Photo by Jerome Parmer/San Francisco Bay Times
Images by Bay Times Contributing Photographer Jerome Parmer Show Federal Agent Shooting LGBTQ+ Advocate
Key details of the shooting of promi nent LGBTQ+ advocate Reverend Jorge Bautista by a federal agent on October 23, 2025, are revealed in images taken by San Francisco Bay Times contributing photographer Jerome Parmer. The shooting that injured Rev. Bautista, who is the Race Equity Coordinator at the Presbytery of San Francisco, happened near the bridge that connects Oakland to Coast Guard Island in Alameda. Rev. Bautista had joined other clergy for a peaceful vigil and protest of the Trump administration’s planned “surge” of federal immigration agents in the Bay Area.
The protest followed media reports on October 22 that over 100 federal agents, including from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, had been dispatched to Coast Guard Island and would begin arriving the next morning. Early the next day, Thursday, Rev. Bautista, Parmer, and several others gathered on Dennison Road in East Oakland
Together We Stand
In Case You Missed It
Joanie Juster
Times are tough, and getting tougher. Millions of Americans who might have managed to get through the first ten months of this administration unscathed are now finding that they are not immune from this president’s prioritization of power over people. Every day I hear from more friends whose healthcare premiums are skyrocketing to unaffordable heights. Federal workers have been without pay throughout the long government shutdown. Bay Area companies are announcing huge layoffs. SNAP benefits in many places disappeared in October, and suddenly the threat of hunger on a massive scale not seen since the Great Depression is looming over our country. And, worse yet, the constant threat of ICE raids has kept many families afraid to go out in public— afraid to go to work, to school, to church, or
for a hastily planned Sanctuary Faith Vigil. Already, caravans of masked agents had started arriving at the Coast Guard base. By 7 am, the group of protesters and participants in the vigil had grown large enough to attempt to block the bridge entrance.
Agents at that point began deploying pepper spray and flash-bang devices, some of which are seen strewn on the ground in Parmer’s images. Rev. Bautista— an advocate of the queer community who previously launched an LGBTQ+ affirming Spanish language service as part of his ministry initiatives—was among many who held aloft signs that read, in part: “No ICE or Troops in the Bay,” over an image of people holding hands.
While Rev. Bautista stood with his sign near the bridge, a federal agent stepped into this area that other media reports have described as a public Oakland intersection. Holding a large munitions launcher, the agent locked eyes with Rev. Bautista and pointed the launcher directly at him. Parmer, standing closely by, captured what happened next. The agent fired, hitting Rev. Bautista in the chin with caustic powder that filled his mouth and lungs. He struggled to breathe,
and others around him began to feel sick too.
In this condition, with his chin bleeding, Rev. Bautista was rushed to Kaiser Permanente’s Oakland Medical Center. Doctors there told him he was lucky not to have had his chin broken. If more of the substance had entered into his eyes, they said, it could have permanently hurt his vision.
While recovering and recalling the incident, Rev. Bautista told KCRA News in Sacramento that he wished for the federal agents to see him, as clearly a member of the clergy, in hopes that his presence would deescalate rising tensions at the vigil and protest. As he explained, “I stepped in, not wanting to intentionally block the border patrol truck, but wound up in front of it, hoping to calm things down. And this agent—I saw him from a distance—coming at me, aiming at me. I was so convinced he was not going to pull the trigger. Next thing you know, I got hit in the chin with it. I didn’t even know what I got hit with. I just thought it was a metal canister of some sort.”
The details of Parmer’s images related to the shooting are striking. The agent is wearing, not only a highly equipped ballistic hel-
met, but also large protective glasses, a face guard, and a balaclava covering the lower face. There is a smudge mark at the crotch area, making it look like the individual had just wetted themselves—perhaps out of fear or the rush of adrenalin. The agent’s hands are tightly clenched on the weapon, with arm muscles appearing strained. In other images, additional agents and U.S. Coast Guard police look worried and concerned. Just the day before, in a joint statement with Representative Kevin Mullin, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said: “Our state and local authorities may arrest federal agents if they break California law—and if they are convicted, the President cannot pardon them.” They characterized the reported mass immigration raids as an “appalling abuse of law enforcement power” and stated that federal agents do not have absolute immunity.
President Trump, of course, was nowhere close to the Bay Area. He was in Washington, D.C., at the White House— with its now demolished East Wing—preparing for a roundtable discussion. Later that day, on October 23, he called off the planned federal immigration enforcement
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even to the grocery store.
Clearly, we can no longer count on the government to help us. But we do have each other.
This is a time when we all need to pitch in to help our neighbors, and the most urgent needs are the most basic ones: people need to eat every day. Our food banks are being stretched beyond capacity by the growing need for their services, so donating to, and volunteering for, your local food bank is a great place to start. And remember: every dollar you donate to your local food bank goes much farther than any dollar you spend at the grocery store, so donate money, not food. Food banks and meal services know better than you or I exactly what they need to nourish their clients, so trust them to use your dollars wisely.
Mutual aid networks are also doing tremendous work at the street level. They tend to be hyperlocal, and some don’t even necessarily have websites. Not surprisingly, most of these efforts to feed the hungry in our communities are also part of progressive organizations that are also actively participating in resistance activities and political organizing. Churches and nonprofit organizations like Glide, Faith in Action, St. Anthony’s, and many others are also doing everything they can to make sure people are fed.
Here are a few suggestions of ways you can help; there are many more out there. Please, do whatever you can to help feed our neighbors:
Bay Resistance: https://tinyurl.com/BRfoodres
Bay Area Workers Support: https://tinyurl.com/BAWSfood
Mission Meals Coalition: https://tinyurl.com/MiMealsC
Heads Up: Kim Davis Is Back
Ever since marriage equality was declared the law of the land by the Supreme Court in 2015, there has been concern that the right of same-sex couples to marry could be taken away again—a concern that increased dramatically when Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, and even more under the homophobic attacks by the current administration. And now Kim Davis, the much-married former county clerk who found international fame in 2015 by refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Kentucky, has decided to raise the issue with the Supreme Court once again, in an attempt to have Obergefell v. Hodges overturned.
The Supreme Court will consider whether to hear Davis’ challenge to same-sex marriage at a private conference on Friday, November 7, the first step toward the Court deciding whether to review Obergefell v. Hodges. You can stay up-to-date on this case at the SCOTUSblog: https://tinyurl.com/SCOTkc
Transgender Awareness Month Events Planned
November is Transgender Awareness
Month, when the history, contributions, and accomplishments of transgender people are highlighted and celebrated. It includes Transgender Awareness Week (commemorated each year between November 13–19) as a time to increase understanding about transgender people and the issues and challenges they face.
On November 20, the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) honors the memory of transgender people who died as a result of anti-trans violence that year.
According to the Transgender Law Center, there have been 139 reported incidents of fatal transphobic violence in the United States since 2017—third in the world, after Brazil and Mexico. But it is also important to remember that data on these crimes can
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Reverend Jorge Bautista
Jerome Parmer
Images Document East Bay Clash Between Clergy, Protestors, and Federal Agents Over Trump Immigration Crackdown
Photos by Jerome Parmer
On October 23, 2025, a large vigil and protest against a planned federal immigration crackdown took place at the entrance to Coast Guard Island in Alameda. Demonstrators gathered to oppose the deployment of federal agents, and the protest involved clashes with law enforcement, the use of tear gas and stun grenades, and at least two arrests. The event was part of a broader day of activism against the Trump administration’s planned immigration operations in the Bay Area.
San Francisco Bay Times contributing photographer Jerome Parmer documented what took place, bravely risking his own safety both to make a political stand in support of social justice and to capture up-close, detailed images of what happened during this tense morning in the East Bay.
Serenading ICE
TLC: Tears, Laughs and Conversation
“It’s the quiet ones you need to watch out for.”
That also applies to the elder ones! We’re not sitting around knitting and playing Canasta. You’ve read about my new musical venture in a previous article. The short version is that we’ve started a new chorus for Q+ Elders and Allies: the Portland Sage Singers. We only started last February. But, off we went, faster than any of our aging legs could carry us.
I am also certain you have read about the terrible “alternative facts” that Portland is burning to the ground and is like a war zone. That’s a miracle since there is no fire or smoke anywhere and people are still doing all the things gorgeous Portland offers in the fall. You have probably seen Oregon’s governor, Tina Kotek, fighting the good fight against total lies about Portland. The Republicans keep showing video of 2020 and saying it is now. It’s not. And Kotek is family. And she is fighting the fight with Governor Newsom and Washington’s Governor Ferguson. Maybe we’ll secede together.
The main reason I am writing at this very time is because of an outreach performance we did recently. The Portland Sage Singers sang outside the notorious ICE Detention Center. We decided not to do it on No Kings Day because our efforts would most definitely be drowned out by the 40,000 other folks protesting in our fair city. We decided to do it on the Thursday after the big day. We sang at 4 pm so we could get home before dark. There were two reasons for that: 1- Driving at night is not our favorite thing to do, and, 2- The ICE Detention Center draws some colorful characters after dark. Most of those are not really protesting, just rebel-rousing. Of the 80 singers currently in the chorus, 45 showed up to the protest. It was amazing. We sang all the good protest songs. We started with Holly Near’s “Singing for Our Lives.” When we started this past year, she gave her blessing for us to use “Singing for the Rest of our Lives” as our tag line. We sang her “I Ain’t Afraid.” If you don’t know this song, look it up. It was especially poignant as we were
being filmed by several people. The one closest to us was a self-proclaimed Proud Boy. There were some singers who had sung these very same songs at protests against the Vietnam War! Some of those tunes were the tried and true “Down by the Riverside,” and “If I Had a Hammer.” People standing around joined in.
You can’t do a protest in Portland without humor. It has been the hallmark of our protests with the incredible blow-up frogs and other non-threatening animals including unicorns. In honor of the frogs, we sang “Rainbow Connection.” The secretary of our board pulled the lyrics off Kermit’s version as seen on The Late Show and we just had to do it! Well, unbeknownst to us, we were being filmed from behind by a wonderful representative from the Transcend Thrift Project, which is part of the Transcend Affirm Project. They loved it and posted it on TikTok. At writing, it has over 50,000 likes and over 265,000 views. I told the chorus after the fact, “Had we known our singing would go viral, we would have practiced!”
So, I repeat, “Watch out for the quiet/ elder ones.”
We’ve had an amazing time becoming community. GALA Choruses (Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses) was
founded on the strength of unity and providing safe spaces to sing. They say, “Every time a GALA chorus takes the stage, it is activism.” Sage Singers has so much in common. Some of it is our love of music. Some of it is our love of all things queer and allies who love the same! But, in this case, we also share the commonality of age. The minimum age is 55. Our eldest elder is 89 ½ (she wants the ½ referenced). She was sitting in a lawn chair at the protest singing her heart out.
Our first concert this past June was sponsored by AARP! It was held in a stunning performance space and sold out four weeks early. We’re back at it. This time, it sold out six weeks early. I’m very happy to say we will get to give two performances next June.
We are not going to go quietly. We may not be able to march any longer, but we can sing. And we will. And it won’t be quiet.
I’ll leave you with the alternative parody lyrics to “Rainbow Connection.”
Sing along.
Why are there so many Trump thugs in ski masks
And why do they have to hide
You can spray us with pepper
But we won’t surrender
We’ll respond with a naked bike ride
We have been told that our city is burning
We know they’re wrong, wait and see
So, march through our city
We’ll stand up to fascists
The chicken, the T-Rex, and me
Dr. Tim Seelig is the Conductor Laureate of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. http://www.timseelig.com/
Dr. Tim Seelig
Dr. Tim Seelig with Governor of Oregon Tina Kotek
Governor Tina Kotek WA Governor Bob Ferguson Governor Gavin Newsom
PHOTO BY DR. TIM SEELIG
Constitutional Law, Not Martial Law
‘Constitutional Law, Not Martial Law’
6/26 and Beyond
At the time of this writing, National Guard troops have been deployed in five American cities at the direct order or urging of President Donald Trump. In three of those cities Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland Trump has federalized the troops, putting them directly under his command as would be the case if they were deployed overseas.
On the October 10, 2025, edition of The New Yorker’s “The Political Scene” podcast, renowned New Yorker reporter Jane Mayer characterized recent developments as “shocking” and “crossing new barriers.” Federal District Court Judge Karin Immergut—herself a 2019 Trump appointee—found Trump’s deployment of troops to Portland so odious, and without basis in law or fact, that she blocked it from taking place.
In her October 4, 2025, order, Immergut sharply rejected Trump’s justification for the deployment that Portland was “war ravaged” and “under siege” by “domestic terrorists,” finding that “the protests in Portland were not ‘a rebellion’ and did not pose a ‘danger of a rebellion.’” She minced no words: “The President’s determination was simply untethered to the facts.” She heralded the American “historical tradition,” which “boils down to a simple proposition: this is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law.”
Under the specter of these threats to our very system of government and liberties, we, like many other Americans, have been searching for the wisest and most effective ways to respond. As part of that search, we recently came upon an unlikely source for reflection: talks and writings of the Ameri-
can Theravadan Buddhist monastic scholar and translator Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu of the Kammaṭṭhāna (or Thai Forest) Tradition of Buddhism.
Ṭhānissaro is not a Buddhist activist focusing his work on political and social change. He views Theravadan Buddhist’s purpose as offering individuals means to free themselves from internal suffering and stress and to live with personal peace and simple happiness and contentment, regardless of their life circumstances or the conditions of the world. When it comes to matters of public concern, Ṭhānissaro asserts that the genuine pursuit of such freedom from personal suffering also leads to the most harmonious and sustainable social change for the better.
physically abusing or killing others—not virtue; and vengeance and dehumanization of others—not goodwill. Ṭhānissaro himself acknowledges the “drawback” of “some injustices that cannot be addressed by just generosity, virtue, and goodwill.” But he argues that “if they could be alleviated now only by unskillful actions—such as lies, killing, theft, or violence—the trade-off in terms of long-term consequences wouldn’t be worth it.”
and draw fire,” with the rhetoric flourish “because we are the War Department.”
It does so because the pursuit is founded on three core, inherently beneficent practices generosity, virtue (in terms of not harming oneself or others, e.g., through killing or lying), and goodwill to all people, even those who act against you. Ṭhānissaro argues that actions based on these attitudes are “good in and of themselves” and serve to “spread long-term happiness in the world: a happiness that heals old divisions and creates no new ones in their place.”
Ṭhānissaro emphasizes that Theravadan Buddhism in no way attempts to “impose” this approach or any particular system of justice on the world, but rather offers insights into “skillful ... ways of engaging with the world” that people may undertake voluntarily.
Ṭhānissaro’s approach could easily be critiqued as naïve, idealistic, and detached from reality. It could appear ill-suited to confronting the real word challenges we face today from enormously powerful people, like Trump, whose actions appear based on greed for wealth, power, and domination—not generosity; lying and
In listening to The New Yorker podcast, we realized that Ṭhānissaro’s approach, far from impractical, could have critical realworld relevance, perhaps even urgency, right now. On the podcast, Mayer’s colleague Susan Glasser highlights the potential importance of Trump’s false claims that American cities are “war ravaged” and “under siege” by “domestic terrorists.” She asks a question we and others have been asking: “By using the language of war ... and sending actual armed troops into the streets, is Donald Trump ... looking to create the very conditions he claims already exist?” Is he tempting his opponents to engage in just enough violence and heightened rhetoric to provide a more persuasive contrivance for imposing martial law in cities or even provoke Trump loyalists to engage in street battle with protesters?
On the podcast, writer Evan Osnos underscores the importance of these questions, pointing to Trump’s Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s final words of his chilling September 30, 2025, speech at Quantico Marine Corps Base. Hegseth implored the gathered troops to “move out
Osnos explained that the military order “move out and draw fire” means to “mobilize” as a unit so as to “draw fire from the other side, from the enemy” and “generate the conflict, to essentially hasten the events you expect.” Osnos opined, “[W]hat you see happening right now is the Trump administration is ‘moving out and drawing fire’ in American cities, trying to elicit the very conflict that they believe will provide the predicate on which then to take the political steps to establish a greater sense of emergency.”
In light of this potential strategy, Ṭhānissaro’s approach of maintaining goodwill to everyone without exception—not necessarily liking everyone, much less loving them—but seeing their common humanity, hard as that might be, could provide a very useful foundation for not taking the bait— drawing the fire and giving Trump and Hegseth the provocation they seek.
Ultimately, it can’t be just one sided, and the approach does not dictate any particular actions. But, at the very least, it’s a call to examine our motivations, integrity, attitudes, strategy, and tactics thoughtfully, and not simply to react. It’s a very realworld endeavor in Ṭhānissaro’s words of “how to find harmony through practices that actually are conducive to harmony, instead of trying to divide us.”
John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney, together for over three decades, were plaintiffs in the California case for equal marriage rights decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008. Their leadership in the grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA contributed in 2015 to making same-sex marriage legal nationwide.
John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney’s San Francisco Bay Times Column Mentioned in National Bestseller
Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian’s new bestseller, Forest Euphoria: The Abounding Queerness of Nature, is highly rated and has been described as a “thrilling book about the abounding queerness of the natural world that challenges our expectations of what is normal, beautiful, and possible.” When a former colleague of San Francisco Bay Times columnist Stuart Gaffney recently read the book, they noticed a quote from Gaffney and his husband John Lewis from a piece the couple wrote for the Bay Times in May 2021. That page from the book is shared here, and the entire article from Lewis and Gaffney may be found at: https://bit.ly/3X5eCkz
More information about the book is at Ononiwu Kaishian’s website: https://bit.ly/4ny5lMQ
Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis
Jane Mayer
Judge Karin Immergut
Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian
Thānissaro Bhikkhu
Susan Glasser
Evan Osnos
Working to Expand Access to Mental Health Treatment
View From the Dome
Mandelman President, San Francisco Board of Supervisors
We’ve taken on numerous projects this year, from increasing traffic enforcement to expanding shelter capacity, but we would now like to update you on one of our ongoing projects: the Residential Treatment and Care Workgroup.
I have been working on expanding access to mental health treatment since I became Supervisor. I believe strongly in using conservatorship to care for people who cannot care for themselves, and whose mental illness prevents them from voluntarily accepting care, but the reality is that, without an adequate supply of appropriate facilities, we will be stymied in our efforts to get the hardestto-treat people off the streets, and out of the jails. And the tragic reality is that, San Francisco and California more broadly simply do not have enough treatment facilities or placements for people with severe mental illness. Earlier this year I asked the Mayor to convene a Residential Care and Treatment Workgroup to analyze and address our acute lack of such facilities.
The Workgroup, which I co-chair along with the Director of the Department of Public Health, includes public and private stakeholders, including UCSF, Kaiser, and Sutter Health. It has met several times already, and its work is being informed by interviews and focus groups with community health providers and other stakeholders. We are aiming to complete our work and provide recommendations to guide future city investment and advocacy by the end of the year.
The Workgroup comes at an opportune time, as the passage of Prop 1 allows San Francisco to apply for funds to buy and build mental health facilities, while Senate Bill 43 has expanded conservatorship criteria to include people with disabling substance addictions. If you’re interested in learning more about our work on mental health treatment beds, feel free to reach out to my staffer on this issue, Adam Thongsavat ( Adam.Thongsavat@sfgov.org ).
Thanks for reading, and, as always, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office. You can always reach us at mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org and 415-544-6968, or you can stop by to visit us in Room 284 of City Hall.
See you in the District!
Rafael Mandelman is the San Francisco District 8 Supervisor and the President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
https://bit.ly/4iQvwvY
Sing for the Cure at the Chan National Queer Arts Center
On October 30, 2025, singers and orchestral musicians joined members of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) for a performance of Sing for the Cure at the chorus’ home, the Chan National Queer Arts Center, in a benefit concert dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer. This groundbreaking work has special significance for SFGMC, as it was originally commissioned by Conductor Laureate and San Francisco Bay Times columnist Dr. Tim Seelig during his tenure leading the Turtle Creek Chorale.
journey through ten musical movements interwoven with compelling spoken narration designed to inspire and educate. Written collaboratively by ten American composers, the work shines a light on the importance of early detection and the ongoing need for research and support through the stories of individuals, families, caregivers, and medical professionals. A portion of the net proceeds from the concert went to Bay Area Cancer Connections, where Bay Times columnist Joanie Juster holds the position of Community Engagement Coordinator.
Kris Roberts was the narrator and featured soloist. This artist and actor has appeared on Broadway in Tootsie, Sunset Boulevard, and Beautiful, and toured the country in Company
Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Sing for the Cure took the audience on a deeply personal and emotional
Special thanks to San Francisco Bay Times contributor Louise Fischer for providing images, and much appreication to Amy Meyers for her particpation as a member of the Sing for the Cure chorus and as a featured soloist.
https://www.sfgmc.org/
Rafael
Troy Brunette, Paul Saccone, and Joanie Juster
SFGMC supporter Janet Cluff and Molly Sender, Partnerships & Development Manager
Chris Verdugo and Joanie Juster
Lou Fischer and Amy Meyers with participants at Sing for the Cure
Orchestra and chorus at Sing for the Cure
Soloists, including Amy Meyers, at Sing for the Cure
“surge.” The entire operation was confirmed as canceled for the entire Bay Area on October 24. As of this writing, it remains unclear if the Alameda District Attorney’s Office would agree to prosecute the federal agent who shot Rev. Bautista if the Oakland Police Department or another agency were to introduce a case. An ICE Use of Force Policy published in January 2021 includes an instruction that agents “shall not intentionally target the head, neck, groin, spine, or female breast” with less-lethal chemical munitions. While it is true that federal agents do not have absolute immunity, few over the years have been arrested and charged for state law violations.
The Congressional Church of San Mateo United Church of Christ issued the following statement about the incident and related issues on October 24:
“We are a community of faith committed to cultural justice. As a Sanctuary Congregation, we at the Congregational Church of San Mateo (UCC) stand in unwavering solidarity with our immigrant neighbors, friends, and members, and with all who show up peacefully for justice. Our faith calls us to respond not with fear, but with steadfast love and courageous action. We will continue to show up peacefully, faithfully, and boldly to protect the dignity of every person, to provide sanctuary and safety as best we can, and to embody the Gospel call to love our neighbor. We knew this day would probably come, but the reality of it has escalated quickly and hit close to home. Federal immigration agents have increased their presence in the Bay Area, bringing fear and violence into our communities. We are especially holding Rev. Jorge Bautista, former Associate Minister of CCSM and now Pastor of our sister congregation, College
Heights UCC, in our prayers today. While standing in nonviolent witness in Alameda County, Rev. Bautista was shot in the face by a pepper-spray ball fired by a federal agent. We condemn this act of violence and the fear it seeks to sow. What is happening in our cities and neighborhoods is unacceptable. It contravenes constitutional protections and is contrary to the teachings of our faith. We join our partners in faith and justice in calling for a full and transparent investigation into this use of force. Accountability is essential for healing, and we pray for courage among our civic leaders to confront what has taken place and to uphold the rights and safety of every person in our community. As people of faith, we hold fast to the commandment of our tradition: ‘When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.’~Leviticus 19:33–34
We will continue our commitment to welcome the stranger, show up in love, and work for peace and justice in San Mateo County, the Bay Area, and beyond.
In community, justice, and hope, Rev. Jessica Vacketta, Senior Minister Rev. Álvaro Durán, Minister of Community Life Congregational Church of San Mateo (UCC)”
As for Parmer, he stands by his images and his decision to be present at the vigil and protest. He told the San Francisco Bay Times, “I think documenting the atrocities that are being committed against our own people is an important thing to do.”
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be incomplete or inaccurate, as these crimes are often underreported or misclassified.
As trans people are under increasing attack, especially from our own government, it is clear that awareness and remembrance are important, but in order to create change, they must also lead to action. San Francisco’s Transgender District is planning a Trans Awareness Month Youth Rally on Saturday, November 15, from 10 am–12:30 pm. They are partnering with Districts 5 and 6, and community partners including Larkin Street, TransThrive, LYRIC, El/ La Para TransLatinas, and Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco to build solidarity and work toward positive change. For info: https://tinyurl.com/TDORyouth
TDoR events in San Francisco will be coordinated by the Trans March. They will include a rally on the steps of City Hall on November 20 at 5:30 pm, a march to the SF LGBT Center at 6 pm, and a program at the LGBT Center at 7 pm.
Other TDoR events are planned throughout the Bay Area as well, including a vigil at The Diversity Center (612 Ocean Street, San Francisco) on Friday, November 21. “The Sound of Holding On” will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Details for this free event: https://tinyurl.com/TDOR1121
Congratulations to the New Drag Laureate!
D’Arcy Drollinger set a high bar as San Francisco’s first-ever Drag Laureate, but she is leaving the position in excellent hands with her newly-appointed successor, Per Sia. As an educator, activist, performer, trailblazer, and community leader, Per Sia brings a wealth of leadership experience and energy to the job.
At the celebratory announcement of their new role, Per Sia set the tone for what lies ahead: “Despite the current chaos of the world, I promise you this: I will keep bringing my joy, my brown joy, my queer joy, all the joy. So, I invite all of you to find your joy. Share your stories. Because when we share those stories, and that joy, we heal, we connect, and we remind the world that we are just simply humans. Humans that want to be heard, humans that want to be understood, humans that want to be respected, and ultimately humans that want to be and feel loved.”
Congratulations, Per Sia. We know you will represent our city with creativity, compassion, and great joy.
Joanie Juster is a long-time community volunteer, activist, and ally.
Fighting for Those Who Fought for Us
By Morey Riordan
As I reflect on my first couple of months as the Executive Director of Openhouse, my experience has been one of deep learning, joy, and appreciation for the enduring connection and support that our LGBTQ+ community has with our organization.
As a former board member now returning to the organization after several years away, I am stunned by the growth and reach of our support for older LGBTQ+ adults throughout San Francisco. In the past year, Openhouse has served 3,700 people across our housing, support services, and other programs. This growth reflects a clear community need for social connection, housing assistance, and help plugging into resources for things like food and transportation. Every day I see the deep desire for joyful and meaningful connection among the people we serve, as well as serious threats to food security and basic benefits that our older community members rely on.
We recently heard the news that Cal Fresh, the food program that helps so many of our community members from experiencing hunger, will suspend payments until the government shutdown ends. This accompanies similar news that HUD will suspend Section 8 subsidized housing payments. Many of the older adults whom we serve are only able to
live comfortably and with a sense of security because of these programs.
In these times, we are witnessing a stunning disregard for those among us who are living in (or close to) poverty. We know that our older adults are disproportionately represented in this population. At Openhouse, we refuse to accept that it is the fate of our people to live in a state of fear for their basic needs and survival. These are the people who fought courageously for the rights and dignity that we are all able to experience today in San Francisco, and beyond. I believe that it is our duty now to fight to protect older LGBTQ+ adults from the callousness and harmful policy shifts coming from the federal government.
We are a community that cannot and does
not rest when threats challenge our health, well-being, and survival. We showed our tenacity and demand for justice during the early days of the AIDS epidemic when our people were dying because of a similar callousness and disregard. Those whom Openhouse now serves were at the vanguard of our refusal to accept stigma, discrimination, and death as our fate. It is now time to have their backs.
We all deserve to experience our older years as a time of well-being, housing and food security, rich social connection, and discovery. Openhouse will continue to grow to meet community needs and remain a hub of learning, support, and joy. In these times, we need all hands on deck to preserve, nurture, and grow our work. We invite our communi-
ty to join us in this work. Help us set in stone the future that we all deserve.
To learn more about Openhouse, and how to join us in this work, visit https://www.openhousesf.org/
Morey Riordan joined Openhouse in September 2025 as Executive Director. He previously served as Executive Director at several HIV and LGBTQ+ focused organizations. Additionally, he founded the Transgender Strategy Center, offering no cost coaching and technical assistance to trans led and serving organizations across the U.S. Riordan currently serves on the Board of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights and previously served as a board member at Openhouse for five years.
Fighting Ageism: LGBTQ+ Seniors and Friendly Visitors Connect for Life-Affirming Companionship and Support
By Charles Renfroe
Gilbert, a gay man in his late 60s, came to Openhouse after entering sobriety and recovering from prolonged substance abuse. “Having just finished my addictions, I had difficulty interacting with people and making social connections,” Gilbert said during a recent interview. “The only lifestyle I knew was going to bars, just drinking. I get emotional remembering I was very lonely at the time.”
Gilbert then started coming to Openhouse and connected with Andrew, a young volunteer in our Friendly Visitor Program where volunteers of all ages are paired with LGBTQ+ older adults for social connection and companionship. “I got connected to Openhouse through my employer, the San Francisco Symphony, a community partner with Openhouse,” said Andrew. He was soon recruited for the Friendly Visitor Program and was paired with Gilbert.
“Openhouse’s Intergenerational Program Manager introduced us and we had immediate chemistry,” Andrew said. “And we’re good friends now,” Gilbert agreed. “I love meeting Andrew in the Castro, and we walk to Dolores Park because that’s a community I have not been around clean and sober.” Since joining the Friendly Visitor Program,
Gilbert has boosted his confidence and has even met a boyfriend. According to Gilbert, “that wouldn’t have been possible had I not met Andrew. He helped build my self-esteem and motivation, which I hadn’t felt for many, many years. Openhouse is my second family where I can be accepted for who I am.”
Gilbert and his new boyfriend danced together at the Openhouse Senior Prom in May.
Openhouse, the San Francisco non-profit
organization exclusively serving the housing and social service needs of LGBTQ+ older adults, has been fighting ageism since its founding in 1998. Its longest-running intergenerational program not only bridges the age gap between older community members and younger volunteers, but also breaks the deadly divide of social isolation and loneliness.
“We launched our Friendly Visitor initiative more than 10 years ago and it remains a cherished program in our community, and an evidence-based intervention against social isolation and loneliness,” said Sylvia Vargas, Openhouse Director of Community Engagement. “Currently, we have 80 Friendly Visitor pairs, and, in 2025, we logged 1,020 friendly visits and calls. Our dedicated volunteers make this program possible.”
“Launched over a decade ago, our Friendly Visitor initiative has become a lifeline for LGBTQ+ older adults, many of whom face profound isolation due to a lifetime of discrimination and loss,” Vargas continued. “By fostering authentic, intergenerational relationships, the program not only combats loneliness—it helps bridge generations, preserves LGBTQ+ history, and nurtures a sense of belonging that is often missing for our elders. More than a program, it’s a powerful, evidence-based model of community care, connection, and resilience.”
The program is among a suite of community engagement services studied for four years (2018–2021) by the California Reducing Disparities Project (CRDP) at the state Department of Public Health. Both
(continued on page 18)
Dr. Marcy Adelman, a clinical psychologist, LGBTQ+ aging consultant, and policy advisor, oversees the San Francisco Bay Times Aging in Community column.
Alegre Home Care is proud to support Dr. Marcy Adelman’s Aging in Community column in the San Francisco Bay Times
At the October 15, 2025, Openhouse Donor Soirée in San Francisco, the organization’s new Executive Director, Morey Riordan, was introduced by Openhouse Co-Founder Dr. Marcy Adelman, who later joined guests to hear Riordan’s remarks at the event.
Photos courtesy of Openhouse
Scott Wiener Congressional Campaign Kickoff at the Swedish American Hall
State Senator Scott Wiener packed the Swedish American Hall on October 29, 2025, for his campaign kickoff as a Democrat for Congress. San Francisco Bay Times sports columnist Beth Schnitzer of Spritz was among the Bay Times team members and many others who attended. Senator Wiener is vying for former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s seat. Earlier this month, his team raised $730,00 when his campaign was first announced.
Senator Wiener posted about the event the next day: “Huge crowd & great energy at our Congressional campaign kickoff last night at the Swedish American Hall! Thank you to the hundreds who came out to support. This is going to be a deep grassroots campaign & we’re just getting started. Onward!”
City Attorney David Chiu and Iowayna Peña, the Director of Workforce Development for the City & County of San Francisco, were among the officials who came to show their support for Senator Wiener, who, in addition to his many other roles, has been an LGBTQ+ community leader. For
example, he served as Co-Chair of the Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club and was instrumental at BALIF (the Bay Area’s LGBTQ bar association), the San Francisco LGBTQ Community Center, and the Human Rights Campaign, where he served on the national board. https://www.scottwiener.com/
City Attorney David Chiu
San Francisco Bay Times columnist Beth Schnitzer and Iowayna Peña, Director of the City of San Francisco Workforce Development PHOTO BY BETH SCHNITZER
Alice B. Toklas Club’s Lisa Williams (right) and Martin Rawlings-Fein
Roland Schembari and Bill Hartman, Co-Founders
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GLBT Fortnight in Review
Atta Turk
A draft of a recent set of Turkish legal reforms known as the 11th Judicial Package was leaked to the press, and, much to our distress, it adds all kinds of nasty difficulties to the already tough lives of gay and trans Turks, as well as Turkish citizens in general. Human Rights Watch called it “one of the most alarming rollbacks of human rights in decades.”
Mr. Erdogan has never been sympathetic to our community, but he seems to have shifted into a new gear. Anyone holding a same-sex marriage ceremony is subject to four years in prison. Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Turkey, so any such ceremonies would be expressions of commitment, symbolic parties if you will, that would nonetheless be subject to horrific punishment. As for anyone who “engages in attitudes or behaviors contrary to biological sex and general morality,” or “who openly encourages, praises, or promotes such attitudes or behaviors,” they face up to three years in prison. Jail time is also possible for organizations and media who help the GLBT community or report favorable on GLBT issues. Transgender health care will be banned before the age of 25.
The press release from Human Rights Watch goes on and on, but you get the picture. In an annoying detail, Human Rights Watch insists on calling Turkey “Türkiye.” This, of course, is the Turkish spelling of Turkey, much as everyone started saying “Keeve” instead of Kiev back in the day because that’s how the citizens of Kiev say the name of their city. But, so what? We don’t call Paris “Paree” and other countries don’t call us “The United States,” because we all use different languages!
This is the sort of mindless political correctness that cost Democrats the hearts and minds of a lot of centrist voters, and I say mindless because it’s not a show of respect to use local pronunciations when you are sitting on your couch in the American heartland. It’s just going along with something you heard or read without thinking. It’s also a little pretentious.
Gays Just Wanna Have Fun
While we’re in Eastern Europe, do you recall that Poland declared a bunch of districts no-gay areas, symbolic expressions of hostility towards GLBT tourists and citizens? Between 2019 and 2020, about a hundred little regions hopped on the antigay bandwagon, issuing pointless decrees praising family values and sending mean-spirited thoughts towards our charming cohort. Eventually, European Rules and Regulations forced these Polish enclaves to retreat from their gay bashing slogans, and, recently, Poland was elevated from worst country in the EU for GLBT people to second worst, after Romania. Poland is also poised to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the country’s anti-discrimination code. (As for the aforementioned Turkey, the country has been in hot and cold talks to join the EU for decades. Earlier this year, the European Parliament froze consideration due to Turkey’s continued “democratic backsliding.” Thanks, Wikipedia.)
By Ann Rostow
If I may meander back to my original point about Poland, I was just reading about a study that looked at relocations and job hunts in those anti-gay zones from 2016 to 2021. An economist from Oxford and a professor of economics and business from Vienna determined that there was a migration out of the hostile areas to other parts of Poland or even other countries.
Remember that Poland’s no-gay zones carried no legal weight and were simply symbolic expressions of disapproval, so one might think that they would not have much of an impact on residents. But it makes perfect sense to me that gay people and their loved ones would lean towards a change in venue.
And not just the gays and their folks. Do you remember Richard Florida? About twenty years ago, he was the sociologist who saw a correlation between gay friendly cities and economic growth. I used to write that he noticed a colleague who had mapped GLBT tolerance around the country and saw that the guy’s map matched his own map of economic growth rates. Looking back, I’m not sure that story is true, but it was a nice idea. What Florida posited was that cities with a combination of talent, tolerance, and technology fostered a “creative class” that compounded economic growth. Tolerance in this context included, not just tolerance for GLBT people, but for artists, crazy ideas, performances, and so forth. Austin used to be home to a much-loved cross-dressing man named Leslie who wandered around main parts of town wearing nothing but a renaissance mask or some other Keep Austin Weird outfit. In 2023, Austin had the best economy of the top 50 metro areas in the U.S. for the previous five years.
The theory is based on the notion that creative productive people seek out environments where individuals are free to be themselves and celebrated for artistic vision, and, well, you know—having fun. You can see why Poland’s creative class chose to find another place to live once their townships decided to flaunt the fact that they disliked whole categories of human beings. You can see why draconian bans on transgender and gay people tend to depress every citizen with a wild heart and a sense of possibility.
Do We Have a Choice?
There is a lengthy report written by a trio of Democratic strategists called Deciding to Win, which offers a blueprint for getting back on track. By lengthy, I mean 59 pages, just a little too long to read in its entirety right this minute. Check it out on Politico.
I feel as if I mostly agree with the authors: Simon Bazelon, Lauren Harper Pope, and Liam Kerr. It’s about time Democrats started campaigning on their own vision rather than a listicle of all the horrible things Trump has done and may continue doing. That vision, in turn, should center on improving the lives of the electorate, lowering costs, helping with child care, fixing health insurance, and so forth. GLBT rights is my top priority, but there’s no reason the
(continued on page 18)
IN MEMORIAM
Marlena
Absolute Empress XXV of San Francisco
Imperial State Funeral
Saturday, November 8, Noon
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 1111 O’Farrell Street
“Marlena was one of a kind—a dear and loving friend, an accomplished community leader, a savvy business person, and a hell of a lot of fun to be with. Marlena’s grace, style, and wit were unmatched.”
—Mark Leno, California Statesman and friend
“Marlena was truly one of San Francisco’s best. She was always so kind to me and to so many others, and I will miss her dearly. Rest in power, my friend.”
—Scott Wiener, California State Senator
“Empress Marlena’s legacy will continue and live through the countless activists and leaders she mentored and advised, not only San Franciscans, but many within and outside of California. It was indeed my honor to name her Marlena the Magnificent, but also to proclaim her Queen Mother 1 of California. We both had strong personalities, but we respected each other. I will miss my sister of the Stonewall Generation.”
—Nicole Murray-Ramirez, Queen Mother 1 of the Americas, San Diego City/County Commissioner
“Though Hayes Valley feels a little quieter without Marlena, her legacy as a friend, neighbor, and our radiant 25th Empress of The Imperial Court of San Francisco will forever echo through every heart she touched.”
—John Carrillo, Emperor 28 After Norton
“Generous, kind, gracious, and truly a grande dame of the city, Marlena will long be remembered for her philanthropic work and her namesake bar Marlena’s in Hayes Valley. We recall how unique and inviting this gathering place was, with its Christmas decorations, which she had collected and that were displayed year-round. Marlena (the drag persona of Garry McLain) herself always made guests feel special. Etched in our memories is Marlena holding court at a party for 2013 San Francisco Pride Parade Grand Marshals. Beautifully dressed and a towering figure in every respect, Absolute Empress XXV Marlena beamed as countless men buzzed around her, honoring her regal presence. We hope that members of the Imperial Court of San Francisco and the LGBTQ+ community will continue to celebrate Marlena and to draw inspiration from her.
—Dr. Betty Sullivan and Jennifer Viegas, Co-Publishers of the San Francisco Bay Times
“From my very first involvement with the Imperial Court, Empress Marlena was a force to be reckoned with. We quickly became friends and her support for my many projects proved indispensable, so much so that she came to call me her protégé; I accepted that name humbly and gratefully. Her memory will always be with me and her loss is irreplaceable.”
—Donna Sachet, Absolute Empress XXX
OBy Donna Sachet
ur efforts to attend as many annual galas as possible continued with Rights, Resilience, Revelry!, the AIDS Legal Referral Panel’s (ALRP) 42nd annual reception, with Ralph Hibbs as charming escort. For several years, the Julia Morgan Ballroom provided an elegant setting for this event, but, this year, ALRP really ramped up with one of our favorite entertainers as fabulous guest emcee, Varla Jean Merman, at The Grand, formerly the famous Trocadero. One could easily envision the iconic Sylvester magically emerging from the dizzying lighting onto that mirrored stage, surrounded by a dancing throng! And this was a large, supportive crowd, enthusiastically bidding during the live and silent auction, resulting in a record-breaking result of over $300,000 raised for ALRP’s life-changing work. Attorney David Tsai won the Clint Hockenberry Award and actor and activist George Takei received the Bill Hirsch Award, presented by our friend and senior statesman Mark Leno. Who knew that George and Mark have been friends for years? We applaud ALRP for trying some new things during this thoroughly delightful evening and we thank Executive Director Matt Foreman for making sure we were there.
Congratulations to the team at Beaux on its twelfth anniversary, celebrated in style last Sunday, October 26, with great spirit and in great numbers! Beaux has become the go-to bar for drag, dancing, and special events, as the long line out front often demonstrates.
Tuesday, October 28, was a special day for the Rainbow Honor Walk (RHW) with the formal unveiling ceremony for the bronze plaque for civil rights champion Roger Casement. This is a name that deserves your attention and a bit of research. The Irish American community really rallied around this event, attended by Ireland’s Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond, Consul General of Ireland to San Francisco Michael Smith, Mayor Daniel Lurie, members of the Board of Directors of RHW, Executive Director of the GLBT Historical Society Roberto Ordeñana, Castro Country Club Executive Director Billy Lemon, and a crowd of Castro residents. Even the contractor who installed this plaque is Irish; Mark Gorman, Grand Marshal of the Irish American Parade this year, donated the services of his company. After the unveiling, a lively reception followed at Bar 49 on Market Street. It has been some time since RHW President Emeritus David Perry unveiled the original set of memorial plaques and additional plaques appeared up and down Market Street, but watch the neighborhood sidewalks for new additions in the coming weeks, including ones for Bob Ross, Del Martin, Gilbert Baker, Marsha P. Johnson, and Mario Mieli.
Not content to attend a single event on a Tuesday night, we then headed to Oasis for Performance With Purpose: Right to Remain, a fundraiser for the LGBT Asylum Project, produced by Mr. Golden Gate 2025 Mirac L and hosted by Sister Roma and Xochitll. Now, we’ve seen more than our share of drag shows, but this cast all brought their A-game, resulting in an extraordinary display of creativity, spectacle, and talent! Among the amazing cast were Melanie Sparks, Linda Summers, Saiyohni Gray, Jackie Juarez, Juannina Million, Averaii Chanel, Inna Crisis, and Bobby Friday, each presenting sharp performances with special effects and video enhancements, a show worthy of recognition. At last report, over $11,000 was raised in a couple of hours!
Then, we were off to Palm Springs for International Imperial Court celebrations on the 60th anniversary of this incredible organization. What other charitable LGBTQ+ organization has been active for 60 years and continues to produce popular events, develop tomorrow’s leadership, and raise much-needed money for worthy causes? Many thanks to my dear friend Lenny Broberg for hosting me in his lovely Palm Desert home. If you find yourself in Palm Springs soon, don’t miss the display at the Welwood Murray Memorial Library, featuring memorabilia of Our Beloved Founder José Sarria and highlights from the International Imperial Court’s fabulous 60-year history.
Donna Sachet is a celebrated performer, fundraiser, activist, and philanthropist who has dedicated over two decades to the LGBTQ Community in San Francisco. Contact her at empsachet@gmail.com
“Never forget who you are or what you have done. We all have unique gifts to offer to the community, but, when offering those gifts, choose carefully.”
Lenny Broberg, International Mr. Leather 1992 and a widely respected activist
Friday, November 7
The Legends Awards: Cleve Jones
Hosted by Donna Sachet Awards to Suzanne Ford, Alex U. Inn, and Sara Yergovich & Danielle Thoe Performances, awards, tributes Swedish American Hall, 2174 Market Street
Post-event reception at The Academy SF 2166 Market Street
6 pm $20 & up www.academy-sf.com
Saturday, November 8
Empress Marlena’s Imperial State Funeral
The Imperial Court of San Francisco bids farewell to Marlena the Magnificent St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1111 O’Farrell Street Noon Reception in Hayes Valley’s Patricia’s Green afterwards www.imperialcouncilsf.org
Sunday, November 9
Ruby Red Munro’s Show Benefits Mama G’s Helps to feed those in need Beaux, 2344 Market Street 5–8 pm Free! www.beauxsf.com
Saturday, November 15
Winter Onesies Party Shenanigans galore Lookout
3600 16th Street 9 pm Free! www.lookoutsf.com
Friday, November 21
Wicked: For Good
Part 2 of the smashingly successful film Movie theaters only
Rainbow Honor Walk Plaque Installation Honoring Roger Casement, Ireland’s LGBTQ+ Hero
Photos by Rink
Michael Smith, the Irish Consul General in San Francisco, and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie unveiled the newest plaque on the Rainbow Honor Walk; it honors Irish human rights activist Roger Casement (1864–1916). The October 28, 2025, ceremony took place outside 501 Castro Street, near the Bank of America building. The ceremony was led by San Francisco Bay Times columnist Donna Sachet, who serves as President of the Rainbow Honor Walk Board of Directors. A highlight of the ceremony was the performance of a song in Gaelic by Commander Jack Hart of the San Francisco Police Department.
A diplomat turned activist, Casement remains one of Ireland’s most complex and inspiring historical figures; he was a man of profound moral conviction and compassion. After joining the British Foreign Ministry in 1901 and serving as Consul at Boma in the Congo, Casement investigated and exposed human rights abuses under King Leopold II’s brutal regime. His groundbreaking “Casement Report” (1904) helped end a 23-year reign of terror in the so-called “Congo Free State,” forcing international reform.
In 1911, Casement knelt before King George V and was knighted for his humanitarian work. Five years later, he was arrested for his role in the Easter Uprising in 1916. During his trial, he was exposed as a homosexual, which many believed fueled hatred of him at the time and drew attention away from his once-lauded humanitarian efforts. He was executed in prison.
As Sachet shares in this issue of the San Francisco Bay Times, additional plaques will soon be added to the Rainbow Honor Walk in the coming weeks.
https://rainbowhonorwalk.org/
Interview With Tom LeNoble, Author of the New Autobiography
My Life in Business Suits, Hospital Gowns, and High Heels: In Control, Being Controlled, Out of Control!
By Suzanne Ford
Last June, I met a wonderful longtime member of our community, Tom LeNoble. I have been fascinated with his story of resilience ever since that first meeting. I instantly realized this is a special person! Well, it turns out all of us can now read about his amazing life’s journey. His autobiography, My Life in Business Suits, Hospital Gowns, and High Heels: In Control, Being Controlled, Out of Control!, is available now. Tom has lived a big life and I wanted to share the interview here in the San Francisco Bay Times
Suzanne Ford: Where were you born?
Tom LeNoble: Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
Suzanne Ford: When did you know that you were gay?
Tom LeNoble: I knew I was different at age 5. Not sure I understood it, but I definitely felt different.
Suzanne Ford: When and where was your first drag performance?
Tom LeNoble: At the Melody Club in Gainesville, Florida, in the 1970s.
Suzanne Ford: Do you miss doing drag?
Tom LeNoble: I miss the stage and
Trans Action with Honey Mahogany
EVERY THURSDAY
Gender Youthphoria Support Group (Ages 16-24)
4 PM–5:30 PM SF LGBT Center sfcenter.org
NOVEMBER 12
Building Careers with Purpose & Pride
Creating Inclusive Futures in The City and County of San Francisco
2 PM–3 PM City Hall, Room 110 sf.gov/city-career-center
NOVEMBER 13
TGNC Self-Defense Training Class
5:30 PM–8 PM SF LGBT Center carolina@transgenderdistrictsf.com
being a performer.
Suzanne Ford: How did your business career begin?
Tom LeNoble: I first managed a lab at a psychiatric hospital in Gainesville, Florida. I then began working at MCI, in the long-distance field.
Suzanne Ford: I want to hear about your most famous job interview. What was it like interviewing with Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook?
Tom LeNoble: Mark was 19 years old. He had shorts, a t-shirt, and sandals on. He asked if I would sit down with him on the sofa. We had a lovely conversation! I was hired when there were about 30 people in the building. I was by far the oldest person at Facebook at the time. I am very proud of my time at Facebook. When I first came into the organization, I was like: What have I done? There are no offices, and where are the phones?!
Suzanne Ford: What was that like socially?
Tom LeNoble: That generation loved their parents. I was about the same age as many of their parents. So, in many ways it was wonderful. However, they tended to hide things from me as they would have from their own parents.
Suzanne Ford: Was your sexuality an issue at the time?
Tom LeNoble: No, it really never was addressed. Being gay was never discussed.
Suzanne Ford: What has been your proudest business career achievement?
Tom LeNoble: I really am proud of creating and running my own consulting business. I am able to bring all my talents to the table and really help people.
Suzanne Ford: I know you are a longtime HIV survivor. When were you diagnosed?
Tom LeNoble: I was diagnosed with HIV with full-blown AIDS in 1989. I have lived with it for 36 years. I have also lived with metastatic cancer for the last 13 years.
Suzanne Ford: Tell me about writing your autobiography. When did you begin writing it?
Tom LeNoble: I began writing 16 years ago. Then 7 years ago I had to decide whether to walk away from the process or run with it. I decided to run! Now, as of November 4, it is available on Amazon.
Suzanne Ford: What do you hope defines your legacy?
Tom LeNoble: My philanthropy. It should not be about me, but rather about giving.
Transgender Awareness Month 2025
NOVEMBER 13
Trans Panel & Open Mic Night
6 PM–10 PM TransThrive & Flux SF 1460 Pine St.
NOVEMBER 13–15
San Francisco Transgender Film Festival
Check website for times Roxie Theater www.SFTFF.org
NOVEMBER 14–15
THEYFRIEND Nonbinary Performance Festival
8 PM CounterPulse, 80 Turk St. www.diamond-wave.org/event
Suzanne Ford: What should young LGBTQIA people learn from you and your generation?
Tom LeNoble: That you win by coming together. Fracturing in our community impedes our ability to respond to the current political environment that we face. If you give, you get back more. In fact, small compromises can produce bigger gains!
For more information about Tom LeNoble, including his new autobiography and other books, visit: https://www.tomlenoble.com/
Suzanne Ford is the Executive Director of San Francisco Pride. She was recently named to the 2025 OUT100 List of the world’s most influential LGBTQ+ individuals.
November is Transgender Awareness Month. Please check out this community calendar of San Francisco-based events for the trans community. Honey Mahogany, a San Francisco native with a Master’s in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley, is a performer, small business owner, and activist. Her work has earned recognition from the City of San Francisco and various organizations. Mahogany co-founded the San Francisco Transgender District, is a founding queen of Drag Story Hour, co-owner of the Stud Bar, and a singer with nu-metal group Commando. She currently serves as Director of the Office of Trans Initiatives, Chair-Emerita of the San Francisco Democratic Party, and Delegate to the Democratic National Committee.
NOVEMBER 15
Transgender Awareness Month: Youth Rally
10 AM Poster Making 1067 Market St
11 AM March to Civic Center Plaza carolina@transgenderdistrictsf. com
NOVEMBER 18
Transgender Immigrants Day, Proclamation Celebration 12 PM City Hall Steps
Our Haven:
Transgender Immigrant Symposium 1 PM–4 PM 837 Turk St. tinyurl.com/tidtis25
NOVEMBER 19
Trans Intentional - TransMasc Group
6 PM–7:30 PM SF LGBT Center sfcenter.org
NOVEMBER 20
Transgender Day of Remembrance
5 PM City Hall Steps Speakers
6 PM March to SF LGBT Center
7 PM Program and Dinner
NOVEMBER 21
ThanksQueering
3:30 PM–6 PM LYRIC 127 Collingwood St
Tom LeNoble
ROSTOW (continued from pg 13)
majority of Americans would put it that high, and there’s no reason a candidate should put our issues on center stage. Here are the five main recommendations before we continue:
First, “focus our policy agenda and our messaging on an economic program centered on lowering costs, growing the economy, creating jobs, and expanding the social safety net.”
Second, “advocate for popular economic policies (e.g., expanding prescription drug price negotiation, making the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes, raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour) rather than unpopular economic policies (e.g., student loan forgiveness, electric vehicle subsidies, Medicare for All).”
Third, “convince voters that we share their priorities by focusing more on issues voters do not think our party prioritizes highly enough (the economy, the cost of living, healthcare, border security, public safety), and focusing less on issues voters think we place too much emphasis on (climate change, democracy, abortion, identity and cultural issues).”
Fourth, “moderate our positions where our agenda is unpopular, including on issues like immigration, public safety, energy production, and some identity and cultural issues.”
Fifth, “embrace a substantive and rhetorical critique of the outsized political and economic influence of lobbyists, corporations, and the ultra-wealthy, while keeping two considerations in mind: First, voters’ frustrations with the status quo are not the same as a desire for socialism. And second, criticizing the status quo is a complement to advocating for popular policies on the issues that matter most to the American people, not a substitute.”
I have two complaints. The fifth suggestion, which sounds like back the billionaires to me, just sounds like attacking the Trump contingent again. Attacking the status quo is not a winning strategy, as the authors seem to recognize.
And my other complaint is just the aura of “can we just stop with the gays?” Yes, as I just said, the gays don’t have to be front and center. But Democrats must speak up when we are deeply harmed, when, for example, transgender troops who have offered their lives to their country are summarily dismissed despite years of service and excellent records. And Democrats must remain steadfast in support of our community, much as they support other minorities and immigrants. Democrats can’t give up their souls to win, but the good ones won’t have to.
As Maine Goes ...
So, speaking of Democratic politics, what
do you think of the primary race in Maine? We have a young gay guy who has been Katie Porter’s Chief of Staff. We have an oyster fisherman and Marine combat veteran who is apparently a brilliant campaigner, but who once used antigay language describing wartime life and who did not realize his post-service skull tattoo was a Nazi image. Finally, we have Janet Mills, the term-limited governor who stood toe to toe with Trump while refusing to kick trans girls off Maine’s sports teams. I love her. But she’s 77, and I would like to see our elders start to retire. (I think it’s Eleanor Holmes Norton who won’t rule out another run for DC’s congress seat. She’s 88 and reportedly not all there.)
I read an interesting article about the oyster man written by Michelle Goldberg in The New York Times. Goldberg was ready to fold on Graham Platner, but she changed her mind after following Platner’s campaign around the state. What the writers of Deciding to Win left out was that Democrats are also hungry for a new look. Platner is in his 40s now and has that man’s man look that makes the MAGA ladies melt and the MAGA men suck in their guts. His antigay rhetoric is not a good look, but it seems overwhelmed by the amount of time and energy he’s spend fighting for civil rights and democracy. His campaign events are drawing the larger crowds since Obama
RENFROE (continued from pg 10)
came to the lobster state. It will be interesting to watch.
Oh, and Katie Porter, who has been among the leaders of the race to be the Democratic nominee for California governor, is apparently a real witch who yells at staffers and was quite rude to a news reporter who was asking all the candidates about redistricting. That means our gay Maine candidate, Jordon Wood, is either very cool or a real pushover. As a rule, I don’t support people who are cruel to their staff or easily angered.
Over ICE
Finally, I loved a video by Josh Sorbe, a gay Senate staffer who was in the gym working out when he encountered an article about how 30 percent of ICE recruits can’t pass the relatively easy physical test. The dumbed down requirement calls for 15 push-ups, 32 sit-ups, and a mile and a half run. The time limit of 14 minutes is either for the whole test or the running part; it’s not clear. At any rate, Josh decided to give it a whirl and did the entire thing in 12 minutes, perhaps starting a whole new contest for fit liberals to show up the lumbering meatheads who can’t manage a few exercises. Oh, and many of the would-be agents could not pass a written test—an open book written test. When will it end?
arostow@aol.com
quantitative and qualitative data collected show that, as a whole, Openhouse’s community engagement programming had substantial and significant positive effects on LGBTQ+ older adults’ lives, most notably through increases in community connectedness and reductions in isolation and loneliness. There were also significant increases in Openhouse clients’ feelings of hope, by showing them that they can live fulfilling and authentic lives as they age.
“The underlying power of these interventions stemmed from the fact that they were developed and implemented by, for, and with LGBTQ+ older adults,” according to the CRDP final report. “While other organizations can provide similar support and services for LGBTQ+ older adults, the unique impacts that Openhouse has on this population’s social and emotional wellbeing is the very illustration of what it means to improve mental health equity, and serves as a model for how to best take care of our own.”
The purpose of the Friendly Visitor Program (FVP) is to promote healthy aging as measured by participants’ feelings of isolation and connection to community. Following a comprehensive in-home geriatric health assessment, Openhouse matches FVP volunteers with seniors to provide ongoing, weekly, and biweekly companionship and emotional support. Prior to being matched, FVP volunteers receive training on the challenges of aging in the LGBTQ+ community and the risk factors associated with social isolation. FVP volunteers learn to approach individuals with an empathetic, supportive, and non-judgmental understanding—engaging in active listening and bearing witness to the challenges of their senior match in a way that normalizes their experience.
To learn more about Openhouse, or to sign up as a Friendly Visitor and other volunteer opportunities, visit www.openhousesf.org/volunteer
Charles Renfroe currently serves at Openhouse as Development Manager for Institutional Giving, which includes foundations, corporations, and community partners. He joined the organization in 2017 to help raise funds for the Morton B. Blatt and Peter G. Holmstrom LGBTQ+ Senior Community Center at the Openhouse Laguna Street campus. Prior to joining Openhouse, Renfroe was retired after a long career in corporate communications and public affairs.
New Online Exhibit Honors Jewish Obligation to Transmit Our Legacy to Another Generation
By Rabbi Camille Shira Angel
Like a proud ima (mother), I’m honored to announce the launch of Honoring Our Queer Elders, the newest online digital exhibit of Mapping Jewish San Francisco, hosted by the University of San Francisco’s (USF) Swig Program in Jewish Studies and Social Justice. Honoring Our Queer Elders features oral histories from a diverse group of LGBTQIA+ elders living in the Bay Area. Each video consists of in-depth interviews conducted by my USF undergraduate students enrolled in my groundbreaking community-engaged learning course on Jewish and queer studies, which I have been teaching at the Catholic Jesuit University of San Francisco since 2017.
Featured are pillars of our community including The Honorable Mark Leno, the audacious and tireless Dr. Marcy Adelman, Pam David, Mike Shriver, Nancy Gonchar, Avi Rose, and Jay Cohen, along with 19 other ordinary and extraordinary humans who have been my mentors, my friends, and my instructors in helping to educate these 18–22-year-olds in queer history and Jewish ideas and identities.
These narrative-based interviews are a reservoir of information, wisdom, and encouragement for students and leaders, historians and activists. As these elders have been in San Francisco for decades, they contain irreplaceable insight into the profound experiences that shaped the queer nexus San Francisco has become over the last half century.
I have been fortunate to have the support of Robert Holgate and others whose generosity has enabled my work and ministry with our queer and non-binary, LGBTQIA+ student body. Our weekly social lunches—”Breaking Bread and the Binary”—host 15–25 students who can count on something savory and delicious, as well as sweet, spicy, and some-
times tart conversations.
My wish? That everyone who reads this will take a look and share the exhibit link, because we are, after all, family. I’m guessing you’ll likely know someone in the exhibit and have ideas for whom else we can include. If you’re interested in being included, please contact me at RabbiCamilleAngel@gmail. com
When the exhibit went live on October 1, 2025, in conjunction with LGBTQ History Month, I posted a link on my Facebook page. It’s been tremendously satisfying to hear from people who found themselves moved to reflect on their own life and legacy. As Mason Funk of OUTWORDS teaches us, “Archiving is Activism”—a call to action we take to heart as we carry these stories into the future.
As I tell my students each semester, it is a Jewish obligation to transmit our legacy to another generation. These conversations across generations feel sacred and full of hopefulness. In this time, when the political climate is as repressive and threatening as it is, we need elder stories to inspire us, remind us of where we’ve come from, and interrupt any measure of complacency and fatigue.
About Mapping Jewish SF
Mapping Jewish San Francisco is a digital humanities project of USF’s Swig Program in Jewish Studies and Social Justice. The project takes a collaborative approach to examining the complex history and unique religious,
cultural, and political identity of Jewish San Francisco.
Scholars, experts, university faculty, students, and community leaders are contributing exhibitions to tell stories of the Jewish individuals and institutions that have shaped and continue to shape the San Francisco Bay Area. Along with our partners—including academic institutions, libraries, archives, and leading Jewish organizations—Mapping
Jewish San Francisco brings the past to life, making it possible to visually explore the rich Jewish history of the Bay Area.
Visit the online exhibit Honoring Our Queer Elders at: https://bit.ly/4nAqlCE
Rabbi Camille Shira Angel is an adjunct professor in the Swig Program in Jewish Studies and Social Justice at the University of San Francisco. She is an ordained rabbi from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and was the spiritual leader of the queer flagship Congregation Sha’ar Zahav from 2000–2015. https://rabbiangel.com/
Photos from Honoring Our Queer Elders
San Francisco Transgender Film Festival Returns, Championing Creative Resistance in the Face of Executive Orders
Despite the anti-trans dial being turned up across the country, the annual San Francisco Transgender Film Festival (SFTFF) returns with more than 40 films from around the world, showcasing creative resistance to the current political scapegoating of trans and gender non-conforming communities.
Started in 1997, SFTFF is North America’s first and longest running transgender film festival. Known for uplifting underrepresented voices, DIY-aesthetics, brave filmmaking, and super-queer quirkiness, the festival has films this year that display trans and gender non-conforming filmmakers responding to the climate of hate with unmatched bursts of creativity.
SFTFF 2025 will offer both in-person and online programs from November 13–23, 2025, with a rich offering of four programs, featuring a range of films across genres from documentaries and politics to animation, dance, music, romance, horror, and experimental films.
Programs 1–4 will be held at the historic Roxie Theater November 13–15. These same 4 programs will be offered online, on-demand for free November 16–23. All in-person programs will be ASL-interpreted, and all films in-person and online will be captioned for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing audiences.
Says Artistic Director Shawna Virago, “You can’t keep us down. Since we started, resistance has been our middle name. Through our films, we’ve pushed back against the stifling confines of the gender-binary and also the never-ending wave of anti-trans attacks and discrimination, all through the power of art.”
SFTFF understands gathering in community to watch trans films is a statement, an affirmation, and a loving act of liberation and resistance.
Says Virago, “We know that getting together right now to watch our films is especially important; it’s a statement, an affirmation, and an act of solidarity.”
Monster in the Mirror (in the Time of Executive Orders)
Part song and dance theatricality, part a drag-inspired joyful resistance, this performance art piece celebrates the existence of trans and nonbinary people through the recruitment of monsters. Directed by Al Ellison.
In support of community safety, KN95 masks will be provided and required. Roxie’s entrance, lobby, bathrooms, and audience seating are wheelchair accessible, and the Roxie has all-gender bathrooms. While SFTFF is not a scent-free event, SFTFF encourages in-person audiences to be mindful of avoiding perfumes and scented products.
In these politically fraught times, with trans civil rights and protections being stolen,
Adds Managing Director Eric Garica, “We hope this year’s Festival provides some relief, inspiration, joy, and connection for our communities.”
Films Featured at SFTFF 2025
At Home
At Home is an intergenerational experimental documentary exploring queer friendship as a way of life. Through the voices of a 29-year-old trans musician and a 79-yearold lesbian archivist, the film weaves together stories of self-discovery, chosen family, and community building. Directed by Aubrey Pandori.
her horrifying talents are worshipped by audiences. Directed by Daniella Caggiano.
The Martial Forest
This is Kung Fu Trans from the Future! In a dystopian future, exiled Kung Fu master Big Sister 13 leads a gang of trans and queer fighters who reclaim a forgotten zone and transform it into the Martial Forest—a secret training ground where care is as powerful as combat. Together, they fight to survive rising violence and build a future rooted in chosen family and trans resistance. Directed by J Traingular.
A New Creation Story
Blending animation, poetry, music, and stories rooted in various cultures and live elements, A New Creation Story celebrates Black Trans community and retells the making of the Universe—taking us on a journey from before the first molecule was crafted until the precise moment where everything has truly come to be. Directed by J Mase III, Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi, and Audria LB.
After What Happened at the Library
In this animated short, a young person’s search for identity gets interrupted by a mysterious neighborhood fox. Together, they embark on a magical journey to the attic to discover the surprising things they might have in common, and how to celebrate the ways in which they differ. Featuring Ian McKellen as the voice of “Ginger Snap the Fox.” Directed by Lisa Ott. Strange Power
Strange Power is a short film selection and song from a larger horror musical called MAXA, The Maddest Woman in the World. Paying homage to the “poor witches of the Middle Ages” who burned at the stake before her, Paula Maxa recounts her transformation to fame at the Grand Guignol, where
In the wake of a terrifying encounter, an overwhelmed drag queen struggles under the weight of public attention. Inspired by the viral true story of Kyle Casey Chu. Directed by Syra McCarthy.
Babyteeth
On the night his alcoholic mother relapses, a trans teen discovers something monstrous lurking just beneath the skin of his fractured home. When young Toni becomes convinced that a monster is hiding under his bed, his best friend Marcus joins him for a sleepover to prove it’s all in his imagination. But as the night deepens, unsettling events make it clear that something terrifying lurks in the shadows. Directed by Paul X Sanchez IV.
I Feel Like Throwing Up
Musician Ryan Cassata’s music video is a hopeful, visual journey through illness, identity, and empowerment. Our hero faces off against a MAGA mob, radiating power, pride, and that kind of love that builds unshakeable community. Directed by Tom Goss.
2025 San Francisco Transgender Film Festival (SFTFF) November 13–23, 2025
Tix: $0+ sliding scale
Info/Tix: https://sftff.org/
Dragfox
Babyteeth
The Martial Forest
Feel Like Throwing Up
LGBTQ+ Bay Area Honored at Inaugural
Twelve of the Bay Area’s most accomplished honored on Friday, October 24, 2025, at an San Francisco Bay Times in partnership with renowned activist Olga Talamante, who is the Executive Foundation and the past Interim President and Talamante co-emceed the Mission-based event, ers, with Rev. Miguel Bustos, who is an Archdeacon Busto’s husband, Alexander Rivera, also attended
The honorees for this inaugural event were García, Marga Gomez, Carla Lucero, Jes Montesinos, Cecilia Pérez, Rev. Rhina M. Ramos, Ani Rivera, From nonprofit leadership to the arts, they represent fields. For more information about the 2025 https://bit.ly/3WX4XMN
The celebration came on the heels of Hispanic ber 15)and at a time when many Republican rhetoric and attacks against both the LGBTQ+ before the event began, President Trump called gration and Customs Enforcement agency “surge” Bay Area. (See pages 4–7 of this issue.)
The inaugural Honoring LGBTQ+ Bay Area Latine with support from the California Health Care the Golden State Warriors, Horizons Foundation, Services, the San Francisco LGBT Center, Dr. Ordeñana, Imani Rupert-Gordon, Elizabeth Komali, ellaprint, Bohnet Engraving mante, and Miguel Bustos & Alexander also go to Sandra R. Hernández, Kirschner ( https://mikek.photography/
Certificates of honor from Joaquin and County of San Francisco, were orees. Commendations from Rafael the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, mante and Rev. Bustos, who also Daniel Lurie, who was represented Honoring LGBTQ+ Bay Area Latine the News Foundation ( https://usethenews.org/ TransLatinas ( https://www.ellasf.org/
Area Latine Leaders Inaugural Event
Bay Area LGBTQ+ Latine leaders were inaugural awards event presented by the renowned LGBTQ+ and social justice Executive Director Emerita of the Chicana Latina and CEO of The Greenlining Institute. event, Honoring LGBTQ+ Bay Area Latine LeadArchdeacon of the Diocese of California. Rev. attended and greeted guests.
Adriana Ayala, Noemi Calonje, Dulce A. Montesinos, Viviana “Viva” Paredes, Ámate Rivera, Elba Rivera, and Jennifer Valles. represent excellence in numerous diverse honorees, go to:
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–OctoRepublican national and local leaders have escalated LGBTQ+ and Latin communities. Just hours called off the planned Bay Area U.S. Immi“surge” that led to protests throughout the
Latine Leaders was made possible Care Foundation, Kate Kendell, Foundation, On Lok Community Day Dr. Marcy Adelman, Roberto Elizabeth Blancas of florecer, Sabores Engraving & Awards, Olga TalaAlexander Rivera. Special thanks Hernández, MD, and photographer Mike https://mikek.photography/ ).
Joaquin Torres, Assessor for the City were presented to all of the honRafael Mandelman, President of Supervisors, were presented to Talaalso received honors from Mayor represented at the event by Moisés Garcia. Latine Leaders was a benefit for the Use https://usethenews.org/ ) and El/La Para https://www.ellasf.org/ ).
Special thanks to our event sponsors: LGBTQ+ Bay Area Latine Leaders Honored at Inaugural Event
New Film Gives Visibility and a Voice to Non-Binary Teen
Gary M. Kramer
Trans actress Tommy Dorfman makes an auspicious debut as a writer/director adapting Mason Deaver’s book, I Wish You All the Best, about Ben (Corey Fogelmanis), a non-binary teenager. The film will open at Bay Area theaters on November 7, 2025.
When Ben tells his parents, (Amy Landecker and Judson Mills), that he wants to talk to them about something— being non-binary—a door is heard being slammed. Ben is next seen barefoot and crying outside. Having been thrown out of his home, he calls his estranged sister, Hannah (Alexandra Daddario), in Raleigh, who takes him in. Her husband, Thomas (Cole Sprouse), helps Ben get settled in a new school, where he meets Nathan (Miles Guttierez-Riley), whom he learns is bi. Ben also forms a connection with Ms. Lyons (Lena Dunham), an art teacher who encourages Ben to express himself visually, and verbally. She helps him work through his
emotions and feelings in various classroom sessions that double as therapy.
I Wish You All the Best is a film that is as messy as Ben is—and that is meant as a compliment. Several of the characters have baggage. Hannah gets to trauma bond with Ben—they even do scream therapy together—to cope with their big emotions. Dorfman focuses on Ben as he grapples with his overwhelming feelings. He says he can’t be himself—in part because he doesn’t know who he is—and because he thinks he does not fit in. (Fortunately, Nathan’s friends’ group is very accepting.) As Ben slowly changes his clothes from sad hoodies to more feminine garb, or tries out they/them pronouns, they blossom, and Fogelmanis’ sensitive performance makes this growth credible.
But even as Ben enters into a relationship with Nathan, they feel insecure, as if they don’t deserve happiness. They are still struggling about their guilt and conflicted emotions towards their parents, especially when mom and dad contact Ben for a meet up. How Ben handles this situation and their parents’ reaction to his gender identity forms the film’s biggest dramatic moments. These scenes, along with discussions he has with Hannah, and Ms. Lyons, help Ben become more independent and self-confident.
But, as Ben processes his experiences, he can be a bit selfish. I Wish You All the Best captures this well in scenes where Thomas tries to connect with Ben, who argues with him, or when Ben ghosts Nathan after they
(continued on page 40)
Corey Fogelmanis as “Ben” in the Lionsgate film I Wish You All the Best
Día de los Muertos 2025 in the Bay Area
“Long rest to the dead!” and similar expressions rang out through San Francisco’s Mission District, Oakland’s Fruitvale, and other locations throughout the Bay Area on November 1 and November 2, 2025, collectively referred to as the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). November 1 honors deceased children, while November 2 is the primary day to celebrate and honor deceased adults.
In San Francisco, the “Festival of Altars” presented by the Marigold Project took place at Potrero Del Sol Park. Thousands there, and at other similar events, gathered to celebrate and remember departed ancestors and loved ones through shared traditions in food, flowers, music, dance, art, and more. The elements of earth, wind, fire, water, and spirit are combined to welcome loved ones home while celebrating the eternal bonds of love.
The origins of the Día de los Muertos link to ancient Mesoamerican rituals held for thousands of years, particularly among Aztec people. Modern observances typically blend indigenous practices and Catholic holidays such as All Saints’ Day or All Souls’ Day. Through these observances, death is acknowledged as a natural part of life.
https://www.dayofthedeadsf.org/
Top of your stack
The Anthony Bourdain Reader (non-fiction - hardcover) by Anthony Bourdain
For the first time in book form, a collection of Anthony Bourdain’s writings has been published in The Anthony Bourdain Reader. It is a culmination of his most fascinating writings, touching on restaurant life, his family, and hard times. Edited by his agent, Kimberly Witherspoon, The Anthony Bourdain Reader gives readers a look inside his eclectic mind.
This Is the Only Kingdom (fictionhardcover) by Jaquira Díaz
This Is the Only Kingdom is a multi-generational story taking place in Puerto Rico and Miami. The story follows Mariacarmen as she falls in love with the resident bad boy, Rey. Tragedy strikes, and Mariacarmen and her daughter struggle in the aftermath.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOOK PASSAGE
Wreck (fiction - hardcover) by Catherine Newman
The best-selling author of Sandwich, Catherine Newman, brings us back to Rocky and her family in the new novel Wreck. Set two years after Sandwich, Wreck follows the family at their home in Western Massachusetts. Rocky becomes obsessed with a local accident that is completely irrelevant to their family.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, November 9 @ 2 pm (non-ticketedFerry Building store) Cas Holman, author of Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, And Sparks Creativity
Designer Cas Holman’s new book Playful is an exploration of the benefits of the emerging science of play. Play adds creativity and sparks joy into everyday life, not just for kids but for adults
too. Holman will be joined in conversation with Michelle Lee.
Wednesday, November 12 @ 7:30 pm (ticketed - Sydney Goldstein Theater) Elyse Myers, author of That’s a Great Question, I’d Love to Tell You
Elyse Myers’ new book, That’s a Great Question, I’d Love to Tell You, is full of hilarious, heartwarming stories of the awkwardness that comes with being human. Her event is presented in partnership with City Arts and Lectures.
Tuesday, November 18 @ 6 pm (non-ticketed - Corte Madera store) Joel Fagliano, editor of Puzzle Mania!
From New York Times Games, Puzzle Mania! brings the digital games of Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, and more into print. This is a great gift for the holidays for the puzzler in your life or your next White Elephant party. https://www.bookpassage.com
PHOTO COURTESY
OF JUAN R. DAVILA
Juan R. Davila and Marta “Leticia” Lopezz of the San Francisco Bay Times team and friends in the Mission District, November 2, for Día de Los Muertos 2025
Screenshots Images by Betty L. Sullivan
If You Can Make It There: Bay Area Women Inspire at Lesbian Lives Conference in New York City
Story and Photos by Susan Berston
When activist, songwriter, and pianist Margie Adam finished her remarks on the Lesbian Tide panel, the auditorium at CUNY Graduate Center in New York City erupted—her words had clearly struck a chord.
“I’m here on this panel because, in 1973, Jeanne Córdova invited me to sing at a Lesbian Tide fundraiser. I was 26 years old, and that fundraiser launched my career in women’s music: the movement, the network, and the industry. I am now 78 years old. And I’m still not done. Shortly before Jeanne died in 2016, she sent an email out to a few friends and comrades. ‘I write publicly because I want to share this last journey, as I have shared so much of my activist life with you.
You gave me a life’s cause. It is wonderful to have had a life’s cause: freedom and dignity for lesbians. I believe that’s what lesbian feminism is really about: sharing. We built a movement by telling each other our lives and thoughts about the way life should be. We cut against the grain and rethought almost everything.’” The Lesbian Tide (1971–1980) was a lesbian periodical started by Jeanne Córdova. The panel was filmed for a documentary in progress by Lynne Ballen about the Lesbian Tide.
Margie was in good company; Bay Area women showed up to the conference with fire and vision! At this year’s Lesbian Lives Conference, local scholars, writers, poets, filmmakers, musicians, and artists claimed space on panels, led and attended workshops, and reminded a global audience why the San Francisco Bay Area has always been a birthplace of movements that shaped lesbian culture worldwide. From October 23–26, 2025, these women transformed academic discourse into living, breathing community.
The conference’s journey began in Ireland in 1993, with over 40 women in attendance, when, at that time, lesbian life was still very much in the realms of the closet. Since 2011, the conference has alternated between Brighton and Dublin. Hosted by the indefatigable Julie Enszer of Sinister Wisdom, Ella Ben Hagai, Journal of Lesbian Studies, and CLAGS: The Center for LGBTQ Studies at the City University of New York, this year, with over 700 attendees, marked the first time the conference was held in the U.S.
The Lesbian Lives Conference is the world’s most established academic conference in
lesbian activist Urvashi Vaid and her many states of being.
Strategic thinkers and doers Naomi Fine and Kathy Levinson of Lesbian Global ( https://www.lesbianglobal.org/ ), led a workshop, “LBQ+ Women’s Economic Empowerment Idea Lab,” which included global research on the economic vulnerability of LBQTI people. Selisse Berry, who founded Out & Equal Workplace Advocates and is an advisor to Lesbian Global, brought the kind of strategic insight that comes from decades of building power for LGBTQ workers and communities. Elizabeth Seja Min , a razor-sharp strategist and facilitator whose coaching transforms how social sector leaders approach their work, delivered insights that sparkled with intelligence.
Lesbian Studies and is a large international event that draws speakers and participants from all continents. Past speakers have included notable figures like Emma Donoghue, Jackie Kay, Val McDermid, Joan Nestle, Sarah Schulman, Sarah Waters, and academics such as Sara Ahmed, Terry Castle, Lillian Faderman, and Susan Stryker.
Bay Area Women Brought It: Dispatches from Lesbian Lives NYC Director and Producer Deborah Craig, participated in a “Lesbian Activism” Q&A and film panel amusing and educating the audience with her award-winning film, SALLY!, about firebrand 1970s lesbian feminist, activist, and SF State women’s studies professor Sally Miller Gearhart
( https://www.sallygearhartfilm.com/ ). “Lesbian Lives was a joyous whirlwind of activity—from film screenings to sessions on topics ranging from Sapphic poetry to Latina Lesbians to lesbian health to archiving to trans lesbians of color and more. I met women from Taiwan, Germany, and all over the U.S.,” she exclaimed.
The documentary short Lesbian Custody was shown, with director Samuael Topiary Landberg present , revisiting a difficult period of history in the 1970s when lesbian mothers faced homophobic family courts and fought for custody of their children. Acclaimed filmmaker Nancy Kates, a Sundance alum, presented her work-inprogress film, An Everyday Riot, about
The legendary and beloved author, women’s music historian and archivist, and UC Berkeley women’s history professor Bonnie Morris served her signature wit, charm, and encyclopedic knowledge to “Diverse Uses of the Archive,” revealing how lesbian cultural history is both a treasure trove and a ticking clock. She is passionate, revered, and emphatic.
The steady voice behind KPFA radio’s Women’s Magazine, Lisa Dettmer, who is an integral part of the Lesbian Story Project—a Bay Area oral history project— was there too, providing a reminder that Bay Area lesbian media makers continue to show up, listen deeply, and carry stories back to our communities.
Closing out this powerhouse Bay Area lineup, Jewelle Gomez —the luminous author, poet, critic, playwright, and San Francisco Bay Times columnist who spent 22 years in New York City before relocating to the Bay Area—exuded powerful emotion. As part of J. Bob Allotta and Jennifer Brier’s roundtable “Extraordinary Dreaming: Remembering Dorothy Allison, Elana Dykewomon and Amber Hollibaugh,” Jewelle reflected on their writings, activism, and seismic impact on lesbian liberation that moved the room; her words were a powerful reminder of the giants on whose shoulders we stand.
Susan Berston knows the power of story. As part of the Lesbian Story Project, a Bay Area oral history initiative on film, the City College of San Francisco business instructor and Co-Executive Producer of “SALLY!” and in progress “Eyes of Mel Odom” is passionate about preserving our community’s narratives. She credits her own journey to her beloved mother, whose love and acceptance gave her the freedom to live authentically as a lesbian.
Georgetown University Professor Mecca Jamilah Sullivan, PhD, delivered the Lesbian Lives Conference keynote address.
Panelists Lynn Harris Ballen, Margie Adam, Karla Jay, Kate Marks, and Alice Coffin displayed original copies from the 1970s of Lesbian Tide
Lesbian Lives Conference 2025 at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York City
Susan Berston, Deborah Craig, Diane Sabin, and Julie Enzser
PHOTO BY SILVIA CASALINO
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Preview of Cam #5
of the Castro Street Cam
San Francisco Bay Times team members, including acclaimed musician Kippy Marks who played for guests, welcomed non-profit and other small business leaders, as well as additional community leaders and supporters to a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony marking the one-night-only soft launch of Cam #5 of the 24/7 livestreaming Castro Street Cam system. The special event was held on October 31, so that the new cam could capture Halloween 2025 in the Castro.
Participants gathered beneath The Castro’s historic marquee. After an entertaining set by Marks, emcee Sister Roma began the event and explained that the Castro Street Cam, which began in 2017, is an internet-based LGBTQ+ educational service that makes it possible for viewers, located anywhere globally, to virtually visit Castro Street and experience the vibrant neighborhood. Sister Roma introduced Cliff’s Variety’s Terry Asten Bennett, who used an oversized pair of scissors to clip a bright orange ribbon stretched down the sidewalk under the marquee.
Another Planet Entertainment, during its renovation of The Castro, has supported the development of Cam #5. This cam will bring to viewers livestreamed views of the Castro Theatre, Jane Warner Plaza, Twin Peaks Tavern, and other small businesses. Cam #5 will become a permanent part of the Castro Street Cam system in early 2026 in sync with the reopening of The Castro. Special thanks to Mary Conde & Garrett Blanchard, The Castro; Thea O’Dell, SoulCycle; Dennis Ziebell & Bill Pung, Orphan Andy’s; and John Herren, Castro Street Cam; and Sister Roma! https://sfbaytimes.com/castro-street-cam/
Warriors Pride Night 2025 Sports
The Golden State Warriors annual Pride Night was held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, with the Warriors facing the L.A. Clippers at Chase Center. (The Warriors were victorious: 98–79.) All fans attending received the “Pride Night Splash Towel” designed in rainbow colors.
Included in the evening was a Pride Night Panel discussion that was moderated by Accenture’s Beck Bailey with panelists Danielle Thoe, Co-Founder of Rikki’s; 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleader Jonathan Romero; and transgender athlete Chris Mosier.
This year’s Pride Night also included a Pride Fest held in the Thrive City area, a Pride Resource Fair in the Chase main concourse, and an on-court recognition ceremony honoring activist Cecilia Chung, who received the Impact Warrior Award.
San Francisco Bay Times sports columnist Beth Schnitzer joined Bay Times guests Frank Woo and Linda Scaparotti along with San Francisco Pride’s Suzanne Ford and other LGBTQ+ community leaders who attended.
https://www.nba.com/warriors/
FITNESS SF Trainer Tip
A Bodyweight Resistance Move for Any Beginner
By Ravi at FITNESS SF Marin
“Always pull your own weight,” referring to the importance of bodyweight resistance training. Ravi is demonstrating an upright TRXrow, a low-impact bodyweight resistance move for any beginner. Master this before moving to pull-ups.
Troy Macfarland at FITNESS SF shares monthly tips that he has learned from colleagues, fellow professional trainers, and more. For additional information: https://fitnesssf.com/
Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun
By Sister Dana Van Iquity
Sister Dana sez, “Three SNAPs down to tyrannical Trump for purposely, callously shutting down the universal nutritional program aka Food Stamps—while American citizens literally starve!”
As myself and many of my friends can easily, unhappily attest, we have been eating “off welfare as welfare queens” for quite a few years now—thanks to generous programs that Democratic Congress in the past has approved of heartily. But now there IS no heart in this disgusting Repugnican Congress that would not dare ever buck their darling Donnie-T and stand up for democracy and decency. Instead of funding for food, Congress passed the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” (or what I prefer to call the “Billionaires’ Bonus Bill.” Showing little concern over people trying to get a last
grocery shopping trip, Trump hosted a lavish Halloween party at Mar-A-Lago hours before the SNAP funding lapse. Adding to that latest food misery, SF’s once marvelous Meals on Wheels program had decided just mid-October to cut off their weekly meals delivery from 14 a week down to just 7 frozen meals to needy seniors and others. This seems very Trump failing economy stuff—but, for whatever reason, it adds to us elderly folx a further burden for food consumption. Sister Dana sez, “Meanwhile Scrooge McDuck Trump has the solid gold balls to get donors to raise $350 million for his golden ballroom while ignoring the need to feed the citizens!”
All of this is what Democrat House Leader Representative Hakeem Jeffries so aptly described on October 28, 2025, as “the Republican Healthcare Crisis,” when November has already kicked in for food deprivation, and then sudden rising health insurance cost becomes impossibly out of reach to less than middle class citizens. All along, since the very first repulsive reign of King T-rump, we true Democrats knew there was never going to be an Affordable Care Act (aka ObamaCare) to be replaced by RepubliCAN’Ts’ promising a new and better version—without actually producing any such thing.
Also, the showoff president just wasted taxpayer dollars on renovating the White
House bathroom in marble, while his citizens stand in line for food handouts. Nice optics, Trump! Sister Dana sez, “Now that’s a much lovelier toilet in which to store your boxes of classified documents—while flushing taxpayer dollars and watching the common folk starve!”
But there is some good news from SF Mayor Daniel Lurie, who announced on October 29 that “about 112,000 San Francisco residents who are expecting to lose their November food stamp benefits, due to a suspension by the federal government, will be covered through an $18 million public/private partnership.” He noted that, during the November part of the shutdown, the City’s Human Services agency will mail letters to recipients of CalFresh, the California version of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) with instructions to access their prepaid gift cards that will cover their full benefits for November. Mayor Lurie continued, “Your mayor and your leaders will not let this federal government shutdown prevent you from putting food on the table.”
Question: Did Congress pass a bill ending daylight saving time? No, Congress has not passed a bill to make daylight saving time (DST) permanent. While the “Sunshine Protection Act” passed the Senate in 2022, it did not advance through the House of Representatives, so it never became law. Recent versions of the bill have been introduced again, but are still awaiting action. Why do we need to change clocks just so dairy farmers can milk their cows in the light? Or what exactly is the reason for this yearly, bothersome distraction? Sister Dana sez, “I’m clocking out on DST even though, on November 2, I DID change ALL the clocks in my house. So tiresome!”
On October 26, I had the great pleasure of attending yet another of Fabulosa Books’ Q&A Author Readings—this time featuring Sorry I Keep Crying During Sex by Jesse James Rose. This is a captivating tale of identity, recovery, grief, survivorship, and transness. It follows the aftermath of a rape and the heartache of caring for a grandfather suffering with Alzheimer’s disease. Through lists, theatrical
scripts, flashbacks, and Grindr DMs, Jesse’s genre-defying memoir is raw and just plain hysterical in parts (I mean, what’s funny about the 9/11 attacks, right? Or, for that matter, rape?). Jesse takes the reader for a wild ride of overcoming the struggle of being a transgender youth. Jesse is an author, actor, and labor leader based in New York City. She proudly holds degrees from NYU in Music Theatre and Child & Adolescent Mental Health Studies, as well as a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (three rather “filthy” words we hear these Project 2025 days) from Cornell University. As an actress, Jesse made queer history (queerstory?) in the theatre as the youngest openly non-binary performer to take on the title role of Hedwig and the Angry Inch professionally. More recently, Jesse starred as the infamous Emcee in the stage production of Cabaret, followed by the soldout run of her debut solo show, Men I’ve Had Go buy this book! You will cry and laugh along with Jesse.
At 5 pm on Halloween, Sister Dana (dressed in my usual nun drag and makeup—but for this special gay evening as an official “Gay Recruiter” with appropriately sloganed “PROMOTE HOMOSEXUALITY” t-shirt), I was privileged to help cut the ribbon at the SF BAY TIMES’ CASTRO STREET CAM #5 ceremony held in front of The Castro. Afterwards we all assembled at nearby Catch restaurant on Market for a celebratory champagne toast by my dear co-publishers, Betty Sullivan and Jennifer Viegas
(continued on page 40)
Sister Dana Van Iquity and author Jesse James Rose at Fabulosa Books on Sunday, October 26, 2025, for an author event highlighting Rose’s recently published memoir Sorry I Keep Crying During Sex.
The Gay Gourmet
Aren’t we lucky to live in San Francisco?
The natural beauty and light, the views, the culture, the array of winning sports teams, the diversity of people, the museums, and the Bay—oh, and, of course, the wide-ranging restaurants on nearly every corner. There’s frankly no other place I’d like to live.
On a recent Saturday, we decided to explore our fair city beyond our own little enclave. My husband and I wandered down to Dogpatch and the Minnesota Street Project , which occupies three renovated warehouses, with more than a dozen art galleries on two levels. If you haven’t been, go now. The project introduces contemporary art in an accessible and fun way, with different exhibitions
La Connessa: A Bistro Beauty
on view in one convenient locale.
Our goal that day was to visit our friend Nancy Toomey’s gallery, and the art of Jud Bergeron. I’d known his work in sculpture, but his new exhibit displayed mid-century bold and colorful paintings on paper that would brighten any living space. His works brought joy and gratitude to our day, with oranges and chartreuses in geometrical juxtaposition that surprised and delighted. We were smitten.
manage Spruce, the Village Pub, Magic Donuts and Coffee, and more. I’ve been to Spruce many times and love the atmosphere, even if the prices give you sticker shock. (Insider’s tip: Eat at the bar there, which doesn’t take reservations, but offers à la carte dining.)
In our smitten-ish state, we decided to try a nearby restaurant that’s new to me but has been there for a while: La Connessa on Potrero Hill. It’s one of the latest outposts run by the well-regarded Bacchus Management Group, who also
Back to La Connessa. It means “connected” in Italian and this shining and gorgeous space aims to be a place where the neighborhood can gather.
You feel that vibe the moment you enter the sprawling two-story venue. The curvilinear marble bar dominates, café chairs dot the room adjacent to the marble-topped tables, and numerous large and small contemporary glass chandeliers lend a yellow glow that makes everyone look like a Hollywood star. In short, it feels like you’ve been transported to either an upscale Parisian bistro or a welcoming neighborhood Italian trattoria.
The welcome continues with a big smile from the engaging hostess, Naomi. She could be my new best friend, making us feel like we’re the only guests in the house. But I’m sure she treats everyone with the same mixture of hospitality and professionalism.
At the table, server Roberto arrived momentarily and asked us if we would like a drink. Roberto, you just scored points with me! There’s nothing better than having a drink delivered to your table quickly, as opposed to waiting 20 minutes for someone to offer something other than water. Our classic cocktails (Beefeater Gin for me, Tito’s Vodka for Sean) were perfectly chilled and delightful. But the menu selection also offers up some creative cocktails
like a “Maple Stone Sour” (bourbon, maple, orange, and lemon) or an “Elder Statesman,” (gin, elderflower, Aperol, and lime) for those who want to try something new. The extensive, 15+ page wine menu is vast, with both domestic and international varietals ranging in price from around $50 to more than $1,000.
That said, what struck me the most was how affordable La Connessa is (by San Francisco standards, of course). Starters range from $10–$24, pizzas and pastas are in the $30 range, and main courses run from $38 for the rock cod to $56 for the wagyu flank steak. Those prices are a surprise at a restaurant with this level of design and service. They don’t break the bank, and they reflect that willingness to connect to the community.
So, how’s the food? In a word, delectable. We skipped one of their signature appetizers, the focaccia di recco (a kind of flatbread with stracchino, extra virgin olive oil, and sea salt), but our neighbors shared one order for two and declared it “divine.” Instead, we sampled the fried zucchini strips (julienned and fried to a crisp, but light as air). And, in honor of my dearly departed mom, LaVerne Shirley, we opted for the chicken liver mousse. I have to try it at every eatery I visit to see if it measures up to LaVerne’s. This one did. It was meltin-your-mouth creamy, and served with stone fruit mostada accompanied by an Italian touch of toasted focaccia bread.
(continued on page 37)
Interior at La Connessa
David Landis
Instead of pizza or a main dish, we selected the Spaghettino al Limone (with butter, lemon, black pepper, and Grana Padano). I always like to try simple dishes to test out the kitchen. This execution was light and cooked properly, not overly-citrusy, with just the right amount of pepper and cheese to add interest. We also ordered a bottle of Elena Walch Pinot Grigio from the Alto Adige ($88), a clean, mineral-driven white wine that complemented the pasta impeccably well. Did we save room for dessert? In a word, no. But next time, the strawberry crostata with lemon-vanilla cream and whipped mascarpone might just tempt us.
So, go to La Connessa. It’s like a trip to Italy, but without the airfare while still staying in our beloved city of San Francisco.
Bits and Bites
Aren’t we lucky to have new LGBTQ+ bars opening, not just in the Castro? Mary’s on Haight has just debuted in the former Trax space and, according to The San Francisco Standard, is “a turnkey situation, and the project is likely to retain its predecessor’s relaxed, divey atmosphere.” Here’s to more divey LGBTQ+ bars!
The Final Final sports bar (“the original last call”) has reopened in the Marina and, in addition to their marvelous collection of single malt scotches, will have craft cocktails and food, to boot! Rumor has it that both Joe DiMaggio and Tim Lincecum downed a few drinks in the joint, but now the new owners have dolled up the place while still keeping
the traditional vibe. And, good news: It’s open late—until 2 am on weekends!
Bill Higgins ( Bix, Fog City Diner, Buckeye Roadhouse, Playa, Corner Bar) and East Brother Beer Co. are teaming up to open Tam Taverna in Mill Valley. It’s a premiere tap room & beer garden boasting elevated pub grub by chef Michael Siegel (2025 Bib Gourmand winner for Playa). This restaurant is a little bit of a homecoming. Back in the day, there used to be a very popular Tamalpais Tavern at the summit of Mt. Tam from 1897–1950s.
I recently returned with family to Waterbar, the luxe seafood eatery on the Embarcadero, for a divine dinner on the newly-christened outdoor heated patio. The Bay and Bay Bridge vistas are spectacular, but the food still shines consistently. Some of my favorites: caviar with traditional accompaniments (insider’s tip: choose the California white sturgeon; it’s the best); oysters (order the Beausoleil, if they have them); roasted Alaskan halibut; and my personal top choice, the locally-caught Petrale sole. Service is seamless, welcoming, and efficient; the ambience is captivating; the food is scrumptious; and the panoramic views make it a must-dine for both locals and visitors.
La Connessa: https://www.laconnessa.com/ Mary’s on Haight: https://www.marysbaronhaight.com/ The Final Final: https://www.finalfinalbar.com/
Tam Tavern: https://tamtavernmv.com/ Waterbar: https://www.waterbarsf.com/
David Landis, aka “The Gay Gourmet,” is a foodie, a freelance writer, and a retired PR maven. You can email him at: davidlandissf@gmail.com
Or visit him online at: www.gaygourmetsf.com
Interior at Mary’s on Haight
Bay Times Dines
Farmers’ Market Finds
The Castro Farmers’ Market is nearing its seasonal closure on November 19, 2025. Enjoy the variety of fall produce that farmers grow and will bring to the market this Thanksgiving month. Please also note that, once the Castro Farmers’ Market closes, you can still get your farmers’ market fix at the Divisadero Market, which happens at Fell and Baker streets on Sundays, 9 am–1 pm, or the Fillmore Market, at O’Farrell and Fillmore Street on Saturdays from 9 am–1 pm.
Winter squash, available in markets from fall through winter, is extremely versatile and can be enjoyed in soups, pasta, salads, and desserts. Compared to summer squash, which is much smaller and
Visit the Castro Farmers’ Market Before Its Seasonal Closure on November 19
has softer skin and flesh, winter squash is grown to maturity with thicker, harder skin and very firm flesh. Varieties include Acorn, Butternut, Delicata, Kabocha, and Spaghetti. When buying winter squash, be careful to choose one that’s firm, heavy, and with no soft spots or mold, or a soft stem. Squash will last a long time on your countertop or in a cool, dry space until you’re ready to use it. Once cut, store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Grab some winter squash at the market, sold by Fifth Crow Farms, Jacob’s Farm, and Orozco Farm, and cook up a delicious fall soup. A crusty slice of sourdough from Bernal Bakery and/or melty cheese from Pacheco Family Ranch is the perfect accompaniment.
Sweet potatoes are a colorful root vegetable that come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, and are highly nutritious and delicious! They are native to tropical regions of South and Central America, and were cultivated in Peru by at least 2500 B.C. California farmers grow both “dry flesh” and “moist flesh” varieties, with the “moist flesh” variety often being referred to as a yam. Sweet potatoes can be found in your local farmers’ markets year-round, but they reach peak season during November and December. This November, Fifth Crow Farms and Jacobs Farm have sweet potatoes at the market. Choose firm sweet potatoes that have no discolorations or molding. Varieties include Garnet, Jersey, Japanese, Ube, and Jewell.
If you’re looking for some Thanksgiving recipes this month, the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association website has many great ones for soups, pies, salads, other side dishes, and snacks—all using seasonal market fruits and vegetables. The simple, versatile vegetarian stuffing highlighted here can be served as a side dish, stuffed into half of a baked winter squash, or as a stuffing for roast turkey or chicken.
Vegetarian Stuffing
2 cups butter (4 sticks)
1 onion, diced
4 stalks celery, diced
1 1/2 tablespoons sage
3 teaspoons thyme
1 1/2 tablespoons oregano
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 bunch parsley, chopped
5 cups bread, diced (sourdough or your favorite type)
Add butter, onion, celery, sage, thyme, oregano, and nutmeg to a pan and cook on low–medium heat for 10–15 minutes. (You can also use an Instant Pot for this.) Add parsley and briefly cook before taking off the heat.
Cut bread into cubes and place in a large bowl. Add ingredients to the bowl with bread and mix until everything is combined evenly; salt and pepper to taste.
Preset an Air Fryer to 375°F for 10 minutes and air fry the mixture until it is brown and crisp on top. Alternatively, bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit in an oven until heated through. Serves 6.
So mark your calendars now to visit the Castro Farmer’s Market to stock up on your favorites, including long-lasting produce like sweet potatoes and winter squash. The Castro Farmers’ Market takes place at 270 Noe Street off of Market Street on Wednesdays from 3 pm–7 pm. While November 19 is the last market day this season, the Castro Farmers’ Market will reopen in April. We hope to see you there!
For more information, seasonal recipes, and a full list of vendors, please visit: https://www.pcfma.org/castro
Stella Singer is a recent UC Berkeley graduate who writes and designs for the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association. With a background in environmental journalism and science, she brings a keen interest in food systems and sustainability to her work.
Stella Singer
(continued from pg 34)
At a press conference on October 29, clueless Trump finally stated, “You know, based on what I read (note: as if he EVER reads anything) I guess I’m not allowed to run” (note: for a third, non-Constitutional office as president again). Sister Dana sez, “Not only will you NEVER be president again, if election results continue to give us more democratic power, you will be RUN out of office with passing of the Democratic ‘NO KINGS ACT’ demanding your removal using the 25th Amendment! Oh my! Hope springs eternal!” SISTER
BEYOND THE RAINBOW: THE INTERSECTION OF PRIDE screens at the Roxie Theatre, 3125 16th Street on November 8, 1 pm. Beyond the Rainbow is a visually arresting and emotionally resonant short documentary that explores identity, leadership, and legacy within the LGBTQ movement through the stories of two groundbreaking figures: Suzanne Ford, the first openly transgender Executive Director of San Francisco Pride; and Nguyen Pham , the first gay Vietnamese American to serve as the organization’s Board President. Directed and produced by Antonio Contreras —a Bay Area filmmaker and 12-time International Fashion Film Award winner—Beyond the Rainbow blends compelling personal interviews with archival footage, capturing the spirit of activism and community in one of the world’s most iconic Pride celebrations. The film is set to a powerful soundtrack featuring a hit single by global house music icon Miguel Migs, with vocals by local favorite Jason Brock, adding emotional
KRAMER (continued from pg 26)
have a night of intimacy. Even when Ben is unlikable, viewers will be rooting for them.
Significantly, although their parents are discouraging, Ben is greeted with support from everyone else he meets, including Chris (Brian Michael Smith), his boss at a Senior Day Camp, and Sophie (Lisa Yamada), a classmate, both of whom are queer. Dorfman seems very interested in inclusivity, and making sure everyone feels seen, which is admirable and valuable. I Wish You All the Best is aggressively determined to help give non-binary as well as trans and queer kids visibility and a voice. Like a teenager, the film tends to be overly dramatic with a few moments of rest before the next crisis. But Ben has many experiences that test him, from going to his first party, and having his first hit of weed, to getting drunk, trying on makeup, and having sex. It is “a lot,” and Dorfman presents it as such, but as Ben calibrates things, Fogelmanis artfully expresses his feeling in his body language. He is often curled up to convey how introverted Ben is, which
depth to the storytelling. This documentary marks the 55th anniversary of San Francisco Pride, serving as both a tribute to its history and a beacon for its future. It is a timely film that celebrates trailblazers while honoring the ongoing pursuit of equity and inclusion. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit their Forever Roxie Campaign. https://roxie.com/
Sandy’s Sketches
By Sandy Morris
Witch Soccer
Sandy Morris has been making art for the last 60 years. She says, “My pen, ink, and pencil drawings usually start with no preconceived idea—just drawing a straight or curved line or two. From there, my imagination takes over. I build upon the piece. My works range from the whimsical to the political, to emotions, and everything in between.”
makes it gratifying to see B—which is what Ben eventually changes their name to— attend a class function in a skirt, moving freely, and feeling comfortable, if perhaps a little anxious. A later, upbeat scene of them dancing down the street to the Indigo Girls’ “Closer to Fine” delivers all the feels.
I Wish You All the Best is not perfect. It does get didactic in the Ms. Lyons/Ben conversations, and it is clunky in depicting Ben’s parents’ behavior. But this is forgivable because the film has its heart in the right place—on its frilly sleeve—for its target audience.
© 2025 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.” He teaches Short Attention Span Cinema at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute and is the moderator for Cinema Salon, a weekly film discussion group. Follow him on X @garymkramer Witch Soccer (Pen/Ink/Pencil)
George Takei “Pumpkin pie”
compiled by Rink
Terry Asten Bennett “Green bean casserole”
Varla Jean Merman “Deep fried turkey, since I am from New Orleans”
Mark Kelleher “My Granny’s oyster stuffing”
Dimas “Pasta salad”
Bay Times Dines
This Mojito Is Mission-Critical
Cocktails With Dina by Dina Novarr
Your Slack, WhatsApp, and Teams are pinging. Someone just scheduled a “quick sync” that will absolutely not be quick. Your ability to get out from in front of your laptop has been derailed. Frustrated, you need to disappear for two hours without triggering your laptop’s location services. Put on your OOO message, “Gone to Havana,” and step through the doors at 270 Columbus Avenue, a 1920s era bank that has reinvented itself as a place to rum-inate about all the other parts of your life.
Long Weekend, the newest venture from Future Bars, is designed to make you forget and refresh your bandwidth. The building transforms into a sensory journey through Cuban culture, featuring live music, visual art as it transforms from day to dusk to
night, and environmental storytelling through immersive sounds from Havana. All you have to do is ask the bartender for a mojito and sip it.
Even in 2025, we still cannot import Cuban rum to America. A 60-year-old Cold War embargo is chugging along like legacy code nobody wants to update. For decades, it has been smuggled, traded, taxed, banned, worshipped, and fought over. It’s the spirit that has spent its life finding freedom for a reason.
So, how did Beverage Director Jayson Wilde create traditional Havana flavors in San Francisco? He scoured through distribution catalogs, examining over 150 globally-sourced rums, then created nine custom blends that reverse-engineer the taste of authentic Cuban rum. This man built his own replica Cuban rum from scratch because the government said he couldn’t have the real thing. And it works. The reconstructed rum tastes more authentically Cuban than “Havana Club,” another facsimile that’s only legal because it is made in Puerto Rico. Four stories above the bar, on a rooftop closed to the public, Wilde and Sheehy grow two varieties of mint, one Cuban and one American, because they’re committed to authenticity. Sheehy explains: “Mentha x villosa is the variety of Cuban Mint we grow in our roof garden. It has a more structured texture, and a more savory, mild pepper taste. It is far spicier than its American cousin, but also less ‘minty’. The American Mint we grow is Mentha spicata , known as spearmint. It has a much softer texture, with a mild, fruity, light pepper flavor, and refreshingly minty.”
As you glance at the wall parallel to the mint planter, a 2010 Banksy mural looms above, faded from the San Francisco elements. It’s a reminder you can take a break from your regimen and the regime. You can immerse and disassociate from your phone and enjoy individuality. It’s an escape from everything your job demands. At the Long Weekend, there’s no need to “create value,” “drive engagement,” or “leverage synergies.” The biggest concern is growing the correct mint on a rooftop nobody sees because it makes the drink taste better. Full stop. No KPIs. No growth metrics. When was the last time you did something well for no reason except that it should be done well?
The best part about this bar is that it is wrapped up in an ephemeral concept of “flying you to another destination.” The pastels, the graffiti, and the torched cinnamon sticks will disappear in 9 short months, and Havana will be replaced by a new port of call. Artist Reynerio Tamayo’s work highlighting Cuban rum culture will be auctioned at the end to benefit his children’s art school in Havana. Everything beautiful here has an expiration date. And, as your manager would remind you, you can’t
roll over your PTO, so use those days while you can, and keep planning for future trips to refresh and expand your bandwidth.
Long Weekend isn’t just a bar. It’s proof that authenticity takes more work than efficiency, that some things can’t be optimized, and that the best answer to, “Do we have bandwidth for this?” is sometimes, “Who cares; let’s do it anyway.” And I resonate with that message. I too am quietly strategic but never docile. I reroute norms instead of obeying them. I create my own playbook in a world still following old ones. And I help motivate people to come escape with me.
Now silence your phone and join me for another round.
San Francisco-based Dina Novarr enjoys sharing her passion for fine wines, spirits, non-alcoholic craft beverages, and more with others.
Long Weekend Mojito
2.5 ounces Havana Club Blend Rum
.5 ounce lime juice
8 mint leaves (U.S. or Cuban) club soda
mint sprig for garnish
Combine first three ingredients in a Collins glass. Press down gently with a muddler or blunt tool and twist to release the mint essential oils. Top with chilled club soda. Garnish with a mint sprig.
Entryways Doormats
Choose from several colorful, artistic, and holiday-themed coir doormats.
Price Range: $33.99–$64.99
The enameled cast iron Cassadou acts as a deep sauté pan or small Dutch oven with a convenient handle for easy maneuvering from stove to oven to table. Regularly $349.99; Promotion through Thanksgiving: $219.99
Keep up with Cliff’s Variety news at Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/CliffsVariety ) and Instagram @hilario_sf
Le Creuset 3.75 Quart Cassadou
Bay Area OLOC’s Halloween Party 2025 in Berkeley
The Bay Area chapter of OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing for Change) held a Halloween Party and Autumn Women’s Tea Dance on October 25, 2025, at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarians. San Francisco Bay Times contributing photographer Sandy Morris said, “It was well attended, with about 100 or more women, some coming down from Sonoma County.” Many came in their Halloween finest, from elaborate Valkyries-themed costumes to a colorful butterfly complete with Venetian-style glasses and antennae. https://oloc.org/bay-area-oloc/
Let’s Go Home!
A Purring Punk Duo and a Handsome Pup Heartthrob
Here are three of the many pets now available for adoption at Oakland Animal Services (OAS):
Meet Sid & Johnny, your very own pint-sized punk rock duo. These brothers clawed their way through the rough stuff, and are now ready to headline in a forever home with an adopter who can appreciate their unfiltered personalities and a little feline angst. Johnny (orange/white) is the frontman—often purring, soaking up attention, and turning playtime into a full-blown stage show. Sid (black/white) is like the moody bass player. He still loves to play, but he’s also figuring out the whole “fan interaction” thing—sometimes swatting, hissing, or darting offstage when it all feels like too much. Together, they’re a two-cat punk band: raw and unfiltered, hilarious, and guaranteed to entertain.
Meet Pluto! With his floppy haircut, deep brown eyes, and charming smile, this handsome pup could be in a boy band. Pluto has made several good dog buddies while at the shelter though can be choosy about his friends. He would likely do best with a well-matched canine sibling or as a solo dog. He can be unsure of new people and is looking for a patient adopter in a calm adult household who will go slow with him and build trust. Once he knows someone, he is a total love bug!
The OAS adoption process focuses on matching you with a pet who is a good fit for you and your family. Come by during open adoption hours Thursdays 12–7 pm and Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays 12–3 pm to adopt your new best friend, or to learn more about the OAS adoption process. Please see the OAS website to learn more about how you can help by adopting, fostering, volunteering, and donating: www.oaklandanimalservices.org
A Refined Black and White Feline Beauty
Meet Yale —a refined 10-year-old black and white beauty with a name that says it all. Like her Ivy League namesake, Yale is thoughtful, discerning, and prefers a quiet study environment over a bustling playground. Since returning to the SF SPCA, she’s been a bit shy, which is understandable for such a dignified lady adjusting to new surroundings.
Photos by Sandy Morris
She likes to take her time getting to know people, observing with wisdom and grace before revealing her affectionate side. Once she feels safe, Yale rewards her trusted friends with gentle affection, quiet companionship, and the calm presence of a true scholar at heart.
She’d thrive best in a serene home—one without young children—where her refined sensibilities can shine. If your idea of a perfect evening involves soft conversation, a good book, and the company of a poised feline friend, Yale just might be your perfect match.
She’s at the SF SPCA Adoption Center, 250 Florida Street, San Francisco. The Adoption Center Hours are Tuesday 1–6 pm, Wednesday–Sunday 11 am–6 pm, and it is closed on Mondays. https://www.sfspca.org/
Sid & Johnny
Pluto
Yale
