nation’s largest public health crises. It is the sixth-leading cause of death in America and the only one among the top ten that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. In 2016, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the nation $236 billion.

In San Francisco, an estimated 20,000 people over the age of 55 live with Alzheimer’s disease, and 60,000 people serve as unpaid caregivers.

About the Alzheimer’s Association The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. It is the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research.

The Association’s mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit alz.org or call 800-272-3900.

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NOW AND FOREVER CAMPAIGN

A Man with a Plan Roger Doughty and Horizons Foundation have a vision for the LGBTQ community—and a plan to get there.

When he started volunteering for grassroots LGBTQ nonprofits years ago, Roger Doughty quickly noticed that every group struggled for funding. “Whether it was an advocacy group, a legal group, an HIV organization, or service agency, the story was always the same,” he remembers.

Doughty saw the same thing in LGBTQ organizations throughout the Bay Area once he became Horizons Foundation’s Executive Director in 2002. “So many nonprofits were doing heroic, critical, often life-and-death work—with not anything close to the resources they needed. And that meant LGBTQ people from every part of our community not getting access to help they really needed—our youth, elders, the transgender community, people with serious health issues, people needing mental health or substance use services. The list is endless.” He adds, “And that is just not acceptable. Our community can and must do better.”

While seemingly cool and collected behind his bright blue eyes, Doughty is a man with a fiery commitment to the LGBTQ community—and a deep practical streak. “A moral vision,” he says, “is essential, but it only takes Horizons and our community so far. Our movement, our community, needs a strategy that answers this chronic funding shortage for the whole community for the long term, not just for a single campaign or a sin-

gle year or a single organization. To put it simply: we need a plan.”

Horizons’ Board Chair, long-time community leader Audrey Koh, explains more of the thinking behind the foundation’s plan this way: “Despite solid accomplishments on nearly every front—political, social, and legal—our movement simply doesn’t have a plan to build the financial resources we need to protect our hard-won gains, meet the still-immense needs of our community today, and prepare for whatever unknowable needs lie in our future.”

A Vision and a Plan Along with Horizons’ board and his staff team, Doughty developed a plan to create just those financial resources by tapping into the LGBT community’s enormous potential in legacy giving. He points to major cultural institutions, mainstream community foundations, and universities as entities that have reaped billions of dollars from this strategy. “But there’s been little to no work in this area in the LGBT community,” he observes.

Doughty argues that today’s LGBTQ community, especially right here in the Bay Area, is “the single-best legacy giving demographic in human history.” These are bold words from a man not given to hyperbole.

Now and Forever Campaign Donor List Total Commitments As of September 25, 2016 $3,335,000

Pillars ($100,000 or more) Arcus Foundation Al Baum & Robert Holgate The California Wellness Foundation Larry Colton & John McCoy Chip Conley Anne Sterling Dorman, CPA William D. Glenn & Prescott W.

Hafner Michael Hulton Joq Lasner Lesbians for Good, a donor-advised fund at Horizons Foundation Jeff Lewy & Ed Eishen Susan Lowenberg & Joyce Newstat Ferolyn Powell* Emily Rosenberg & Darlene de Manincor W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Champions ($50,000–$99,999) The A&P Lesbian Fund, a donor- advised fund at Horizons Fdn Tom Burke & Axel Brunger Robert J. Carr Excelerate Foundation Erin Flynn & Chloe Atkins Steven F. Correll & James R. Shay Margarita Gandia Morris Stulsaft Foundation Thomas Murphy & Tim Murray Timothy Rodrigues & Alan Mason Bob Sass Barry L. Taylor, CFP, & John Inson

Visionaries ($25,000–$49,999) David P. Black Jay Cohen Pamela David & Cheryl Lazar Richard T. Davis-Lowell & William Lowell Roger Doughty & Royce Lin Faruq & ShuSheng The William and Flora Hewlett Fdn

Images from Horizons Foundation’s Annual Gala 2014

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He offers three factors as proof. Twothirds of LGBT people don’t have kids, which is a major factor in whether someone is likely to include a charitable beneficiary in their estate plans. In addition, a significant percentage of people—though by no means everyone—has seen their wealth increase over the years, including anyone who owns Bay Area property. And lastly, many of the thousands of LGBTQ people in their 50s, 60s, and older—a group Doughty calls “the Stonewall generations”—have a very strong sense of LGBT identity and are now reaching the age when most legacy planning occurs.

Yet all but a very small number of LGBT organizations have never had the capacity to pursue legacy giving. “They’re rightly focused on meeting people’s needs today,” says Doughty, “and they can’t invest their scarce resources in a strategy where the pay-off lies years in the future.”

And that’s where Horizons comes in. As Board Chair Koh puts it, “As the LGBTQ community’s own foundation, it’s our role to help us all realize the fantastic promise in legacy giving. Our very mission lies in ensuring that our community has the funds it needs—and there’s no strategy with potential nearly as great as this one.”

Now and Forever Campaign

Roger Doughty, Horizons Foundation President

Two years ago, Horizons Foundation quietly undertook a campaign with an auda-

Charles Q. Forester M. Jean Johnston & Katherine Morris Dan Joraanstad & Bob Hermann Lawrence R. Kolka & Ian J. MacWilliams Lesbian Equity Fund—Kathy Levinson & Naomi Fine Terry Micheau & Rob Evans Jim Lauber & Tim Portwood Mossier Foundation Peter Eric Philipp & Rick Holden Lisa and John Pritzker Family Fund Rachel J. Robasciotti The San Francisco Foundation A.J. Shepard & Anthony Chiu William Snider & Brian Cameron Bev Scott & Courtney Peter Scott Sam & Julia Thoron Stanley Watson & Emanuel Anes Léonie Walker & Kate O’Hanlan, MD Diane B. Wilsey

Leaders ($10,000–$24,999) Paul F. Albert Adam D. Blum & Gary M. Lang John L. Darby David Gleba & George Beatty Richard Gooch Meggy Gotuaco & Dipti Ghosh Richard & Mary Hafner Ira Hirschfield & Tom Hansen Katharine Holland, Zephyr Real Estate Audrey Koh, MD & Gaeta Bell Michael Kossman Neil Lang & Joe Pessa Hon. Mark Leno Ash McNeely/Sand Hill Foundation Barbara Noda & Mimi Liem Kathleen Quenneville & Diane Allen Dan C. Quigley & Eric Emanuel Michael Rabanal & Alfredo Victorio Dennis Rhodes Vincent A. Sales Susan Shain & Roberta Achtenberg Sutanto Widjaja & Eric Congdon

Lia Shigemura & H Diane Tom & Kare Trip Weil Ron Wong & Mike Vance Yoshida & D

Community (<$1 Anonymous (3) Rosío Alvarez & Jua Rodríguez Liza Boyer & Harry Diana Campoamor David Chee Mark Cloutier Mario De Paoli, M Bill & Dee Doughty David Fraze Parke & Sarah Haf John Robert Hill & John Clay Leonard Jim Oakley Ranjit Pradhan & V Randolph S. Queb Olga Talamante

NOW AND FOREVER CAMPAIGN

cious goal: ensuring the future of the Bay Area’s LGBTQ community … forever.

To play this role, however, Horizons itself needed to deepen its own capacity, and so began what became known as the Now and Forever Campaign.

PHOTO BY TRISH TUNNEY

The campaign has set two highly ambitious goals. The first goal: to raise $3.5 million for investment in the foundation’s capacity over a six-year period, particularly in increasing legacy giving for LGBTQ organizations and causes. The second goal aims even higher: to identify a minimum of $100 million in commitments in future legacy gifts to our community. Doughty says, “When that kind of money passes to Horizons and the community from the estates of hundreds or thousands of generous people, it will have profound impact on the lives of countless LGBTQ people.”

Helen Zia en Hart

e Tekulsky Dan Lettieri

But a successful campaign needs more than a single person and attention-getting goals. Doughty knew he had a strong staff for the campaign—led by long-time Vice President of Development Deb Stallings—but there had to be powerful volunteer leadership as well.

“No campaign,” Doughty underscores, “can succeed without strong, respected, and passionate leadership.” And that’s just what Horizons found in Bill Glenn and Scott Hafner, a couple with de-

cades of committed community leadership and wide-reaching connections. In turn, Glenn and Hafner recruited Susan Lowenberg and Joyce Newstat—two absolute powerhouses in fundraising—to be their co-chairs. Together, they put together a campaign cabinet and honorary committee to work alongside the foundation’s board of directors to reach the campaign’s big goals, and the Now and Forever Campaign was born.

“This campaign has audacity,” says cochair Lowenberg. “It’s bold. It’s visionary.

And it’s been an honor to be part of it. She adds, “Our community has worked so hard to just meet the needs of today—and there are still plenty of those—but this campaign lets us build towards a tomorrow when we’ll have the resources thanks to the work we are doing today.”

Glenn says, “I came here to live a life that I could not lead anywhere else. This campaign gives me, and all of us, a chance to ensure that when that next kid gets off the bus from Iowa or wherever and steps foot into this community—this beacon of freedom—the community has the resources to embrace him or her, just the way it embraced me nearly 40 years ago.”

Built by Gifts Large and Small The most successful campaign in the foundation’s 36-year history has been

built by gifts large and small from every corner of our community.

Since the campaign’s start, Horizons has raised over $3.3 million towards the initial goal of $3.5 million—with more than 100 gifts ranging from $100 to $100,000.

The foundation has also already secured more than one-third of the legacy commitments towards that $100 million goal.

Board chair Audrey Koh is thrilled by the response, saying: “I knew we had a powerful case. I mean, the logic is there, and the data backs it up. What’s been so affirming is the enthusiasm with which the community has participated—donors are very eager to build a brighter future for generations to come.”

As for Doughty, success has not created any hint of complacency, and he is excited that the campaign continues through the end of 2016. “Like Horizons itself, this campaign is by our community, for our community. Every single one of us has this very special opportunity to participate, and to leave a legacy of pride for all the generations to come.”

For more information about how you can participate in the Now and Forever Campaign, please contact Deb Stallings, Vice President of Development, at 415-3982333x103.

Daniel Taylor & Owen Smith Hoyt Zia & Leigh-Ann Miyasato Jan Zivic *In memoriam

10,000)

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“I want to honor all those who paved the way for my generation.”

“We’re making history with Horizons so that others have opportuni­ Sparks — ties they never dreamed possible.” — John & Ignatius

fner & Sean Julian d

Vishal Saluja bec & Cal Long

PHOTOS BY NICOLE KATANO

y Engel r

Olga

Jewelle Gomez and Ambassador James

C. Hormel DJ Lamont

S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES S EPT EM BER 29, 2016

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Ancient Loves and Lovers selves with specific deeds, not general moral principles, and the status of the other individual, not the gender of the partners. Same-sex relations were either so rare that they went unnoticed—which seems impossible—or so common that nobody cared.

Faces from Our LGBT Past Dr. Bill Lipsky Men have written of loving men and women of their love for other women since the beginning of recorded time. From the story of Gilgamesh and Enkidu in the oldest known epic poem—predat ing Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey by more than 1500 years—to the fall of the Roman Empire, the people of the Ancient World not only enjoyed samesex relat ionships, but they also celebrated them in stories, poet r y, a r t , a nd monuments.

The names of many of the people who contributed to their ways of life, and so to ours, have been lost to us, but we remember these men who loved men and these women who loved women so long ago, among many others.

Both gods and mortals did so proudly and often openly, although some, like Pharaoh Neferkare and General Sasenet, ca. 2200 BCE, were secret lovers.

Other leaders did not try to hide the truth about themselves and each other. Some had enduring relationships, including the semi-mythical Achilles and Patroclus, friends and lovers; Aristogeiton and Harmod ius, ca. 514 BCE, the Athenian paramours who became the pre-eminent symbols of democracy in anc ient A t hen a ; and Damon and Pythias, ca. 400 BCE, who have personif ied sincere trust and devoted, loving friendAristogeiton and ship for more than 2000 years.

The men and women of long ago did not see and unHarmodius derstand the world as we do.

In ancient times, stories of No one considered herself love between two men formed part of to be lesbian or himself to be gay, many cultures. Among them were the not only because the words did not Hebrew David, ca. BCE, who yet exist, but also because said of his cherished Jonthey had no concept athan, “Thy love to of sexual orientame was wondertion. People beful, passing the l ie ve d s e x u love of womal interaction en;” Emperwas a behavor Ai of the ior, ba s ed Han Dyupon sexun a s t y, c a . a l interest 1 BCE, or at t r a c who cut the tion—or nesleeve from cessity in an his robe so not arranged marto awaken Dong r i a g e — not a n Xian, his adored, expression of an when he fell asleep identity. It was someacross it; Roman Emperor thing someone “did” and Achilles and Hadrian, who deified his benot something someone “was.”

Patroclus loved Antinous after his death, The ancient codes of law were ca. 138 CE; and Saints Sergimostly silent on sexual relaus and Bacchus, ca. 280–310 CE, Rotions between two men or two wom- man soldiers and lovers who lived and en. The early legal texts, when they were martyred as a couple united in mentioned it at all, concerned them- their Christian faith.

The love between two men or two women was a favored subject for writers, especially poets. Theognis of Mergara, ca. sixth century BCE, addressed many of his songs to Cyrnus, “his beloved of life.”

Anacreon, ca. 582–482 BCE, beseeched the god Dionysus to “become a good advisor to Cleobulus, that he accept my love.” Meleager, a first century BCE Hellenistic poet, wrote of same-sex infatuat i o n : “A t 12 o’clock in t he afternoon/ In the middle of the street/ Alexis!/ A nd the summer sun and that boy’s look/Did their work on me.”

Emperor Ai and Dong Dong Xian

S ome e xpressed their feelings more generally.

The homoerot ic ep ig r a m s of Strato of Sardis, ca 125 C E , Anacreon who seem to espouse love for everyone, mention his attractions, passions, and infatuations: “A friend of youth I have no youth in mind/For each has beauties of a different kind.” His collection of know of fewer of them because they had little opportunity to make homoerotic and amorous writpublic contributions to their ings, the Musa Puerilis, besocieties. came the 12th book of what is now known as Sappho’s achievements The Greek Antholog y. are the more remarkIn those far away times and different civilizations, women had fewer possibilities than they do now. The pantheons of the gods included them in i m p or t a nt r o le s , but in these earthly realms they seldom were allowed to participate in the affairs of state, commerce, and the arts. We

able because of this.

She was born between 630 and 612 BCE.

Sappho

“Return to Amelia’s” Benefit for Rainbow Honor Walk

Emcee Donna Sachet and Honor Walk founder David Perry displaying the plaque to honor Rikki Streicher 18

Ver y little about her life is known for certain, but her poetry became widely admired during antiquity and she was esteemed by the scholars of Hellenistic Alexandria as one of the Nine

Saints Sergius and Bacchus

Lyric Poets worthy of study. Sadly, most of her works have been lost to time, surviving now only in fragmentary form.

We thank and honor Sappho and our other predecessors from ancient times for their gifts to us—a heritage that has shaped our culture, our philosophy, our shared mythology, and the direction our history has taken from their time to our own—and for their examples of love and caring relationships that have survived across the centuries.

Bill Lipsky, Ph.D., author of “Gay and Lesbian San Francisco” (2006), is a member of the Rainbow Honor Walk board of directors.

Photos by Rink

Brian Kent and Audrey Joseph

Charlotte Ruffner conducts the auction at The Elbo Room, former location of Amelia’s

Michelle Jester and Denise Lapins

More than 150 women and men celebrated at the event

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Edward Hicks - David and Jonathan

Mary Sager with emcee Donna Sachet

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DE YOUNG AND LEGION OF HONOR

Benvenuto Cellini’s Bust of Cosimo I de’ Medici at the de Young If you have ever visited the de Young, and we advise that you do so often, your eyes have probably met those of Cosimo I de’ Medici via a marble bust of him that “is one of the marvels of the collections,” according to former de Young and Legion of Honor director Colin Bailey. “It dominates the room it’s in, and it’s mesmerizing.”

Bailey believes that Benvenuto Cellini, who created the work, was the greatest sculptor of the Italian Renaissance. Cosimo was no slouch either. He was a great patron of the arts and is perhaps best known today for the creation of the Uffizi (“offices”). He was captivated by Cellini’s work, and helped to support him, as well as numerous other artists, architects and historians.

The bust shows handsomely coiffed Cosimo “as a bellicose Caesar,” Bailey said. He added that the beautifully bearded leader was depicted wearing an impressive breastplate that includes a Medusa emblem in the middle, eagles’ heads and more. Cellini portrayed him as a man of war, even though Cosimo did not wish to be thought of as such at the time.

Benvenuto Cellini, “Portrait Bust of Cosimo I de’Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany,” ca 1548-1553. Pentelic marble. 37 ¾ x 28 ¼ x 15 ½ in. Roscoe and Margaret Oakes Collection.

There is an LGBT connection to the piece, as Cellini was widely reported to have been bisexual. He was charged with sodomy with at least three men. The talented artist also had many documented affairs with women. Cel-

lini at least describes his feelings about his love life in his famous autobiography that was written from 1558–1563. His writing style has been described as energetic, direct and even racy. The book is worth a read after checking out Cellini’s mesmerizing bust of Cosimo at the de Young.

LGBTQ in San Francisco and Other Big Cities (Editor’s Note: Teacher Lyndsey Schlax of the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts launched the nation’s first on-site high school LGBT course in 2015. She has just resumed teaching that groundbreaking class. In this column her students share their thoughts about LGBT-related matters, including their concerns, what they have learned in class and more.)

LGBTQ in Big Cities Student, Grade 10 As a student living in San Francisco, attending a school with a high percentage of LGBTQ youth, and witnessing a lot more people with love for the community rather than hate, I can truly say that I belong to an LGBTQ supportive community (for the most part, of course).

However, living here in San Francisco my whole life, I have begun to wonder what it really is like elsewhere.

Does San Francisco have the most LGBTQ-identified students of the big cities? What about the youth? It turns out that San Francisco indeed has the largest LGBTQ percentage of the big cities at 6.2%. Next up is Portland, at a close 5.4%, then New York at 4%.

The question, though, really is: what do these numbers mean? Are New York and San Francisco really on par with the acceptance of LGBTQ people, and youth especially?

The answer to this is subjective, and quite tricky to answer, but it seems that all across the nation, cities are doing their best to improve life for LGBTQ students. The fact that I am writing this as part of my LGBTQ studies class itself is proof. In New York City, the education department has just hosted their first LGBT pride celebration for city schools. Portland is opening subsidized housing programs for homeless LGBTQ youth.

I suppose, for now, it looks like we can look forward to a better, more understanding community, and a safer community for generations of LGBTQ students.

Relearning Allyship Student, Grade 12 In the 4th grade, as a class assignment we had to write a letter to the newly elected President Obama. I didn’t have to think hard about my topic because that was the year that I found out same-sex marriage was illegal in the U.S. I was absolutely dumbfounded by this law, so I wrote my letter asking the president to please legalize gay marriage.

Being born and raised in the diverse environment of San Francisco, I have always been surrounded by a number of family friends who identified with the LGBTQ community. I never questioned that a relationship that didn’t parallel my mommy and daddy’s was anything less than true love. But this week, in LGBTQ Ethnic Studies class, I learned something that knocked me on my privileged ass: what being an ally truly means.

Since I wrote that letter to Obama, I have been silent too much. I have stayed silent when “that’s so gay” is thrown around the classroom. I have validated my lack of action with my good intention. I have spoken up as many times as I have not. I have been a bystander, and that is not true allyship. Exploring what it means to be an ally was extremely eye opening to me; about myself, how much I do not know, and how I can appropriately involve myself more. I vow to do more, to be more, to speak up more, and to use the privilege I carry with me to amplify the voices of those who are marginalized.

Undertones and Visuals Student, Grade 12 In our LGBTQ studies class, we watched a film called The Celluloid Closet, directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. The film was about the representation of gay men and lesbian women in film throughout the years. The ideas in this film made a lot sense to me. The documentary talked about how, in old films, they could not explicitly show gay people so they had to do so through subtext.

Student Voices A lot of people in my class talked about how they never saw these undertones in films before, but for me it was the opposite. I have noticed the LGBTQ undertones in film, especially because I am student in the Asawa SOTA Media department, which is basically the study of film.

From my first year in the 9th grade, I was taught how to analyze every single aspect of film. When making a film, a large portion of your story is told through visual concepts that create subtext. Because of my film education I have personally been viewing films this way for a long time. The Celluloid Closet made me think a lot about how about much I appreciate and respect the craft of film-making and how film can tell a whole story without even mentioning it.

For more information about the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, please visit http://www.sfsota.org/ Lyndsey Schlax has been a teacher in the San Francisco Unified School District since 2008.

She is uniquely qualified to address multiple areas of LGBT studies, having also specialized in subjects such as Modern World History, Government, Economics and U.S. Politics. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, and earned her M.A. in Teaching at the University of San Francisco.

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From the Coming Up Events Calendar See page 28 Hedwig and the Angry Inch – Through October 30 @ SHN Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor Street. Rock musical about a genderqueer singer named Hedwig. zhnsf.com

Sunday, October 9 - Blessing of the Animals – 10:00 am @ East County Shared Ministry (Community Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg and First Congregational Church of Antioch), Camp Stoneman Chapel, 200 E. Leland Road, Pittsburg. eastcountysharedministry.org

Prince’s Musical Director to Blast Out Purple Love at 43rd Annual Castro Street Fair

Not a typical tribute band with a Prince lookalike or impersonator, The Purple Ones bring audiences to their feet, night after night, by speaking Prince’s musical language: a mix of energy, rhythm, creativity and, of course, a serious dose of unadulterated funk. The Purple Ones is a labor of love that was born in 2012 when Bay Area-based founder Morty Okin decided build the greatest Prince tribute on the planet. The Purple Ones is proud to feature Levi Seacer, Jr., Prince’s former musical director and co-founder of the “New Power Generation.” The Purple Ones tap into the soulful artistry of Prince like none other.

The Fair features four entertainment areas: the aforementioned Main Stage (on Market at Cas-

The Fair partners with over twenty local nonprofit organizations, and the funds raised at the gates are donated back at the end of the year. In 2015, the Castro Street Fair donated over $45,000 to local beneficiary partner organizations. In addition, proceeds from the gate donations help to fund the purchase of the rainbow flag

STONE PHOTO BY CATHY BLACK

You can eat and drink your way down the streets of the Fair, which seems to always happen on one of the hottest days of the year, so do not forget your sunscreen. Fairgoers over 21 can purchase beer and other drinks at five beverage booths throughout the fairgrounds. Your donation at the gates gets a fairgoer a sticker, and a discount on the beverages purchased at the Fair’s beverage booths.

PHOTO BY CAT HY BLACKSTON E

The music is always a highlight, and this year’s offers one of the best lineups in the Fair’s impressive history. The Main Stage will be home to performances from Above and Beyond the Valley of the Ultra Showgirls, Bitch Please, Simone Gemini, and special guests The Purple Ones.

The Castro Street Stage is new in 2016, as the stage used to be the “18th Street Stage” and was previously placed on 18th Street between Collingwood and Diamond. It will showcase live performances from The Monster Show, Vollmer, Beautiful Machines, and Markus. Dance Alley will feature the DJ talents of RoseGold, Juan, Adam Kraft, and Jim Hopkins. Sundance Saloon is the place to go to line dance to your favorite C/W tunes. In 2016, the Sundance area will return to where it has been for many years, behind the Castro Theatre.

that flies proudly over Harvey Milk Plaza in the Castro.

You can also shop your way down the streets, as over 150 exhibitors will be lining them. Many of the vendors offer one-of-a-kind and/ or locally produced art, products, and clothing.

The sponsors of the 2016 Castro Street Fair include Chevron, Miller Lite, Recolog y, Curran Theatre, a nd B ed Bat h & B eyond. Suppor t for the Fair comes from Via Media, Clubcard, and Grants for the Arts. Speaking of our friends at Via Media, be sure to pick up a Castro Street Fair program, if you have not already done so, to find out more information about this year’s Fair. You can also visit the newly desig ned website: www.castrostreetfair.org JO-LYNN PHOTO BY

OTTO

PHOTO BY RINK

PHOTO BY RINK

PHOTO BY RINK

PHOTO BY CAT HY BLACKSTON E

E HY BLACKSTON PHOTO BY CAT

It is hard to believe that the Castro Street Fair is 43 years old! Members of our team have been going for many of those years, and will be back again this year with our San Francisco Bay Times“Betty’s List” booth. Please look for us and be sure to stop by. Fairgoers are asked to donate just $5–10 at the gates, so the event really is one of the best deals around.

tro Street), Dance Alley (in the parking lot behind Walgreen’s, off of 18th street), Sundance Saloon (in the parking lot behind the Castro Theatre), and the Castro Street Stage (on Castro between 18th and 19th).

PHOTO BY RIN K RINK PHOTO BY

RINK PHOTO BY

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Sexy Spa Night Addresses Ethnicity and Gay Identity in Complex, Powerful Ways were separate when I was growing up, but when I heard of a friend hooking up at a Korean spa, I knew this location would be a great location for setting a film that talked about a gay Korean’s identity.

Gary M. Kramer: Joe, how did you identify with the character of David?

Film Gary M. Kramer Spa Night, opening September 30 at the Roxie, is a complex, quietly powerful drama about ethnicity and gay identity, written and directed by Andrew Ahn. David ( Joe Seo) is a shy, closeted young man who lives in Los Angeles’ Koreatown with his father Jin (Youn Ho Cho), and his mother Soyoung (Haerry Kim). When Jin loses the family restaurant, David secretly takes a job at a Korean spa. The experience transforms him; David witnesses various naked male guests behaving inappropriately, and slowly embraces his sexuality. He also moves towards independence from his family.

Ahn’s f ilm is a minor masterpiece that benefits immensely from Seo’s extraordinary performance; he conveys David’s pent up emotion, shame, and desire with just the slightest expression and body language. Director Ahn and lead actor Seo spoke with me for the San Francisco Bay Times about their hot film.

Gary M. Kramer: Andrew, what prompted you to tell this story? How much of it reflects your upbringing?

Andrew Ahn: Emotionally, David aligns with who I am, and my coming of age. My Korean and gay identities

Joe Seo: It was a difficult character because he is more reserved than I am. His fight is internal. I related to it as an immigrant story that parallels with mine; your parents expect and want things for their kids, and the kids can’t cope with what their parents want and how the [kids] want to live in America. My parents want me to “stop the acting nonsense and go into medicine.” This struggle transcends Asian American-ness. It goes to every immigrant American family.

Gary M. Kramer: What observations do you have about Korean parents and their expectations for their children?

Andrew Ahn: As I developed the screenplay, David’s dilemma becomes harder because his parents love him so much. Because he wants to preserve that relationship, his sexuality is scary. This fear that he is not going to give his parents what they expect and want. For me, it was that the parents love him and he loves them.

Joe Seo: In Asian families, no matter how old you are, you don’t talk back to your parents. You can’t tell Dad that he is messing up. You can’t say that without being hit. It’s taboo.

Gary M. Kramer: Andrew, can you talk about creating the hothouse atmosphere in the film and what or how much you wanted to show? There is casual nudity, but the gay sex scenes

Art for AIDS 2016

are more sensual than explicit.

A ndrew A h n: I was ta l king to my cinematographer, Ki Jin Kim, about this. When we wanted the Korean spa to be a cultural space, we would see a lot of nudity, in a very matter of fact way. As the film got more sexual, we would see less and less and less, and more of a subjective point of view: parts of bodies, looks, or see things through steam. We wanted to suggest a lot, and I think that [strategy] helped in many ways.

Sex scenes are difficult to direct and for actors to be in. To break it up made it easier. It allowed us to craft these moments and play with the pacing and make sure the erotic moments could stretch the time, so it stands still. As for the space itself, we were gunning for the location, which had this fantastical quality—the blue neon is very evocative. Many of the spas in Koreatown are beige. They are calming, relaxed spaces, and this one felt electric.

Gary M. Kramer: Joe, your poker face and body language are very expressive. Can you talk about how you approached playing the character in this other, physical sense?

Joe Seo: That’s all Andrew. He would tell me—“That’s not David.”

The character couldn’t get angry.

Andrew led me the right way to keep it internal, and made me remember why David is here at that moment and why he wouldn’t be this way or that way. He made sure that I was playing David’s developing.

Andrew Ahn: I wanted David to be a real person and I feel that means having sexual desires and urges and being a son and wanting to do right

by your parents. I love the juxtaposition that he’s having dinner with his family in one scene and then being cruised in the spa in the next. We have different sides and are one way in one space and another in another space.

Gary M. Kramer: Andrew, what can you say about the issue of homosexuality in Asian culture in general and Korean culture in particular?

Andrew Ahn: I think actually that homosexuality is becoming more accepted in Korean culture. It’s more progressive in Korea than in the Korean-American community in Los Angeles, which hasn’t progressed much. It’s changing, and I’m excited that Spa Night can help that dialogue.

When I looked for other gay Korean people, growing up, I could only think of Margaret Cho. It took time for me to realize and find a queer Korean American community.

Gary M. Kramer: What can you say about your experiences in spas?

Andrew Ahn: When I heard about the gay cruising from my friend, I had

Photos by Rink

The 20th Anniversary of the Art for AIDS benefit was held on Friday, September 16, at City View at the Metreon. Supporting the UCSF AIDS Health Alliance, the event has raised more than $2,000,000 to help provide services to over 6500 clients annually. Congratulations and thanks to Dr. Jim Dilley, communications director DK Haas and the entire team who produced this outstanding event. View the event photos collection: ucsf-ahp.org/events-2/art-for-aids-2016-find-your-photo/

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to see it for myself. It really does happen in a blatant way that is shocking. I had to prove it to people while I was trying to make this film. It’s really an insane kind of environment, and what makes it crazier can be very erotic and the next minute can be Korean cultural. The space continually changes and morphs, and that fascinates me.

Joe Seo: I did not go to Korean spas in Los Angeles until I made this movie. I hate hot rooms and humidity!

You can meet both Ahn and Seo in person after the 7 pm shows at the Roxie on September 30 and October 1. The venerable Roxie Theater was built in 1909 and is one of our local treasures. It is located at 3117 16th Street, San Francisco. © 2016 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

The Upside Down Pyramid

TLC: Tears, Laughs and Conversation Dr. Tim Seelig Warning: This article is not like previous installments. In all honesty, it is difficult writing an article full of witty repartee and pithy retorts in this troubled time in which we live. I am also not qualified to make broad pronouncements about the state of the world. I can, however, offer a little glimpse from my own little microcosm: the world seen through the Tim prism.

To state the obvious, the world is devolving into split personalities of ideology, factions and leadership styles.

The headlines are filled with polar opposite personalities such as of Putin, Saint (Mother) Teresa, Trump, Obama, Bashar al-Assad, Hillary, Kim Jong-un, Pope Francis. It has brought unprecedented disagreements and strife between friends and family (my own included).

This article is not really about politics. After all, what could an organization that has three levels of potential dysfunction (non-profit, arts and gay) know about politics? No, the article is about my observations on a topic that has interested me for years: leadership.

I find myself fascinated by the leadership differences so drastically playing out on today’s world stage.

We’ve all read the book What Color Is Your Parachute. But what about “What Direction is Your Pyramid—rightside up or upside down?”

Just recently, in his final address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Obama stated, “My belief is that governments serve the individual and not the other way around.

Our nation began with a promise of freedom that applied only to the few … but because of our ideals, ordinary people were able to organize and march and protest, and ultimately, those ideals won out.” It was an incredibly moving speech.

Then there was President John F. Kennedy’s “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” And it’s not the proverbial “Let them eat cake,” either. That one got blamed on poor Marie Antoinette and it was bread!

What is one to do?

Is the most effective “pyramid of power” right side up or upside down?

Does an organization serve the people or vice versa?

In 1970, Robert K. Greenleaf turned the long-held norm of the patriarchal business model on its head when he coined the phrase “Servant Leadership.” Greenleaf describes the servant leader philosophy as one that “begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve first. The philosophy enriches the lives of individuals, builds better organizations and ultimately creates a more just and caring world.” It is sharply different from the leader first philosophy. This person often has a need to “assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions.”

Among author Peter Economy’s secrets of Servant Leadership is this: “Every person has value and deserves civility, trust and respect.” And he ex-

horts those practicing it to “Listen intently and observe closely.”

Pop Quiz: Place names in Paragraph #2 into one of the two pyramid position types.

So, why has this been on my mind?

Well, as you know, I arrived in San Francisco just over five years ago. I had learned about the concept of Servant Leadership before leaving Dallas, but had never thought about applying it to a gay men’s chorus. Would it work? Choruses are not democracies. Someone has to ultimately be the “Decider.” Sorry, couldn’t help myself. Stick with me.

But as far as the organizational structure was concerned, I just wondered if we could, indeed, turn the traditional pyramid upside down. The expected model has the conductor at the top, “power” viscerally electrifying the masses with the mere flick of the Maestro’s Magic Baton. Can you tell I have fantasized about that? Could the conductor actually be at the bottom of the upside down pyramid, serving the board and leadership, the singers and, ultimately, the audience and patrons. Could a world leader do the same?

At the same time, a new book by Ramona Wis, The Conductor as Leader, appeared on the scene describing the “Conductor as Leader.” I decided to pack Servant Leadership in the UHaul on my move from Dallas and see if it would fly in this beautiful city by the bay. We began to rebuild the organization—with me on the bottom instead of the top!

In such a system, how can a conductor, who is supposed to be all-powerful, still maintain control critical to success? Here’s where it gets good.

Dr. Wis says, “Serving does not mean always giving them what they want, but what they need.” The only way to know that is through a deep sense of empathy. I know what I need as a musician. I also know what fulfills me as an audience member. I can walk in those shoes, or sit in those seats.

The organizational transformation has been nothing short of miraculous.

Of the 300+ men singing in the chorus, over half of them serve in an additional capacity other than their role as singers! Volunteerism is at an all-

time high. People are empowered, energized and engaged and seldom told what to do or think. We come to conclusions together. Much more critical than didactic.

Back to the folks at the top. They definitely fall into two very distinct categories. Some are perched on top of a big old pyramid looking down on those supporting them from below.

Others absolutely live the servant leader model. Some serve. Some do not. Some possess empathy. Some do not.

At the end of the day, Greenleaf asks some questions to gauge results of servant leadership: Do those who are served grow as persons?

Do they become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, and more likely themselves to become servants?

Will the least privileged in society benefit, or at least not be further deprived?

Are there dangers along the way? Of course there are. A key component to leadership is being able to make a difficult decision. The servant leader must also be strong, decisive and perfectly clear in the direction and communication. If successful, the servant leader is imbued with authority, won by respect rather than force. Keeping an upside pyramid in place is a precarious balancing act to say the least.

Having traveled this journey in my own life and career, I can’t help but gravitate towards others who embrace a similar philosophy to the one I try to adopt on a daily basis—and it takes daily reminders to break that mold.

Today, as we try to make sense out of our world, perhaps it helps to examine ourselves and how we perceive and manage our own little pyramid called life. For now, I’m going with upside down. What’s the worst that can happen? If it falls over, we push it back up and we write a song about it!

We shall overcome.

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

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Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun

By Sister Dana Van Iquity Sister Dana sez, “Good news! ‘The Times’ editorial board has endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, stating: ‘Our choice, Hillary Clinton, has a record of service and a raft of pragmatic ideas, while Donald Trump discloses nothing concrete about himself or his plans—while promising the moon and offering the stars on layaway.’ Kudos, Times!”

PASSPORT TO BEAUTY was an evening of beauty at The Epi Center MedSpa at 450 Sutter Street. Personally it was kinda an evening of humiliation when I discovered a machine informed me I was overweight. Bummer.

But it was also fun to watch my friend Grand Duchess Pollo Del Mar undergoing the cool-sculpting process for weight reduction in full drag while trading loving barbs—i.e. “I hope this won’t hurt the baby,” I joked, and she snapped right back, “Sister Dana, dear, should you be drinking wine when you’re about to deliver a baby?!” All in good fun. Proceeds benefited ACADEMY OF FRIENDS and their 2017 Beneficiary Partners who were announced by Board Vice President Matthew Denckla during this party: AGUILAS, AIDS LEGAL REFERRAL (ALRP), MAITRI, (firsttime beneficiary), OPENHOUSE, and the recent merger of SPECTRUM & MARIN AIDS PROJECT into SPAHR CENTER. It was also a time to remind people to save the date for the 37TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF FRIENDS GALA on February 26, 2017, with all the Oscar fabulousness on big screens and with live entertainment. Academy of Friends is a local nonprofit that raises funds, spreads awareness, and encourages volunteerism that benefits HIV/AIDS direct care and prevention education agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area. Academy of Friends has been in existence and evolving for over 36 years. Soon after the onset of the HIV epidemic, the organization dedicated themselves to the mission of working to ease the burden of this disease through the raising of funds in support of direct care for those with HIV/AIDS and educational programs to prevent infection. As the pandemic grew, thus did their scope; to help “…where the need is greatest, until the crisis has passed.” Through the annual Academy Awards Night Gala, they have raised almost $9 million to support more than 73 HIV/AIDS service organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area.

PHOTO BY PAUL MARGOLIS

Bringing together a creative community of artists, galleries, art donors and art patrons, sponsors and media, the UCSF ALLIANCE HEALTH PROJECT (formerly the AIDS Health Project) presented “ART FOR AIDS” at Metreon City View to connect the art world with one of the nation’s leading HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ mental health organizations. As 2016 is their

Sister Dana (right) and friend at “The Sisters Speak! An Intimate Evening with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence: Sister Roma” held at Sparks Arts Gallery on Thursday, August 25.

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20th year, they especially honored the people living with HIV and the staff and volunteers at the UCSF Alliance Health Project. Art for AIDS originated in 1996 when several local artists joined forces and decided to sell their art to help friends living with HIV/ AIDS. Over the years, Art for AIDS has grown, and this year over 180 modern and contemporary art pieces were for sale during an evening of silent and live auctions through auctioneer Patrick Walsh in this his 20th straight year. The evening raised crucial funds, nearly $340,000, to provide mental health and wellness services to LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities. I want to mention my favorite pieces with their websites, so readers can contact them if interested: “Black Stilettos” acrylic by Barbara Heinrich (barbheinrich.com) are the only heels I could possibly fit into; to go with those stilettos by Heinrich is “Athena the Brave” wire sculpture of a full-length shoulder-strapped gown by Kristine Mays (kristinemays.com). “Love Hurts” spray-painted on paper by Fake (fakestencils.com) is a silhouette of a little boy and girl, surrounded by hearts and stars—so innocent, until you notice the huge baseball bat with nails being branded by the girl; “The Trio” black & white print by Jim Dennis (jimdennisphotography.com) has three tasteful nudes (genders not recognizable) from the backs to the backsides hugging into one loving threesome; “Y Not” silk & cotton quilt stretched over canvas by Amy Ahlstrom (amyahlstrom.com) shows two men in masks kissing in from of a sign, “Hotel deAnza,” and a martini glass forming the “Y” on the sign; among the many lovely portrayals of the City of San Francisco, one stood out for me—”Pier One Reflections” oil paint over collage on wood panel by Catherine Mackey (catherinemackey.com) because it’s a view from sea level of a rather rugged, weather-beaten pier and pilings; “Farrier” archival black & white ink on matte paper by Frank Doering (doeringphoto.com) was a hunky blacksmith (yes, I had to look up the word “farrier” to find it was a 16th century British word for “blacksmith”—shoeing a horse, perfect for any leatherfolk, especially during Folsom Week). The most whimsical if not naughtiest piece was “F U” (but spelled out and in bold ALL-CAPS) over an otherwise beautiful floral and butterfly background by Suzy Kellems Dominik (suzykellemsdominik.com).

It was so well-liked that we attendees got our canvas goodie bags printed with that very popular provocative piece!

The 25th annual LEATHERWALK 2016 featured pre-walk entertainment at Jane Warner Plaza and hundreds of blue, red, black, and white balloons (the official colors of the leather flag) and banners. The walk took off with Mistress of Ceremonies Sister Roma and Master of Ceremonies Lance Holman on a flatbed truck with performances by some of San Francisco’s most amazing vocal and drag talent, including Empress Emma Peel, Grace Towers, Abominatrix, Raquela, and Mark Paladini among others. Along the way the 200-strong stopped at Powerhouse, Mr. S Leather, Lone Star, and the SF Eagle as the final stop and raising of the leather flag. An excellent prologue to the Folsom Street Fair!

THE LGBT ASYLUM PROJECT is the only Bay Area nonprofit program dedicated solely to offering pro-bono legal representation to vulnerable LGBT immigrants fleeing persecution abroad and seeking protection in the United States. T ​ hey presented “ART FOR ASYLUM” at Lynn Luckow’s LikeMinded Gallery for a celebration of art featuring the works of LGBTA artists Rene Capone, Travis Monson, Elliott C. Nathan, Daniel Phill and Nikki Vismara. 20% of all sales benefited The LGBT Asylum Project. cipsf.org (continued on page 30)

Speaking to Your Soul ARIES (March 21–April 19) Lovers and patterns of love that no longer serve your soul burn away now. Be on the lookout for allies with a spiritual outlook. The phoenix of new love rises from the ashes.

TAURUS (April 20–May 20) This is a great time to begin new endeavors with both discipline and an attitude of humility. Have faith that what you work on will grow. Bring loving attention to the details of your projects.

Astrology Elisa Quinzi Autumn ushers in a much needed shift in energy. It is a time to go forward with optimism, as the wind is in our sails now. As an anecdote to the pervasive darker happenings that have dominated our awareness for too long, the atmosphere gets infused with more loving, harmonious energy now.

When enough of us vibrate at this frequency of love, the scales tip.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) This cycle offers the opportunity for you to express yourself in more harmonious and loving ways. More spiritually-infused romantic connections are encouraged now.

CANCER ( June 21–July 22) Harmony balances the atmosphere at home. This is a more buoyant, optimistic period. Rejuvenate your decor with art, plants, or a new coat of paint. Instead of watching TV, play some music that supports a good mood.

LEO ( July 23–August 22) Show some love to the people you might not usually think that way about—the people at the market, the gym, your neighbors, your siblings. That feeling of brotherly love usually reserved for the holidays is looking to channel through you right now.

VIRGO (August 23–Sept. 22) Cheer up, Virgo! We’re entering better times now. Your sense of self and inner security get a boost. Beginning new projects is supported now. Do the footwork to build it and they will come.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) As you leave behind a more challenging period, allow yourself to rebirth now. It’s an all-around green light for you to start fresh in every way. Feel a new sense of freedom and a renewing of your mind.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A new concept of universal love enters your awareness.

Consider kundalini yoga or meditation to access the higher, divine aspects of yourself.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) A beautiful portal is open for you to catch a vision of how you can bring love to the revolution. You have the capacity to unify and bring harmony to the collective, and the collective needs it. Act now.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22–Jan.19) Whatever your purpose and position in the community, you are being called to bring love, fairness, and peaceful solutions to your organization, whether a company, a school, or your family.

AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Your lens through which you view the world is due for its next cleaning. Leave your fears of doom and gloom behind you and begin to think and see with a fresh, optimistic outlook; one of love, peace, and unity.

PISCES (Feb. 19–March 20) You have a real opportunity with this new cycle to connect with partners in deeply loving waters. Whatever form it may have taken in the past, love emerges now as more authentic and soulfully satisfying, both from within and without.

Elisa has been enjoying the art of astrological counseling since earning professional certification many years ago. In addition to astrological knowledge, she brings a high degree of conscious presence to her work, and creates a safe, comfortable atmosphere for sessions to unfold organically. Contact her at futureselfnow@gmail.com or 818-530-3366 or visit www.ElisaQuinzi.com

As Heard on the Street . . . If you had a million dollars to give to one LGBT community non-profit organization, which one would it be?

compiled by Rink

Miora Wilmes

Stratten Moore

Tim Tucker

Francesc Campoy

Eric Bernier

“The 826 Valencia Project”

“The AIDS Emergency Fund”

“LGBT Homeless Connect”

“The SF AIDS Foundation”

“The Milo Foundation”

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Do I Like It Curved or Straight? The Critical Bowling Question Fitness SF Trainer Tip of the Month

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN CHEN

Chris Mullany- Elite Trainer- Fitness SF SOMA

Sports John Chen The headline of this article is the most important question serious bowlers ask themselves when getting their balls customized. OK, maybe not in those exact words, but whether bowlers prefer to throw a straight, curved or hooked ball down the lane is significant to their blowing (oops, I mean bowling … darn that auto correct!) style and ultimately the score.

Growing up in Montrose, CA, (a suburb of Glendale, which is a suburb of Los Angeles) my family lived a couple of blocks away from a bowling alley (queue nostalgic dream like sequence). I have fond memories of my brother and me skateboarding down to the alley twice a week to bowl a few games and spending several dollars.

It was a great getaway from homework and cleaning rooms at our family motel business. I was a typical overachieving nine-year-old Asian kid before America knew we existed. I got straight A’s, cleaned bathrooms, competed in junior tennis and little league baseball, painted award-winning artworks, was a kung fu disciple of a real Shaolin monk in Chinatown, and bowled a 140 average. However, I did not play a musical instrument, so I was a disappointment.

But I digress. My now identified as “tiger” mom gave permission for us to bowl because she felt the sport would further our mental discipline and mathematical acumen. By the way, I hated math and was the one Asian kid who couldn’t do it. You see, back then we had to keep our own score

(queue daunting music)!

For those of you who actually have kept a bowling score, you know what I am talking about. It is hair pulling complex.

That’s why every bowling group has a dedicated scorekeeper friend who thinks we truly want to hang out with him/her (this is a joke, kind of ).

Thank god they’ve invented the automatic scorer in bowling, which, of course, is a must have in bowling alleys today.

Speaking of the present, here in the San Francisco Bay Area there are many LGBT bowling leagues where gay and transgender men and women are throwing curved and straight balls at ten identically curvaceous, hard and thick pins. My good friend Cody Hart, who has bowled in the PRIDE league in Alameda the past three seasons, intimated that when selecting a customized ball, his fingers must penetrate the ball just the right depth with every insertion in order to achieve a perfect fit. No wonder he really enjoys bowling. Cody bowls not for the low impact exercise, not for the opportunities to make many new friends, not for the fun of it, but for those moments of insertion where he achieves the perfect fit, every time.

Cody introduced me to Tony Hoey, who runs PRIDE bowling league along with Gary Thackeray. Tony explained a typical bowling league lasts 32 weeks long. (Whoa, back the truck

The Miracle Knee Exercise!

The #1 recommended rehab exercise for knees is a quad set. Your quadriceps muscle (or quad) is the group of muscles in the front of your thigh, above your knee. The problem is that most physical therapists and fitness professionals make this strengthening much harder (and more boring) than it has to be, so no one does it.

Having your quad muscle stronger is key to supporting your knee.

Inside Out Fitness Cinder Ernst Today you are going to get the Inside Out Fitness version of a great knee rehab exercise … The Miracle Knee!

I have been helping people get fit for more than 25 years. What my clients noticed was when they did this simple sitting exercise, their knees felt better right away. It was like a miracle, so they named it The Miracle Knee Exercise. If you do it, you can expect a knee miracle!

According to the Mayo Clinic, a lack of strength and flexibility are among the leading causes of knee pain. Tight or weak muscles offer less support for your knee because they do not absorb enough of the stress exerted on the joint. Being strong and flexible can reduce the wear and tear and often relieve, as well as reduce, pain.

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Bottoms Up Press: This is a great exercise for strengthening your shoulders, grip and abs. Perform it the same way you would a dumbbell overhead press by starting at your chin with your hand outside your shoulder and pressing towards the ceiling. Keep your hand and wrist directly above your elbow at all times. It is a great exercise for shoulder and hand strength or rehab, and is a personal favorite of mine. Give it a try.

Level 1 Miracle Knee: Begin by sitting in the 90-degree position.

Straighten your right leg as if you are doing a hamstring stretch. Put your right hand on your thigh close to your knee, if you can reach. Now straighten your leg hard by pushing the back of your knee toward the floor. Some knees will lock or go past locked (mine does). According to doctors, this is OK. What you should feel under your hand is the quad muscle shortening or bunching up. That is the muscle contracting. Hold for 2 seconds then release. Work up to holding this contraction for 10 seconds, doing so slowly and systematically.

Always breathe during the contraction. Counting the seconds out loud can help you to remember to breathe.

Sometimes you can feel your kneecap moving up toward your waist, and that is fine. If this hurts your knee, do not push down so hard. Once you feel how to get the contraction, you can

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Troy Macfarland of Fitness SF provides monthly tips he’s learned from his colleagues who are professional trainers at local gyms.

He can be reached at tmacfarland@fitnesssf.com

up. How many gay men can make that kind of a commitment? Lesbians on the other hand…) PRIDE’s season, however, is only 16 weeks, so I concluded players only need to make ½ the commitment. See? I am good in math!

The main takeaway I got from Tony was bowlers of all levels can compete together in the same league and games because the scoring is handicapped, which simply means scores are calculated based on bowlers’ established average, then subtract-

modify the intensity of the squeeze.

Remember, Inside Out Fitness does not work if you overdo it!

ed from the league’s base score, then multiply the league’s percentage, if any, to that subtracted number, and voila, you have your handicap! Once my head stopped spinning, Tony reminded me that the league does all the calculations. Thank <insert preferred deity of choice>!

Whether you are an advanced, competitive bowler or a beginner, if you would like to have fun and meet great people like Cody, then Tony has a spot for you in his PRIDE league. Around the Bay Area, Tony says bowlers can find other LGBT leagues in Daly City, Pacifica and San Leandro.

Now back to me, for those of you wondering, the last time I bowled as an adult, I curved, hooked and even went straight. I like to keep the game interesting. That’s what I tell my friends.

For more information on PRIDE bowling league in Alameda, please contact Tony Hoey at Anthony.t.hoey@ gmail.com For information on other LGBT leagues, visit the International Gay B owl i ng Org a n i zat ion website: igbo.org John Chen, a UCLA alumnus and an avid sports fan, has competed as well as coached tennis, volleyball, softball and football teams.

Take Me Home with You!

Now try the left leg, noticing any differences. Find the contraction, and then modify the intensity.

Level 2 Miracle K nee: Follow the instructions above to get an idea of the contraction. The more advanced level is to do both legs at the same time while you gently contract your butt muscles. Make sure most of the emphasis is on the quad contraction. It is easy to let the butt take over and that is not what we want.

For one more level of difficulty, add a pillow or rolled-up towel in between your knees, and gently squeeze your knees, too. (Sometimes we call this a nut cracker!) Please breathe throughout the whole 10 second contraction, again remembering to count the seconds out loud. Try it now.

You can do the Miracle Knee every day, if you want. Just take it easy before building gradually.

The next time we will be looking at some sweet and easy fixes for back pain.

Here is to standing strong and to moving forward!

Cinder Ernst, Medical Exercise Specialist and Life Coach Extraordinaire, helps reluctant exercisers get moving with safe, effective and fun programs. Find out more at www.cinderernst.com

Madonna

“My name might be Madonna, but I’m no material girl. I’m the most laid back, low maintenance bunny in town! My favorite pastimes include cuddling and munching on treats. I’m just a year old, and I’m ready to hop into my forever home and be done with shelter life. Don’t cry for me, San Francisco … come introduce yourself and give me a snuggle!”

Madonna 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 Madonna.

To see Madonna and other pets seeking their forever homes, please visit: San Francisco SPCA Mission Campus 250 Florida Street San Francisco 94103 415-522-3500

Dr. Jennifer Scarlett and Pup

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 info about Madonna and other pets that are up for adoption, please visit www.sfspca.org

Professional Services

LAW OFFICES OF MILES & TORRES Estate Planning 1393 Noe Street, San Francisco, CA 94131 (415) 308-2307 www.milestorreslaw.com

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S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY â&#x20AC;&#x2C6; T IM ES S EPT EM BER 29, 2016

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Compiled by Blake Dillon

29 Thursday

1 Saturday

Welcoming Ceremony – Olivia Travel Day in SF – 9:00 am @ Pier 35, 1454 The Embarcadero. Historic first ever Port of Call visit to San Francisco by an Olivia cruise ship Come welcome hundreds of lesbians to San Francisco!

Horizons Foundation Gala 2016 – 5:30 pm @ The Fairmont Hotel San Francisco, 950 Mason Street. Reception with silent auction and drawings followed by dinner, dancing, casino-style gaming and more. horizonsfoundation.org

Art of Fire – Fighting the Beast – Through Oct 16 @ Harvey Milk Photo Center, 50 Scott Street, Duboce Park. harveymilkphotocenter.org

AHO (Ambassadors of Hope & Opportunity) Rock for Homeless Youth Fundraiser – 7:00 pm @ Hopmonk Tavern, 224 Vintage Way,Vintage Oaks, Navato. A youth-led musical FUNraiser for all ages with raffles, youth stories and more. vimeo.com/183557623

Intersecting Film, Music & Queerness: A Clip Show by Author Jack Curtis – 6:30 pm @ San Francisco Main Library, 3rd Floor, LGBTQIA Center. A book talk and clip show by Author Jack Curtis using musicology and queer theory to look at meaning and message in canonical American cinema. sfpl.org/index.php?pg=1023962101 Smuin Ballet 23rd Season Kickoff: Dance Series 01 – Through October 2 @ Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon Street. A series of programs presented by an innovative company that’s an LGBT community fave. palaceoffinearts.org/ events/smuin-ballet Reel Rock film Festival/Tour – 7:00 pm @ The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street. The best climbing and adventure films from around the word. findashow.reelrocktour.com/ event/san-francisco-ca/

30 Friday Mighty Reels: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood – 7:00 pm @ GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th Street. Rare Castro Street Fair video from the GLBT Historical Society archives presented by preservationist John Raines. glbthistory.org Remembering Our Names For 25 Years – Deadline to secure space for engravings in the Circle of Friends at the National AIDS Memorial Grove.

Aidsmemorial.org/circle-of-friends Queer Fashion Week & Conference – Continues through October 2 @ Venue Event Center, 420 14th Street, Oakland.

Conference addressing diversity, fashion, culture and entertainment with after parties at the White Horse Bar. Queerfashionweek.com LGBT Addiction Treatment: Viewing Recovery Through the Spiritual Lens – 10:00 am Webinar featuring spiritual care counselor TJ Woodward. tjwoodward.com Memorial Reading of Works

by Mark Thompson – 7:00 pm @ Dog Earred Books Castro, 489 Castro. Notable readers from Queer literary, Radical Faerie and leather communities will read from works of the author who was a journalist for the Advocate and books on queer spirituality, gay & lesbian history and more.

Bay Area Premiere of By the Waters of Babylon – Through October 15 @ Phoenix Theatre, 414 Mason Street, 6th Floor. Miami-based gay actor Michael Angelo Gonzalez co-stars in this two-character drama playing the role of Arturo. brownpapertickets.com/browse.html

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SA N FRANCISCO BAY T I ME S S E PT E MB E R 2 9 , 2 0 1 6

Theatre Rhino’s The Brothers Size – Through October 15 @ Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson Street @ Battery Street. Two brothers, the Louisiana bayou and West African mythology swirl together in a theatrical event that will leave you breathless. therhino.org

2 Sunday Hedwig and the Angry Inch – Through October 30 @ SHN Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor Street.

A musical about a fictional rock and roll band fronted by a genderqueer East German singer named Hedwig. zhnsf.com A.C.T. (American Conservatory Theater)’s Dear Liar – 50th anniversary festivities kickoff this event, a one night only reading of the play by Jerome Kilty features Annette Bening and Mark Harelik and directed by Nancy Carlin. act-sf.org/specialevents Celebrating A New Children’s Book & a 60th Birthday! – 2:00 pm @ Centro Vida Children’s Center, 1000 Camelia Street, Berkeley. Meet the author, illustrator and publisher of One of a King Like Me, a book about a young person who wants to be a princess in a school parade and celebrate the author’s 60th birthday. facebook.com/events/16416633894 85829/

3 Monday San Francisco LGBTQ Sangha – 6:30 pm @ LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street, Rm 300.

Weekly meditation sitting group every Monday except Holidays, exploring mindfulness, meditation and spiritual practices.

Sfgbtsangha.org Queer Mindful Movement Mondays – 6:00 pm @ Qulture Collective, 1714 Franklin Street.

Stress regulation and reduction classes that help build emotional resilience. sfqueer.com Bay Area Young Positives – 7:00 pm @ 701 Oak Street. Drop-in support group for young HIV positive people. Baypositives.org

4 Tuesday Castro Community On Patrol 10th Anniversary Party – 7:00 pm @Espressamente Illy Café, 2349 Market Street. Join CCOP in celebrating 10 years of service with food, refreshments and time to socialize.

Queer Jitterbugs SHAG Class – 9:45 pm – Also on October 11, 18 & 25 @ Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa Street. SHAG class on the 1930s original swing dance style.

facebook.com/QueerJitterbugs-182169946107/ Mascots with Christopher Guest – 7:00 pm @ The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro. Filmmaker Christopher Guest presents a preview of his new film Mascots.

5 Wednesday Castro Farmers Market – 4:00 pm @ 288 Noe & Market Streets.

Delicious fall produce, including apples, pears, grapes, winter squash and more. pcfma.org Worker Cooperatives: Movements for Social Change & Personal Empowerment – 7:00 pm @ The Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist. A lecture and panel about worker-cooperatives with Prof.

Richard Wolff and Dr. Harriet Fraad. democracyatwork.info/coops_ social_change_personal_empowerment Discovering Primates Benefit for Chimpanzees of the Budongo Forest – 6:30 pm @ Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland. Behind the scenes tours, food and wine, silent auction and presentation by primate expert Rosamira Guillen. oaklandzoo.org

6 Thursday So Much to Be Done, The Writings of Breast Cancer Activist Barbara Brenner – 7:00 pm @ Laurel Book Store, 1423 Broadway, Oakland. A celebration of the publication of Brenner’s book co-hosted by Breast Cancer Action. laurelbookstore.com/event/barbarabrenners-so-much-be-done Shocktoberfest 17: Pyramid of Freaks – Through November 19 @ The Hypnodrome, 575 10th Street. An annual presentation of Grand Guignol horror and titillation during the Halloween season. hypnodrome.org/home/shocktoberfest 10th Annual Heyday Harvest Dinner – 6:00 pm @ Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley.

Seated dinner, wine bar, hors d’oeuvres, live auction and book sale. heydaybooks.com/event/10th-annualheyday-harvest-dinner/

7 Friday Dixie Chicks DCX MMXVI Tour – 7:30 pm @ Oracle Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland.

Natalie, Marti and Emily are on tour for the first time in a decade and the show closes with a big rainbow heart. coliseum.com The Homobiles, Remember Karen and Scrim in SF – 8:00 pm @ El Rio, 3158 Mission Street.

DJ’s Carmen & Mirando – 6:00 pm @ El Rio, 3158 Mission Street.

Ladies spinning early R&B, funk, disco and pop with occasional singing and always dancing in the Front Room.

Saturday, October 8 Dance with Leave It to Diva – 8:00 pm @ La Pena, 3105 Shattuck, Berkeley. Dance featuring a Motown, R&B, funk and rock band. lapena.org/ event/leave-diva-rb-motown-rock/ Works In Progress: An Open Mic for Women – 6:30 @ Fireside Room, Plymouth United Church of Christ, 424 Monte Vista, Oakland. Includes a potluck followed

Castro Tour & Rainbow Picnic – 1:45 pm @ Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street. Queer Jewish Group’s walking tour for high school students of the Castro followed by picnic in Dolores Park with food and lawn games. facebook.com/events/ 302786983446201/ Movie Night in Duboce Park Featuring Inside Out – 7:30 pm @ Duboce Park, Duboce @ Sanchez Streets. Outdoor Movie Night returns with the familyfriendly film Inside Out. friendsofdubocepark.org

9 Sunday Blessing of the Animals – 10:00 am @ East County Shared Ministry (welcoming and affirming congregations of Community Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg and First Congregational Church of Antioch), Camp Stoneman Chapel, 200 E. Leland Road, Pittsburg. All are invited to bring pets to receive blessings. Breads from around the world to be shared during Holy Communion and music by Jane Fish and guest performer Steve Rhodes.

Eastcountysharedministry.org

UCSF Positive Health Program at Zuckerberg SF General Hospital & Trauma Center. diffasf.org

production of Edward Albee’s classic directed by Mark Jackson. shotgunplayers

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf – Through November 12 @ The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley. Shotgun Players

OCTOBER AT THE MARKET AUTUMN IS HERE! Fall has arrived, and with this change of season comes a change of flavors at the market. Look for delicious fall produce such as apples, pears, grapes and winter squash. Visit Happy Boy Farm, Rainbow Orchards, City Bee’s, or another amazing farms to see what the season has to offer for your table.

WINE WEDNESDAY - October 19th!

Come to the market and try Rainbow Orchards‘ Estate Cab-Syrah. Take home the recipes and ingredients for seasonal dishes that perfectly compliment a glass of this lovely wine!

SOCIAL MEDIA ENTER-TO-WIN Win four tickets to the San Francisco Zoo, plus a big basket full of market produce and other goodies! Geotag Castro Farmers’ Market or use the hashtag #CastroFarmersMarket with your public Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter photos to enter.

PCFMA.ORG

1.800.949.FARM

fb.com/castrofarmersmarket

Bewitched! Songfest – 7:00 pm @ Martuni’s, 4 Valencia Street.

The DiVanessa Trio leads a songfest of spooky songs for the Halloween season. facebook.com/ events/1652204918426896

DESIGN : LOGOMAN : logomantotherescue.com

by performances. facebook.com/ Works-in-Progress-An-Open-Micfor-Women-188016744635050/

Presidential Debate Watch Party – 6:00 pm @ SoMa StrEat Food Park, 428 11th Street. Food truck line-up with happy hour specials starting at 4:00 PM. Event repeats on October 19.

10 Monday Perfectly Queer Fall Fiction Monday – 7:00 pm @ Dog Eared Books, 489 Castro. Novelists Laura J. Merrell, Kate Jessica Raphael and Hilary A. Zaid read from new fiction. facebook.com/events/1765349 943718579/facebook.com/ events/840697716065456 Flesh & Spirit Community – Intermediate Yoga – 7:00 pm @ The Temple, 924 Presidio Ave. http://fleshandspirit.org/ calendar/190-intermediate-yoga. html?date=2016-08-29

11 Tuesday The Battle of Fred Hersch – 8:00 pm @ The Lark Theater, 549 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur. Mill Valley Film Festival screening, also on October 12. A documentary portrait of the eight-time Grammy nominee and jazz phenom who is openly HIV-positive and the survivor of a two month AIDS-related coma. mvff.com/music http://tickets.cafilm.org/websales/ pages/list.aspx?epguid=c6b17b069289-4456-9ea848c16255c85d&page=3& October Queer Reading Series – 5:45 pm @ San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, Latino/Hispanic Rm. RADAR Reading presents writers Natalia Vigil, S Kay, Shideh Etaat and Ramona Garcia along with Q&A and cookies.

12 Wednesday DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) Designs 2016 – 6:00 pm @ The NWBLK, 1999 Bryant Street.

Party, design showcase and silent auction benefiting DIFFA and

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NEWS (continued from page 3) October 28, from 1 pm to 3 pm at Strut (3rd floor). sfaf.org/hiv-info San Francisco Pride Selects Theme for 2017 The 2017 San Francisco Pride theme is going to be “A Celebration of Diversity,” according to community activist and well-known fashion icon Bruce Beaudette and others who attended SF Pride’s meeting this month. Beaudette reported via social media that 30–40 themes were selected before the top five finalists were named. They included: “Pride, Peace and Freedom,” “More Than Marriage,” “San Francisco: Still Queer After All These Years,” “Love Is Love Is Love Is Love,” and the winning theme.

Castro Community On Patrol Celebrating 10 Years of Service Most citizens have probably noticed members of Castro Community On Patrol (CCOP) walking on patrols around the Castro neighborhood.

This month, the organization will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an event on Tuesday, October 4, from 7–10pm at Illy Cafe. Chief of Patrol Greg Carey said, “We have remained relevant, and even vital to the community, as we very quickly switched our primary focus from reacting to the violent assaults that were the impetus to create CCOP, to a long term safety and security enhancement and collaboration focus by working with many community and government organizations at all levels.” Anyone

interested in helping CCOP make the neighborhood safer, should volunteer.

If you have information on a crime or neighborhood safety issue to share, visit castropatrol.org

I have a hard time thinking of a 51-year-old Gen-Xer, but I suppose they have to begin at some point, right?

Personally, I think Millennials should go all the way up to the end of the century. Why end an official generation in 1996, for heaven’s sake! End it in 1999 like the name suggests. And give the next generation their full 21st century identity, complete with the designation iGen that ref lects their status as the first completely computerized human cohort. That’s my view anyway.

NCLR Represents Mother of Deceased Transgender Teen in Lawsuit Against Hospital San Francisco-based National Center for Lesbian Rights and Oaklandbased Transgender Law Center, as well as attorneys at Foley & Lardner LLP, are representing Katharine Prescott, the mother of 14-yearold transgender Kyler Prescott, in a lawsuit against Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego (RCHSD). In April 2015, Prescott took Kyler to the hospital following suicidal ideation and for treatment of self-inflicted inju-

ries after an incident of transphobic harassment by his peers. The hospital repeatedly addressed Kyler, who came out to his family as transgender at 13, as a girl, even though staff were previously informed that Kyler was a transgender boy. About five weeks after the hospital visit, Kyler died by suicide. The complaint, filed in federal court in San Diego, states that RCHSD violated federal and California laws by discriminating against Kyler, and that the hospital engaged in unfair and deceptive business practices by claiming that it was experienced in treating transgender patients when, according to the complaint, it discriminated against Kyler and made his condition worse. nclrights.org,

ROSTOW (continued from page 9) years, some 20. In other words, consensus starts to dissolve and it just gets worse.

What comes after Gen-X, you ask?

It used to be Gen-Y, but that generation doesn’t seem to exist anymore.

So it might be the Millennials, right?

I have the impression that the Millennials are now between the ages of 20 and 35, or something like that, don’t you? That would make their birth between 1980 and 1995, which puts Gen-X between 1965 and 1980.

Now, some people have different dates for the Millennials which adds to the confusion. And I’m not sure we have all settled on a name for their successors. I’ve been reading about Gen-Z, a moniker that betrays a singular lack of imagination. But I also read that someone suggested the group born beginning in 1996 be known as the iGen.

SISTER DANA (continued from page 24) Folsom Street between 8th and 13th THOMASINA DE MAIO invited Streets, in San Francisco’s South of the public to her Castro Street ARTMarket district. The fair started in SAVESLIVES STUDIO AND 1984 and is now California’s thirdGALLERY, at 518 Castro Street, largest single-day, outdoor spectator to my buddy’s “RENE CAPONE’S event and the world’s largest leather 38TH BIRTHDAY PARTY.” This event and showcase for BDSM prodwas also the one-year anniversary ucts and culture. It was really realfor the gallery in the Castro. We enly really hot—and not just in the sense joyed art work co-curated by studio of weather. Fairgoers attended in all owner Thomasina De Maio and sorts of dress and undress, because nuRene Capone featuring exhibitions dity was legally allowed. Sisters of

by Capone, Andrew Fisher, PegPerpetual Indulgence and their gy Sue Ward, Mike Staley, Carl volunteers collected donations at the Linkhart, Eddie Rifkind, Kay Ueda, Aaron Zonka, Jerry Frost, gates to benefit this year’s ten major beneficiaries: AIDS Legal Referral Donna DeMatteo, Paul RichPanel, Bayview/Hunter’s Point Comard, Matt Pipes, Brian Moore, Simone, and John Walbinger. The munity Legal, Berkeley Free Clinic, Castro Country Club, Frameline, art-packed evening included emcee Hospitality House, National AIDS Kristine Wilson introducing artMemorial Grove, Pets Are Wonderful live performances by: Jose Cital ful Support, Project Inform, and San in just a g-string with a gigantic open Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. eye painted on each butt cheek, doing dramatic contemporary dance and The main stage featured some of the acrobatics; Linx with mind-blowmost stellar music from synth pop ing magic and mind-reading; Carl and electronic to indie and house.

Linkhart of The Cockettes singThis year’s headliners were elecing live in orange wig and huge headtronic and indie dance dynamos: dress with “Hey There, Soldier” and Dragonette,YACHT, and ADULT. “Boom,” a dishy, trashy camp classic.

In addition to the main stage, the fair featured two dance areas: MagniMiss SF Leather 2016 Stela tude Dance Area on 11th Street beFurtada served up performance art dressed in black angel wings and lacey tween Folsom and Harrison and the DEVIANTS Dance District on Folskirt, which she stripped off, and then som at 13th Street. Also on the main took down her shorts to reveal she stage were Billy Lloyd, Cherushii, had a tail! Don’t worry: it was fake.)

Leather Titleholders, Group Magnolia Black sang an emotionRhoda, SOLSUN, and Fritz Helal “House of the Rising Sun;” Dahlder. There were all the usual booths ia Kash gave a brave, gut-wrench(over 200 this year) offering informaing poetry reading practically in the tion and titillation for BDSM enthusiraw to address her issues followed by asts. But among the “something new” pride as a woman with “a fat, hairy, category, we got our first taste of SIbrown body;” and Donna DeMatLENCE! at Folsom Street Fair at the teo offered an original poetry readSILENCE! booth, where fans were ing—some regarding constitutional law from her lawyer days, some angry, able to take selfies with Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling, and, and some homoerotic. Each of their in a nod to the iconic quote from the performances was superb! As always, studio resident DeMaio came through Academy Award-winning film, Silence with plenty of wine, beer, food, perfor- of the Lambs, could try to win tickets to mance, and incredible art. Everything the Ray of Light Theatre presentation in latter January 2017 by throwing complimentary! DeMaio also offers bottles of limited edition SILENCE! weekly studio sessions with live modlotion into the “f*#%ing basket!” els for sketching, sculpting, and painting. Don’t miss the next reception/ HEY, SISTER DANA, ARE ALL show on October 14th, 6 to 9:30pm THE STREET FAIRS OVER? at ARTSAVESLIVES with comic Marga Gomez as emcee. artspan.

Sister Dana sez, “Do not despair! You can org/artist/thomasina still do a fair! The Castro Street Fair! And all these other lovely coming events.”

FOLSOM STREET FAIR was bigger and better this year. Approximate- MIGHTY REELS: A BEAUTIFUL ly 400,000 fetish enthusiasts spread DAY IN THE GAYBORHOOD is out over 13 city blocks—spanning at the GLBT HISTORY MUSE30

SA N FRANCISCO BAY T I ME S S E PT E MB E R 2 9 , 2 0 1 6

By the way, Millennials, you know you’re getting old when the next generation has an official name. You re-

UM, 4127 18th Street on Friday, September 30th, 7–9 pm, admission: $5; free for members. This month’s installment of the “Mighty Reels” series of historic LGBTQ film and video from the archives reveals the sights and sounds of the early years of the CASTRO STREET FAIR. Media preservationist John Raines presents rare videotape of the 1976 and 1978 fairs as captured by the Queer Blue Light media collective. Always held on the first Sunday in October, the fair has been a favorite with residents and visitors alike for over 40 years.

A major highlight of these videos is a brief interview with Harvey Milk, who explains his rationale for establishing the event in 1974. The screening takes place just two days before this year’s fair. glbthistory.org A memorial reading from writings by Mark Thompson is Friday, September 30, 7 pm to 8:30 pm at Dog Eared Books Castro. Mark Thompson had a major influence in so many areas of Queer life, as a Radical Faerie, journalist, author, leatherman, and photographer. The readers include Trebor Healey, Sister Merry Peter, Ganymede, Carol Queen, Justin Tanis, Jim Van Buskirk and others. facebook.com/ events/1113874265326037 THE FORTY-THIRD ANNUAL CASTRO STREET FAIR is back!

On Sunday, October 2, 11 am–6pm in the heart of the Castro, show the love to my favorite gayborhood! Located at the intersection of Market & Castro Streets and the surrounding area, The Castro Street Fair is a community street celebration that was founded by Harvey Milk in 1974.

Featuring four fabulous entertainment areas, hundreds of local and artisanal vendors, food and beverages, and the Castro businesses you know and love, it’s a day to celebrate with friends in the San Francisco sunshine. Dance Alley will keep you dancing, Sundance Saloon will keep you stomping, the Main Stage will keep you whooping, and the newest stage, the Castro Street Stage, will keep you loving.

A small $5–$10 donation at the gates will keep the Fair up and running, and gets you a discount on adult beverages, so bring some cash with you!

The Fair is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, and all proceeds go directly to charitable causes important to the Castro community. Additionally, the

ally start to feel it when all the articles start to fixate on Gen-Z or iGen or whatever it may be. Don’t be sad.

It happens to the best of us. At least you didn’t have to compete with the “Greatest Generation.” As I’ve said before, they were “great” because they were there. We’d all have done the same thing, right guys?

Well, actually I’m not sure about the iGen. Personally, I think they’re a pretty childish bunch. arostow@aol.com

Fair funds the rainbow flag that flies over the intersection of Castro and Market. Don’t miss this annual tradition in the Castro! (See pages 20 and 21 for more info.)

THRILLPEDDLERS presents SHOCKTOBERFEST 17: PYRAMID OF FREAKS: 17th Annual Extravaganza of Terror & Titillation at The Hypnodrome—575 10th Street (between Bryant & Division Streets), October 6–November 19, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays – 8 pm. This annual festival of Grand Guignol horror theatre and black comedies plays as a limited engagement of only 22 performances. The festival includes five new one-act performances plus the fun and scary lights-out spook-show. It’s the perfect prelude to Halloween. hypnodrome.org FILM/FAN is a periodic gathering dedicated to affirming space for queer community, film, art, and literature in San Francisco. The events bring together LGBTQQ artists and LGBTQQ people to the ARTSAVESLIVES studio, 518 Castro Street (courtesy of founder/creator Thomasina DeMaio). They meet for a film every 2nd Wednesday. There is a pre-gathering with potluck-style snacks—and they provide the popcorn! Bring a nonalcoholic drink and/or something to eat.

There is always a great discussion following the screening. The last time we enjoyed LEMONADE by Beyoncé. On October 12, KUMU HINA is a powerful film about the struggle to maintain Pacific Islander culture and values within the Westernized society of modern day Hawaiʻi. It is told through the lens of an extraordinary Native Hawaiian who is both a proud and confident māhū, or transgender woman, and an honored and respected kumu, or teacher, cultural practitioner, and community leader. Attendees meet at 6:30 pm for popcorn, snacks, and socializing. The movie starts at approximately 7 pm.

Check out their Facebook page for news and info: facebook.com/filmfan. queersocia Sister Dana sez, “Hopefully we can turn Donald Trump into the big old anchor that’ll drag the GOP down—allowing us to take back the Senate, pick up a slew of House seats, and usher in a whole raft of down-ballot progressive candidates in the process! But we gotta get out the vote!”

COSTA (continued from page 14) own ageism as well as to widen the public discussion. She described Prop I, a ballot measure to provide stable secure funding to assist low and middle income seniors to age in their homes and communities, as a potential funding source for anti-ageism initiatives. Panelist Shireen McSpadden noted that 20% of San Francisco’s population is over 60 years old, a percent projected to grow to 25% over the next 15 years. Problems related to ageism are likely to increase.

We may look at ageism like Yoko Ono, with a “here we go again” sigh.

The good news is that many folks over 60 have fought battles all their lives— against racism, sexism, and homophobia. That has made us a very resilient bunch, and should help us to increase awareness about ageism, a form of discrimination that, until now, no one had hardly ever dared to mention.

Michael Costa is a healthcare consultant focusing on the integration of health and social services for the aging population, and is a periodic contributor to this column.

6/26 (continued from page 6) er Lyric Scott’s assessment of her father’s death is literally true—something we do not know—her observation reflects reality figuratively. Continued racial and wealth disparities in this country contribute greatly to the fact that blacks are shot by police in disproportionate numbers to whites.

How then do we hold King Harald’s conclusion to his garden party address: “When we sing ‘Yes we love this country’ (Norway’s national anthem), we have to remember that we also sing about each other … . Therefore, the national anthem is also a declaration of love to the Norwegian people. My biggest hope … [is] that we can know that we—despite our differences—are one people.”

Do the King’s words only apply to Norway? Are they too idealistic even for that country? Do they pertain at all to the America laid bare in Charlotte, Tulsa, Baton Rouge, Chicago, Orlando, Cleveland, Ferguson, the Bay Area, and beyond? As an LGBT community, we proclaimed “Love Wins” when we achieved nationwide marriage equality last year. Lyric Scott’s haunting cry renders King Harald’s words a quiet plea for love to prevail in a world increasingly shown to be polarized. We must answer the sobering question: how do we make love win again?

John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney, 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 nationwide grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA contributed in 2015 to making samesex marriage legal nationwide.

Stop by the San Francisco Bay Times booth (#C104) on Castro near the Main Stage during the Castro Street Fair on Sunday October 2, from 11 am-6 pm.

Come spin our wheel!

Round About - All Over Town

Photos by RINK Film critic Jan Wahl, Senator Mark Leno and author Kirk Frederick at Hormel Center, SF Public Library, for the book talk presented by Frederick on his new publication entitled Write That Down! The Comedy of Male Actress Charles A standing room only audience at the Hormel Center, SF Public Library, for the presentation by author Kirk Frederick with film critic Jan Wahl

Jethro Patalinghug, Sophoan Sorn and Neil Terrefiel at the Anna Magnani Film Series Rome Party at the Castro Theatre on September 24.

Smack Dab at STRUT co-emcee Larry-Bob Roberts at the rainbow escalator at Harvey Milk Plaza on August 17.

Smack Dab at STRUT co-emcees Larry-Bob Roberts The new rainbow crosswalks at 18th and Castro Streets were installed and Dana Hopkins with her dog Wilbur at the top of the on September 19 to replace the ones damaged during filming of ABC’s new rainbow escalator at Harvey Milk Plaza on August 17. When We Rise.

A memorial tribute at Hibernia Beach (18th & Castro) to transgender activist and performer Alexis Arquette who starred in Last Exit to Brooklyn and Wigstock.

The August Castro Live! program at Jane Warner Plaza featured Sundance Saloon dancers demonstrating line dancing on August 20.

Guests at the After Hours Leather and Fur fundraiser party for the upcoming Bears exhibit at the GLBT Historical Society Museum on September 23.

A tribute to GGBA president and beloved community leader the late JP Leddy placed at 18th and Castro on his birthday.

San Francisco Bay Times designer Abby Zimberg (right) with her wife Helene Wenzel (second from left) and friends at the Castro Farmer’s Market on September 7.

A sign declared “We Are Open!” at the entrance of SF LGBT Center at 1800 Market Street next to boarded up doors that were smashed recently in an act of anti-LGBT vandalism.

Owner Joshua Leavy serving at the bar at Myriad Marketplace located at 15th and Market Streets.

Panelists Johnny Symons, Nyna Pais Caputi and Harleen Singh with moderator Jasmina Bojic, during the United Nations Film Festival press event.

United Nations Film Festival founder and executive director Jasmina Bojic and filmmaker Johnny Symons at the festival’s press event on September 20. Symons’ film, Out Run, which will be screened on October 29 during the upcoming festival, is about the world’s only LGBT political party sponsoring candidates in an election in the Philippines.

S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES S EPT EM BER 29, 2016

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PHOTO BY NICOLE KATANO

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