San Francisco Bay Times - February 19, 2015

February 19-March 4, 2015 | www.sfbaytimes.com /SF Bay Times

/SFBayTimes

See pages 13-17

PHOTOS OF FITNESS SF TRAINER RICH ALBA BY CHLOE JACKMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

See pages 2-4

WORK OUT!

PHOTO SOURCE: EBAY.COM

For many of us who live and work in the Castro, Fitness SF at Noe and Market is a welcome landmark. It’s a place not only to work out, but also to meet old friends, colleagues and lovers, and to make new ones. This busy hub, along with our other neighborhood gyms, reminds us how intertwined “gym culture” is with gay culture. The continuing evolution of both ref lects key changes in LGBT life here in San Francisco over the past four decades.

PHOTO SOURCE: PRINCETON UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

The Evolution of San Francisco’s Gay Gym Culture

In the 70’s, places like Polk Street, Eureka Valley and the Castro were full of young members of our community—particularly gay men—who enjoyed showing off their gym-toned bodies in snug 501 jeans and tight t-shirts. A lot of guys also sported cropped hair and mustaches. The look was so common that they were dubbed “Castro Clones.” Stereotypes aside, those of us at the San Francisco Bay Times who were in the city then remember how exhilarating that period often was. One of the songs that could be heard thumping out of packed clubs and cafes perhaps said it best: “Young man, there’s no need to feel down. I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground…there’s no need to be unhappy.”

LEBEAULEBLOG

MUSCLETREK.COM

Now, with marriage equality thankfully a rea l it y here in California, married couples and families are hitting the gym together. Busy professionals get up at the crack of dawn to work out before heading to the off ice, or manage to put in some time in the evening. We seem to be more serious about fitness, and the places we choose to support.

PHOTO SOURCE: RELIQUE.COM

Happiness could indeed by found at the Y.M.C.A., as the gay-themed Village People sang, along with other places where men and women could work out, feel good about themselves, and strut their sexy stuff. We remember Solarius and Apollo, widely regarded as being San Francisco’s f irst “gay gyms.” Then there was Muscle Systems, The Pump Room, City Gym, Market Street Gym…so many. We’d like to rewrite the Vil-

In the 80’s and 90’s, the HIV/AIDS crisis seemed to intensify our pursuit of health and fitness. Instead of approaching someone with lines like “What’s your sign?” or “What do you do?” it became more common to ask, “Where do you work out?”

Moving into a new decade after the millennium, San Francisco g yms led to multiple distinct LGBT social groups. For his 2007 book “Muscle Boys: Gay Gym Culture” (Haworth Press), personal trainer Erick Alvarez surveyed nearly 6,000 male gay gym

The Village People

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devotees and identified the following six principal subgroups: 1. The Muscle Boy- 18 to 40-something-year-old men who do not strongly identify with other gym subcultures 2. The Older Male- Gay baby boomers who frequently work out 3. The Poz Jock- HIV-positive men who, as Alvarez writes, “use the gym and exercise as an important aspect of managing HIV and AIDS” 4. The Athlete- For these men, the gym is a cross-training tool that serves as an extension of their sport(s)

5. The Circuit Boy- These guys train hard and party hard too 6. The Muscle Bear- “Big, burly, and strong as hell,” Alvarez writes Volumes could also be written about LGBT women g ym subcultures.

A tongue-in-cheek AfterEllen story even advises single readers on how to choose the perfect gym class in order to meet Ms. Right. (Think bored housewives in Zumba class, and dou-

PHOTO SOURCE: CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

“Castro Clones”

PHOTO SOURCE: OFFICIALVILLAGEPEOPLE.COM

PHOTO BY RINK

lage People lyrics to say, “Young man and woman,” because LGBT women were in on all of this too. The Pump Room, for example, later was named the “Women’s Gym” and catered to lesbians.

Gym owners Zsolt and Sebastyen Jackovics are sensitive to those needs, such that they left the Gold’s Gym fitness chain in 2012 after it was learned that billionaire businessman Robert Rowling and his company TRT Holdings of Gold’s gave close to $6 million to a political group that later used the money to support anti-gay congressional candidates. Gold’s in the Castro was then history, with Fitness SF rising sleek and strong in its place with a new logo.

What does the future hold for gay gym culture? Alvarez believes that distinct social groups and trends will continue to emerge out of gyms, spilling out into the rest of society. We have had a decades-long relationship with gyms that, for better and worse, will continue far into the future. “Simply put,” Alvarez concluded, “in urban America, being gay comes with a gym membership.”

PHOTO SOURCE: PINTEREST.COM

PHOTO SOURCE: KIMWOODGYM.COM

ble entendre conversations had while lying down doing Pilates.)

WORK OUT!

Fitness SF Helps to Revitalize San Francisco Neighborhoods

By Don Dickerson It is an exciting time for Fitness SF as we build our brand within the thriving San Francisco Bay Area communities. Although Fitness SF is a fairly new brand, we have been serving the Bay Area as a health and fitness provider for the past 25 years. Our goal is to provide all members with an unparalleled fitness experience by offering the latest equipment, cutting-edge classes, world-class amenities, and a supportive environment to help all of our members and guests achieve their goals.

Since Fitness SF’s branding in fall of 2012, we have added two new fullservice clubs in San Francisco—one in the Mid-Market area and the other in the Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood, bringing our total number of fitness facilities to six full service

clubs. Our newest two SF clubs are helping to revitalize their respective neighborhoods by partnering with other business and organizations to bring value and commitment to the communities they serve.

In addition to our facilities, we also of fer a wide and comprehensive range of group exercise classes where members can learn something new to enhance their workout routine and overall gym experience. We have additionally built a team of some of the best and diverse personal trainers in San Francisco. We pride ourselves by letting our trainers’ expertise and our clients’ fitness needs be the number one priority in our training programs. We listen and cater to our members’ exact needs and help build confidence, motivation, and strength, so that our training clients become self-sufficient on the gym f loor. We

Chloe Jackman Photography

constantly educate ourselves on new and exciting changes within the fastpaced fitness industry so that we can best serve our members.

We offer a free 3-day trial pass and a complimentary FIT session with a personal trainer to all guests who are interested in membership and a training program. So if you would like to make that change to better your life and strengthen your body, let us help you achieve your goal! Our fitness directors and customer service managers are here to help as we continue to be one of the Bay Area’s leading fitness resources by positively influencing the communities we are a part of and improving the lives of each person we encounter. We look forward to making a healthy and positive difference in your life. Live fitness. We do!

Don Dickerson is Director of Operations at Fitness SF.

Fitness SF Castro staff (back row left to right): Ricardo Yalli, Justin Gourlie, Justin Parchman, Carol Catron, Eugene Milyukovskiy, Rich Alba; (front left to right): Daniel Santera, Michael Cockrum, J.C. Amezcua

The Best Time to Exercise Exercise after you eat if you hope to reduce your chances of getting heart disease and diabetes, finds a new study.

The paper, published just a few days ago in the latest issue of the Journal of Applied Physiolog y, counters the long-held view that it’s better to exercise before meals.

Stratten Moore

“This study shows that it is not just the intensity or duration of exercising that is important, but also the timing of when it occurs,” said Jill Kanaley, a professor of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology. “Results from this study show that resistance exercise has its most powerful effect on reducing glucose and fat levels in one’s blood when performed after dinner.”

Michael Cockrum

The effects are most noticeable in overweight individuals with Type 2 diabetes, so there is hope for everyone when it comes to incorporating regular exercise into health regimes. For the study, participants performed 45 minutes of resistance exercises, such as leg curls, seated calf raises and abdominal crunches.

The researchers took blood tests

and monitored heart health in groups that exercised before consuming dinner and afterwards. The latter group consistently showed better results.

The researchers aren’t sure why this is the case, but it could have to do with hormone levels, improved metabolism or other factors.

“Knowing that the best time to exercise is after a meal could provide health care professionals with a better understanding of how to personalize exercise prescriptions to optimize health benefits,” Kanaley said.

Be sure to check with your doctor and to work with a trusted trainer, such as those at Fitness SF, particularly if you have pre-existing health conditions.

The good news again is that there is hope for everyone. While the photos in this paper show super fit individuals (hey- it’s their job!) you should never feel intimidated out of exercising or going to the gym. Keep small, doable goals in mind and you’ll start to see good results.

Justin Parchman and Justin Gourlie

Brian Heminger Rich Alba, Daniel Santera, Eugene Milyukovskiy

Matthew Moore

Carol Catron BAY T IM ES F EBRUARY 19, 2015

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SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN'S CHORUS DR. TIMOTHY SEELIG, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

WORK OUT!

Get Off Your Good Intentions and Stop Making Excuses

featuring the San Francisco premiere of

Jake Heggie’s opera For a Look or a Touch in collaboration with San Francisco Opera, American Conservatory Theater, + Contemporary Jewish Museum

with guest artists Morgan Smith + Kip Niven and the world premiere of #twitterlieder: 15 Tweets in 3 Acts

APRIL 1 + 2 » 8 P.M. DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL TICKETS » SFGMC.ORG

Work schedules these days can seem overwhelming. It’s hard enough to get through traffic, deadlines, chores and needed rest in 24 hours, much less to find time for working out. If you have a “desk job,” though, taking time for fitness isn’t an option; it’s a necessity.

6. Take the stairs.

“Building physical activity back into our daily lives is one of the great public health challenges of this century,” exercise physiologist Russell Pate told the American Heart Association. “Our bodies were designed to be physically active, and they don’t do well with long-term exposure to sedentary living. Lack of physical activity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.”

Even if you have two left feet, let music take you away for at least 30 minutes in the privacy of your home. If your budget allows, consider taking dance classes at one of several LGBT studios, such as Trip the Light Fantastic: http://www.tripthelightfantastic.org/

One of the best solutions is to join a gym, find a workout buddy and stick to a regular routine. But let’s say you just don’t have the money, and no one’s schedule matches yours. You might also feel that there is zero time in your day for fitness. The American Heart Association isn’t falling for that, and offers tips on how to get into an exercise groove.

We all see the fit bikers running up and down the stairs at BART and Muni. Join them! The extra walking each day will pay off.

7. Dance.

8. Take advantage of free resources.

We’re adding this one to the list, because the American Council on Fitness has a helpful Fitness Library that includes workout plans, videos and much more. http://www.acefitness. org/acefit/exercise-library-main/ Brian Heminger

1. Consider getting a dog.

Dog owners tend to walk more, and enjoy the good company of their pet while they do so.

9. Get a free pass at Fitness SF. We’re adding this tip too, because Fitness SF offers a free 3-day pass that allows you access to all of their gyms throughout the Bay Area. You can meet the trainers featured in this issue and many others. http://fitnesssf. com/free-pass/

2. Stuck in suburbia? Go for a mall walk.

Malls are temperature controlled and offer great people watching.

3. Join a team.

A lot of singles meet their partners at gyms and while participating in a sports group or team. Check out the many LGBT Bay Area sports-related groups at this site: http://homeo.tripod.com/sportssf.html

Rich Alba

Walk, jog in place, or use a treadmill while watching a 30-minute or more show on TV.

It wasn’t so long ago that our ancestors exerted a lot of physical energy to obtain dinner. Russell said, “Our culture no longer requires us to be hunters and gathers, but our bodies still need the physical activity that is required by that way of life.”

5. Park and walk.

Forego the temptation to park right at the front door of your destination. Park some blocks away and enjoy the walk.

NEWSIES

10. Replace dessert with exercise.

This solution offers the additional sweet reward of catching up with friends and family if they joined you for dinner.

4. Reject your inner couch potato.

R I C H M O N D / E R M E T A I D F O U N D AT I O N P R E S E N T S

(At another site, there’s a fun page on yoga poses to improve your sex life: http://www.phillymag.com/gphilly/2014/06/24/5-yoga-poseswill-make-better-top/#gallery-1-1)

Carol Catron

March 2, 2015, 7:30 PM Marines’ Memorial Theater

Benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS & Richmond/Ermet Foundation

with special guests

Bruce Vilanch, Sharon McNight & Shawn Ryan

H

J.C. Amezcua

H

H

H

J.C. Amezcua

Special thanks to the Don Dickerson, Blake Smith, Earl Phanngavong of Fitness SF and the entire team of trainers at Fitness SF SF Castro.

Tickets & Information

www.helpisontheway.org or 415.273.1620 SPONSORED BY Daniel Santera 4

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Daniel Santera

Photos exclusive to San Francisco Bay Times

by Chloe Jackman Photography.

BAY T IM ES F EBRUARY 19, 2015

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President Mandelman, LGBT Soiree, Violence Report, and Shame on BART trying, albeit unsuccessfully, to convince their colleagues to drop the charges.

That’s President Mandelman to You

A San Francisco Kind of Democrat Rafael Mandelman Shame on Them

MARCH 14–JULY 19, 2015

Legion of Honor Lincoln Park • legionofhonor.org

This exhibition is organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

President’s Circle: The Estate of Merrill and Hedy Thruston. Conservator’s Circle: The Diana Dollar Knowles Fund. Benefactor’s Circle: The Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund and the Estate of Harriet E. Lang. Patron’s Circle: Mr. and Mrs. William Hamilton and Jim and Arlene Sullivan. Additional support provided through proceeds from The Art of Fashion: Runway Show and Luncheon.

Media Sponsors Charles James, “Tree” ball gown, 1955. Silk taffeta and tulle. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. Douglas Fairbanks Jr., 1981.

Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

We are fluent in feline!

SAN FRANCISCO SPCA FELINE WELLNESS CENTER

This tranquil space provides your cat with a quiet, calming environment free of the noise and stress of a typical veterinary hospital waiting room.

Shame on the BART Board of Directors. On Thursday, February 12, the Board voted to ask the Alameda County DA to criminally prosecute the #blacklivesmatter protesters who shut the system down back on Black Friday.

Having engaged in my fair share of civil disobedience over the years, including helping shut down Van Ness for hours on the day of the Supreme Court’s Proposition 8 decision, I have been cited several times but never criminally prosecuted. This is the Bay Area after all; we don’t prosecute peaceful protesters. Or so I thought.

For BART, just a few short years after a BART police officer shot and killed an unarmed and handcuffed Oscar Grant, to insist now on the prosecution of a group of young black people peacefully protesting racial injustice is outrageous.

Kudos to BART Directors Tom Radulovich and Rebecca Saltzman for

Do Ask, Do Tell What’s a delegate? Why should you care? What does that have to do with anything?

(415) 554-3030 2343 Fillmore Street • sfspca.org/fwc

Those who have been immersed in Democratic party politics long enough probably know the answers, but I find the average San Francisco voter doesn’t fully understand all the “stuff ” that happens in the background that impacts who has a better or worse chance at getting elected to public office. I know I didn’t fully understand it five years ago when I first became involved in local politics. So my column this month will be part tutorial (and editorial) and also give a perspective on how the winds are currently blowing for future key state-level races in 2016.

Seems a long way away, but the groundwork is being laid now and you should pay attention.

Winning elected office in San Francisco and California requires a lot of things.

One obvious thing is money for campaign staff and campaign collateral (mailings, yard signs, advertisements, billboards). It also requires a solid field organization—volunteers willing to phone bank, go door to door to talk to voters, provide visibility at heavily travelled intersections, or drop literature at the doorsteps of likely voters. The final key criterion for success involves collecting endorsements.

Many voters don’t have the time or energy to research every candidate and every ballot proposition, especially in busy election years. Instead, they rely on the recommendations of organiza-

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Although almost all of the Board’s powers are still being exercised by the Special Trustee, the City College administration in December initiated a training program for the Trustees (four of whom have been elected since the accreditation crisis began) as the first step in a phased plan for resumption of local control. The Board members’ mostly non-voting participation in the January 22 meeting marked another step under the plan, and in the coming months the Board is expected to take on

tions they trust, or align with philosophically or politically. They will take the “slate card” they received in the mail (with the list of endorsed candidates from their favorite club or group) to the polls with them and use that tool as a reference as they cast their votes.

Perhaps many of you readers do the same thing.

Zoe Dunning

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

With the accreditation threat now somewhat diminished, the State Chancellor has begun moving to restore local control of the College (the Accrediting Commission in early January announced its decision to grant City College an additional two years to meet accreditation standards.)

The one action the Board was allowed to take at that meeting was to elect new officers. Thanks to my colleagues for electing me President, and congratulations to our new Vice President, Thea Selby. With enrollment continuing to decline, staff and faculty morale at a nadir, contract negotiations looming, and a seemingly endless stream of news stories about the College’s facilities and other challenges, I am quite certain the road ahead will be a rough one, with plenty of stomach-churning twists and turns. I also remain, perhaps naively, confident that with the continuing support of a public deeply committed to the College’s survival and success, we will make it through. We just have to.

LGBTQI Violence Prevention Needs Assessment On February 10, two days after the tragic murder of Taja Gabrielle DeJesus, the LGBT Community Center, in partnership with Learning for Action and the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, issued a groundbreaking study of the impact of harassment and violence in the LGBT community. (continued on page 26)

Important Groundwork Being Laid Now for the November 2016 Elections

Your cat will be seen by one of our cat-approved veterinarians who specialize in the care of feline companions.

The SF SPCA Veterinary Hospital at the Pets Unlimited Care Center specializes in cat-centric care.

On January 22, the members of City College’s Board of Trustees met formally as a Board for the first time in more than a year and a half. You may recall that back in July of 2013, in the wake of the ACCJC announcing its decision to terminate City College’s accreditation, the State Board of Governors suspended the local Board and authorized State Chancellor Brice Harris to appoint a Special Trustee who would govern the College in its place.

responsibility for various aspects of the College’s governance, beginning with student affairs and academics, then all other non-financial matters and, finally, budget and finance.

Of all the endorsements out there— Democratic clubs like Alice B. Toklas or Harvey Milk, or issue-driven organizations like Sierra Club, or unions like SEIU 1021—there is one that has arguably the furthest reach and carries the heaviest weight. That coveted endorsement is the official endorsement of the Democratic Party. For city and county offices—Mayor, District Attorney, Board of Supervisors—these endorsements come from the San Francisco County Democratic Central Committee (DCCC). It currently has 32 seats. These consist of 24 seats that the city’s Democratic voters elect every 4 years (full disclosure, I am one), and the remaining 8 seats are Ex-Officio members. The individuals are state or federal elected office holders who reside in San Francisco (e.g. Dianne Feinstein, Assemblymember Phil Ting). If a city/ county candidate wants the Democratic Party endorsement, they need to convince those 32 members to support them.

For state-level district offices (State Senator, Assemblymember), the numbers expand quite significantly, to the neighborhood of 90+ delegates from San Francisco County and several hundred for statewide office. For these races, a candidate relies on the votes of the Democratic State Central Committee (DSCC) delegates. The DSCC has generally three sources for delegates. Each county’s central committee (DCCC mentioned above) has a certain number of delegates they send (SF has 29); each federal and state official and Democratic party officer has appointments they can make (e.g. Mark Leno or Nancy Pelosi); and the third source provides more grassroots delegates.

Twenty-eight “ADEM” delegates are elected in caucuses held every two years where registered Democrats come on a

Saturday or Sunday morning and vote for those they want to represent them on the DSCC. These ADEM caucuses took place last month and the outcome was not random. Assemblymember David Chiu, who will be up for reelection in 2016, and Supervisor Scott Wiener, who is widely rumored to be planning a run for Mark Leno’s Senate seat when he is termed out in 2016, put together their own slates and were successful in getting elected supportive people for the vast majority of these 28 delegate seats.

The DCCC delegates appear to have a majority supportive of Chiu and Wiener. Finally, those that are appointed by state and federal officials are loosely required to vote as they are directed by the elected official who appointed them. David Chiu has taken over Tom Ammiano’s delegates, so you can count on a shift from more progressive to more moderate delegates from that source as well.

All this is to say that the groundwork is being laid out now for the November 2016 elections, and it appears David Chiu and Scott Wiener already have a head start on securing the delegate support necessary to claim the coveted “Endorsed by the Democratic Party” stamp of approval in 2016. The Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, for which Scott Wiener previously served as Co-Chair, and which went all-in on endorsing David Chiu for Assembly, gained some substantial power and influence with these moves and appointments. A significant number of DCCC and ADEM delegates are current or former members of the Alice Board of Directors. In the end, this means the LGBT Community will have a powerful voice in the Democratic Party, and a strong influence on these upcoming elections. Stay tuned!

Zoe Dunning is a retired Navy Commander and was a lead activist in the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. She currently serves as the 1st Vice Chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party, as a San Francisco Library Commissioner, and as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club.

In the News

By Dennis McMillan Kaiser Permanente to Significantly Increase Cost of HIV Drugs for Patients As part of a growing trend for insurance companies to move certain drugs, including HIV drugs, to a specialty tier, the result is that patients may have to pay hundreds of dollars a month for their HIV medication. Supervisor Scott Wiener finds this troubling “at a time when we are working hard to increase access and improve community health.”

This cost increase for HIV-positive Kaiser members will be a burden that some patients won’t be able to bear.

Wiener will be meeting with representatives from Kaiser and calling for an oversight hearing at the Board of Supervisors to address this decision.

Activists Gather at City Hall in Die-In and Protest Against Transgender Violence More than 200 people met at the steps of City Hall in a die-in and protest calling out the City for falling behind when it comes to aiding transgender people who are too often targets of violence.

When Taja DeJesus’ body was found on the steps of a building in the Bayview on Feb. 1, her stabbing death was a rallying cry against transgender violence. The nonviolent and angry demonstration ended inside City Hall when protesters marched to the Board of Supervisors meeting.

HRC Report Shows Elevated Violence in the LGBTQ Community A new report entitled “Violence Prevention Needs Assessment” determined that crimes against queers have risen over the past several months. The report, prepared by the SF Human Rights Commission, the SF LGBT Center and Learning for Action, focused on four main areas: experiences of violence, perceptions of community safety and connectedness, services for survivors of violence, and violence prevention.

The report notes that violent crimes against transgender individuals and LGBT people of color have been particularly high recently. To read a full copy of the report, visit: sfcenter.org/violencereport

pride flag (blue, black, white, and red).

The idea is to have commemorative plaques about the history of the neighborhood, spaces for performances and food trucks, and the ability to drive emergency vehicles through the middle of it, if necessary, by using modular roadblock elements.

San Francisco Coalition to Underground Utilities Needs Help The San Francisco Coalition to Underground Utilities is trying to reach out to all of San Francisco to build up support and show the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors that the citizens of San Francisco want no longer to see the mess of utility wires throughout the city, and no longer to fear downed power lines as well as phone and cable outages in case of high winds or earthquakes.

Half of the City’s utility poles have been put underground, but the City has halted the work due to funding restriction.

SFCUU is pressuring the City’s government to resume these efforts and finish the work, but it needs citizens’ help to convince the supervisors that this is an important effort. sfcuu.org Problems in Jane Warner Plaza Cause Parklet to Close At the invitation of Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District (CBD), approximately 50 neighborhood residents and others with an interest in the Castro crowded into Eureka Valley Recreation Center to discuss ideas on how to fix problems associated with Jane Warner Plaza. The meeting was facilitated by CBD Executive Director Andrea Aiello, Captain Perea of the Mission Station, and District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener, who spoke and answered questions. Wiener emphasized the distinction between being homeless and exhibiting bad behavior. A few homeless activists expressed concerns that the homeless not be marginalized or scapegoated for lack of sales or tourists in the Castro. The result is the temporary closure of Jane Warner Plaza for “redesign.”

Assemblyman Tom Ammiano Hurt by Hit-and-Run Driver; Suspect Arrested Former Assemblyman Tom Ammiano and a police officer recently became the victims of a hit-and-run driving suspect.

Police said it started when officers tried to arrest a man for aggravated assault, but he instead fled the scene, trying to run over an officer during the getaway.

Ammiano was not hurt, but was visibly shaken. The officer was treated for minor injuries. Police were able to take the suspect into custody.

San Francisco Celebrated Sylvester with Mighty Real Day The City of San Francisco honored the legendary disco singer Sylvester, along with the opening of Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical—the acclaimed celebration of the life and music of the original 1970s “Queen of Disco”—with San Francisco Supervisor Scott Weiner presenting a proclamation for “Mighty Real Day: Honoring Sylvester & His Music” on Friday February 13, at Sylvester’s star on the Castro Rainbow Honor Walk.

Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical began performances at the Brava Theater Center on February 11 and will run through Sunday, March 1.

Leather Park Proposed in SoMa Plans are taking shape to install a parklet/plaza on the block of 12th Street outside the Eagle Tavern in SoMa that would recognize the neighborhood’s history in the gay leather community. The decor will be in the colors of the leather

California Faith for Equality to Become Part of EQCA Equality California and California Faith for Equality announced a historic new collaboration that will advance faithbased LGBT equality initiatives in California and across the country. As a

result, CFE’s renowned work will become a cornerstone initiative of EQCA and EQCA Institute, and CFE will become a special program within EQCA. Founded in 2006, California Faith for Equality has been dedicated to educating and mobilizing California’s faith communities to promote LGBT equality and safeguard religious freedom. From helping to enact one of California’s most comprehensive safer schools initiatives for the San Diego Unified School District, to marshaling support for marriage equality in California and building a national network of leaders from the faith community, CFE’s work advancing LGBT equality in faith communities has been unparalleled.

Incidents of Home Invasions Up in the Castro and Other Neighborhoods Statistics of home invasion robberies are up, and there have been quite a few in the past few weeks in a variety of San Francisco neighborhoods, including the Castro. They can be particularly dangerous as the suspects may be high on drugs and thus unpredictable. Castro Community on Patrol (CCOP) training director Ken Craig has added a post to the CCOP website with advice on protecting your home from this type of robbery and burglaries in general (castropatrol.org/bulletins/home). Greg Carey, Chief of Patrol, CCOP, warns that, unlike the movies that show burglars working in the dark of night, most home burglaries occur during the day when most people are at work. Be sure your home and garage are secure whenever you are away.

EQUALITY = HEALTHY We all bring something unique to the world, something for which we are proud.

For the 5th year in a row, Kaiser Permanente has been recognized as a leader in health care equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations in the Healthcare Equality Index 2014 report.

kp.org/thrive

Giants to Present ‘Until There’s a Cure Day’ The world champion San Francisco Giants and Until There’s A Cure Foundation invite fans to join them at the annual “Until There’s A Cure Day,” raising awareness of prevention education, care and services, in an effort to help find a cure for AIDS. The special event ticket package includes a ticket to the Wednesday May 20 evening game to watch the Giants take on the rival Los Angeles Dodgers, with a portion of ticket proceeds going directly back to the Until There’s A Cure Foundation. Fans are encouraged to come help the Giants support a great cause. sanfrancisco. giants.mlb.com Spectrum LGBT Center and Marin AIDS Project to Merge The Boards of Directors of Spectrum LGBT Center (Spectrum) and Marin AIDS Project (MAP) have confirmed news reported here earlier, that the two longstanding Marin County human services agencies will merge under a common nonprofit umbrella organization, while maintaining their separate programs and services. By combining at the organizational level, they will streamline administrative costs, enhance the services of both agencies and leverage their programmatic impact in the community.

The merger can be seen as a reunion.

Spectrum and MAP were each born from the vision of their shared founder, the openly lesbian Rev. Janie Spahr.

W E ’ V E G O T. . .

MORE FREE ATMs than the other guys. AND if you’re too busy to find one of ours, we’ll pay you back for using theirs.

Pink Saturday Canceled This Year

By Sister Dana Van Iquity

the early 90s. Unfortunately, with that growth comes an increase in challenges.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will not be producing “Pink Saturday” in the Castro this year. “Pink Saturday” is a fictitious business name registered by The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc. in San Francisco. Since 1995, the Sisters have been the organizers and permit holders of the annual closure of Castro Street for the Saturday evening of Pride Weekend.

“Pink Saturday has been increasingly difficult to produce in recent years,” says Sister Selma Soul, who was coordinator of the event for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014. “An escalation in violence associated with the event convinced us last summer that the event needed to significantly change if we were to produce it again.”

of great joy for the community over the years. During the time it has been produced by the Sisters, it has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for community nonprofits. Pink Saturday has been a very successful event, and has grown immensely since

Supervisor Scott Wiener, the SFPD and various City agencies, no clear vision for the event has been developed that addresses the concerns of the community, our volunteers and our members. Without a clear vision this close to Pride Weekend, The Sisters of

PHOTO BY RINK

Flash mob dancers After months of meetings with Pink Saturday has had a history at Pink Saturday community members,

Perpetual Indulgence have voted to suspend planning for 2015, and will not be applying for a street closure in the Castro.

The Sisters may explore new manifestations of “Pink Saturday” in future years, but at this time, we are suspending production. As a group composed solely of volunteers with no paid staff, the challenges that have grown with the event are simply too great for our organization to address.

We thank Supervisor Scott Wiener, the SFPD, and many community members who are working to continue this traditional Pride Weekend event. We offer support to any organization that may wish to pursue a street closure permit for the evening of June 27, 2015, but we will not participate in a capacity that would put the physical safety of our members and volunteers at risk that evening.

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Money and Finance Three Keys to Strengthening Your Financial Resolve when it comes to achieving your longterm financial goals. You may overspend because you don’t have a handle on your budget and you’re not exactly sure how much you can afford to spend. Move forward with renewed focus on your money—where it comes from and where it goes. You may want to try forgoing the use of your credit card and only spend money on things you can afford through your bank account. Also, make it a habit to review your bank statements each month so you can see where your money is going. Make adjustments, if necessary.

Money Matters Brandon Miller, CFP It takes a lot of practice (and willingness) to become a champion of responsible spending and saving to meet your long-term goals. If you’re a bit out of shape in the financial department, don’t try to change everything overnight. Instead, embark on a financial evolution that fosters the kind of behaviors that will improve your financial standing over time. Here are three fundamentals to embrace as you evolve to a new financial you.

Be more aware.

Paying more attention to your finances can make a big difference

Reinforce the good.

Don’t underestimate the power of your inner self and how emotions drive your financial behaviors. For example, you may dread paying bills or saving money because it makes you feel deprived or anxious. Borrow from the field of psychology and use conditioning and rewards to reinforce behaviors you want to repeat. Start by practicing positive self-talk to help align your heart with your head.

Then sit down to pay bills with your favorite music playing and a favorite snack or beverage as refreshment.

Use a notebook to record your

successes, and mentally thank yourself for completing the task. Over time, you may start to look forward to the positive feelings now associated with keeping your finances in order.

Add and subtract.

Changing how you behave financially involves subtracting behaviors and adding others. For every “bad” financial habit you want to eliminate, identify two or more smart financial habits to take its place. For example, if your goal is to stop accruing late fees, identify new actions that will help you to succeed, such as opening bills immediately to be aware of due dates, programming alerts in your calendar to trigger payments, or signing up for automatic payments.

Before you know it, late fees will be a thing of the past, and you’ll also have a better handle on your upcoming financial obligations.

Brandon Miller, CFP, is a financial consultant at Brio Financial Group, A Private Wealth Advisory Practice of Ameriprise Financial Inc. in San Francisco, specializing in helping LGBT individuals and families plan and achieve their financial goals.

Join Alma Soongi Beck of The Beck Law Group, P.C., for a free workshop on Medi-Cal and Long-Term Care Planning.

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BAY TIMES FEBRUA RY 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

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Comparing Two Popular Eco-Friendly Cars: Toyota Prius and Nissan Leaf

Auto Philip Ruth It doesn’t matter if you’re LGBT or straight when it comes to environmental awareness in the Bay Area; we’re all subject to the same social pressure to consider the Earth when we make decisions big and small. Of course, that’s why a lot of us gravitate here. When your sex buddy composts and the fetish fairs have biodegradable cups, then it feels like you’re part of a greater culture that acts on its collective concern for the future of our planet. The two vehicles we’ll examine here are directly keyed into that concern.

Of course, we all know the Toyota Prius. California is the Prius’ most popular market, and driving even just through a few San Francisco neighborhoods in a Prius means seeing yourself coming and going. At Rainbow Grocery, this $36K tester I drove nearly tipped the parking-lot balance to half-Prius. It is unnerving at first to be part of the Prius swarm, but after a while, the relative anonymity it afforded was relaxing. Nothing to see here; we’re just another Prius.

The $37K Nissan Leaf is another

four-door hatchback that is increasingly seen on our roads.

While the Leaf seems novel, some Leaf drivers I spoke to were on their second one. Going allelectric means committing to a limited range. It’s great for around town if you can plug in every night, and it would fit right in if you could commute with it and charge up when you arrive at work.

Those HOV lane stickers that have been pulled from hybrids are there for electrics, and being able to pass long ribbons of traffic in the HOV lane could help you make better use of the hundreds of hours you’d spend in the bumper-to-bumper lanes.

Parking is a primary concern around here, and the Leaf and Prius are within an inch and a half of each other, with both measuring less than a compact’s 177 inches. Chances are then good you’ll be able to squeeze into one of those tight SOMA spaces for that Eagle beer bust.

Both are quiet over the road, and the Leaf ’s lack of a gas engine makes it move with a whisper. It beeps as you back up, which is helpful, but you must remember that the surrounding bikers and pedestrians don’t hear you as you

Changing Times people who use their services. Make no mistake, the collection of data on LGBT people by HHS and New York State is just the beginning. More federal agencies, states and municipalities will make similar decisions. The impact of such efforts will improve health and social services for every LGBT person.

Aging in Community Marcy Adelman

nudge through the streets of the city.

It’s incumbent upon you to remember that your presence is not felt, lest you create an unpleasant surprise.

As a compromise for those looking for a longer range and access to an HOV sticker, the $30K-base-priced Prius Plug-In might suffice. The Leaf automatically qualifies for a white sticker, while the Prius Plug-In must enter into a pool for the green ones, which expire in 2019. You’re therefore playing the lottery a bit for that sticker, but you’d be free from the range anxiety of pure electricity. Both the Prius and Leaf are pleasant enough, so it’s up to you to decide which one best suits your needs.

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

There is a quiet sea change happening that will affect every LGBT person in the nation, and it will change our lives for the better. Slowly but surely, federal, state, and municipal governments are initiating efforts to collect demographic data on sexual orientation and gender identity. This is happening thanks to the efforts of LGBT advocates. Until now, the lack of comprehensive data on our community has made it difficult to address both health and non-health issues, such as discrimination and health and economic disparities.

In 2013 the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the testing of gender identity demographic questions for their Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which is the largest telephone survey in the world, and that sexual orientation questions would be included in HHS’s National Health Interview Survey.

In 2014 New York became the first state to initiate a statewide effort to collect and coordinate data on sexual orientation. Eight New York state agencies have begun to collect selfreported voluntary data on LGBT

In January of this year, the San Francisco Health Commission approved the City’s first systematic sexual orientation and gender identity guidelines. The policy, developed after two years of research, sets out clear guidelines for collecting, coding and reporting LGBT data. This policy will allow the Department of Public Health to better identify and address health problems in LGBT communities.

The San Francisco LGBT Aging Policy Task Force, in their final report, recommended requiring all city departments to collect data on LGBT people and that senior service providers be required to be trained in LGBT cultural competency training.

This month, representatives from Supervisors Wiener and Campos met with representatives from the City Attorney’s office and three city departments to discuss next steps in translating the Task Force’s recommendation on data collection into a city ordinance. The Department of Public Health’s guidelines were discussed as a model for citywide policy.

Can the state of California be far behind?

Dr. Marcy Adelman, a clinical psychologist in private practice, is a co-founder of the nonprofit organization Openhouse and was a leading member of the San Francisco LGBT Aging Policy Task Force.

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Imperial Council of San Francisco Coronation 50 Photos by Steven Underhill stevenunderhill.com

On Saturday evening, February 14, the Imperial Council of San Francisco presented the 50th Coronation entitled “An Evening to Remember: Celebrating 50 Years of Elegance, Honor and Tradition.” Emperor JP Soto and Empress Misty Blue celebrated their reigning year and the newly elected royals, Emperor Kevin Lisle and Empress Khmera Rouge, were crowned. For more about the Imperial Council of San Francisco: www.imperialcouncilsf.org

Frame 123

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Imperial Council of San Francisco - 50th Anniversary Gala Photos by Rink

The Imperial Council of San Francisco celebrated its 50th Anniversary Gala on Sunday, February 15, in the Rotunda of San Francisco City Hall. Emperor XXXVI John F. Weber, Board of Directors Chair, and Absolute Empress XXX Donna Sachet, Chair of the 50th Anniversary Committee, welcomed all to an evening of pageantry, entertainment and revelry featuring performances by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, San Francisco Freedom Band, Beach Blanket Babylon’s Curt Branom, City Swing, The Klipptones, Jason Brock, Kippy Marks, Synchronicity Strings and DJ Sergio. Queen Mother I of the Americas Nicole Murray Ramirez recounted the history of the Court System, honoring the memory of founder Empress I Jose, the Widow Norton, and expressing appreciations to numerous elected officials, activists, volunteers and friends who have contributed to the achievements in San Francisco and the entire International Court System of Canada, United States and Mexico.

BAY T IM ES F EBRUARY 19, 2015

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I’m Only Attracted to Older Men Roland Schembari and Bill Hartman Co-Founders in 1978

gan to realize that, for some people, ageism is a bigger problem than homophobia.

Kim Corsaro Publisher 1981-2011

2261 Market Street, No. 309 San Francisco CA 94114 Phone: 415-601-2113 525 Bellevue Avenue Oakland CA 94610 Phone: 510-504-9255 E-mail: editor@sfbaytimes.com www.sfbaytimes.com

Examined Life 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

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Mario Ordonez Juan Ordonez Distribution

Tom Moon, MFT From a reader: Dear Tom: I’m just the opposite of the guy in your last column (“I’m Only Attracted to Younger Guys.”) For my whole life, I’ve only been attracted to guys who are considerably older than me—usually by about twenty years.

I met my first boyfriend when I was 18. When I told my mom I’m gay, she took it in stride, but she freaked out when I told her that my boyfriend was 38. She kept saying, “Can’t you find somebody closer to your own age?” until I told her that I didn’t want to hear it anymore. That was when I be-

Now I’m in my early thirties, and my husband is in his early fifties. I thought the gay community would be more accepting of my relationship than my family has been, but, if anything, gay guys are even worse about age. A lot of them react the way some straight people still act when they see a bi-racial couple. They’re polite to your face, but you get the feeling that, as far as they’re concerned, there’s just something not quite right about it. And then the comments they make behind your back get back to you, and you realize you’re not just being paranoid.

People make all kinds of assumptions about my relationship. Some think that he’s rich (I wish!) and that I’m being “kept,” which, as a career-oriented, self-supporting guy, annoys the hell out of me. They assume that he’s a top and that I’m just his bitch, or his boy-toy. A few even seem to think he pays to have sex with me. Some guys are skeptical of my sincerity when I tell them that I think he’s really hot and that I love him. If they don’t think I’m after his money, they think I have

“father issues.” Guys have asked me pointedly if I had a bad relationship with my dad, or if I lost him at an early age (no and no). They imply that, if I got over my father complex, I’d like guys my own age more. For years gays were told that they had their sexual preference because they were mentally disturbed, and with that history behind us, you’d think they’d have a little sensitivity about saying things like that to other gay people, but where admiring older men is concerned, they don’t get the connection.

A while back I went to a bar with my partner, and the next time I was there by myself, somebody asked, “What were you doing with that old man?”

I said, “You mean my husband?” He was embarrassed, but it didn’t even occur to him to apologize for insulting the man I love. His attitude was like, well, if you’re into old men, that’s your business, I guess.

I don’t really need any advice or anything about this, I just wanted the chance to rant a little bit. I’m disappointed to a degree in my gay brothers, but when I remember the big picture, it’s not a major thing. I feel lucky to be able to appreciate what my older partner has to offer. He’s

been through stages of life that I’m still in and has a perspective that no one my age can have. He has a lot of depth and interests that few guys my age have. I enjoy listening to him share information about music and gay history from times I’ve only read about. I trust his steadiness and his commitment to me, and I’m grateful that I get to have so much love in my life. Thanks, Clint.

Dear Clint: Thank you for your articulate and insightful email. It speaks for itself, and the only suggestion I have is not to be too hard on your gay friends for their attitudes. The ageism you describe is hardly confined to our community: it’s rampant throughout American culture. You are fortunate to have the presence of mind to be able to see it for what it is, and to have the inner resources that allow you to follow what your heart tells you rather than what your culture tells you.

Maybe it’s this inner confidence that has made it possible for you to find so much love in your life.

Tom Moon is a psychotherapist in San Francisco. For more information, please check out his website: tommoon.net

Round About - In the Name of Love -

13th Annual Musical Tribute Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Photos courtesy of Living Jazz

CONTRIBUTORS Writers Rink, Sister Dana Van Iquity, Ann Rostow, Kirsten Kruse, Kate Kendell, Heidi Beeler, Gary M. Kramer, Dennis McMillan, Tom Moon, Terry Baum, Gypsy Love, Rafael Mandelman, Kit Kennedy, David Campos, Leslie Katz, Bill Lipsky, Karen Williams, Donna Sachet, Gary Virginia, Zoe Dunning, Marcy Adelman, Stuart Gaffney & John Lewis Brandon Miller, Jamie Leno Zimron Rebecca Kaplan, Thom Watson, America Foy, Philip Ruth, Courtney Lake, Michele Karlsberg Photographers Rink, Steven Underhill, Phyllis Costa, Cathy Blackstone, Robert Fuggiti, Chloe Jackman, Bill Wilson, Jo-Lynn Otto, Sandy Morris, Abby Zimberg

Benefiting the Oakland Children’s Community Choir with Oaktown Jazz Workshops, the 13th annual In the Name of Love musical tribute concert in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was held on Sunday, January 18, at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center. The selected theme of this year’s concert was “Celebrating Creative Achievements of Bay Area African American Female Musicians.” Featured performers included Linda Tillery, Gina Breedlove, Melanie DeMore, Gaye Carol, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Oakland Children’s Community Choir and Oakland Jazz Workshops. Television anchor Dana King served as Mistress of Ceremonies.

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GLBT Fortnight in Review

By Ann Rostow Worst Governor Ever The premise of Thomas Frank’s 2005 polemic What’s the Matter with Kansas? was that voters inexplicably support people and policies that undermine their own economic interests. Why? Well, that was the question. Yet in my experience, the Jayhawk state was far more complex. A red state, yes. But a rural red state with a commitment to education, to fairness. A state that elected a Democratic governor, a woman at that; a state where the capital city instituted an anti-discrimination policy that survived a public vote.

But that was then, a decade ago. And this is now, 2015, when an embattled and craven conservative governor managed to win reelection last year even after demolishing the state budget and putting the wrecking ball to Kansas school funding. Now, Sam Brownback has gratuitously abolished the discrimination protections for Kansas’s GLBT state employees that were put into place in a 2007 executive order by his predecessor, Kathleen Sebelius.

Why do that? And why now when Brownback is entering his fifth year in office?

The only explanation that has risen to the surface of the roiling debate is that Brownback is trying to shift attention from his abysmal economic policies, and/or that he is trying to curry favor with Tea Party legislators whom he needs to help him reverse course and raise revenue. Maybe. But the decision is a stunning one in this day and age, and Brownback is forcing Kansas to fit the stereotype of a backwards fly-over state.

Kansas, by the way, has also distinguished itself by continuing to litigate its obligation to marriage equality, an obligation that was articulated by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in the Utah and Oklahoma cases, and upheld by the Supreme Court when the justices chose to let those rulings stand last October. Yes, you can get a marriage license in most Kansas counties, but others continue to resist and the state continues to fight for the right to, let’s say, force Kansas couples to file individual tax returns.

Loyal readers recall that I’m married to a Kansan, and have evolved into a loyal Kansas basketball fan. Indeed, a sullen cloud of frustration materialized in our household this week as the Jayhawks lost a one-point heartbreaker at West Virginia. There’s even a possibility that it was our fault, since we were too lazy to put Jayhawk collars on our pugs, who were therefore unable to root for the team. This is just to say that the distressing situation in my adopted state hits home, literally.

Strange Home, Alabama Meanwhile, speaking of recalcitrant states, what the hell is going on in Alabama? As everyone expected, the Supreme Court refused to put a hold on marriage equality in the state, which was scheduled to begin February 9. Sure enough, delighted couples rushed to the probate judges, and many of them emerged with licenses in hand.

Others, however, found the offices closed, or were unwilling to abide by the court order. In Mobile, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the ACLU of Alabama went back to U.S. District Court Judge Callie Granade (the same judge who has ruled against Alabama in two other federal marriage suits) and won yet another order, instructing the local probate judge to get with the program. Granade’s February 12 order was enough to wrangle a few more

county judges, but amazingly, there are still more who simply refuse to issue licenses until they hear from some higher authority. Perhaps a thunderbolt from Yahweh.

When a federal court strikes a state statute on constitutional grounds, the decision is reviewed by the relevant federal appellate court, and subsequently by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Sorry for the simplistic reminder, but hello? No state authority has any jurisdiction, period. In this case, both the Eleventh Circuit and the High Court refused to intervene, leaving the federal judgment in place and enforceable. Yet, with the encouragement of Alabama’s lunatic Chief Justice Roy Moore, other judges are claiming that they need a clear mandate in order to proceed, and a petition for review has been filed at the state supreme court, even though that court should rightly have nothing to say on the matter.

Perhaps, they muse, Judge Granade’s ruling doesn’t apply statewide, but only applies to her specific district?

Or maybe they can just wait until the U.S. Supreme Court makes a definitive ruling on the merits of marriage!

But these excuses are untenable. It’s infuriating, and we can only hope that these judges are sanctioned with personal fines and contempt of court charges. Honestly.

Meanwhile, speaking of the Eleventh Circuit, the appellate court has decided to put a hold on its marriage appeals until after the Supreme Court has ruled this summer. The court is facing appeals from Florida and Alabama where, in theory, marriages will continue during the waiting period.

Cry If You Want To I didn’t know the late Leslie Gore was gay, did you? I gather she came out of the closet ten years ago. At any rate, her obituary (at 68 from lung cancer) says she is survived by her partner of thirty some years.

What else? There are some horrible bills floating around the state legislatures, including one out of Arkansas that purports to ban local anti-discrimination laws that don’t conform to state policies. Hmmm. Sounds awfully like the Colorado amendment struck down by the Supreme Court in Romer v Evans, but the drafters seem to think that they’ve dodged the constitutional bullet because they haven’t singled out LGBT bias by name.

It’s not as though this bill, or the many other impermissible legislative ideas under debate, will pass muster in the courts. But it’s exhausting to contemplate the endless rounds of legal battles that we will have to pursue if and when some of these proposals become law around the country. And think of the tedious news items that some of us will have to generate as a result! “Arkansas discrimination law: Lambda Legal objects to latest Eighth Circuit delay in briefing schedule.” “Federal court strikes Texas law requiring gay men to dye their hair red: State to appeal to Fifth Circuit.” “Gay quarantine measure challenged: Do states have the right to put same-sex couples in camps?”

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Professional Services

So, did you read that President Obama allegedly was secretly in favor of marriage equality even as he told the voting public that he was “evolving,” or thought that gay couples should have rights, but still thought marriage was between a man and a woman? This nugget was mined from David Axelrod’s new book, and I’ve read some headlines that say Obama “lied” about his views on marriage.

Really? Come on, people.

I have to say that, in 2012, when Obama was being pressured by the GLBT community to explicitly back same-sex marriage, few commentators bothered to note that Obama had already come out for the premise that discrimination against gays and lesbians was presumptively unconstitutional, and his attorney general had drafted a lengthy memo to that effect. Ergo, Obama, a constitutional lawyer, was basically on record in our favor and his administration had also produced powerful legal briefs on behalf of same-sex couples in the various DOMA cases. This despite the fact that the United States was technically the defendant in those cases! Does anyone really care how he parsed his position to the voters? I don’t. I consider Obama’s support for marriage equality a significant factor in our recent court victories. The fact that he operated below the radar was a commentary, not on Obama, but on the limited range of the electorate’s radar. As for his disingenuous talk of “evolving,” I see it as a harmless campaign tweak.

Sixth Circuit Sends Millions to Gay Student Leader In other news, ISIS reportedly threw several gay men off tall buildings and finished off the dying men by stoning.

This hardly represents discrimination against gays since ISIS seems to have no compunction against murdering anyone and everyone who is not an official ISIS member. But, like the fact that gays were sent to Nazi concentration camps, it’s worth noting that gay men are among a long list of specific targets. I can’t begin to discuss this issue, so I will move on.

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

Here’s a story. Oh wait. Guess who wants to go down on the floor. The damned pug. Too old to jump down herself, but young enough to make a scene.

As I was saying, a few years ago there was a bizarre situation in Michigan, where an assistant attorney general launched a sustained attack on social media and through personal protests against the gay student body president of the University of Michigan. These relentless diatribes went on and on for no reason until finally the guy was fired, even though his boss was one of the most conservative attorney generals in the country (Mike Cox).

Actually, those would be pretty interesting news items, wouldn’t they?

The student, Christopher Armstrong, eventually sued Andrew Shirvell for defamation, emotional distress and the like, winning a multi-million dollar settlement in federal court. The disgraced lawyer, in turn, acted as his own advocate in court, and in a separate suit, claimed he was improperly fired for expressing his views.

Damn my dog. She barks to come up on the couch. Waits five minutes and barks to be put down on the floor.

Over and over again. It’s irritating.

How am I supposed to work under these unnerving conditions? I think I mentioned in some other column that it might be fun to be sent to a GLBT internment camp. As long as the music plays and the cocktails flow, of course. And there must be a pool.

And excellent chefs. And, of course, travel privileges.

Lately, Shirvell lost his wrongful termination suit, and earlier this month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld Armstrong’s damages, which were cut on a technicality from $4.5 million to $3.5 million. I’m not sure if Mr. Shirvell is in possession of the sum in question, probably not. But it’s nonetheless gratifying to hang a $3.5 million lien over his head for the rest of his income-producing days. (continued on page 26)

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Love Together for was something more like a roadmap to the human heart, stories that would assure me love wasn’t always for someone else, but could be for me too.

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Marriage Equality Stuart Gaffney Marriage Equality USA I grew up two doors down from the local library. As a kid, I went there countless times. When I was in about the 6th grade or so, I started to realize I was gay and began to wonder what life had in store for me.

How could I learn more about what lies ahead for me, and others like me? Did I have a chance for my own happily ever after?

I turned to that same public library for help, but found only a narrow array of books that ranged from dreary to downright misleading—none worse than the nonsense printed in the pages of Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex. Luckily I was born with a strong internal compass that allowed me to steer clear of such lies and misinformation, but the next impressionable mind to pick up that book might not have been so lucky. What I was really looking

I moved to San Francisco in the mid 80s, a difficult time to be looking for hope, love and a relationship. During the darkest years of the AIDS crisis, even in the midst of the community, people felt so alone. I remember seeing graffiti one day that said, “Every day I say ‘no’ to many, and the one I say ‘yes’ to says ‘no’ to me.” I was so fortunate that when I met John in 1987, he said “yes” to me, and we haven’t looked back since.

But I wonder about young people growing up today. Where are the books to help LGBT individuals asking the same questions I did when I was young? Author Tim Clausen was wondering the same thing, and interviewed over a hundred couples to put together the book I wish I could have read when I was younger.

Love Together tells the stories of couples young and old, some together a dozen years and some together for over six remarkable decades. Nothing is hidden, as the couples tell of their ups and downs. Some share deep dark secrets, and some share their secrets to living happily ever after.

I’m so happy and honored to know my love story with John, along with the stories of many other amazing couples, are now on the shelf in that

very same library two doors down from my childhood home—and online via Amazon and at www.lovetogetherbook.com—so a young LGBT person growing up today doesn’t need to wonder if it might be possible to find love and happiness. Each story is completely different, ranging from how the couples met and navigated life’s ups and downs, to the stirring end-of-life moments shared in the final chapters by Eric and Eugene. They were together for over 60 years until Eugene’s death just one week after they were finally able to marry legally.

Reflecting on the love of his life, Eugene said, “Gay men and lesbians have been lied to in a particularly toxic and destructive way. We have been taught that we can’t love.” We know that’s not true, and Love Together is the living proof. Making these stories available for the next generation is truly the most important gift of the marriage equality movement, and the movement for full LGBT equality.

Stuart Gaffney and his husband John Lewis, together for three decades, were plaintiffs in the California case for equal marriage rights decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008. They are both leaders in the nationwide grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA.

A Council of Two Choose a pleasing place to do it, such as in your home, somewhere in nature, or somewhere else that is quiet, lovely and private. Plan it for a time when you are both able to be available, and can leave everything behind. Be sure to leave your phones behind too.

Weddings Reverend Elizabeth River Recently a friend told me about a practice she and her husband have been doing for several years: holding a weekly council. This friend and her husband are both in their second (and last!) marriage, and are “elders of the tribe,” meaning wise elders who are models for other elders as well as younger folks who are moving through their middle years, approaching elderhood. The weekly council, my smart friend informs me, is the best thing she and her husband have done for their close, rich and deeply loving relationship.

It’s pretty simple, but not necessarily easy. It is really worth it, however, if you learn to do it well and stick to it consistently.

A weekly council is both a conversation and a ritual. Elevating a conversation to a ritual is a way to acknowledge the significance of what you are creating together: a regular, ongoing practice that is just as important as making love. In fact, doing the former may very well improve the latter!

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You can create a little added reverence if you like: soft music, a candle, incense, and/or f lowers. You can serve cups of tea to one another.

Plan a starting time and a stopping time. Perhaps begin by ringing a bell, and sitting together in meditation for a few minutes. Then ring the bell again before beginning.

Since this is a conversation, it involves one person speaking at a time while the other person listens. It’s good to utilize what we used to call a “talking stick,” that is, a special item, which the speaker holds until she or he has finished speaking. My friend and her spouse use a small porcelain bowl.

The rule is that a speaker brings up only one thing to discuss at a time.

Do not come with a laundry list of your partner’s shortcomings or your own frustrations. This does not work! When it is your turn, pick up the talking piece and speak about one thing that you feel needs to be discussed. Try to stick to describing your point of view, rather than on how your partner needs to improve.

We call this using “I” statements, rather than “you” statements.

Don’t pontificate or filibuster. Just say your truth simply and without drama. Then put down the talking piece and allow a moment of silence before the second person speaks.

Don’t interrupt. Instead, try just to

listen to what your partner is saying without thinking about what you want to say. Each gets a turn to both speak and listen. In this way, you practice respectful exchange of what may be hard to say or to hear. By holding it in this way, you offer your most vulnerable self to one another, which is a tremendous gift. When you both feel you have reached harmony or consensus, you move on to a topic introduced by the second person.

You may not resolve a particular issue you had hoped to clear up in a given session. It is good to allow this to be so. You are building a practice, a process by which you can slowly and carefully learn to exchange information with one another in a loving way. You learn to trust the process, yourself, and your partner more as you continue to do this.

When finished, thank one another and ring the bell, or in some way formally close the council. Agree on when you will hold your next one.

Like everything that is of great worth in this life, the practice of council in a marriage or a relationship takes time. Don’t desire or expect instant results. The results instead grow like a plant: slowly, and only with proper nourishment and attention over time. Its f lowering can be one of the loveliest things you will share in your partnership.

I bless you in your marriage council!

Reverend Elizabeth River is an ordained Interfaith Minister based in the North Bay. For more information, please visit marincoastweddings.com

Round About - Bay Area Rising Photos by Sandy Morris

Bay Area Rising is a group of performers, ritualists and advocates for women and girls who are raising funds to end violence. Affiliated with the national 1 Billion Rising campaign, Bay Area Rising held two events in Oakland over the Valentine’s weekend, bringing hundreds of women and their friends together.

On Friday, February 13, more than 100 participants wearing pink clothing or ribbons filled Frank O’Gawa Plaza in a flash mob dance rally to Break the Chain. Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff was a featured speaker at the rally.

On Saturday, February 14, the group presented a performance ritual, Stand for Real Love, at the First Presbyterian Church in Oakland. Featured speakers and artists included the Sarah Bush Dance Project, Starhawk, Destiny Arts, Gina Breedlove, Julie Wolf, Melanie DeMore, Amikaeyla Gaston, Regina Wells, Carolyn Brandy, Debbie Fier, Afia Walking Tree, Richelle Donigan, Pratibha Parmar and more.

The participants are dedicated to feminist principles and ending violence against women all over the world, focusing on domestic violence, sexual abuses, sex trafficking and other abuses against women and children. A corresponding group, Men Rising, is also being organized.

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Cecilia Bartoli Sergio Ciomei, piano The beloved mezzo-soprano returns in a rare recital. For the first time in the U.S., Bartoli sings from one of her most acclaimed albums, Sacrificium.

In association with U-Live/Universal Music Arts and Entertainment, London.

“A celebrity of incomparable stature” —Washington Post March 31 & April 2 Z ELLER B ACH HALL

Tickets start at $45

© DECCA /ULI WEBER

Bravissimo!

Visit calperformances.org for details on how you can join us onstage for a toast to Ms. Bartoli!

calperformances.org 510.642.9988

Season Sponsor:

BAY T IM ES F EBRUARY 19, 2015

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Authentic Passions Are Getting a Powerful Planetary Push ARIES (March 21–April 19)

CANCER ( June 21–July 22)

Have faith, Aries. Though

Here’s to your health, Can-

you’re humbled by hurdles

cer! Now’s a prime time to restruc-

that lurk in your learning curve, it’s

ture your wellness routine. Astro-

best to consider each obstacle as an

vibes unveil what ails you, and

opportunity. The cosmos is con-

insightful advisors are easily acces-

spiring to broaden your horizons.

sible. Your temple is raring for a

TAURUS (April 20–May

Astrology Gypsy Love Can you hear that, lover? It’s your higher self saying, “Hi.” Astrologically, we’ve each embarked upon a unique opportunity to break down barriers that have betrayed our truth. Authentic passions get a powerful planetary push now. What is your dream for the world? What part do you play in making it come true?

Always remember, “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

(Winnie the Pooh)

LIBR A (September 23– October 22) Success is a state of mind, sweet Libra.

As the pressure to produce big ideas mounts, remember that the planets have your back. Visualize your optimal outcome, and believe.

CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19) Congrats, Capricorn! You’ve been gifted with an astral “calling card” that connects you directly with the collective unconscious. Now’s your chance to translate spirit into matter. Dial in.

SCORPIO (October 23– November 21) W hat’s it worth, Scorpio? The stars illuminate your house of “haves” and “have-nots” now. When deciding how to stretch your dollar, focus on what feeds you from the inside.

AQUARIUS ( January 20– February 18) Think big, Aquarius! Trusted partners could help you launch important projects now. Meanwhile, the planets point you toward practical platforms for promoting your cause. Ask, and you shall receive.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21) Heads-up, Sagittarius! Things just got real. Rest assured that these new roles & responsibilities are rightfully yours. Your state of being is maturing. Step into your magnificence.

PISCES (February 19–March 20) Play to your strengths, Pisces. Your personal charm is as potent as ever now. By accentuating your uniqueness, you’ll climb closer to career objectives and summon sincere supporters along the way.

tune-up.

20) Team up, Taurus. Fel-

LEO ( July 23–August 22)

low go-getters in your com-

Let go, Leo. Currently, it

munity are likely to leap onto your

could feel like your soul has

bandwagon now. Feed your heart

entered the spin cycle. That’s just

by fostering goals that serve the

the Universe liberating you from

greater good.

whatever curbs your creative brilliance. Go ahead and shake it off.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

VIRGO (August 23–Vah-

Ponder your purpose, Gem-

vah-vah voom, Virgo! These

ini. Professionally, you’ve entered a

days, your celestial clock is

phase whereby deliberate dedica-

set to “sexy-time.” Significant rela-

tion can render lifelong results.

tionships receive an added spark,

Dive into brainstorm mode, and

and new matches are manifesting.

design your ideal plan of action.

Is it hot in here?

Gypsy Love Productions is dedicated to inspiring love and unity with music, dance, and astrology. www.GypsyLoveProductions.com

As Heard on the Street . . . What’s your favorite way to exercise?

compiled by Rink

Elena Eustaquio

Jim Oerther

Kevin Lee

Dale Cheese

Peter Kouzmov

“I walk five miles a day: forty minutes to work, and forty minutes home. And my sister’s dog is a great personal trainer.”

“Weight training: the combination of paying attention to form and proper breathing, while moving.”

“I play volleyball year-round and I am in a national tournament held on Labor Day.”

“Living in Lafayette, near downtown, I walk all over this great small town - one to five miles a day.”

“Walking my dog a couple times a day in the Outer Mission near Ocean Avenue.”

Steven Underhill

PHOTOGRAPHY

415 370 7152

WEDDINGS, HEADSHOTS, PORTRAITS

stevenunderhill.com · stevenunderhillphotos@gmail.com 20

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#KateClinton2015 2016 election looks to be such a Kock-fest, even Jon Stewart couldn’t do it. Bring on Jessica Williams!

(No relation to Brian.)

Arts & Entertainment Oscar Picks February 22 is the date of the 87th Academy Awards.

There are several clear winners, but also some real wild cards. Here’s an educated guess as to what will win in the major categories at this year’s Oscars ceremony.

Best Picture: Nominees: American Sniper, Birdman, Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, Selma, The Theory of Everything, Whiplash What Will Win: Boyhood was the favorite going into the nominations, but Birdman seems to have the momentum in the homestretch. Expect Birdman to win by a beak.

Best Director: Nominees: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Birdman; Richard Linklater, Boyhood; Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher; Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel; Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game Who Will Win: Richard Linklater (Boyhood) should be recognized for his magnificent achievement. However, Alejandro G. Iñárritu for Birdman has been generating more attention closer to the ceremony. It’s 50/50, but deserving for whomever wins.

Best Actor: Nominees: Steve Carell, Foxcatcher; Bradley Cooper, American Sniper; Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game; Michael Keaton, Birdman; Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything Who Will Win: Michael Keaton should get the Oscar for his comeback performance in Birdman, but it’s more likely that Eddie Redmayne will sneak in and steal the prize. Remember, it’s not the best acting, but the most acting that generally wins the award.

Best Actress: Nominees: Marion Cottilard, Two Days, One Night; Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything; Juliane Moore, Still Alice; Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl; Reese Witherspoon, Wild Who Will Win: Julianne Moore, Still Alice, if not for her miraculous performance then for her years of being nominated.

Best Supporting Actor: Nominees: Robert Duvall, The Judge; Ethan Hawke, Boyhood; Edward Norton, Birdman; Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher; J.K. Simmons, Whiplash Who Will Win: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash. He is the oddson favorite here and is sure to win.

Best Supporting Actress: Nominees: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood; Laura Dern, Wild; Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game; Emma Stone, Birdman; Meryl Streep, Into the Woods Who Will Win: Dern, Knightley and Stone were all fantastic, and it would be a close call if it weren’t for Arquette, who has this category locked down. Arquette gave a truly moving performance.

Best Documentary: Nominees: Citizenfour; Finding Vivian Maier; Last Days in Vietnam; The Salt of the Earth; Virunga What Will Win: Citizenfour for sure. It’s a stunning film about a hot-button subject.

Best Foreign Language Film: Nominees: Ida (Poland); Leviathan (Russia); Tangerines

(Estonia); Timbuktu (Mauritania); Wild Tales (Argentina) What Will Win: Ida has been the favorite, so far, and likely will take home the prize. Don’t, however, discount Leviathan, which has been generating attention. That said, Wild Tales is an incredibly fun film, and might provide an upset. The smart money is on Ida, though.

Best Animated Feature: Nominees: Big Hero 6; The Boxtrolls; How to Train Your Dragon 2; Song of the Sea; The Tale of Princess Kaguya What Will Win: How to Train Your Dragon 2 has the popular support, but Big Hero 6 could take the prize in an upset.

Best Original Screenplay: Nominees: Birdman; Boyhood; Foxcatcher; The Grand Budapest Hotel; Nightcrawler What Will Win: If considered the “booby prize” for the film that misses Best Picture or Best Director, Boyhood or Birdman could take this category, but for that very same reason, expect The Grand Budapest Hotel to get this prize.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Nominees: American Sniper; The Imitation Game; Inherent Vice; The Theory of Everything; Whiplash What Will Win: With the “booby prize” theory above, The Imitation Game could take this prize, given that it will be an also-ran in every other category. However, American Sniper has been a phenomenon, and this could be one of its rewards for prompting such a heated debate. If there is a surprise upset here, expect Whiplash to sneak in.

Best Animated Short Film: Nominees: The Bigger Picture; The Dam Keeper; Feast; Me and My Moulton; A Single Life What Will Win: Feast is a charming Disney short about a dog. Practically a lock.

Best Live Action Short Film: Nominees: Aya; Boogaloo and Graham; Butter Lamp; Parvaneh; The Phone Call What Will Win: If the Oscars really awarded the statue to the best film, it would be Butter Lamp. Alas, the lesser short, The Phone Call, will take home this prize, in part because it has name actors in it.

Best Cinematography: Nominees: Birdman; The Grand Budapest Hotel; Ida; Mr. Turner; Unbroken What Will Win: Birdman, for its dazzling “single” shot.

Best Editing: Nominees: American Sniper; Boyhood; The Grand Budapest Hotel; The Imitation Game; Whiplash What Will Win: Boyhood, for seamlessly weaving together 12 years of filming, though American Sniper or even Whiplash could prove a spoiler. © 2015 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 BAY T IM ES F EBRUARY 19, 2015

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Year Round Romance

Style Courtney Lake Who says romance has to be tied to a specific holiday? Now that Valentine’s Day is over, why not take elements from the year’s most romantic day and apply them to your next cozy dinner for two?

Location, Location, Location Romance, just like real estate, benefits from where it is located, so why not try having your next dinner someplace other than the dining room?

Set dinner up in your living room, or even better, the bedroom. While it may seem odd at first, there is a reason why room service always seems to taste better…

Keep It on the DL No, not “that” DL—I mean dimly lit!

Use a mix of candles, lamplight and overhead lighting to create a sultry and romantic mood. If you don’t have dimmers on your overhead lights, try replacing the bulb with a 25-watt or low voltage alternative. On the table, avoid scented candles as they may interfere with the culinary experience.

The smell of salmon mixing with gardenia is not a match made in heaven.

Melodic Mayhem Have you ever eaten in silence to positive effect? Exactly. Yes, anything by Barry White will get you cool points, but be more adventurous and think outside the box. Create a sexy Pandora or Spotify playlist that includes the likes of R&B divas Minnie Riperton, Angela Bofill, & Grace Jones.

Sprinkle in a little Air, REO Speedwagon and the occasional 80s power ballad to give the list the right mix of the three C’s: contemporary, cool, and cheesy.

Give to Get Set the table with a small token of your affection. It doesn’t need to be flashy, but simply heartfelt. A small poem written on beautiful paper, rolled into a scroll and placed on your partner’s plate is an easy, and heart melting, sentiment guaranteed to gain you major brownie points. Poems not your thing? Try framing the ticket stub from your first movie/concert/play.

Again, it’s a simple gesture, but one that shows how big your heart is!

Fresh Flowers Personally, I love to spend time arranging f lowers, but the reality is that it isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do. If you don’t have the time or the inclination, then I suggest you D-IBUY! Yes, go seek the help of a professional, but here is the twist: bring your own vase and let the f lorist arrange the flowers for you. By bringing your own vase, you give the impression that you spent hours crafting the perfect arrangement. In a real time pinch? Check out the blooms from BloomThat.com—f lowers to your door in 90 minutes!

Culinary Shortcut If cooking isn’t your forte, don’t force your hand. For those on a budget, you may want to reach out to a local culinary school and see if they have a job board. As a former culinary student, I know that money is tight for many students, and any chance to get extra real-world experience is usually appreciated. The meal may not be Michelin-rated, but it will be delicious. If you have a slightly larger budget, then Kitchit.com may be your savior. You can create a budget and look through the menus of different personal chefs to get the perfect meal you desire for your sweetie.

Now that you have a game plan set into motion, you are guaranteed some major cuddle time with your boo any day of the year!

Courtney Lake is the interior designer and lifestyle expert behind Monogram Décor (www.monogramdecor.com) and its celebrated blog, “Courtney Out Loud.” His work and writings have appeared on television and in writing including “The Wall Street Journal,” “The Nate Berkus Show,” the “San Francisco Chronicle,” “Life & Style Magazine,” “RUE Magazine,” “Real Simple,” “This Old House” and “7x7 Magazine.”

Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun

By Sister Dana Van Iquity Sister Dana sez, “It’s the Chinese New Year of the Goat, and I kid you not! Bad pun.

Anyway: Gung Hay Fat Choy, everybuddy!”

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Well, I got through the dreaded Valentine’s Day, thanks to the LESBIAN/GAY CHORUS OF SAN FRANCISCO who sang their 12th annual anti-valentines concert, LOVE BITES, at Martuni’s in the piano room to the delight of all us frustrated, bitter, uncoupled queers. The

Chorus dramatically filed into the room - one by one - singing “Maybe This Time” from Cabaret. Joan Goldman played kazoo and sang Jelly Roll Morton’s angry “Don’t You Leave Me Here!” Noam Szoke & Paul Peninger accused one another of being either a top or a bottom to Cole Porter’s “You’re the Top.” We all had a sing-along to Porter’s “Let’s Do It,” but substituted naughty intercourse words throughout. Ellen Miller & Tom McElroy donned curly blonde wigs as dueling hookers with Porter’s “Love for Sale.” Hilarious!

Jason LeBrun, Fernando Ruelos, Billy Sauerland, Alyssa Stone, & Scott Turco parodied the traditional madrigal, “My Bonnie Lass She Smileth” - where this particular lass “Smelleth” - and everything quickly went deliciously downhill. Dale Danley played Horton the lonely elephant to Van Mares’ portrayal as the (continued on page 26)

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See many more Calendar items @ www.sfbaytimes.com

compiled by Robert Fuggiti

The Rotunda Dance Series will commemorate the 100th Annivesary of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition on February 20.

• 19 : T HURSDAY

Sunday in the Park with George – Lohman Theatre. $12$32. 7:30 pm. (12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos Hills) Foothill Music Theatre presents the Pulitzer Prizewinning Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. www.foothillmusic.com Drag Show Benefit – Hard Rock Café. Donation. 9 pm. (258 Pier 39) A benefit for a Mission family that lost their home during the fire on January 28. www.gofundme.com/jorgeflores Open Mic with Maria Konner – Martuni’s. Free. 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. (4 Valencia St.) Enjoy an

open mic and sing your favorites tunes at this beloved piano bar.

415-241-0205.

• 20 : F RIDAY

Preparing for the Changing Horizon- The Milton Marks Conference Center. $20-$65. 8:30 am to 4 pm. (455 Golden Gate Ave.) A conference to address topics about dementia care and caregiving for diverse, Lesbian/Gay/ Bisexual/Transgender older adults.

650-721-1023 Swagger Like Us – Oasis. $10. 8 pm. (298 11th St.) A hip-hop dancing party with hostess Kelly Lovemonster. www.sfoasis.com Rotunda Dance Series – San

Francisco City Hall. Free. 12 pm. (1 Dr. Carlton Goodlett Way) The Rotunda Dance Series begins its 2015 season with a special performance commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. www.dancersgroup.org

• 21 : S ATURDAY

3rd Annual Crab Feed – Castro Lions Club. $50. 6 pm. to 9 pm. (850 Judah St.) Presented by the Castro Lions Club & Park Presidio-Sunset Lions Club.

Proceeds benefit local charities. www.brownpaperticket.com/ event/978633 Stephanie Teel Band – Sausalito Cruising Club. $10. 6 pm.

(300 Napa St., Sausalito) Band plays 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm. Dinner can be ordered as well. www.stephanieteel.com Alameda Flea Market – College of Alameda. Free. 9 am.

(555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway) Enjoy free admission and free parking, as well as food trucks, live music and over 230 vendors. www.westendfleamarket.com

• 22 : S UNDAY

Academy Awards Night Gala – SF Design Center Galleria. $300. 5 pm to 11 pm. (101 Henry Adams St.) A celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Pan Pacific Exposition and the 35th Anniversary of Academy of Friends. www.aof.ejoinme.org The (Official) Unofficial Academy Awards Party – Oasis. $20. 4 pm. (298 11th St.) With red carpet commentary by Heklina and D’Arcy. www.sfoasis.com Leather Soles – Metronome SF. $20 sliding scale. 6:30 pm. (1830 17th St.) New LGBT partner dance. www.metronomesf.com

• 23 : M ONDAY

Sex Talk – Magnet. Free. 7 pm to 9 pm. (4122 18th St.) A facilitated, open discussion about sex and safe practices. www.magnetsf.org 24

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Skyline High Jazz Band – Yoshi’s Oakland. $10-$15. 7 pm or 9 pm. (510 Embarcadero West) The students of Skyline High give a fantastic live jazz show. www.yoshis.com Exhibit: Imogen Cunningham Photography – Harvey Milk Photo Center. Free. 4 pm to 8:30 pm. (50 Scott St.) The Harvey Milk Photo Center presents a stunning exhibit of Imogen Cunningham’s work during the 1960s. www.harveymilkphotocenter.org

• 24 : S UNDAY

Watermark Conference for Women – Santa Clara Convention Center. $245. 7:30 am.

(5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara) A one-day conference focusing on women’s leadership, career advancement and entrepreneurship. www.leadonca.org NSA – Club OMG. Free. 10 pm.

(43 6th St.) No strings attached (NSA) party, with drink specials all night long. www.clubomgsf.com Noise Pop 2015 – The Rickshaw Stop. $15. 7:30 pm. (155 Fell St.) Enjoy the Black Ryder album release show, with Vinyl Williams and more performances. Noise Pop 2015 continue through March 1. www.rickshawstop.com

• 25 : W EDNESDAY Newsies – Orpheum Theater. $179. 8 pm. (1192 Market St.) The true story of New York’s newsboys who made their living hawking papers, but in the face of rising prices and poor wages, started to make the headlines themselves. www.san-francisco-theater.com Tree – San Francisco Playhouse. $20+. 7 pm. (450 Post St.) A story of love and betrayal, with three generations that twist and grow in astonishing ways. Through March 7. www.sfplayhouse.com Queer Salsa Dancing – Beatbox. Free. 8 pm. (314 11th St.) Latin City Nights presents a queer salsa dance. www.beatboxsf.com.

• 26 : T HURSDAY

Lesbians Who Tech Summit – Castro Theatre. $99-$349. 12 pm.

(429 Castro St.) A 4-day event for queer women in tech. www.lesbianswhotech.org ‘Life on All Fours’ Book Signing – UCSF Alliance Health Project. Free. 6:30 pm. (1930 Market St.) A chronicle of love and healing for those affected by HIV/ AIDS through the eyes of a puppy. www.ucsf-ahp.org Bear-Barella – Oasis. $22. 9 pm.

(298 11th St.) Peaches Christ brings her very own Bear-Barella to San Francisco for a run at Oasis! www.sfoasis.com

• 27 : F RIDAY

Community Roast/Tribute: Donna Sachet – BeatBox. $20 donation. 7 pm. (314 11th St.) Enjoy the 4th Annual Community Roast with this year’s tribute to the lady in red, Donna Sachet. www.beatboxsf.com You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown – Berkeley Playhouse. $20+.

6 pm. (2640 College Ave., Berkeley) The two-time Tony -Award-winning musical comes to Berkeley Playhouse.Through March 15. www.berkeleyplahouse.org I Love the 90’s – Madrone Art Bar. $5. 10 pm. (500 Divisadero St.) A 90’s themed party every fourth Friday, complete with nostalgic music and images of the decade. www.madroneartbar.com

• 28 : S ATURDAY

Buika – Nourse Theater. $35$100. 8 pm. (275 Hayes St.) Singer Buika is named by NPR as one of their “50 Great Voices,” and gives a performance that’s not to be missed. www.cityarts.net Blame Sally – The Dance Palace. $24. 8 pm. (503 B St., Point Reyes Station) San Francisco’s Blame Sally comes to West Marin for an evening of passionate, potent, folk-pop songs new and old. www.dancepalace.org

Enchantment Under the Sea – F8. $15. 9 pm. (1192 Folsom St.) The Glamcocks present an underwater themed prom with two dance floors and live DJs. www.feightsf.com

• 1 : S UNDAY

Be A Part of Creating – Take 5 Café. Free. 3 pm to 5 pm. (3130 Sacramento St., Berkeley) Help preserve lesbian history in an afternoon of archiving the past.

Pizza Party Fundraiser – Aunt Charlie’s Lounge. Donation. 4 pm.

(133 Turk St.) A benefit fundraiser for Cookie Dough and husband Michael Chu. www.auntcharlieslounge.com Glamazone – The Café. Free. 9 pm to 2 am. (2369 Market St.) Enjoy drink specials during the day and drag performances throughout the evening. www.cafesf.com

• 2 : M ONDAY

the infamous “Cape Feare” episode of The Simpsons. Through March 15. www.act-sf.org Pride Skate: LGBT Roller Disco – Church 8. $10. 7 pm to 10 pm. (554 Fillmore St.) An LGBT roller skating disco playing the best songs of the era. 415-752-1967 Visit us at: sfbaytimes.com

• 4 : W EDNESDAY

Last Drag: Quit Smoking Class – SF LGBT Community Center. Free. 7 pm. (1800 Market St.) The final class of a 7-week free quit smoking class for LGBT and HIV positive smokers. www.sfcenter.org

The 2015 Nitey Awards – The Regency Center. $40. 6 pm to 10:30 pm. (1300 Van Ness Ave.) Celebrating excellence in creative content and patron experience in the nightlife industry. www.niteawards.com LGBT Business Builder – PG&E Auditorium. Free. 12:30 pm to 5 pm. (245 Market St.) The first in a series of national events designed to help build LGBT owned businesses. www.ggba.org LGBT Sangha – SF LGBT Center. Free. 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

(1800 Market St.) All are welcome to join for mindful meditation and spiritual practice. www.sfcenter.org

• 3 : T UESDAY

The Lyons – Aurora Theatre Company. $30+. 8 pm. (2081 Addison St.) A hilarious Broadway hit about a family struggling to stay together at a time when they need to the most. www.auroratheatre.org Mr. Burns – American Conservatory Theater. $25-$120. 7 pm. (415 Geary St.) In a post-apocalyptic Bay Area, a group of strangers comes together by recreating

Our Faculty Info: cje.edu/womenscamp Registration: cje.edu/womensreg

100% Black CIIS: URW Clarendon T, Regular, 38.75/46.5pt (kern 10pt) PUBLIC PROGRAMS: URW Clarendon T, Regular,26.75/40pt (kern 10pt) URL: No url on logo, place on bottom of page

100% White CIIS: URW Clarendon T, Regular, 38.75/46.5pt (kern 10pt) PUBLIC PROGRAMS: URW Clarendon T, Regular,26.75/40pt (kern 10pt) URL: No url on logo, place on bottom of page

SF CIVIC CENTER BAY T IM ES F EBRUARY 19, 2015

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(ROSTOW continued from page 13)

SISTER DANA (continued from page 22) tiny speck of dust on a clover flower in Whovile with “Alone in the Universe” from Seussical the Musical. Paul Michael Alves sang a somewhat somber “I Never Knew His Name” from The Civil War, with Jason LeBrun on flute. Joan Goldman soloed with LeBrun, Tom McElroy, & Noam Szoke in hippie drag singing the saloon version “California Drinkin’” to the deranged Goldman lyrics of “California Dreamin’.” Cole Thomason-Redus (who was also the guest music director and pianist) sang the hell outta the appropriately angry, bitter “Hallelujah”

by Leonard Cohen. John Gullotto sang “I’m Sorry” as Sumi Imamoto paralleled “Who’s Sorry Now” while they both strummed ukuleles. Mr. Jae Truesdell broke our hearts with Adele’s “Someone Like You.” And the entire cast reassembled for the grand finale to sing about “The Glory of Love.” It made me NOT have to go home and open a vein.

More Valentine’s Day relief came via the good energy evident during the launch party at Sweet Inspiration for the new photo exhibit KISS FOR THE BAY TIMES. It’s the first ever exhibit devoted to couples kissing at the San Francisco Pride Parade, and features must-see images taken by our talented team of photographers. Look for yours truly in the collection! The exhibit counters both national and international backlash against images of LGBT people displaying basic affection, such as hand-holding and kissing, in public. The exhibit will be up for the next month or so. Don’t miss it, and the yummy desserts and other food & drink at Sweet Inspiration. 2239 Market Street, www. sweetinspirationbakery.com There is only one name synonymous with cosmic horror: H.P. Lovecraft.

HAM PANTS PRODUCTIONS presented at The Hypnodrome their third annual pageant of cosmic horror, NAKED DUDES READING LOVECRAFT - NOW WITH NAKED LADIES! We gazed with lascivious interest as we reeled in terror from the reanimation of the not-sorecently departed; inspected the contours of the damned whilst losing our minds from the unimaginable size of the Elder Gods; and marveled at some of San Francisco’s finest avant-garde actors and actresses, reading excerpts from some of Lovecraft’s finest work while displaying 100% visible wingwangs & hoo-hoos!

The actors requested I not use their real names, but to give credit, here are their stage names and Lovecraft chapters: “Nyarlathotep” by Jim J; “What the Moon Brings” by Koy; “The White Ship” by John Flaw; a musical selection on ear-bleeding, metal-banging electric guitar by Dio Go-Go; “Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and His Family” by Sailor; “A Beast in the Cave” by Belle Zibub; “Lovecraftian Limericks” by The Lovecraftian Poet; “Herbert West: Reanimator” by Mr. Dicks-It; “Swinging Set Dressing” by Christian Simonsez; an appearance by Travis; and our host with the most, Andie Dub. The frightening finale featured the entire naked cast as super scary reanimated monsters in a frenzied flesh feast. Oh the horror!

The IMPERIAL COUNCIL OF SAN FRANCISCO presented their 50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA (Golden Jubilee) in the City Hall Rotunda. Co-Emcees Gary Virginia & Queen Cougar kept things moving as we heard from elected officials, Senator Mark Leno & Supervisor Scott Wiener officially proclaiming the day in honor of the Imperials; we viewed the entrancing trailer for the Court documentary, 50 Years of Fabulous: The Imperial Council Story, by Empress Chablis aka David Lassman; honored the late great Court founder, Empress Jose Sarria, watched the dramatic Procession of the San Francisco Monarchs (big-wigs in big wigs) walk down the grand Rotunda stairway; dined and danced, and enjoyed music from the Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, the SF Gay Men’s Chorus, the Klipptones, Kippy Marks, and City Swing - as well as “Gay Paree” King Louie of Beach Blanket Babylon singing our anthem, “San Francisco.”

All of that followed the SF IMPERIAL CORONATION at the Galleria Design Center the night before - with the official stepping down of Emperor JP Soto & Empress Misty Blue and the finale crowning our newest elected imperials, Emperor Kevin Lisle & Empress Khmera Rouge.

Congratulations to all!

How thrilling it was to see on TV newly openly gay singer/ composer Sam Smith be the biggest winner - taking home FOUR Grammys at the 57th annual GRAMMY AWARDS and singing his hit, “Stay with Me” as a duet with the fabulous Mary J. Blige!

Say “The Bay Times sent me!”

Margaret Galvin, Showroom Manager at Ergo Depot Design Studio at 245 Kansas Street, SF, demonstrates how thoughtful design and tech can improve our health and work. She’s in front of the ESI Edge-Combo monitor arm system. Galvin says, “It elevates both my laptop and my monitor. Having my monitor off the desk at eye level helps to relieve neck, shoulder and eye strain.”

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Shirvell, who reportedly was characterized as unfit to practice law by his alma mater, Ave Maria, set up a blog called “Chris Armstrong Watch,” where he called Armstrong “Satan’s representative,” said he was a member of the Klan and the Nazi Party, accused him of hosting gay orgies in his dorm room, and basically went on a weird rampage against the innocuous college student, showing up with signs at his dorm until he was banned from campus. Eventually, a jury determined that the various accusations were not only false, but also maliciously so because they were demonstrably untrue.

Ergo, big bucks to Mr. Armstrong, who had problems finding a job after college due to the publicity.

Is there any doubt Mr. Shirvell will be caught with his (gay) pants down before too long?

The Notorious RBG I should mention that there’s an effort here in my home state of Texas to drop the hold on marriage equality, given the developments of the last six months. But we are also expecting a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which heard arguments on cases out of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi in early January.

I’m not sure what to expect out of all this activity. I just know that Texas will have to bow to the inevitable within a fairly short time. Meanwhile, I may have told you that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit is proceeding with its marriage cases, and will hear oral arguments in May. Also, the First Circuit is still reviewing a case out of Puerto

Finally, the National Organization for Marriage has demanded that Justice Ginsburg recuse herself from deliberations on marriage, given that she has allegedly tipped her hand in interviews and comments. For that matter, so has Scalia, so should he recuse himself as well? Obviously the suggestion is ridiculous. Did you notice, by the way, that Ginsburg told the press that she nodded off during the State of the Union because she was “not 100 percent sober?” Apparently, she drank too much wine with Justice Kennedy at dinner, and she had recently pulled an all-nighter because her “pen was hot.” Isn’t honesty in a public figure refreshing? arostow@aol.com

(MANDELMAN continued from page 6) The 150-page report presents and analyzes a wealth of data, but I was struck in particular by two of the report’s themes: 1) the breadth of the impact of violence across the queer community; and 2) the depth of the impact of violence on the most marginalized among us.

In the first category are the, somewhat shocking to me, statistics that 68% of the community has experienced physical violence, 48% has experienced sexual violence, and 81% has experienced MAGNET, the Castro hub of health and wellbeing for gay/bi men, is excited to welcome Oth Khotsimeuang to the Magnet Gallery for the month of February with his amazing work, “Boys of Melody” - all about celebrating the small fleeting moments of life. The work is also about increasing visibility of positive gay imagery with tenderness, humor, and emotion - which is often absent in the sea of overtly sexual/body shaming propaganda that targets gay culture. His cartoon characters are utterly charming! magnetsf.org CUMMING UP! Don’t miss the critically acclaimed musical on the life of legendary “Disco Queen” SYLVESTER entitled MIGHTY REAL at the Brava Theatre, 2781 24th Street, now through March 1st! Direct from New York City comes Broadway star, Anthony Wayne (Pippin, Priscilla) who brilliantly brings the legendary disco diva to vivid life.

With a dozen songs like “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” “Can’t Stop Dancing,” “Do You Wanna Funk,” and “You Are My Friend,” this show tells the life story of Sylvester through HIS music and HIS point of view. Joining Mr. Wayne are Broadway Divas Anastacia McCleskey & Jacqueline B. Arnold as The Two Tons of Fun/Weather Girls. For the opening night reception, we met the cast and co-producer, the lovely, talented actress Sheryl Lee Ralph who gave a shout-out of respect to us Sisters

harassment. In the second are the findings that transgender community members are seven times more likely than non-transgender people to feel unsafe in everyday settings, and 60% of transgender Latinas feel unsafe walking around during the day. The violence report begins an important conversation that I anticipate our community will be having for some time to come.

Soiree 15—Get Your Tickets!

Speaking of the LGBT Center, the of Perpetual Indulgence in the audience. #blessed.

BALONEY is San Francisco’s Gay AllMale Revue choreographed by Rory Davis, directed by Michael Phillis, and starring Rory Davis, James Arthur M., Adam Roy, Shaun Mullen, Moe Arikat, Alex Steinhaus, Tim Wingert & Aaron Sarazan. Hosted by Michael Phillis on Friday, February 20th, 8-10pm at Oasis, 298 11th Street at Folsom. sfoasis.com ACADEMY OF FRIENDS presents A CENTURY OF RADIANCE on Sunday, February 22, at the San Francisco Design Center Galleria, 101 Henry Adams Street. This marks their 35th Annual Academy Awards Night Gala with ticket sales benefitting HIV/ AIDS Services in the San Francisco Bay Area. Everyone at the event will enjoy foods provided by the Bay Area’s finest restaurants and caterers, unlimited wine and champagne by amazing vintners, along with a fun way to watch the 2015 Oscars. Following the awards broadcast is an incredible show presented by the cast of Disney’s Broadway smash-hit, Newsies, then dancing until the doors close. academyoffriends.org The ASIAN ART MUSEUM has just opened its new winter exhibition, SEDUCTION: JA PA N ’ S FLOATING WORLD, which will be on display at 200 Larkin Street. There was a big opening party on February 19. The party featured interdisciplinary

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Center’s annual Soiree is just around the corner. I hope to see you all on Saturday March 28 for the party of the year at City View at the Metreon. This year’s theme is “Limitless: Celebrating Our Community’s Future.” Get your tickets at www.sfcenter.org Rafael Mandelman is a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Oakland and President of the City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees. artist Midori and DJ Proof (Massive Selector). Midori brought the art of Seduction to life, armed with cardboard props, wigs, and a frisky cast of characters to pepper the party with scenes from Seduction’s centerpiece - a 58-foot scroll depicting a lively visit to the Yoshiwara (Japan’s pleasure quarter). Edo period Japan (1615-1868) slipped out of time to emerge into modern day San Francisco. Imagine a samurai as a GI Joe or high-ranking prostitute as a glam drag queen - and that was only a small sample. Over 60 works of art are on display now through May 10th. asianart.org THOMASINA’S ART EXHIBIT is currently displayed at Cafe International, 508 Haight Street. These are the ladies of RED HOT BURLESQUE, an ongoing performance throughout the city of SF and Oakland led and conceived by the over the top fabulous, outrageous dancing Dottie Lux. Featuring your fave performers Dottie, Ariyana La Fey, Ruby Vixenn, Kitty Von Quim, & Nadia Bobadia - to name just a few “goils” on oils. Thomasina DeMaio is a renowned EssEff artist who also offers free art sessions every Monday evening at Moby Dick bar, 4049 18th Street. She provides live models and only asks for donations to the people posing for hours and hours. This is for both newbies and accomplished artists.

Pornucopia: this week’s flick pick is Poolside 2 from falconstudios.com Sister Dana sez: We have a powerful Prez! In an interview with BuzzFeed, President Obama said he would welcome a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that same-sex couples have the freedom to marry in every state, saying: “It’s time to recognize that under the equal protection clause of the United States Constitution, same-sex couples should have the same rights as anybody else.”

The President also voiced support for same-sex couples seeking the freedom to marry in Alabama, where Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore ordered county probate judges to disregard a federal court ruling declaring that Alabama’s ban on marriage by same-sex couples is unconstitutional.

President Obama stated: “When federal law is in conflict with state law, federal law wins out.” Kudos, Prez!

Round About - All Over Town

Best Gay Romance anthology editor Felice Picano with contributors Kevin Killian, Dale Cheese, Daniel Jafee, Eric Andews-Katz, Tom Baker and Guillermo Luna gave remarks and readings at the Books Inc Castro event on February 13.

Photos by Rink

Poets, musicians and activists Adrienne Torf, Joshua Merchant, Arisa White, curator Kevin Simmonds and Scott Nakamura presented the program entitled “Not a Luxury: Poets and Activists Remember Queer Black Poets” at the SF Main Library on February 4.

CAAMFEST (Asian American Film Festival) executive director Stephen Gong with Frameline’s Frances Wallace at the press conference for the festival held at the New People Cinema in Japantown.

CAAMFEST runs March 12-22 at multiple venues and features Asian film, music and food.

Books Inc Castro staffers Taylor Stephens and Elen Eustaquio with the store’s Valentines literary display.

“Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical” director Kendrell Bowman, co-producer Sheryl Lee Ralph and star performer Anthony Wayne visited the site of the Rainbow Honor Walk for Sylvester on February 1.

Girl Scout cookies on sale during the Red Envelope Circle event at the GLBT Historical Society Museum in the Castro.

Now Voyager owner Peter Greene (center) with travel agent Patti Wylie and travel customer Robert Bernardo at the Grand Re-opening of Now Voyager on 19th Street near Castro on February 14.

Novice Sister Angelina Holi, who works at Hardrock Cafe, served sumptuous barbeque meals at the Sisters Beer Bust benefit at the Eagle Bar in support of another Hard Rock employee who was burned out of her apartment in the 22nd and Mission fire that affected 18 other families as well.

Girl Scout cookies for sale at Harvey Milk Plaza in the Castro.

Barry Milgrom and Irene Hendrick at the Mostly British film Festival Opening at the SF Jewish Community Center on February 12.

Bartender Jefrey Smith poured Veuve Clicquot Brut at Cafe Flore.

Academy of Friends’ Gil Padia and his partner Kyle McMillen (back left) with other guests at the Valentines Day Masquerade Ball at the Haas Lilenthal House in Pacific Heights.

Honoree Madeleine Lim from Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project (Q-WOCMAP) and honoree Tina Takemoto, author of Sex, Politics and Sticky Rice with Red Envelope Giving Circle co-founer Crystal Jang at a reception held at the GLBT Historical Society on February 8.

Honorees Ernst Ostertag and Robi Rapp who starred in Der Kreis, a documentary film screened at the LGBT Community Center on February 11.

Event coordinator Michael Davidson of Behind the Curtain, Galavant Events’ Heather Robertson and Rosie Lopes at the Valentines Day Masquerade Ball.

Guests Pamela Meskin and Diana Edwards at the Haas Lilienthal House for the HRC Masquerade Ball benefit.

Galavant Event’s Rosie Lopes with host Lord Wottan at the Haas Lilienthal House in Pacific Heights for the HRC Masquerade Ball benefit.

BAY T IM ES F EBRUARY 19, 2015

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