San Francisco Bay Times - September 11, 2025

Kate Martin

Kayla Thornton

Veronica Burton

Carla Leite

Laeticia Amihere

Iliana Rupert

Kaitlyn Chen

Cecilia Zandalasini

Janelle Salaün

Monique Billings

Temi Fágbénlé

Tiffany Hayes GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES

The Valkyries Queer Lovefest Continues as Team Heads to Playoffs Valkyries Post Season

Now heading into the WNBA playoffs, the Golden State Valkyries in mere months have become one of the most successful, lucrative teams in women’s sports. The passion and devotion of their fan base is arguably the strongest and most evident in the entire world of sports. Like a “SwiftQuake” caused by the measurable massive energy of crowds at Taylor Swift concerts, Valkyries fans create their own electrifying energy at Chase Center, Ballhalla, during games. Even the cheers from fans at Rikki’s during Valkyries games echo through the Castro to the offices of the San Francisco Bay Times, helping to spread the palpable joy and excitement.

To say that many women, and particularly many LGBTQ+ women, were awaiting such a team would be an understatement. When the Golden State Warriors announced on October 5, 2023, that they had been awarded a WNBA expansion franchise, the news rippled through the queer community like a Biblical savior harbinger. After decades of pent-up interest, at last a WNBA team would be coming to the Bay Area.

Even with that excitement, few could have predicted the team’s level of success in all respects. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, however, (a former captain of her university’s women’s basketball team) has been closely watching the Valkyries from the beginning, knowing of the Warriors’ golden touch. As she said from the outset, “We are thrilled about expanding to the Bay Area and bringing the WNBA to a region with passionate basketball fans and a strong history of supporting women’s basketball. Joe Lacob, Peter Guber, and their leadership team know how to build and operate a world-class organization, as witnessed by the immense success the Warriors’ franchise has enjoyed from both a business and basketball perspective over the last decade. Their interest in joining the WNBA family is yet another sign of the league’s growth potential.”

Surprising Connection to a Sporty Republican

There are some women investors in the WNBA. Interestingly, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice—who has been actively involved in golf and other sports in Northern California for years—is one of the league’s top investors. She is part of a group that includes Nike, which invested $75 million in February 2022 to help fuel the league’s growth. Rice remains an equity partner in the WNBA.

She and other supporters helped pave the financial way for the Warriors to become the sixth NBA franchise to have a WNBA team, joining the Indiana Pacers (Indiana Fever), Minnesota Timberwolves (Minnesota Lynx), Brooklyn Nets (New York Liberty,) Phoenix Suns (Phoenix Mercury), and Washington Wizards (Washington Mystics). Jess Smith was named the team’s president on January 30, 2024, and Ohemaa Nyanin was announced as Golden State’s general manager on May 6, 2024. Natalie Nakase was announced as the franchise’s first head coach

back in October 2024.

Head Coach Nakase Helps Establish the Valkyries Identity

Nakase took the directional helm of the Valkyries following over 16 years of coaching professional basketball, including 10 seasons in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers, and three seasons as first assistant coach with the Las Vegas Aces. She is the first Asian American head coach in the WNBA, and was the first female coach to sit on an NBA team’s bench when she was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2014 summer league.

From day one on the job, Nakase has emphasized a defensive-first identity and coaching philosophy. The Valkyries players’ respect for Nakase and willingness to be flexible has allowed her to better instill the approach. This defensive mindset allows the team to push the pace on offense, but the toughness, communication, and constant effort of the players are the foundational elements of their performance.

Nakase is also known for instilling a relentless hard work ethic with an emphasis on selflessness, which is a refreshing rarity in often ego-fueled professional sports. The supportive team ethos has been a crucial factor in the success of the Valkyries and carries over to fans too.

Unforgettable Times at Ballhalla

San Francisco Bay Times sports columnist Beth Schnitzer, who was a former president of Women in Sports and Events, lights up recalling her experiences at Valkyries’ games. “The magic starts from the minute you enter Chase, since there are so many great activations. The DJ (often the amazing DJ LadyRyan) helps build the already high energy, as does the In-Arena Host (Ari Waller), who is responsible for the crowd engagement and directing cheers.”

Schnitzer added that more music is played at Valkyries games than she has heard at other

sports events. “There is music for different plays and during games,” she says. “It adds to the energy and I love it.”

At games she has met fans from all over the U.S. and world, who are so loyal to particular players and teams that they will travel seemingly any distance to cheer their favorites on. There is a running joke about how lesbians will go to similar lengths for a love interest, and it seems like that dedication has spilled over to the Valkyries fan base.

Schnitzer, who has been front and center with the players and coaches before and after games, has noticed how generous the players are with fans. “They are always smiling and enjoying the experience,” she says. “You can tell that it is not an obligation for them. They truly appreciate interacting with fans.”

More recently, she has also noticed that the Jumbotron during halftime is sharing personal messages, such as statements about birthdays and anniversaries. That’s a hallmark of other major arenas and she hopes will continue to increase at Chase. She also loves the newly revealed mascot, Violet, a violet-colored raven whose exuberance is unmistakable.

‘Home’ Games at SAP

The Valkyries will play their first-ever home playoff game at the SAP Center in San Jose either on Tuesday, September 16, or Wednesday, September 17. (The exact date is not known as of this writing.) The new location is due to a scheduling conflict at the Valkyries usual home arena, Chase, which is hosting the Laver Cup tennis tournament. Schnitzer plans somehow to attend both, and is already excitedly looking forward to heading out to SAP for the Valkyries’ historic playoff run.

“I suspect that other fans here (in San Francisco and the central Bay Area) will make the trek to San Jose, which may even help expand the Valkyries’ base in the South Bay,” she says.

For those of us without those coveted tickets, Rikki’s in the Castro, the White Horse Bar in Oakland, and other Valkyries hotspots will be a draw. In fact, Schnitzer has noticed that many fans who go to Ballhalla are in larger groups. There’s a loyal lesbian group from Rossmoor, for example, and various businesses have arranged for blocks of tickets. The bar scene, however, sometimes allows for greater socializing with fellow fans, including those who are single.

SAP or Rikki’s, win or lose, the LGBTQ+ community will continue to show up for the Valkyries, who have brought joy, hope, and excitement to the Bay Area. As Janelle Salaün exclaimed, emotions high after an epic night at Ballhalla, “Let’s gooooooooo!!!”

https://valkyries.wnba.com/tickets

San Francisco Bay Times columnist Beth Schnitzer at a Valkyries game at Chase Center.

San Francisco Pride’s Suzanne Ford was honored by the Valkyries on Pride Night for her leadership in the LGBTQ+ community.

Historic Firsts for the Golden State Valkyries Valkyries Post Season

The Golden State Valkyries in less than a year have made sports history multiple times.

The Golden State Valkyries are the Bay Area’s first WNBA team.

While the Golden State Valkyries are not the Bay Area’s first women’s professional basketball team, they are the first such team for the region in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), a league that began in June 1997. The Valkyries’ headquarters and practice facility are in Oakland, while they play their home games—at least nearly all of them—at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The team’s logo features a design inspired by the Bay Bridge that connects Oakland and San Francisco, thereby symbolizing the bi-bay connection. As for that earlier history-making team, the San Jose Lasers were in the now-defunct American Basketball League and played for two full seasons and part of a third from 1996–1998.

The Valkyries have broken WNBA attendance records.

The team has sold out every home game at Chase Center, averaging over 18,000 attendees per game. The Valkyries now have the highest attendance record in WNBA history. As the team recently posted: “We’ve set the all-time WNBA record for total (397,408) and average (18,064) attendance in a regular season, selling out each of our 22 home games.”

The franchise is the first in women’s sports history to eclipse 15,000 season ticket deposits.

Initially it was thought that the Valkyries’ popularity would increase over time, with ticket deposits starting off at a modest but steady rate. Instead, fans clamored for tickets even before the Valkyries began their season.

The Valkyries have won more games in a single season than any other expansion team in WNBA history.

As of this writing, the Valkyries have won 23 games, with their record being 23–20. This is the most wins by any expansion team during a single season in WNBA history.

The Valkyries are the first expansion team to reach the WNBA playoffs.

On September 4, 2025, the Valkyries beat the Dallas Wings 84–80. The win clinched the team a playoff berth, making the Valkyries the first expansion team to reach the WNBA playoffs.

They are the first U.S. professional sports team to use the name Valkyries.

While other women’s teams in collegiate and international sports (such as rugby) have used the name “Valkyries,” the Golden State Valkyries are the first professional sports team to use that Nordic name. The theme carries over to other fan lingo, such as the name for Chase Center when the Valkyries are playing: Ballhalla.

The Valkyries hired the first Asian American head coach in the WNBA.

Natalie Nakase, who is the head coach of the Valkyries, is the first Asian American head coach in the WNBA. Nakase is a third-generation Japanese American. Prior to her time with the Valkyries, she was the first Asian American to win a WNBA championship as an assistant coach (with the Las Vegas Aces) and was the first female head coach of a Japanese men’s professional league (in 2011). She also broke barriers in her younger years by becoming the first Asian American player in the now-defunct National Women’s Basketball League.

Kayla Thornton was the Valkyries’ first WNBA All-Star.

Kayla Thornton was the first player in Valkyries franchise history to represent the team at a WNBA All-Star event.

A decisive win against the Chicago Sky marked the largest winning margin in Valkyries franchise history.

On August 15, 2025, the Valkyries won 90–59 against the Chicago Sky. This was their largest margin of victory to date: 31 points. (The Chicago Sky were shorthanded because All-Star forward Angel Reese was sidelined due to a back injury. Five Valkyries players scored in doubt digits that night. In terms of overall scoring records, Veronica Burton recorded the first 30-point game in Valkyries’ history.

The Valkyries are the most valuable women’s professional sports franchise in history.

Valued at a record-breaking $500 million, the Valkyries are the most valuable women’s professional sports franchise in history and are the WNBA’s most valuable team. This valuation was reported by Sportico in June 2025, marking a significant increase from the Valkyries’ $50 million expansion fee just two years prior. Their high value is attributed to strong attendance, ticket sales, and the strategic advantage of playing at Chase Center, the arena they (as part of the Golden State Warriors business) own. (The Warriors poured their own funds into the project, rather than relying on public or other financing.) There are now high projections for sponsorship revenue, which will further boost the Valkyries’ value. Their present valuation is a ten-times increase from the $50 million WNBA entry fee, signi-

fying an unprecedented jump in modern sports history, according to ClutchPoints

The Valkyries are the most inspiring team in the WNBA.

Due to their history-making inaugural season—becoming the first expansion team to make the playoffs, setting a record for wins by an expansion team, and establishing themselves as a well-run and valued franchise— the Valkyries’ remarkable on-court performance and strong team culture have defied expectations and set a new standard for WNBA newcomers.

https://valkyries.wnba.com/

Golden State Valkyries Photos

Valkyries Head Coach Natalie Nakase

Valkyries General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin

Kayla Thornton

Valkyries mascot Violet with a cheerleader holding a team megaphone

Valkyries Post Season

A List of All Out LGBTQ+ WNBA Players

San Francisco Bay Times columnist and playwright Jewelle Gomez recently overheard a woman at a Valkyries game say to a Chase Center worker as she descended to her seat at a game, “Wow! Looks like I’m in the lesbian section.” He responded, smiling: “It’s all the lesbian section tonight!”

Queer culture is a significant and embraced part of the WNBA identity, with a high percentage of players being openly LGBTQ+ and the league serving as a leader in LGBTQ+ inclusion in professional sports. This culture extends to widespread fan engagement and support, a higher profile presence of queer media coverage, and a league history that moved from overlooking, to eventually embracing, its LGBTQ+ community and fans.

Shift From Exclusion

In the WNBA’s early years, the league actively marketed to a heterosexual audience and pressured players to hide their identities. A turning point occurred in around 2014 when the league adopted a Pride platform that recognized the importance of its long-standing LGBTQ+ fanbase.

Now, the WNBA is at the forefront in the sports world of promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion, with many players—such as Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman—using their platforms to advocate for social justice and equality. The rise of popular women’s sports bars, such as Rikki’s in the Castro, is also helping to fuel the shift.

Some studies and other media reports estimate that approximately 38% of players in the WNBA are lesbian or LGBTQ+. Not all players are out, though.

At Least Three of the Golden State Valkyries Are Openly Queer

There are at least three out LGBTQ+ Valkyries players:

Tiffany Hayes: Openly lesbian, Hayes has been featured in other lists of gay WNBA players and has participated in events highlighting lesbian athletes and representation. She also has used the “representation matters” and “lesbian love” hashtags in social media posts.

Kate Martin: Prior to being drafted by the Valkyries, Martin came out via social media by going public about her relationship with Claire Gransee. Both attended the University of Iowa. Gransee has been spotted supporting Martin at games.

Cecilia Zandalasini: According to Autostraddle, Zandalasini has a “hot Italian girlfriend, Sara Barbieri.”

Valkyries Fans

Other Out LGBTQ+ WNBA Players

According to the Who’s Gay in the WNBA Report published at Write Through the Night and echoed by Autostraddle, the following players in the WNBA are out LGBTQ+ community members:

Las Vegas Aces Kierstan

Washington Mystics

Shakira Austin

Stefanie Dolson

Emily Engstler

Sug Sutton Brittney Sykes

Chicago Sky Courtney Vandersloot

Maddy Westbeld

Los Angeles Sparks

Julie Allemand

Emma Cannon

Seattle Storm

Jordan Horston Erica Wheeler Gabby Williams

Connecticut Sun

Hiedeman

Kayla McBride

Courtney Williams

Phoenix

Mercury

DeWanna Bonner

Kahleah Copper

Natasha Mack

Alyssa Thomas

Sevgi Uzun

Sami Whitcomb

Saniya Rivers

Dallas Wings

Paige Bueckers

Dijonai Carrington

Tyasha Harris

Liatu King

Arike Ogunbowale

Out LGBTQ+ Players in the NBA

Whenever successful individuals in sports and other fields are identified as LGBTQ+, someone inevitably comments that such information is insignificant. But Tiffany Hayes and others remind that “representation matters.” It validates and supports LGBTQ+ individuals by showing them they are not alone while also reducing stigma and increasing acceptance among the broader population. It especially helps LGBTQ+ youth see paths to fulfilling lives by boosting their self-esteem and fostering a sense of belonging and normalcy. WNBA players like the Valkyries are role models, giving them an even more powerful platform.

As for the number of out LGBTQ+ players in the NBA, there are zero. Many sports analysts, other players, fans, and more have indicated that there are, however, queer players in the NBA. Even if that is true, there is still likely tremendous fear among these NBA players about what impact coming out would have on their careers, including endorsements. There is additionally pressure to conform, along with societal perceptions about NBA players that help to explain why there are no actively playing, publicly out gay men in the NBA as of this writing. Jason Collins was the first active NBA player to come out as gay in 2013. No other active player has followed suit since then, and that was a decade plus ago. (The good news about Collins is that he married his longtime partner, film producer Brunson Green, in May of this year. Collins now is a public speaker and an NBA Cares Ambassador. He helps spread awareness and promotes inclusivity in sports and beyond.)

Whether you hope to satisfy your Sapphic Thirst, as some influencers like to say, or are an enthusiastic ally, we hope that you will cheer on the out LGBTQ+ WNBA players, all of the Valkyries, your other favorite teams, and the overall efforts toward greater queer inclusion in all sports.

Tiffany Hayes Kate Martin Cecilia Zandalasini

Walking With Pride, Leading With Purpose

Leading With Pride From Oakland City Hall

Oakland City Councilmember

At-Large Rowena Brown

(Editor’s Note: Rowena Brown, who was sworn in as the At-Large Oakland City Councilmember in January of this year, is already one of the most effective and hard-working members of the Oakland City Council. Members of our team in the East Bay have seen her step up, time and again, for everything from helping save the city’s fire stations to ensuring support for Oakland Pride.

A former campaign manager for California State Assemblymember Mia Bonta, Brown has experience at both the local and state level. She has degrees from Mills College (political science) and UC Law San Francisco, and a natural savvy that were all evident as she worked on her first major piece of legislation, Assembly Bill 1520, which would make civic education more accessible to low-income students.

She has never forgotten her roots as a Black and queer woman who lost both of her parents by the age of 17. She knows firsthand why Oaklanders need healthcare, safety, affordable housing, the right to a clean neighborhood, and why thriving small businesses within the local economy are essential for all. She has been leading efforts to address blight and illegal dumping, fix potholes, shut down drug hot spots, and secure Oakland’s fair share of state resources to fight human trafficking, reduce gun violence, and protect the air we all breathe.

The San Francisco Bay Times is very proud to launch this new column by Councilmember Brown. Look for it each month!)

Hello, San Francisco Bay Times readers! I’m Rowena Brown, Oakland’s At-Large City Councilmember, sworn in this past January. I stepped into this role following the incredible work of my predecessor, Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, whose dedication continues to inspire me. Many of you may remember her long-running San Francisco Bay Times column, Out of the Closet and Into City Hall, and I’m honored to carry that torch forward.

I’m a proud African American queer woman and lifelong East Bay resident. My life and work have always been rooted in community, justice, and resilience. Before City Hall, I served as a community organizer, civics educator, workforce development coach, City of Oakland constituent services coordinator for East Oakland, and State Legislative District

Director for our local assemblymember. Each of these roles shaped how I approach public service: not from behind a desk, but shoulder to shoulder with people—listening, learning, and building together. That’s the spirit I bring into City Hall—centering voices that have long been left out of decisions shaping their lives.

This past weekend, I had the joy of walking in Oakland Pride for the first time as a Councilmember. It was especially meaningful to celebrate Oakland Pride’s 15th anniversary, a milestone recognizing how far our community has come. I was proud to honor Councilmember Kaplan, Oakland’s first out Councilmember, for her years of service and advocacy that helped make Pride what it is today. The parade felt like both a celebration and a homecoming. I saw elders who have carried the movement for decades, young people stepping confidently into their identities, and families with little ones dancing in the streets. That spirit of community reminded me exactly why I ran for office. Leadership is not just about policies or votes; it’s about lifting up the courage, humanity, and beauty in every person.

While Pride was a highlight, the City Council’s summer recess gave me another kind of joy: launching my Oakland Community Engagement Tour. I’ve been traveling across the city, listening to the stories, hopes, ideas, and concerns of Oaklanders. Some conversations have been challenging, but all of them have been inspiring. Time and again, I am reminded of Oaklanders’ resilience. They are visionary, imagining a city that works for everyone and showing what’s possible when we lead with care and courage.

I invite you to take an active role in Oakland’s civic life—attend Council and commission meetings, share your ideas, and help shape the decisions that guide our communities. The City of Oakland posts agendas, reports, and upcoming meetings on Legistar, and I encourage you to stay connected there. ( https://oakland.legistar.com/ )

I am honored to serve as Chair of the Education Partnership Committee, working with the Oakland Unified School District to expand opportunities for students, and as Chair of the Community & Economic

Development Committee, where we focus on supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and ensuring families have access to housing and opportunity. I also serve on the Public Safety Committee, building safer, more resilient neighborhoods, and on the Rules & Legislation Committee, which keeps the Council’s work transparent, organized, and accountable. These committees are where much of Oakland’s progress begins, and your voice is essential to that work. I hope you’ll join us for the first Education Partnership Committee meeting of the year on September 22 at 3:30 pm and help us shape a future where every child—and every neighborhood—can thrive. Walking in Pride, traveling across the city, listening and learning—it all reminds me that public service isn’t just about holding office.

It’s about showing up, being present, and building together. That spirit of community, resilience, and possibility gives me hope for the future—and makes serving Oakland such an honor every single day.

Oakland is vibrant, complex, and full of life. I am honored to carry these voices into City Hall, and I hope sharing these stories inspires you to join us in building a more equitable, joyful, and thriving Oakland. Rowena Brown, recently elected as Oakland’s At-Large City Councilmember, is an African American queer leader and lifelong East Bay resident. A former community organizer, civics educator, and State Legislative District Director, she has spent her career advancing equity, opportunity, and inclusive policies at both the local and state levels. As Councilmember, she is centering community voices and bridging grassroots movements with City Hall to build a more resilient, just, and thriving Oakland. https://bit.ly/4m3rMJ2

PHOTO BY JERRY PARMER

Oakland Pride 2025

Oakland Pride 2025

It’s Up to Us

During the 1980s, this country faced two simultaneous and devastating public health crises: the AIDS pandemic, and the underwhelming response to it from our government. The homophobia-fueled lack of support from Washington led to countless needless deaths—but also inspired a new generation of activists to act up and fight back.

These activists stepped up to sound the alarm, knowing that they wouldn’t get help unless they demanded it. Some of us laid a Quilt—stitched with equal parts sorrow and fury—at the feet of our elected officials.

ACT UP and other groups staged impossible-to-ignore direct actions that forced a response from those in power. It took all of us, using every tool in our arsenal, to demand the funding and research and support needed to fight HIV and AIDS.

At the U.S. Conference on HIV & AIDS in Washington, D.C. (USCHA), last week, activists and advocates from the Bay Area joined with their counterparts from around the country in a public demonstration to raise awareness about proposed federal cuts to HIV funding and their impact on HIV care and prevention in the U.S. One of their actions was laying a “Cuts Kill” quilt— inspired by the AIDS Memorial Quilt—on the National Mall to highlight the impact that cuts to HIV funding and public health will have on our communities.

Their message is urgent: We are facing an unprecedented public health crisis. Under the leadership of unqualified partisan hacks, our nation’s public health system is unraveling at an alarming rate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health, and other agencies have become hollow shells, as dedicated public servants and health professionals who actually know what they are doing, and who care about public health, are either being fired, or have resigned en masse, frustrated by the anti-scientific direction of Robert Kennedy, Jr., Dr. Oz, and their cronies. The medical experts, funding, and political will to protect the public’s health have disappeared, and it’s up to us to speak out loud and repeatedly. We must never forget: Silence = Death, Action = Life. For more info on this year’s USCHA: https://www.nmac.org/uscha/

Beyond Rainbows: Leather Pride on Display

Over the past few weeks, the state of Florida

has doubled down on erasing the rainbow crosswalks outside the Pulse Memorial in Orlando—with local folks tirelessly coming back each day with ever more creative ways to rainbow-ize Orlando. Watching this tugof-war makes me even more grateful for our rainbow crosswalks at 18th and Castro, and for the Intersex Progress Flag—complete with yellow brick road—painted at Jane Warner Plaza this year by visionary artist Harry Breaux and his team of volunteers. But rainbows are only one of many means of queer expression, as will be evident when the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District presents LeatherWalk 2025 on Sunday, September 21. In its 33rd year, this annual event brings together the leather, kink, and LGBTQ+ communities of South of Market for a day of visibility, celebration, and fundraising for the district’s initiatives. At a time when queer spaces and identities are under relentless attack, such visibility is an act of joyful resistance.

LeatherWalk raises funds to help support a safe and lively space for events, businesses, bars, and organizations to thrive in SOMA, so people can gather safely for both business and pleasure. The funds raised also help preserve the district’s history, including the Leather Legacy Landmarks sidewalk plaques, the first five of which were installed in August. The plaques will also be featured as part of guided neighborhood walking tours. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/SFLDpl

Registration for teams and individual walkers is open, and all walkers can register for free. The Walk is the official kick-off for Leather Week. It will start at City Hall, and end at Eagle Plaza, where the Leather Pride Flag will be raised as part of the SF Eagle Bar’s Leather Pride Fest. Leather Week will culminate on September 28 with the Folsom Street Fair. For all details, to register, or to donate: https://tinyurl.com/LWalk33 Get Ready

First, they sent federal troops and the National Guard to Los Angeles, under the pretext of staunching overwhelming rebellion in the streets. Then they descended upon Washington, D.C., falsely claiming it was an out-of-control cesspool of crime. They are threatening to do the same with

Chicago, Baltimore, New York City, and, eventually, Oakland, San Francisco, and other progressive cities in blue states. (Hint: It was never really about the crime rates.)

As horrifying as this illegal militarization of civil society may be, it also has been inspiring to see the brilliantly creative, fearless, and often spontaneous resistance from average folks when they encounter armed military presence on their streets. So far, the resistance has been peaceful, and often effective. So, how will we resist if, and when, tanks start rolling down our own streets?

It is something we all need to think about and prepare for. If you haven’t yet joined a resistance group, or been trained in nonviolent resistance, now is the time to do it.

Several groups like Indivisible, 50501, and Bay Resistance offer both online and in-person trainings. Do yourself and your community a favor and prepare now.

Final Thoughts

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has been in the news a lot lately, as he has been standing firm against the current administration’s authoritarian power grabs. He gave a commencement speech at Knox College this year that, while full of gentle humor and self-deprecating dad advice, also offered this perspective that captures our current situation:

“To be in public office right now is to con-

stantly ask yourself: How do I make sure I’m standing on the right side of history? There is a simple answer. The wrong side of history will always tell you to be afraid.

The right side of history will always expect you to be brave.

Expect bravery of the community around you, and bravery will show up. Expect fear, and fear will rule the day.”

Go forth and be brave, my friends.

Joanie Juster is a long-time community volunteer, activist, and ally.

In Case You Missed It

Joanie Juster

Raising Awareness About Public Transportation This Transit Month

View From the Dome

Rafael Mandelman, President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, with Mayor Daniel Lurie, other officials, and public transportation advocates, participated in a rally on September 4, 2025, to raise awareness about public transportation given that September is Transit Month.

Supervisor Mandelman also joined local transportation and city leaders—such as Executive Director of San Francisco Transit Riders, Sara Alison Johnson, and District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar—for a ride on Muni. On any given day, both he and State Supervisor Scott Wiener are often seen on public transportation, since they regularly rely upon it.

During the rally, Mayor Lurie said, “Muni

faces a fiscal crisis, and we are going to save it. No one wants to see service reductions, and we are doing everything we can do to prevent them. We must do what it takes, both within SFMTA and with partners across the region, to find the revenue that will keep Muni strong.”

The Lurie administration is working on a parcel tax to help fund Muni, while State Senator Wiener is sponsoring a regional measure that would allow for a sales tax to financially bolster Bay Area transit systems. A stark reminder of the money needs and local transportation problems occurred just a day after the City Hall rally, when a computer equipment problem led to a nearly seven-hour systemwide shutdown that halted all trains. BART spokesperson Alicia Trost reminded that BART is now a 50-year-oldplus system that requires constant maintenance and network upgrades. The BART shutdown, in turn, led to heavier traffic and other delays.

Supervisor Mandelman and Mayor Lurie, in addition to calling attention to the financial challenges impacting transit agencies, urged the public to use public transportation, instead of cars, whenever possible.

As another BART spokesperson, Anna Duckworth, said about her respective agency: “BART benefits everyone in the Bay

(continued on page 24)

HIV/AIDS Activists Unveil

#CutsKill Quilt on Capitol Hill

Organizers of the #SaveHIVFunding campaign on September 5, 2025, unveiled the #CutsKill Quilt on Capitol Hill as a powerful visual presentation demanding urgent Congressional action to stop a proposed $2 billion in cuts to federal HIV programs. Inspired by the AIDS Memorial Quilt of the 1980s, the #CutsKill Quilt was designed and created by community members and HIV service providers from across the country and around the world, and honors lives lost while warning of the devastating impact that billions in proposed federal cuts would have on HIV prevention, treatment, housing, and care. Each panel of the #CutsKill Quilt represents programs, services, and communities currently at risk if funding is gutted.

The action coincided with the U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA) and sent a clear message: #CutsKill, and Congress must act now to reject the House’s FY26 proposal, which would devastate access to care and erase decades of progress in the fight to end the HIV epidemic.

The #CutsKill Quilt brought together leading voices in HIV advocacy, public health, entertainment and government, including Maxx Boykin, Campaign Manager, Save HIV Funding; Javier Muñoz, performer (Hamilton) & HIV advocate; Jasmine Tasaki, Executive Director, Black and Pink & WeCare Tennessee; Representative Venton Jones, Texas State House of Representatives (D-HD100); Marnina Miller, Co-Executive Director, Positive Women’s Network; John Meade, Senior Policy Program Manager, AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC); Lauren Banks, Executive Director, National HIV/AIDS Housing Coalition; and Jeremiah Johnson, Executive Director, PrEP4All.

HIV Funding Fast Facts

Federal HIV programs have more than 35 years of bipartisan support. In 2003, President George W. Bush created PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), which has saved 25 million lives worldwide. Domestically, Bush signed reauthorizations of the Ryan White CARE Act, expanding federal support for HIV care. Protecting HIV funding has historically been a bipartisan commitment to public health and stability.

Federal HIV programs are costeffective.

Every $1 invested in HIV prevention saves the health care system $3 to $7 in future treatment costs. Cuts would increase long-term spending.

Medicaid is the largest source of coverage for people with HIV in the U.S.

Covering roughly 40% of people living with HIV, Medicaid expansion has been associated with a 33% increase in PrEP prescriptions. Cuts to HIV funding would have ripple effects across the entire Medicaid system, limiting access to care for millions of low-income Americans.

HIV care is part of the U.S. health care system.

Federal HIV funding supports access to preventive care, primary care, mental health services, housing, and medications. Cutting these funds would destabilize programs millions of Americans depend on—including those living with chronic conditions, low-income families, and uninsured people.

Over 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV. Additionally, over 500,000 rely on federal programs like the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program for lifesaving medication and care.

HIV prevention funding protects everyone.

The federal government funds access to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a daily medication that reduces the risk of HIV infection by 99%. Rolling back funding would increase new HIV infections and long-term costs to the health care system.

HIV funding is about more than one disease. These programs create a blueprint for coordinated, federally funded responses to health crises—from the opioid epidemic to COVID-19. Gutting HIV funding would weaken America’s preparedness for future public health threats.

HIV funding protects vulnerable communities.

Black and Latino communities account for more than 65% of new HIV diagnoses. Protecting these funds is about protecting racial and health equity.

https://savehivfunding.org/

Photos courtesy of Getty Images for Save HIV Funding Campaign/Paul Morigi

Help Shape Services for Older Adults and Adults With Disabilities

The San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS) is conducting the 2025–2026 Dignity Fund Community Needs Assessment (DFCNA), and they need your help to spread the word widely in our community. If you are an older adult, an adult with a disability, a veteran, or a caregiver, please consider taking the survey, by September 30, 2025, at: https://bit.ly/41Lbr4t

Please also share this information with such individuals in your networks, inviting them to take the survey. If you share your input with the DAS, you can enter a raffle to win a $50 gift card!

Get more information about the survey and prior related forums at https://bit.ly/4npmXLh

Why It Matters

The Dignity Fund, established by San Francisco voters in 2016, ensures dedicated funding for services that support older adults and adults with disabilities. The needs assessment helps ensure these resources reflect community priorities. Your help is key to ensuring all voices are heard in this process—especially those voices that are most often left out.

Dr. Marcy Adelman, a clinical psychologist and LGBTQ+ aging advocate and policy adviser oversees the Aging in Community column. https://tinyurl.com/3me84y6d

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

Happy Birthday to Photographer Sandy Morris!

San Francisco Bay Times Photographer Sandy Morris Honored on Her 85th Birthday

Photos by xxxxxx

One of the Bay Area lesbian community’s most beloved members, Sandra “Sandy” Morris, was celebrated on September 7, 2025, during the week of her birthday; she turned 85 on September 3. The party took place at High Street Station in Alameda, a site that formerly presented concerts, often for the LGBTQ+ community, which Morris photographed.

A longtime photographer for the San Francisco Bay Times, Morris has been interested in photography since childhood. Her father, Frank, was an enthusiastic photographer, and his passion for the visual arts carried over to his daughter.

Morris was born in the Bronx, New York, where she, her father, mother Anna, and brother Marty all resided throughout her formative years. After graduating from William Howard Taft High School, Morris began to travel, including hitchhiking, and embracing the emerging counter culture movement. She eventually landed in San Francisco, where in the mid and late 1960s she was at the heart of the Summer of Love and the growing community of LGBTQ+ individuals. Legendary singer Janis Joplin was one of her girlfriends at this memorable time.

Morris eventually moved to Oakland, where there was already a thriving LGBTQ+ community, including one of the highest concentrations of lesbians in the nation. Many such women, including Morris, gravitated to the Montclair Women’s Cultural Arts Club run by Barbara “Boo” Price. Morris photographed numerous performers there, and expanded her work to other women’s events throughout the region.

She was also among the organizers of the popular annual Women’s Celebration of Chanukah. With Rachel Ginsberg, Shari Kline, Bobbe Leviten, Leslie Bonett, Pamela Spevack, Ruth Hurvitz, Cate Larsen, Emily Brooks, Leslie Hassberg, and others, she helped create a festive fivehour-plus celebration that included a candlelight ceremony, music, and an incredible lineup of women busily cooking homemade latkes with all the fixings. One of Morris’ trademarks, a nod to her Jewish roots and sense of humor, is a rubber chicken that she often includes in photos for friends.

Many of these friends and admirers came to honor Morris at the recent party in Alameda, where a commemorative cover of the San Francisco Bay Times in her honor was displayed. She has said, “A few years ago when I was about to retire, friends told me, ‘Best to keep busy, and, of course, have fun.’” She continues to do that, remaining active at 85 and an important member of the Bay Times team.

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GLBT Fortnight in Review

Trump’s Gay Boyfriends

The headline on a lengthy piece in The New York Times late last month read: “Donald Trump’s Big Gay Government.” It profiled a certain type of gay man: white, successful, conservative, probably handsome (Trump and company dislike unattractive people), full of themselves, disdainful of most of the rainbow colors that represent the GLBT community beginning with women (although they love Melania), and absolutely indifferent to the civil rights movement that now allows them to be out and proud.

These are the Log Cabin Republican guys who battled against including transgender rights in our overall fight for equality, the guys who considered transmen and transwomen as freaks with whom they had nothing in common. As the country grew out of its hostility towards gays and lesbians, they found themselves back on top—well educated white men with no further reason to hide in the shadows and no affinity for the women, minorities, and poor people who helped create the conditions for their new-found social respect.

Trump himself has nothing against white gay men. He’s a product of New York and show business. He has often made remarks along the lines of “whatever.” He’s not religious, and has used evangelical Christians for his own political ends without embracing antigay ideology. He even told a reporter back in 2016 that Caitlin Jenner could use any bathroom she liked in Trump Tower, with an attitude of, “Who cares about this sort of stuff?”

Yet, regardless of his personal views, he has had no problem throwing Caitlin and the rest of us under the bus when it suits his transactional purposes, which is now and forever.

The A-Gays, as the Times calls them, don’t worry about any of that. Thiel, Grenell, Bessent, Moran, and all the lesser-known brothers-in-arms believe the fight for gay rights has been won. Who cares about AIDS funding or transgender soldiers? Who cares about the High Court’s hard-right shift and the antigay policies that the justices have allowed to fester? The Times quoted journalist James Kirchick, author of Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington, who a few years ago captured what the A-Gays see in the president: “He’s like a drag queen. He’s outrageous, he’s transgressive, he’s a narcissist the likes of which we haven’t seen since Alexander the Great.”

And thirty-something Casey Flores, who fundraises for the Kennedy Center, told the Times that the gay left “just can’t handle the fact that President Trump loves the gays ... . This idea that Republicans hate gays, that’s just so not the case, as clearly evidenced by all of us,” he continued. “We’re so over it. We just want to help the country.”

Our LGBTQILMNOP community has always had fractures and differences. Gay and trans people come in all ages, all colors, all faiths. We have PhDs and high school educations. We make high six figures or work three jobs to survive. We are married, single, parents or not. Historically, we have been held together by one main thing—a high tide of social disapproval, which has ebbed continuously since the late 20th century.

By Ann Rostow

Gone are the secretive gay bars, the code words, the various handkerchiefs that signaled whatever they signaled. The Pride parades and festivals that once required courage to attend have become routine annual funfests, although lately they are reverting to their political roots. The ferocity of the Trump administration’s crackdown on our people has indeed brought back a certain sense of solidarity, but the fractures are like global warming, and great blocks are separating in the warming waters.

Does a middle-class lesbian family with kids care that the name “Harvey Milk” was removed from a Navy ship? Or are they worried about insurance and school districts? Does a cisgender GenZ kid care whether or not a transgender boy can use the high school bathroom in some remote state, or is she focused on job hunting and college debt? Do we care that transgender women prisoners are being transferred to male prison populations despite court orders and existing law? Or are we more concerned with what’s new on BritBox and whether or not we really have to change the sheets every week? (Because they still seem okay to me.)

We’re not in the same boat anymore. Our civil rights movement requires new incentives to work together. Don’t ask me what those might be, but let’s just say that we’re not counting on the Trump boys to help us out.

Don’t Worry Too Much About Marriage

GLBT fundraisers are continuing to alarm potential donors with the idea that marriage equality is on the High Court’s chopping block, even though the case they’re citing has not been selected for review, and would not, in my opinion, be a direct threat to the 2015 precedent even if it were to land on the next docket.

That said, even I admit that the Court has gone places we wouldn’t have dreamed possible just a year or so ago. Just this week, the Court allowed Trump to stop and question people who looked suspiciously like illegal immigrants, namely Spanish speakers, people who look Latino, and people looking for jobs or working at job sites that might make use of immigrant labor. I’m not a lawyer, so I can’t list the various constitutional and statutory rules that are violated by these ICE practices, but there are many. Plus, we’ve a constant flow of insanity coming out of this Court: People allowed to pray in public school settings, tax payer funds going to religious schools in Maine, trans kids and their parents blocked from medical treatment, birthright citizenship suspended pending further litigation that could take forever, and so much more. Let’s not even look back to the end of Roe v Wade or the attacks on marriage equality from Justices Thomas and Alito.

So, of course, everyone is worried. As I mentioned last week, the case in question is another effort by former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, controlled like a puppet by her activist lawyers at Liberty Counsel, to overturn marriage rights, this time through an appeal of damages that were awarded to one of the two gay couples denied marriage

(continued on page 26)

Rainbow Honor Walk Celebrates 19th Century Diplomat Roger Casement at Namesake

Mission District Bar

Rainbow Honor Walk leaders and board members held a benefit to celebrate their latest honoree, Roger Casement (1864–1916), at Casements Bar (2351 Mission Street) on Thursday, September 4, 2025. President of the organization, Donna Sachet, who is also a San Francisco Bay Times columnist, served as emcee. Fellow Bay Times columnist and Rainbow Honor Walk board member Dr. Bill Lipsky, who wrote a detailed piece about Casement for the August 28, 2025, issue ( https://bit.ly/4mVPg45 ), also attended, along with the nonprofit’s founder, David Perry, and numerous others.

Guests of honor included the Consul General of Ireland, Micháel Smith; Matthew Rothschild; and Hilda Kissane, who is the President of the United Irish Societies.

The event, which included live Irish music, a no-host bar, appetizers, and giveaways, was sponsored by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, who is also a Bay Times columnist; and Supervisor Matt Dorsey.

Unveiled at the event was an image of the bronze plaque of Casement that will be installed in the Castro as part of the Rainbow Honor Walk. The event, which benefited the nonprofit, was appropriately located at the San Francisco Irish bar named after Casement. As Dr. Lipsky shared in the previous issue, Casement was an Irish born diplomat who bravely exposed human rights abuses in Africa and South America. Casement was knighted, but later executed in the U.K. for his role in the 1916 Easter Rising. 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.

Casement’s plaque is scheduled to be installed at Hibernia Beach (around Castro and 18th streets) later this year. For updates and more information about the Rainbow Honor Walk: https://rainbowhonorwalk.org/

WBy Donna Sachet

e joined the throngs of Golden State Valkyries fans at Chase Center, thanks to the kind invitation of Michelle Jester. Immediately upon arriving, the infectious spirit envelopes you, as a sea of violet wraps around the stadium and the roaring cheers reverberate throughout. What a treat to see this brand-new team in action, defying all expectations and securing their spot in the playoffs. Regardless of your interest in sports, we encourage you to turn your attention to this amazing success story!

The Rainbow Honor Walk hosted an event to celebrate the selection of Roger Casement for a plaque honoring his courageous life spent fighting for the basic human rights of others. The Irish American community showed up in droves at Casements Bar on Mission, where a recently completed mural by Tanya Wischerath of Casement adorns the spacious outdoor patio. A short program featured Consul General of Ireland in San Francisco Michael Smith, State Senator Scott Wiener, City Supervisors Rafael Mandelman and Matt Dorsey, Matthew Rothschild, and President of United Irish Societies Hilda Kissane. Guests were treated to live authentic Irish music, Casement souvenirs, and generous food courtesy of owners Gillian Fitzgerald and Sean O’Donovan. Stop by this lively bar in the near future for an Irish welcome and a salute to all things Irish!

In keeping with a long tradition, San Francisco Opera’s Opening Night was full of glamor! Finding the perfect escort for this event is never easy; we want that person to enjoy opera as much as we do and to understand the importance of opening night. We could not have done better than John Newmeyer, whom we met at Absinthe for a celebratory drink and bite, him in stately white tie, complete with gloves and top hat, us in deep green satin and a sparkling set of emerald and diamond jewelry that gave Bulgari a run for its money. We then strolled over to the Opera House for a bit of socializing before the performance. John had a lovely box seat and we were on the aisle in the orchestra. Giueppe Verdi’s Rigoletto proved the perfect opera to dazzle us with costumes, amaze us with vocal technique, and present an easy to follow, if terribly sexist, plot line. Simple angular sets with dramatic lighting kept attention on the action. The entire cast was incredible, but from her first appearance on stage, soprano Adela Zaharia demonstrated an effortless mastery of her wide-ranging notes and tender delivery.

At the intermission, we met John at the box bar, where many of the most glamorously dressed ladies and elegantly dressed men mingled, sipping Champagne and talking opera. As usual, generous Dede Wilsey, in a striking black gown with whimsical ornamentation, was surrounded by admirers. The second half of the opera flew by with increasingly unlikely and deeply tragic events, eventually ending in cries of horror and tears. The company received an enthusiastic standing ovation with many bravos and bravas ringing into the night.

The crowd then exited the Opera House and crossed Van Ness to City Hall, where oversized props and dramatic lighting created a fantastic setting for the after-party. The rotunda stairs were creatively lit, leading up to a colorful splash of color. One Light Court had a DJ with milder music and the other Light Court hosted a live band with much louder music. Food and beverage stations throughout offered a variety of delicious choices. Seating was scarce, but comfortable and welcome after such a long night. After a few more conversations and many more photographs, we descended the stairs to John’s waiting car and the end of a truly magnificent evening.

From the looks of the crowd, the SF Opera is having some success in broadening its audience. Younger and newer faces joined the many loyal ones we see each year and they seemed

“An opera begins long before the curtain goes up and ends long after it has come down.”

Maria Callas

Friday, September 12

Saturday, September 13

Buttons On! for DIFFA

Museum of Craft & Design 2569 3rd Street

Copain Wines & McCalls

Catering Benefiting UCSF’s Ward 86 6–8 pm $100 & up www.DIFFA.org

Saturday, September 13

Myths & Legends: GAPA Runway Pageant LGBTQ+ Asian & Pacific Islanders Miss, Mr., & Mx GAPA Herbst Theatre 401 Van Ness 7 pm $30 & up www.gapa.org

Thursday, September 18 Serenade

An evening of live singing

Imperial Crown Prince Nathan D’Aguiar fundraiser

Raffles & auctions

Blackbird, 2124 Market Street 5 pm, 6:30 pm show www.sfimperialcouncil.org

genuinely engaged in the art form and the festivity of the night. From our perspective, things look hopeful for this 103-yearold, internationally respected operatic company!

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

Donna Sachet with Matthew Rothschild and Supervisor Matt Dorsey at the Rainbow Honor Walk benefit held at Casements Bar on Thursday, September 4. Sachet serves as President of the Rainbow Honor Walk Board of Directors.

3-2-1, Leap!

TLC: Tears, Laughs and Conversation

Dr. Tim Seelig

If you have been following my column over the years, it’s clear that I choose the topics for it. The publishers have never tried to influence that selection process and have, remarkably, never said “no.” This month departs from that. Last month’s article was on Bucket Lists. They thought I was doing the story about jumping out of a plane at 74 ½ years old. Instead, I wrote a more comprehensive survey of the list in my personal bucket. With some encouragement, I decided to share the whole jumping thing.

You may have seen my TEDx talk. If so, you know its premise is having the cour-

age to take a leap. My first story was about the first time I jumped off a high dive at the swimming pool. The second story was the leap of coming out. Both of those were scary. Did they prepare me for leaping out of plane 14,500 feet in the air? Not so much. You can’t die from the first two.

Everyone wants to know, “Was this always something you wanted to do?”

The answer is a resounding “no.” Of course, I had thought of it. Haven’t we all? (I hear the chorus of “no’s.”) If you ever considered it, this article is for you. Go with me.

One night, I was minding my own business, sitting on the sofa watching one of my favorite television shows, Top Chef Masters Season Five. The first challenge was to cook for a professional skydiving team. The twist was they would get an extra hour of cook time if they agreed to skydive themselves. Only one, Douglas, said, “Hell, no.”

They had so much fun. I thought, “I could do that.” When the episode ended, I texted Bobby, who was on tour, and asked, “Hey, did you ever want to skydive?” He said, “Not really.” I said, “Great! We’re set for 2 pm July 2!” And thus, the adventure began.

I did my research of local skydiving companies. This may sound shallow, but I may have based my decision on the cuteness

factor of the staff. After all, your tandem partner would be strapped to your body so tight you couldn’t slip a credit card between you. You must have someone you “trust.” Photos are obviously the way to figure that out.

Bobby picked me up from my volunteer shift at the Oregon Humane Society. We were in a little bit of a hurry, so we grabbed a Big Mac and fries and ate in the car on our way. We wanted to have plenty of energy for this adventure. We were nervously chatty between bites. Knowing what lay ahead, we talked about romantic things like, “Is your will notarized?” We arrived. Everyone who worked there was under 25! Oh, lord, where were the adults? (They have better jobs!) We signed every possible waiver on the planet. They could have just done one. “I am fully aware I might die. My will is notarized.”

As we began to climb to 14,500 feet, it dawned to me that our goal was 4,500 feet higher than the, “You may now use your laptop,” announcement on commercial flights. As we climbed, I began shivering because the door, next to me, was wide open. Lord Jesus.

First up was meeting our tandem partners. Things were looking up. Way up. The online photos had not been touched up. I dubbed him Mr. Hottie. They strapped us in these jumpsuit things. It did not look sturdy enough to me nor did I think the straps secured all the important parts. We walked outside just in time to see the group before us land. They had all lived. Next was the interview for our video. I asked them to keep the camera focused from the waist up. I had already peed my pants a little. They asked, “Whose idea was this?” Guilty. What a dumb time for an interview. Then we walked out to the plane. It was much smaller than I had imagined. It was a tiny metal tube of death with a metal step ladder leaning up against it. They loaded the oldest person last. That would be me. That meant I was seated by the open door and would have to go first or no one else on the plane would be skydiving that day!

There was a big stoplight by the door. As we climbed, the red light was illuminated. That means, don’t jump. Then it turned to yellow: caution. It was also the obvious signal to pee in your pants a little more. It was additionally the hint to Mr. Hottie to start scooching forward toward the door and, because we were one, I went along. Here’s the good news. You’ve been trained when you get to the door that you are to arch your back as much as possible. You are looking up at the ceiling of this metal tube. Your feet are curled way under (hanging out of the plane). Luckily, you can’t see the ground or the light turn green! Without fanfare, pronouncement, or warning, Mr. Hottie, whose lap I am basically sitting in, ever so gently shoved us both out the door.

Then, the moment came that we were all waiting for: we were flying. Mr. Hottie yelled something that I couldn’t understand. I think he said, “Smile for the camera.” I was gripping my straps for some sort of security. He grabbed my

(continued on page 24)

Photos courtesy of Tim Seelig

“

“It’s going

my

MANDELMAN (continued from pg 12)

Area, whether they use transit or not. The system alleviates already-choked roadways, contributes billions to the economy, lowers the cost of living, helps the state and region meet housing and sustainability goals, and supports the overall health, safety, and resiliency of the Bay Area.”

Supervisor Mandelman is a longtime strong advocate for the city’s public transportation system. He co-chaired the Muni Reliability Working Group in 2019 and led efforts to stabilize and reinvest San Francisco’s transit and paratransit systems in his role as Chair of the County Transportation Authority. In 2022, he successfully led the passage of a ballot measure to extend San Francisco’s half-cent sales tax that will direct $2.6 billion in transportation funds over 30 years. Supervisor Mandelman is additionally committed to pedestrian and bicycle safety and closed a funding gap to deliver major streetscape improvements through the Upper Market Safety Project in 2020.

Supervisor Mandelman currently serves on the Board of the San Francisco County Transportation Authority. Read about this municipal agency’s latest projects and studies at https://www.sfcta.org/

SEELIG (continued from pg 22)

hands and pulled them out into the air. This really felt like flying.

It was very loud and the air seemed to be attacking every square inch of my body. It was certainly unlike any experience I’ve had. Just as I began to get used to it, everything changed. I thought I must have hit the ground with a bone-crushing jolt. Nope. It was the parachute opening. I don’t remember being warned that it would feel like jumping off the high dive with no water in the pool!

It didn’t take long to adjust. It was quiet. I was floating, back and forth, and swinging to the left and right as the earth came into view from each side. It was impossible to get any equilibrium. Do you remember riding a Tilt-a-Whirl at the amusement park as a kid after too much cotton candy and funnel cakes? I did my best to focus on the beauty of the experience, but that attempt was overpowered by trying not to lose my lunch. I knew exactly where it would go—all over Mr. Hottie.

The landing was incredibly smooth. I just lifted my legs and slid in on my butt. It was over. I didn’t puke, yay! The next 15 minutes were filled with the most fake smiles

I have ever had to slap on my face since church days ... or the occasional board meeting. They were still filming for reactions. I don’t expect they will use mine on their social media. I’m pretty sure they included some references to Jesus and Big Macs. BTW, it was not until we got home and read the fine print that we found this: “Do not eat a large meal before jumping.” Oops.

It’s now two months since the jump. Am I glad I did it? Absolutely. I would have always wondered if I could. Would I do it again? Let me think about that for a second. “No.” Should you do it? “A million times yes.”

If you decide to do it, here are some tips:

• Check out the photos of the tandem flyers.

• Do not eat a Bic Mac before the leap.

• Wear depends.

• Trust you can’t die from the experience.

• Make sure your will is notarized, just in case.

Dr. Tim Seelig is the Conductor Laureate of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. http://www.timseelig.com/

Erika Lygren

“Ridiculous, with so much to do.”

“I’m having a very ‘cool’ summer. ”

compiled by Rink

“I’m

Frank Capley

great!”

Nicole Parker

My summer is filled with

Dads, whom I love. Also lots of travel. And my wife, Heidi, and my kids, Nick and Alex.”

Susan Berston

working on a documentary about artist Mel Odom with filmmaker Jorg Fockele.”

Rafe Chase

Riding Through the Summer and Into Fall

This summer, the San Francisco Dykes on Bikes® (SFDOB) have been traveling across the country on rides and continuing the community building that keep our engines running strong.

In July, SFDOB embarked on a group ride to Montana. Our trip included a stop in Portland, Oregon, where we had the chance to participate in the city’s

By Kate Brown, Ph.D.

LGBTQ+ Pride Parade with members of the Portland DOB chapter. From there, we connected in Spokane, Washington, with the Seattle DOB on our way to Hot Springs, Montana, where we were joined by Dykes on Bikes from chapters in Portland and Salt Lake City. Nearly 30 motorcycles made our presence known in the small town, which has a population of just over 600 residents who welcomed us warmly.

The home base, where many of us stayed, was the beautiful and newly opened Oasis Project ( https://oasis-hotsprings.com )

The ride was more than just miles traveled; it was an opportunity to strengthen bonds with fellow Dykes on Bikes, share stories over shared meals, and discuss essential topics as San Francisco DOB approaches our 50th Anniversary in 2025. With perfect riding weather, the Montana adventure reminded us how beautiful the Dykes on Bikes community is and why two wheels are often the best way to experience the world.

After washing the dust from our pipes and bugs from our windshields,

we attended the Oakland LGBTQ+ Pride Parade. Oakland Pride’s theme this year was “In Unity, We Thrive,” and it was especially meaningful as we rode alongside Soul Fire, an Oakland-based dyke motorcycle club, as well as independent riders from around the Bay. Crowds cheered, flags waved, and our community showed once again how powerful it is when queer riders take up space together.

And we’re not slowing down anytime soon. On Friday, September 13, (continued on page 26)

Queer Brilliance in Jeopardy! Highlighted the Achievements of Nguyen Pham and Amy Schneider

Nguyen Pham, President of The Mensa Foundation and the President Emeritus of San Francisco Pride, on July 29, 2025, was featured in the event Queer Brilliance in Jeopardy with Jeopardy! star and transgender community leader Amy Schneider. The event, presented by StartOut, explored their lives, successful careers, and tremendous impact on queer visibility.

Pham told the San Francisco Bay Times: “What was one of the most joyful events of my summer?! (It was) so fun linking up with legendary Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider for Queer Brilliance in Jeopardy! Thank you to StartOut, Werqwise, and the hundreds of in-person and remote attendees for welcoming Amy and me to share our stories—especially my work with The Mensa Foundation, American Mensa, and San Francisco Pride—and deep-dive into topics including multiple intelligences, AI, risk-taking, naysayers, and mentorship as inspiration for

LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship. Yay, queer nerds!”

Both Pham and Schneider always turn heads with their striking looks. Pham’s styling for the event was by Antonio Contreras, Banana Republic National Lead Stylist. Pham will be back on stage in San Francisco on September 13, this time as the host of Runway 2025: Myths & Legends, this year’s GLBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA) pageant. The event will take place at the Herbst Theatre, starting at 7 pm. For tickets and additional information: https://bit.ly/41KBRTU

Dykes on Bikes®

Tales From Two Wheels

Members of Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake and San Francisco Dykes on Bikes® gather in Hot Springs, Montana, before a day of riding.

ROSTOW (continued from pg 19)

licenses at Davis’ office. (Another gay couple didn’t get money damages, which I didn’t quite understand, although they were represented by a different lawyer in a different procedure.) At any rate, Davis has been litigating for her right to ignore the law of the land for ten years now, with the help of Mat Staver, the Liberty Counsel head honcho who has made same-sex marriage his White Whale.

Staver’s petition asks the justices to consider three issues, two of them concerning whether or not Davis should be liable for damages based on emotional distress, and the third, which asks simply: “Whether Obergefell v Hodges ... and the legal fiction of substantive due process should be overturned.”

Substantive due process is the foundation of privacy cases going back to the overturning of Connecticut’s laws against the sale of contraceptives in 1965. It stretches back in time and encompasses more than my background allows me to cover, but it basically protects liberties that may not be specifically listed in the Constitution, but are essential to the idea that we are protected against gross government interference in our lives. The privacy cases include the right to intimate relationships, the right to parent, the right to abortion, and our right to marry. Justice Thomas, in particular, has opined that the whole kit and caboodle should be tossed out, because Justice Thomas is out of his freaking mind.

So, this is the context for the fear that marriage equality could be overturned. Would the High Court accept review of Kim Davis’ rant-fest over money damages? If so, would they accept the third question on Mat Staver’s petition? If so, would they really call into question the hundreds of cases decided

under substantive due process? Or would they carve out marriage equality as they carved out abortion rights?

The answer is almost certainly not. Thomas and Alito would have no problem doing so, but it’s hard to find three other justices willing to throw the nation into chaos, undermine thousands of GLBT families, shatter the lives of GLBT youth looking ahead to their futures, and throw a spanner into the bureaucracies that govern married couples in America. Same-sex marriages aren’t just about gay and lesbian couples. They involve all the heterosexual family members that relate to those marriages. I know my stepkids, in-laws, and seven grandchildren would not be happy if my wife and I were attacked in this fashion.

Documenting Denial

All this talk about marriage equality was meant as a preface to my next subject. Even if the justices would not dare to overturn their 2015 decision in Obergefell, there are a number of ways to undermine marriage equality, and, in fact, they’ve already done so by ruling that a Christian web designer was not required to accept gay clients, even though state law in Colorado forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation. That case was based on the designer’s Free Speech rights, and, in theory, we can’t be forced to express ideas we loathe, whether for religious or other reasons. But still, it was a loophole that lower courts dismissed. What if many state anti-discrimination statutes were effectively rendered toothless by High Court cases that find other loopholes or place antigay Christian sentiments above the law? That’s possible, and while marriage would still be legal, it’s not hard to imagine a

second-class status that makes it harder for same-sex couples to operate. That brings me to an incredibly valuable project initiated over the last five years by SMU law professor Dale Carpenter and his research assistants called “Documenting Denial.”

Of course, you knew about the web designer, and the guy who wouldn’t sell cakes in Colorado, Carpenter writes. “But did you know about the stylist in Tennessee who refused to cut hair or apply makeup to the women in a wedding party for two men? Or the instructor in Missouri who spurned two grooms seeking dance lessons for their ceremony because it ‘would make everyone else in the room uncomfortable’? It’s unlikely you’ve heard about the North Carolina trolley company that turned down, on religious grounds, a request to transport a gay couple to their wedding ceremony in a remote mountainous location.”

Carpenter has just released a compendium of 64 instances since 2004 in which wedding purveyors or others denied wedding services to gay couples based on faith or simple bias.

The record includes “publicly known” denials, and includes not just litigated cases but also preemptive lawsuits filed by antigay businesses that want to make sure they would not be required to serve same-sex couples. The list includes names, facts, dates, locations, services, and court actions, if those are involved, and the outcomes.

As Carpenter speculates, the list of documented situations is likely a small fraction of the actual hurdles faced by gay couples who have planned and arranged weddings in the years since Massachusetts legalized marriage two decades ago, and one can imagine that

most couples, when faced with hesitancy or rejection, simply found another business to call. After all, no one wants to force a grudging florist or hostile bed and breakfast to participate in what is supposed to be a joyous occasion.

But still, the project will provide some hard facts and figures to lawyers and judges whom we expect will be handling more and more of these kinds of cases. Carpenter specializes in GLBT legal issues and wrote the book on Lawrence v Texas. But he has a complicated take on this kind of discrimination, evaluating competing constitutional rights with an empathy that has often eluded me and led to several friendly discussions, where I take the side of the gay customer and Dale suggests (wrongly) that First Amendment rights are also constitutionally protected.

We’d both agree on something, like the cake guy in Colorado, but then Dale would argue that a Christian photographer can’t be obliged to shoot a wedding under the First Amendment. He was probably right, being a constitutional lawyer and all, but still. I love him anyway.

Documenting Denial is ongoing and the team “invites readers to send corrections and additions to: documentingdenial@smu.edu

If making suggestions for additional cases that should be added, please send links or other documentation supporting the additions.

This has got to be the first time I haven’t had room for absurd anecdotes and unrelated tangents because I’ve been so serious. I won’t let it happen again.

arostow@aol.com

BROWN (continued from pg 25)

we’ll gather at the historic White Horse Inn for our next big event: a Dykes on Bikes® Outreach Party and Fundraiser from 12:30–3:30 pm. The afternoon will feature beats by DJ Rockaway, a silent auction with creative baskets donated by local businesses and community supporters, and plenty of opportunities to meet and mingle. The cover will be $10 at the door, and in community spirit, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

The afternoon will highlight the diversity of Bay Area queer motorcycle culture, with riders from San Francisco Dykes on Bikes®, Soul Fire, Homoto, Sadistic Moto Sluts, and the Sparkling Pink Pandas sharing the spotlight and providing an opportunity to learn more about each of their organizations. Attendees can also learn more about the Soni S.H.S. Wolf Riding Scholarship, which will open for applications later this month. This scholarship will help nurture the next generation of queer riders, continuing a legacy of visibility, empowerment, and freedom on the road. We hope you will join us.

For those wanting to stay connected beyond this event, be sure to check out our updated new rides and events calendar at https://www.dykesonbikes.org/

We will update it regularly with upcoming parades, group rides, and community gatherings, making it easy to add our adventures straight to your own calendar.

Kate Brown, Ph.D., is the President of San Francisco Dykes on Bikes® Women’s Motorcycle Contingent. https://www.dykesonbikes.org/

Take Me Home with You!

15 Puppies at SF SPCA Awaiting Their Forever Homes

As of this writing, the SF SPCA currently has 15 puppies available for adoption. Which one is your favorite?

Visit them all at the adoption center located at 250 Florida Street, San Francisco. You can also meet the pups through the Virtual Adoption program and fill out the form at https://bit.ly/42gWOG9

Raider: A Snuggly Sidekick With a Big Personality

Are you looking for a sweet, affectionate senior cat? Look no further than Raider—a 9-yearold tabby who lives for lap time, headbutts, and biscuit-making while chatting away with his soft, happy meows. He’s the kind of kitty who rolls over for belly rubs and curls up next to you at bedtime without hesitation. Raider adores people, does great with kids, and thrives on love and attention.

If you’re ready for a snuggly sidekick with a big personality, Raider is ready to meet you. As with all of our senior pets, Raider’s adoption fee is waived!

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

Single-Leg Leg Press

By Steven Luibrand of FITNESS SF

Try the single-leg leg press to fix muscle imbalances, improve stability, and better isolate each leg for more balanced strength and development.

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/

Raider

Flower Piano to Celebrate 10th Anniversary at San Francisco Botanical Garden

In the final days of summer and celebrating its 10th anniversary, Flower Piano will fill San Francisco Botanical Garden with music for everybody, September 12–21, 2025.

Participants are invited to explore and enjoy the Botanical Garden’s plant collections as they seek out 12 pianos spread out across the 55 acres. At each of the pianos, there will be scheduled professional and community partner performances as well as open play time for anyone to sit down and play, reflecting a range of genres, ages, and cultures.

“That whole recital vibe is kind of subverted with what we’re doing with Flower Piano,” says Dean Mermell, Co-Founder, together with Mauro ffortissimo, of event partner Sunset Piano. “Most people who practice the piano have never played in front of other people before. Perhaps they’ve only ever played in front of their music teacher, their partner, or, in my case, my cat! People finish playing and suddenly realize they are surrounded by applauding strangers. Flower Piano allows everybody to experience the piano and all kinds of music in so many new ways. Listening to this parlor instrument being played outdoors fills you with a sense of wonder. It kind of short circuits your brain and lets something else come in. It’s an exciting space where we can be our best as humans, enjoying the Bay Area’s finest musicians in the city’s most beautiful setting.”

“We are excited to celebrate 10 years of our most popular program. This inclusive, interactive music festival is an extraordinary gift to the community and all our visitors. I want to express my deep gratitude to the funders, sponsors, partners, and musical artists who contribute to the magic that is Flower Piano,” says Stephanie Linder, CEO of the Gardens of Golden Gate Park.

Flower Piano Lounge

During Flower Piano 2025, the Celebration Garden in the Botanical Garden will be transformed into the Flower Piano Lounge This upgraded musical landscape will feature priority entry to the festival, special performances from local headliners, access to premium bars, food from local makers, lounge seating, dedicated restrooms, and flexibility to relax and enjoy all areas of the festival at will. Tickets to the Lounge start from $40 Friday to a $90 weekend allaccess pass.

Lounge performances will include Lavay Smith and the Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Dred Scott & Cali Mambo, Sixth Station Trio, Sumi Lee & Ramiro Boero, and more. The Lounge will also host the 10th Anniversary Opening Night Event on Friday, September 12, featuring Montuno Swing Salsa Band with Grammy Award-Winning pianist Christian Tumalan bringing together infectious rhythm, thundering brass, and out-of-this-world piano solos for a new twist on classic salsa favorites that you can dance to. The ten days of Flower Piano will come to a close at the Lounge on Sunday, September 21, with a special event featuring long-time Flower Piano star, the Kev Choice Chamber Ensemble. The Lounge has limited capacity. Buy your tickets today!

Featured Performers

Featured Flower Piano performers will include familiar favorites such as Tammy Hall, Sarah Cahill,

Serene, Diana Gameros, as well as several new artists and special performances. San Francisco’s Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra will premiere a new piece by composer Benjamin Gribble called Oleander, Elektra Schmidt, soloist; as well as Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major, Kymry Esainko, soloist; and George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Allison Lovejoy, soloist. The full program will feature more than 100 performers, including solos, duos, and ensembles.

Fashion Show and Family Programming

The second annual Flower Piano Fashion Show hopes you will come decked out in full regalia and ready to strut down the catwalk in your best Flower Piano themed outfit. You will be adored by thousands and may win a fabulous prize! The Flower Piano Fashion Show will take place at the Great Meadow on Saturday, September 20, from 3–4:30 pm.

Flower Piano will also feature a wonderful assortment of family programming such as a Family Dance-Along with San Francisco Ballet, SF Opera Garden Party featuring the Instrument Garden in full bloom, the Rabbit Hole Theater performing a whimsical puppet show and garden treasure hunt, and more. Family

programming at Flower Piano is generously supported by the Sue Ann & Bob Schiff Children’s Fund.

Flower Piano is a musical event and attraction that provides open access to music and pianos within the beautiful, outdoor environment of San Francisco Botanical Garden. General admission to Flower Piano is free for all San Franciscans, veterans regardless of residency, for families receiving SNAP or CalFresh benefits via the Museums For All program, and for everyone else following $3–$25 general admission.

“Congratulations to the entire team at the Gardens of Golden Gate Park and our partners at Sunset Piano on 10 amazing years of bringing piano music to the community. We are proud of this incredible festival and our partnership,” says San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “After a decade, Flower Piano has become a San Francisco tradition you don’t want to miss!”

The presenting sponsor for Flower Piano is the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, and the San Francisco Bay Times is proud to be a media sponsor of this iconic San Francisco annual event series.

Flower Piano

Friday, September 12–Sunday, September 21, 10 am–6 pm; Flower Piano Opening Event: Friday, September 12, 4 pm–7:30 pm; Flower Piano Lounge: Saturday, September 13–Sunday, September 14, noon–7:30 pm; Friday, September 19, 4 pm–7:30 pm Saturday, September 20–Sunday, September 21, noon–7:30 pm.

San Francisco Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park

https://gggp.org/flowerpiano/

Photos courtesy of San Francisco Botanical Garden

The Compatriots Actors Discuss Their Timely New Film About an Undocumented Gay Man

Hunter’s friend Ryan (Dakota Lustick) is eager to help two ICE agents return Javi to Peru.

The Compatriots, out September 16 on VOD, is an affable comedy about a serious subject. Closeted high school student Javi (Rafael Silva) is feeling good after pitching a no-hitter, but when he kisses his teammate, Hunter (Denis Shepherd), at the afterparty, things get awkward between these best friends. Five years later, the guys reconnect when Javi has another uncomfortable issue—ICE has raided his workplace and Javi is hiding because he is undocumented.

To show his loyalty to his friend—and to impress his girlfriend Tracy (Caroline Portu)—Hunter decides to marry Javi to keep him in this country. Javi consults Steve (Brandon Grimes), a lawyer who counsels him about his case. Meanwhile,

Off the Wahl

Jan Wahl

Like my friend and colleague, David Landis, The Gay Gourmet, I just love food. The only thing I like more than eating is talking about it. Once, while lecturing on Crystal Cruises, I met a food archeologist. She would dress in period costumes and talk about the food of the time. Very cool gig!

I’ve written about “food porn” before in this column, but, for me, it is a topic worth revisiting!

Movies and television shows have discovered how to make food look amazing on camera. Productions may celebrate food as a source of joy, cultural exploration, and artistic expression. Have you ever talked to anybody who had just seen Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy and were thrilled with and made hungry by his

Out actors Silva and Grimes chatted with me for the San Francisco Bay Times about their timely and topical film.

Gary M. Kramer: What appealed to you about this film and what research did you do on the topic?

Rafael Silva: I’m an immigrant. I came to this country when I was 9 years old. I very much aligned with Javi’s story. In so many different ways, his story is my story. To talk about this complex topic in a humane way was an opportunity to represent my community and be able to give people an inside look at what immigrants in this country go

through on a day-today basis.

Gary M. Kramer: Javi feels like an outsider. He wants to fit in. He is anxious about his sexuality, about ICE, and about wanting to be who he is. What observations do you have about his character?

Rafael Silva: I think that Javi, at his core, yearns to be vulnerable and be open with people, but society at every turn has told him that it is dangerous to be open, truthful, and himself. The progression of the film shows him slowly coming to terms with all these different pieces of himself, and his character, that you can see reflected in all the other characters. There is something beautiful in

Revisiting Food Porn

exploration of the regional cuisine of Italy?

That series is a perfect example of food porn, where, instead of many viewers becoming horny for sex, they may become aroused at the thought of food.

Right alongside that is Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. This travel and food series explored culture and tradition through the lens of a free-thinking chef and storyteller. I have read everything I can about Anthony Bourdain. His alleged suicide never stopped his series from being radical and remarkable.

Moving on to the silver screen, my first thought is of Audrey Hepburn, at the window munching a bagel in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). Of course, she probably only did that once because she looks like she had never had a bagel with cream cheese or butter in her life, but it’s a great fantasy.

My eyes well up with tears when I see the Tramp rolling a meatball with

Javi’s dad, who has a lot of love for his son. But his dad also has this fear that they have all these things stacked against them, and Javi wants to add gay to it as well. It has the back and forth of, “You don’t understand me,” and, “I’m trying to be something,” but there is love and understanding.

Immigrants who live in this country are going through that, even more so for undocumented immigrants. You do not want to draw attention to yourself. With everything going on now—we filmed this in 2023—it feels like it has gotten even worse. For me, Javi is a breath of fresh air. He steps into the spotlight even though he is afraid. The characters around Javi are supportive, kind, and loving, even though they don’t know what he is going through.

Gary M. Kramer: What backstory did you give Steve’s character?

Brandon Grimes: My approach to Steve was that he dives in with his whole heart, which you see through the party scene. It’s not even a second thought; of course, I’ll help you. It’s the kind of guy he is. You can tell from the way his office is set up that he takes on as much as he can chew and

(continued on page 42)

his nose to his Lady in Lady and the Tramp (1955). That Disney animated classic gets the sweetness of dogs perfectly.

Sometimes the use of food in film is very profound. Babette’s Feast (1987) shows in food porn-like detail how people who have never experienced a great meal awaken to the extravagance and beauty of taste. Another example is Chocolat (2000). You’ll be licking your lips when Juliette Binoche turns a small French village upside down with her exotic chocolates. She also meets

Johnny Depp, a sexy gypsy who enjoys the experience of changing people with her.

The best Rodney Dangerfield movie is Back to School (1986). At a glittering party’s hors d’oeuvres table, he decides he hates small food and makes a humongous sandwich. In The Godfather Part II (1974), they make spaghetti puttanesca at a safe house that will have you hungering for pasta. (“Don’t forget to leave the gun and take the cannoli!”) And, in everybody’s favorite, 2007’s Ratatouille, Remy creates a dish for a food critic that takes him on a powerful moment of childhood emotional connection through food.

There are too many food-centric films to mention here, but let’s include Big Night (1996), When Harry Met Sally (1989), Julie & Julia (2009), and Eat Pray Love (2010). Bon appétit!

Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian and film critic on various broadcast outlets. She has two Emmys and many awards for her longtime work on behalf of film buffs and the LGBTQ community. Contact her at www.janwahl.com

Film

Gary M. Kramer

Leave Signs

Jewelle Gomez

Women and men are raised to be natural enemies by parents, teachers, mainstream media, religions, corporations, and just about any cultural influencer there is. In very few cases is it the norm for girls and boys to be taught to be equal and interdependent, or friends. Even in the 21st century, the stereotypes are reinforced. While males, of course, suffer existential damage, it’s females who are most often asked to contort ourselves to meet patriarchal expectations.

Jewelle Gomez

Boyhood Reimagined

I have no children so have watched this happen from afar with friends and their children. Lesbian feminists are not especially better at the task of raising humans who behave equitably toward each other. We too are shaped by the misogyny that surrounds us. On the occasions when I encounter successful attempts to counter several millennia of backward thinking, it’s then I can imagine the possibility of surviving the disaster that is the current administration and its social fallout.

Some of the successes, though, are documented in the book Boyhood Reimagined, a collection of stories of queer moms raising sons. Robin Lowey (author/editor of Game Changers), one of the contributors, sent me a copy of the book because she knows I’ve watched her social media posts

about raising her sons for more than a decade. She accurately pinpoints the struggle women face starting in childhood: “the systematic dismantling of [my] bravado” leaves women (lesbians and non-les -

Top of your stack

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOOK PASSAGE

The Phoebe Variations (fictionhardcover) by Jane Hamilton

Jane Hamilton returns with a magnificent novel of growth, discovery, and girlhood. The Phoebe Variations is a novel about one girl’s journey of self-discovery that begins with seventeen-year-old Phoebe acting out in adolescent rebellion. She runs away to her friend’s house and finds herself blending in among his thirteen siblings as she begins to chart a new path.

To the Moon and Back (fiction - hardcover) by Eliana Ramage

This powerful novel tells the story of one woman’s quest to become the first Cherokee astronaut and how this alters the lives of the women closest to her.

To the Moon and Back spans decades and explores the relationships Steph has with her sister, college girlfriend, and mother.

Mother Mary Comes to Me (non-fiction - hardcover) by Arundhati Roy

Mother Mary Comes to Me is a memoir from the legendary author of The God of Small Things. Arundhati Roy writes of the intricate relationship between her and her mother, beginning with growing up in Kerala, India. Roy has created an emotional, profound, and sometimes funny memoir.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, September 16 @ 5:30 pm (non-ticketed - Ferry Building store) Alison Owings, author of Mayor of the Tenderloin: Del Seymour’s Journey From Living on the Streets to Fighting Homelessness in San Francisco

Owings brings us an account of one of the toughest neighborhoods through the life of Del Seymour. Seymour faced homelessness for 18 years and now is helping others in the Tenderloin make it out as well. Owings will be joined in conversation with Seymour and Kevin Fagan.

Tuesday, September 16 @ 6 pm (ticketed - Corte Madera store) Mary Roach, author of Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy

With her characteristic wit, Mary Roach explores the quest to recreate the complexities of the human body. She will be joined in conversation with Marissa Ortega-Welch.

Wednesday, September 17 @ 6 pm (non-ticketed - Corte Madera store) Miyoko Schinner, author of The Vegan Creamery

The Vegan Creamery is a meticulously researched collection of over 75 plant-based recipes for cheeses, butters, and desserts. Schinner will be joined in conversation with Bryant Terry. https://www.bookpassage.com

bians) floundering in a deep sea when the most many of us can do is learn to tread water. Educating a growing male being has to be more than saying “just hang on,” but where are we meant to find the energy, ideas, and determination to accomplish that?

The book offers 25 short essays about the challenges and joys of raising sons. What is common in each piece is the acknowledgement of how the mothers had to unlearn so much of their own self-defeating behavior in order to make them and their boys stronger and more whole. In this period when gender is being acknowledged as more fluid than had previously been taught, it is even more valuable to instill feminist, respectful philosophy in all children. They will have a more successful and fulfilling life if they understand that being a macho man or a fairy or a transman is distinctly different, and, at the same time, these are individual identities to be respected.

A point that Robin makes in her essay is really a simple one but is at the core

(continued on page 42)

Lit Snax

The

The Life and Times of David Woj-

by

Carr

was a kid from an abusive home who ran away and, after living on the streets, made his way to New York’s East Village. There he reinvented himself as an artist, writer, and musician while giving voice to the rage of a generation beset by AIDS and hyper-homophobia.

Being Ace: An Anthology of Queer, Trans, Femme, and Disabled Stories of Asexual Love and Connection edited by Madeline Dyer

The subtitle says it all!

Fire in

Belly:

narowicz

Cynthia

Wojnarowicz

Two Serious Ladies by Jane Bowles

This new edition of Bowles’ delightfully bizarre cult novel of feminine lifestyle exploration features a new introduction by Sheila Heti.

Excerpts From Three New Novels Inspired by San Francisco and The Grubstake Diner

John Jason Phillips, the creator of the murals at The Grubstake diner at 1525 Pine Street in San Francisco, will bring another aspect of his creative life forward at the restaurant tonight (September 11, 2025) at 7 pm when he will premiere and read from his three new novels : The Last Days of the Barbary Coast, Queen of the Mission, and Queen of Mystery

The novels are set in San Francisco in the early 1980s and are fictionalized accounts of some of his experiences while driving a cab. Phillips shared excerpts from all three books with the San Francisco Bay Times :

Moonlight streamed through the window of Casey’s upstairs office in the house on Potrero Hill. Beside him, the wastebasket was nearly full of crumpled pages, false starts at his attempt to chronicle the amazingly horrifying events he was trying to turn into a novel. Crowding him on the desk were pages of notes, photos, and notebooks full of items detailing those events; even copies of the horrific drawings of redhaired women being tortured that he had found in his cab. Those drawings were the catalyst that brought to an end the Red Hair Killer murder spree. It was an atmospheric night, one that he hoped would inspire him to get the first words down, but nothing pleased him. He watched the moon rising over Oakland and heard the whooshing sound of a train leaving the tunnel far below floating on the air. The cat wound around his feet and purred softly. “Crap!” he said aloud, tossed the current sheet in the trash, and rolled a new one into the typewriter. He knew it was important that his readers understand the rarefied time in which the events occurred; he, and

others, saw these times as a continuation of the legendary Barbary Coast time of San Francisco, a time of which many knew little. He began again. “San Francisco’s Barbary Coast was a red-light district during the late 19th and early 20th centuries that featured dance halls, saloons, bars, jazz clubs, variety shows, brothels, and other amusements that make life in this brutal time tolerable.”

“The Barbary Coast was born ... .”

Another sheet of paper ended up in the wastebasket. “Once upon a time there was a Fairyland. No sprites and pixie dust here, rather tight jeans and T-shirts, leather and chains, and several thousand gay men seeking to create a world of their own. It was a community that the world had never seen. Soon the Eureka Valley neighborhood, a mainly Irish working-class neighborhood, expanded to bursting and became known as The Castro.

Some called it heaven, others derisively called it a return to the days of the Barbary Coast, the red-light district that arose after the California Gold Rush of 1949 when the city’s population soared from a few hundred to over 25,000 inside of two years. Here, miners celebrated their success or buried their sorrow. It was marked by persistent lawlessness, gambling, administrative graft, vigilante justice, and prostitution, qualities not unlike San Francisco in the early 1980s.

There were plenty of gay men on the Barbary Coast and it was where the now infamous hanky code evolved. In a society that did not tolerate them they found a way to openly, but secretly, communicate their identity and desires. All it took was a red or blue bandana in the left or right rear pocket of their Levi’s; it was necessary communication for contact in a society that pretended they didn’t exist. The hanky code was still in full bloom in 1982’s Castro. The men

lived openly in the neighborhood and shorthanded their sexual desire through those squares of printed cloth.

To many, this newly created world of gay men and the tragic times the City was staggering through were evidence that the Coast still endured. Underlining that idea was the fact that the City, not just the Castro, but all the way up to the heights of society, was on a snow-blind high. Cocaine was everywhere.”

“There we go,” said Casey. “Now I can tell the story.”

Chapter Two

It wasn’t yet midnight on Isis Street, a shabby short street full of tattered buildings, tattered people, and tattered dreams. The houses are propped against each other, their clapboards have not seen paint in ages and the refuse of life has spilled onto the street. Squatting under the elevated freeway, these are homes of some of the residents of San Francisco’s Folsom District, many of them gay, those gay men that did not adhere to the ethics of The Castro, but like The Castro, South of Market, as it was affectionately called, was a big part of the modern-day Barbary Coast.

Fog boils around the lampposts and slithers past narrow windows hung with torn curtains, if any. Slashes of light spear the darkness as the mist thickens and thins. A face momentarily appears behind sooty windows then disappears in the flash of headlights from the freeway high above. It’s quiet now, but not for long.

Earlier this Halloween night, the streets were alive with commuters making their way to the freeway, then with the goblins and witches of the few families of the neighborhood in search of treats. Few sounds can be heard now, only the dry rasp of the fog as it slides through the narrow passageways, changing colors as it moves between light and shadow. Soon the stillness will vanish.

From Queen of The Mission

That left one choice—shelter at the Grubstake.

Bill, Casey’s confidante had just arrived and was busy straightening up the nearly vacant restaurant before the evening crowd arrived and could talk.

“Hey you.”

“Hey yourself, big guy. What brings you here on a Sunday night?” He saw the strain on Casey’s face and sat on the stool beside him. “Lay it on me, bud.”

Casey rubbed his face, a characteristic move when he was trying to think of what to say. He mumbled, “An acquaintance of mine has been murdered.”

Bill said nothing, but poured Casey a cup of coffee then rejoined him. What is it with you, guy? Do you go looking for these things? Though you would know better from the last time ... .”

“No, no, no. It’s nothing like that.”

“What is it like?”

“You remember my friend UltraSheen.”

“You mean the drag queen that killed that crazy Spanish guy?”

Casey nodded.

“What about her? Who’d she kill now?”

“Nobody ... but a guy who she used to work with was found in a dumpster.”

“My god!”

Casey spilled the details. “But that’s not the worst of it.”

“You’re telling me there’s something worse than murder?”

“No, I’m not. What I mean is there was another murder very similar to this one last week.”

“And how does that affect you?”

“I told you about our plans to do a show.”

“And?”

“My friends think someone is hunting drag queens and want me to get out of the deal. They think that we’re just opening ourselves up for trouble if we become so visible and they don’t want any part of it. Mike’s

(continued on page 40)

From The Last Days of the Barbary Coast Chapter One

John Jason Phillips

Bay Times Dines

Over the Rainbow Cheese Counter

Gordon Edgar

This article is a little risky. I am breaking my rule to never talk about cheese until it’s actually here; physically in our cooler. But we are so excited to finally get the winners of the last two American Cheese

Coming Soon: Best Cheese of the Americas

Society competitions for the first time that I just can’t wait.

These two cheeses are from a Canadian company that has not previously exported to the United States. The company makes some of the best cheeses in the world. Consistent with their Quebecois roots, Fromagerie La Station makes French-style cheeses and they make them better than anyone else on this continent, at least according to a group of 30 judges empaneled to make that decision. Check out Fromagerie La Station online at:

https://fromagerielastation.com/en/

The American Cheese Society, an organization that has supported cheesemaking in the Americas for over forty years, holds a judging and competition every year where

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cheeses are evaluated for technical and aesthetic qualities by qualified cheese professionals and dairy scientists. No cheesemaker has ever won twice in a row until this year. Since Fromagerie La Station did it with two different cheeses—beating 1500 competitors each time— you know they must be amazing cheesemakers.

I did get to sample both winners during the Meet the Maker event at this year’s conference. They are both due into the store this month.

Raclette de Compton au Poivre won the 2024 Best in Show. This is one of the best raclettes I have ever tried, beating most of the large-production French and Swiss ones by a mile. Raclette is meant to be melted and it smells so good when you heat it up. The center is lined with pink peppercorns, which give you a spicy bite along with the joy of rich oozy butterfat. I want it on some roasted potatoes right now just thinking about it.

Also, I was a judge in 2024. The winner was a secret until announced a month later so none of knew who won. We were allowed to take cheese after the judging, so I grabbed a 4 lb. piece of this and gave it to a friend in Minneapolis before I flew back home. She made the best grilled cheese ever for her kid.

Alfred la Fermier (Alfred the Farmer) was the 2025 Best in Show winner, and is another amazing little washed rind beauty. Named after the owner’s farming ancestor, it pays homage to La Station’s commitment to being an organic farmstead cheesemaker. It has deep, nutty, fruity, grassy flavors and a long-lasting aftertaste. While this will

also be an amazing melter, I would happily serve it on a cheese plate.

Send us an email ( cheese@rainbow.coop ) if you want to be on the list to contact when these cheeses come in. It should be soon!

Gordon Edgar loves cheese and worker co-ops and has been combining these infatuations as the cheese buyer for Rainbow Grocery Cooperative since 1994. He serves on the American Cheese Society Judging and Competition Committee and is a member of the Guilde Internationale des Fromagers. Edgar has written two books on cheese—”Cheesemonger” (2010) and “Cheddar” (2015)—and lives in San Francisco with his adorable white mini schnauzer named Fillmore Grumble. He writes about grief, and sometimes cheese, at https://bit.ly/42IwYf0

Raclette de Compton au Poivre

Alfred la Fermier

The Gay Gourmet

There were big shoes to fill when the San Francisco Chronicle hired a new restaurant critic in 2014. But what a breath of fresh air when MacKenzie Chung Fegan took the reins. Her first review, of the stalwart San Francisco classic Zuni Café, made waves for its honesty, candidness, and forthrightness. She carved out her own voice, and humor permeates much of her writing about food. Plus, she makes “news you can use” accessible. But who knew that she was queer?

Once The Gay Gourmet found this out, I wanted to learn more. So, over a lunch at Fable in the Castro and a personal 1-1 interview, I had a chance to get to know this clever, funny, and talented reporter a bit better. She offers some fascinating insights about queer representation in food media, as well as her own personal journalistic journey as a queer reporter and restaurant industry insider. (This article has been edited for length and clarity.)

David Landis: You’re a leading food reviewer and critic, and you’re queer, which is important to our newspaper’s readers. It’s a pleasure talking with you.

MacKenzie Chung Fegan: Of course, thanks for asking me!

Stirring the Pot: MacKenzie Chung Fegan’s Take on Queer Food Culture

David Landis: Walk me through your journey from hospitality to journalism.

MacKenzie Chung Fegan: I come from a restaurant family. My grandparents opened Henry’s Hunan —the only Hunanese restaurant in the city at the time. Chinese food in San Francisco was largely American Chinese or Cantonese-inflected, so it was unusual to have this different region represented. I spent childhood Saturdays at the restaurant, making Shirley Temples, and helping seat people. I waited tables in college but never saw a career in the restaurant industry. I then worked in documentary film for many years. Then I transitioned to food writing accidentally. I was producing a documentary in Alaska, living on a boat without electricity or running water. The only wi-fi was at a gin distillery. At summer’s end, I wrote a story about them making gin with local Alaskan botanicals and placed it in Playboy. From there, I started doing more writing, eventually shifting from documentaries to food writing, then went to Bon Appetit, and then the Chronicle

pornographer. She has made content that your viewers are very familiar with.

David Landis: Are there many queer reporters covering food?

David Landis:

You became the Chronicle’s critic in 2014, and the next year got the James Beard Award for Emerging Voice. Was that affirming?

David Landis: What’s your family life like?

MacKenzie Chung Fegan: I use the word queer, and my spouse, Mars, is non-binary and uses she or they pronouns. I tend to use spouse instead of wife because it feels better for her. (We have a two-yearold) and I am 4 months pregnant, so our family is growing!

David Landis: Congratulations! That’s fantastic news.

MacKenzie Chung Fegan: We’re so excited. As queer people, we weren’t sure this was in the cards for us. My spouse comes from a large family. I’m pregnant with her parents’ 20th grandchild. We love being parents, and our 2-year-old keeps us on our toes. It’s tough doing the (critic) job while pregnant with a young child, but we live in a duplex with my mom, (who helps out).

David Landis: Does Mars work in hospitality also?

MacKenzie Chung Fegan: Mars is in a career transition, but Mars is actually an ex-gay

MacKenzie Chung Fegan: I will tell you there’s actually a lot of us. Bill Addison at the Los Angeles Times is gay, and Tom Sietsema at The Washington Post is gay. At the Chronicle, from Michael Bauer to Soleil Ho, to me, there hasn’t been a straight critic in this house for a while. Except for Cesar Hernandez. If you expand beyond newspapers, like Elazar Sontag at Bon Appetit —there’s actually a ton of queer people in food media, and I don’t think it’s a mistake. The style section, the food section—there are a lot of LGBTQ writers and editors in food media.

David Landis: Does being queer inform your writing?

MacKenzie Chung Fegan: I think being queer does inform my writing. Most critics write in first person from a personal place. Food criticism is subjective. Critics bring their full selves to it—racial and ethnic backgrounds, where they grew up, their sexuality, and their gender identity. I don’t see how I could compartmentalize different parts of that. When I go to a restaurant, I’m looking at the whole experience. Who I am as a person informs that.

MacKenzie Chung Fegan: I was so surprised and honored. Starting this job was intimidating. I hadn’t been a critic before. Now you are out there as “The Critic.” I certainly had hang-ups about, “Can I do this? Am I the right person for this job?” It felt really great to receive that validation.

David Landis: I love your sense of humor. In fact, sometimes when I read your writing, I’ll laugh out loud. What role does humor play in food writing?

MacKenzie Chung Fegan: I think food is joyous. Going to a restaurant should be a fun experience. It still is for me, and I eat out all the time. I hope to capture some of that joy and fun in my writing. Of course, food is also political, food is serious, and food is people’s livelihoods, but it’s part of who I am. If I’m writing from a personal place, I want it to feel like my voice.

David Landis: Let’s talk about Chef Thomas Keller and your French Laundry incident. He recognized you, and asked you to leave because of a negative review by your

(continued on page 37)

David Landis

Exterior of Rikki’s Interior of Family and Friends

A 50th anniversary party MacKenzie Chung Fegan’s family held for Henry’s Hunan

MacKenzie Chung Fegan celebrated at the James Beard Awards

predecessor. That story went viral. Why did you write about it?

MacKenzie Chung Fegan: I really did not intend to write about The French Laundry. I was there in a work capacity, but not to review it. (After he asked me to depart) one of my guests said, “I guess you have to write about this.” My stomach just dropped. (I thought) I am part of the news. I was dreading it. How do I write about this thing I’m still processing in real time? I give much credit to my editors. We worked on that piece for a long time. They gave me time and space to find the right approach, because I didn’t want to be proscriptive. I wanted to lay out what happened, and allow readers to arrive at their own conclusions. Could Chef Keller have handled it differently? Of course. We all have bad nights. I don’t know what was going on for him that night. We haven’t talked since.

David Landis: What trends are you seeing in restaurants?

MacKenzie Chung Fegan: There’s been an explosion in new French restaurants. We added five new French restaurants to the Chronicle’s top list over the last year. I think it’s like hemlines—a return to tradition in unstable times. People aren’t looking for molecular gastronomy when the culture feels destabilized. I’m also seeing the rebound of San Francisco. There were real concerns from restaurateurs about investing in the city. But we are headed in the right direction. We had so many amazing openings last year, and we’re getting national recognition from food media.

a Valkyries game. There was a central table occupied by maybe 10 women in their 60s to 80s—walkers, hearing aids, all swagged out in Valkyries gear. Then half an hour later, an entire gay softball team walked in full of 20-somethings. Where else do you find a place that covers this spectrum of the queer community? I’ll shout out one other queer bar with a queer chef—Friends and Family in Oakland. They do a lot of community events as well, like Queer Speed Dating. They have a very old-school corkboard where you can put up a personal ad, or do a missed connections for somebody you might have spotted at the bar. And the chef, Gaby Maeda, used to be at State Bird Provisions. It’s a bar, but the food that they are turning out of this tiny kitchen is so incredible, because they have a truly world-class chef back there.

David Landis: Best family-friendly restaurant?

MacKenzie Chung Fegan: Hilda and Jesse for brunch, potentially. It’s queerowned. They don’t know this, but when I was trying to get pregnant this time, we did IVF. One time I had to give myself a shot right in the middle of a dinner reservation there. I disappeared into their bathroom for a weirdly long time. I gave myself a shot of hormones, thinking, this probably isn’t the first time somebody’s given themselves a hormone shot in the bathroom at Hilda and Jesse in service of queer family building.

David Landis: Anything else that you›re working on?

David Landis: Do you think we’re seeing more queer chefs and restaurateurs?

MacKenzie Chung Fegan: I think so. There’s always been the hierarchical French brigade system that is militaristic, and the chefs you associate with that are by and large straight white men. But kitchens have always been a welcoming place to misfits, or people who’ve been othered. Also, it’s generational. More Gen Z is identifying as queer than any generation before them. By virtue of who the torch is being passed to, we’ll see more people who identify as LGBT helming kitchens and owning restaurants.

David Landis: Favorite place to hang out in the Castro?

MacKenzie Chung Fegan: I’m really into Rikki’s sports bar. I was there for

MacKenzie Chung Fegan: Yes, I will say that the Chronicle is about to release a list of our top 25 wine country restaurants in Sonoma and Napa counties. We’re going to be doing an event at the Culinary Institute of America’s campus. Some of the restaurants on the list will be cooking. We’re also doing it in collaboration with our wine team. So, Esther Mobley and Jess Lander put together a list of the top wineries, and they’ll be pouring. The chefs will be there, and I think that will be a very fun day for people who want to get up to wine country.

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

Hilda & Jesse Co-Owners Rachel Sillcocks and Chef Ollie

PHOTO BY ADAHLIA COLE

Bay Times Dines

California Drinking: A Boozy Birthday for the Golden State

Cocktails

With Dina

by Dina Novarr

California turned 175 on September 9, which means it’s time to celebrate the only way the Golden State knows how: with alcohol that costs more than rent and tastes like optimism mixed with wildfire smoke. A concoction that shakes you up!

Forget cake. Forget balloons. This is a state with a history that reads like a fantasy sci-fi novella, with chapters on the Gold Rush, the 1906 earthquake, Charles Manson, Hollywood’s Golden Age, Silicon Valley, and the rise of agentic artificial intelligence.

Honoring California isn’t just about understanding its milestones; it’s about drinking through it. While we constantly find ourselves burglarized by cocktail prices (complete with salad-like garnishes), the four cocktails here didn’t just emerge from California soil; they clawed their way up through the fault lines, carrying 175 years of delicious boozy yumminess with every sip. To start my celebration, I am going to make an Irish Coffee, which is really the only acceptable morning buzz. This drink was first concocted at San Francisco’s Buena Vista Cafe in 1952.

This should keep us all going until lunch at noon, where we graduate to Pisco Punch, the drink that built San Francisco’s cocktail culture. Back in the 1850s, when the bay was mostly muddy streets and dreams of gold, Duncan Nicol’s Bank Exchange Saloon served this deceptively smooth cocktail to miners who needed to forget they’d traveled 3,000 miles to splash around in rivers looking for shiny stones. The original recipe died with Nicol in 1926 because some secrets are too dangerous to survive, but Rudyard Kipling postulated that it was made of “the shavings of cherubs’ wings, the glory of a tropical dawn, the red clouds of sunset, and fragments of lost epics by dead masters.” Any recipe I come up with here would be more of a knockoff than the real deal.

Afternoon at 2 pm calls for Oakland’s Mai Tai, invented at Trader Vic’s in 1944. Two o’clock is the perfect hour for tropical delusion—precisely when Karl the Fog finishes

his wet blanket performance across the bay and slinks back to sea defeated. As the last wisps of San Francisco’s maritime depression clear out, you can finally pretend you live somewhere warm. Nothing says “California dreaming” quite like sitting in a fake Polynesian bar, drinking rum that tastes like vacation, while the actual weather finally remembers it’s supposed to be Mediterranean, not Scottish.

The Mai Tai became America’s way of achieving tropical paradise through adequate alcohol consumption and cultural appropriation. Peak California innovation: take someone else’s island imagery, slap it onto suburban escapism, and charge premium prices for the fantasy that you’re

Buena Vista Café’s Irish Coffee

One or two C&H sugar cubes (personally I like one sugar cube ... it helps keep my humor dry)

6 oz fresh brewed coffee (I like my rituals to stay consistent with Ritual Coffee)

1 1/3 oz Green Spot Whiskey (with all the brown, a spot of green goes a long way)

Heavy cream, lightly whipped

Directions

Add sugar cubes to the glass, then add coffee until the glass is 3/4 full. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add whiskey and stir gently and briefly to combine. Float a layer of whipped cream over the top of the coffee by pouring it gently over the back of a spoon.

anywhere but here. By 2 pm, even the fog has given up on ruining your day. Time to embrace the lie that tiki culture sells, that paradise is achievable through rum, paper umbrellas, and willful suspension of geographical reality.

To end this celebration, let’s enjoy our last call with a Martinez. It was supposedly invented in the town of Martinez during the 1860s and later bastardized into the Martini. A gold miner wanted something special to celebrate striking it rich. The bartender created a drink strong enough to make anyone believe they were successful. The Martinez is the perfect California cocktail: it looks sophisticated, tastes like concentrated poor judgment, and convinces you that tomorrow’s problems are manage-

Mai Tai

(Courtesy of Difford’s Guide, because I can’t be trusted)

2 oz Caribbean blended rum aged 6–10 years (long enough to develop trust issues)

1⁄2 oz Orange Curaçao liqueur (bittersweet like the fleeting warmth of the afternoon)

3⁄4 oz fresh lime juice (squeezed by hand, like your soul)

1⁄3 oz orgeat syrup (almond syrup for people who can’t pronounce “orgeat”)

1⁄4 oz simple syrup (because regular sweetness isn’t complicated enough)

1⁄6 oz dark rum float (optional, like happiness)

Directions

Shake everything except the dark rum with ice until your existential dread temporarily subsides. Strain into a double old-fashioned glass filled with crushed ice. Float the dark rum on top, because even paradise needs a shadow. Garnish with a spent lime shell, mint sprigs, and skewered pineapple with a maraschino cherry.

able because you have only had 4 drinks so far following this guide.

I recommend drinking these at your pace to experience 175 years of California in eight hours. Start optimistic with morning Irish Coffee, embrace delusion with Pisco Punch, accept fantasy with the Mai Tai, and end believing you’re classier than you are with a Martinez.

By midnight, you’ll understand why people keep moving here despite the earthquakes, droughts, fires, and rent prices that require sacrificing your firstborn to Zillow. California doesn’t always make sense, but it is a state that’s spent 175 years proving that land of fantasy and amazing cocktails can make people ignore absolutely anything, including basic mathematics and geological warnings.

Happy birthday, California!

San Francisco-based Dina Novarr enjoys sharing her passion for fine wines, spirits, non-alcoholic craft beverages, and more with others.

Classic Martinez Cocktail

1 1/2 ounces gin (I prefer Barr Hill, because anything finished with honey keeps the buzz going)

1 1/2 ounces sweet vermouth (I suggest Lo-Fi, a vermouth that doesn’t promise crystal clarity; it promises charming distortion ... aka California Dreaming)

1 teaspoon maraschino liqueur (bitter to balance the sweet gin and the scratches from Lo-Fi)

2 dashes orange bitters

Lemon twist, for garnish

Directions

Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and orange bitters. Stir until very cold then strain into a chilled cocktail glass while listening to Steve Aoki. Twist lemon peel over cocktail to express its oils. Rub rim of glass with peel and discard.

Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun

By Sister Dana Van Iquity

Sister Dana sez, “Happy LEATHER MONTH in San Francisco! It’s leather weather forever in SF—but for certain, it is this month in this city!”

While celebrating “Leather Month,” be sure to visit Strut/Magnet at 470 Castro Street and their ongoing September leatheriffic photo art by Kegan Marling. Marling is a very clever documentarian and arts programmer from the San Francisco Bay Area. Their work focuses on queer community and play—gaymers, kinksters, drag artists, dancers, wrestlers, and faeries. Their work has appeared in venues & publications including the de Young Museum , Frameline Film Festival , CounterPulse, San Francisco Chronicle, SF Weekly, National Queer Arts Festival , Mascular, Drummer Magazine, and is part of the permanent collection at San Francisco General Hospital. This exhibit, “HOLD ME IN THE EMBERS OF OUR LOVE , ” features a very different kind of “family portrait” of various hot leatherfolx together. Go to the second floor of Strut/Magnet during their visiting hours all September to check out this gorgeous fullcolor photography by Marling!

While planning your Leather Month activities, be ready to put in your calendars that LEATHERWALK 2025 is happening on September 21. LeatherWalk was founded in 1992 and has been a cherished community tradition ever since. I haven’t missed one since its founding. Way back then, it began in the streets of Castro and Market with lively entertainment, and it ended after a bunch of bar hops along the way finally at the Eagle saloon. Come walk this year as an individual or form a fundraising team. This is always a time when we get to come together to celebrate San Francisco’s leather community and the vibrancy, diversity, and pride that define us. This year, that visibility and representation feel especially vital, as so much continues to be at stake for our communities. Join the LEATHER AND LGBTQ CULTURAL DISTRICT (which is both a producer and beneficiary of this annual fundraiser) beginning at 10:30 am at SF City Hall as we step out for our community. There will be a couple of rousing speakers at 10:45 am, when we’ll make some noise and step off at 11 am for a fun and powerful walk through SOMA— stopping for entertainment and refreshments at beloved leather, kink, and queer venues along the way. After many a gay bar visit, the march will end in a grand finale at

Eagle Plaza with much pomp and circumstance and the raising of the Leather Flag. Register for free to walk or donate at https://sfleatherdistrict.com/

PROJECT OPEN HAND marked 40 years of meals with love on September 12 with the HAND TO HAND GALA at the stunning San Francisco Design Galleria. In 2000, they expanded their reach to provide meals not only to people with HIV/AIDS, but also to neighbors who are battling breast cancer, heart disease, and many other illnesses. Today, Project Open Hand prepares 2,500 nutritious meals daily and provides 200 bags of healthy groceries every day to help sustain clients as they battle serious illnesses, isolation, or the health challenges of aging. They serve San Francisco and Oakland, engaging more than 125 volunteers daily to nourish our community. https://www.openhand/

The 37th annual GAPA RUNWAY PAGEANT, Runway 2025: Myths & Legends, took over San Francisco on September 13 at Herbst Theater. For the 10th consecutive year, Nguyen Pham served as emcee of this uproarious and inclusive celebration of the queer AAPI community. We joined the QTAPI folx in cheering on Mx., Ms., and Mr. GAPA contestants as they demonstrated their talents, showed off their evening wear, and answered Q&A questions in competition to become GAPA Royalty. The reigning GAPA Royalty, Miss GAPA 2024 Ari Ola and Miss GAPA 2024 Kalypso, stepped down to welcome the next generation of titleholders.

Originating in 1988 as an underground house party for LGBTQ Asian & Pacific Islanders, Runway was a chance for the community to gather in safety, solidarity, and celebration to crown new GAPA Royalty as representatives of GAPA and the QTAPI community. The event has grown to become widely recognized as one of the longest continuously running QTAPI pageants, drawing celebrity judges from all over the world. As generations of contestants have battled it out through rounds of fashion, talent, and Q&As, Runway has always stayed true to its roots. https://www.gapa.org/runway

Another Immigration Judge was fired in San Francisco on September 3. Shira M. Levine, a member of the State Bar of California, had been appointed an Immigration Judge to begin hearing cases in October 2021. She was terminated—being the sixth San Francisco Immigration Judge axed since Trump took office in January. This means Trump has now fired nearly 30% of the judges in SF’s Immigration Court. Most had a track record of agreeing to asylum in a vast majority of their cases that came before them—potentially putting them at odds with the current administration. Sister Dana sez, “Trump obviously does not believe in asylum—even though he as president should really be put into an INSANE asylum!

Health and Human Services Secretary, dishonorable Robert Kennedy Jr., appeared

before the Senate Finance Committee on September 4—lying, as usual. And this was just a few days before Florida had declared all mandated vaccines as illegal. At the combative Committee hearing, ranking committee member Senator Ron Wyden opened with the dire warning that the U.S. is in the midst of a healthcare calamity. Several Republican senators agreed. If we recall late August headlines, our fears for our health are supported: August 28 “White House Fires Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Who Says RFK Jr. Is ‘Weaponizing Public Health,’” and “Senior CDC Officials Resign After

Concerns Over Scientific Independence”; not to forget August 27’s “RFK Jr. Limits Who is Eligible for Covid Shots.” It must be noted that RFK Jr. earlier this year fired 17 members of the Vaccine Advisory Panel—replacing them with overtly anti-vax phonies. Sister Dana sez, “Let’s give healthcare a shot in the arm—and immediately FIRE this dangerous, incompetent, conspiracy theorist RFK Jr.!”

Trump’s (in)Justice Department is talking about banning transgender Americans from owning guns. This is because anti-DEI

(continued on page 42)

Susan Monarez Ouster, Cite

Dennis McMillan (second from right), aka Sister Dana, with (left to right: writers Ori Tom Ravid and Chris Hendrix; and artist Henry Roark) at Fabulosa Books on Thursday, September 4, during the Radicchio Salad zine issue launch party

Photos by Rink

Babylon: Space and Safety as Imagined by Sex Workers at Queer Arts Featured

Queer Arts Featured (QAF) co-founder Devlin Shand, along with curator Goddess Cleo Cleopatra, welcomed guests to the opening of the exhibit Babylon: Space and Safety as Imagined by Sex Workers held on Friday, September 5, 2025, at the gallery and store at 575 Castro Street. San Francisco Bay Times veteran columnist Sister Dana Van Iquity and lead photographer Rink attended the event.

The exhibit, in Gallery XXXO at QAF, includes archival work, costumes, mixed media, film and digital art, and traditional mediums. The artists with featured works include Andy Rose, Belle de Noir, Chelsea Poe, Cherry Moon Lake, Dolor Divina, Empress Charm, Gloria Polo, Lady Vitalis, Maritza, Micha Malvada, Mars, and Persephone.

https://www.queerartsfeatured.com/

pissed at me and so is Gloria. They can’t forget what happened before.”

“For god’s sake, Casey. That was horrible and you almost got yourself killed. Can you blame them?”

“No, I understand, and, in some ways, they make a lot of sense.”

“Aren’t you afraid your girls will be sitting ducks?”

“That’s what they are afraid of, but surely, no?”

Bill shook his head. “For your sake, I hope not. What can I get ya to eat?”

Casey ordered. He wondered if Bill’s reluctance to pursue the matter meant that he was of the same mind as Mike and Gloria. When Bill brought his food, he said, “Didn’t mean to be abrupt with you. I needed to think for a minute. There were two queens in here earlier talking about that queen and the lamppost, but I didn’t really know what they were talking about until you explained. Casey, they were scared.”

“Scared?”

“They’re already a few steps ahead of you in thinking the lamp post thing is not an isolated incident. You know how people can be and how we all jump to conclusions. Just like your friends. The rumor mill is running at full speed.”

Casey hung his head. “I just can’t believe it and I can’t abandon UltraSheen. She and her deep pockets lover are trying to decide what to do. He arrives tomorrow.”

“Make of it what you will, but I would think that you and your Sherlock Holmes leanings would make you think twice.” Bill stared at Casey in silence for a minute, then went on.

“This project you’re talking about with lots of drag queens—how does that affect Mike and Gloria?”

“We’ve hired Gloria as company manager and I have to live with Mike. Like I said, we’re trying to produce a big show and I’m excited to do it.”

“But Casey ... in the Mission? You know what that neighborhood can be like.”

“I know, I work there enough in the cab.”

“Maybe so, but buddy, you’d better keep your eyes ... and my ears open.”

Casey nodded and began to eat. Bill went about his duties.

As he ate, he wondered how badly he was blinding himself to reality. He grabbed a newspaper from under the counter and tried not to think about it. He wished he hadn’t.

Another Drag Queen Murder was the headline.

From The Last Days of the Barbary Coast

The restaurant was originally a streetcar from across the bay in Oakland, but once it was transported to San Francisco and retrofitted, it became a diner that became famous. It made an appearance as a refuge for Humphrey Bogart fleeing trouble in the film The Big Sleep. In the ‘50s, the Beatniks of North Beach found it to be a great communal space, and, in the ‘60s, it became the center of Polk Street counterculture, a mecca for the gay Hippy world. This old streetcar with the unlikely name of The Grubstake became a cultural phenomenon.

The diner, at first seating only 12, was mainline. If you were a regular at The Grub, you were definitely cool. Drugs abounded, social contact was easy, so easy

that the possibility that the guy sitting on the stool next to you would soon be your bed partner was a frequent reality. There was no judgement, and, as of then, little disease. It was a hangout for aspiring artists, many of whom worked behind the counter. Casey’s curiosity and his stomach led him there and into a long-standing relationship with the diner and its owners.

As the mid-70s rolled around, the restaurant space was doubled and the walls stood empty. Once management discovered that Casey was a painter, they contracted him to fill those walls and the front of the building with murals. Over a period of six months, he did so, accepting no money but eating at will and becoming fully immersed in Grubstake culture. He produced a series of five large scenes depicting a train journey from New England to San Francisco in 1865 on the inside, and, on the exterior, a scene of the train arriving. Casey had no idea that this casual job would endure far further than he could imagine and would become his legacy.

Once the project was completed, Casey began succeeding artistically elsewhere, painting and doing graphics, painting murals for businesses in the newly burgeoning Castro District, and designing what became classic T-shirts for the gay community. Despite this, his romanticism gave way to cynicism, believing that it couldn’t last. Mike tried to head off this train of thought but with little success, and Casey’s appetite for long hours in the cab were laced with too much Scotch after work, and cocaine became a major player. Rather than having a profitable, satisfying life as an artist with a man who loved him, he became a recluse in a house in the middle of a San Francisco neighborhood called “Dogpatch” and driving the nightshift.

He relished the fact that most people thought the area’s name came from the Li’l Abner comic strip, but that was not the truth. In earlier years, the area was home to meat packing houses. Soon feral dogs made it their home, growing fat on the abundance of discarded scraps. Packs of them roamed the area, feeding and multiplying; the name “Dogpatch” stuck.

In this reckless life Casey had constructed, he allowed few friends other than Mike, counting only three: Gloria, his neighbor; Vinnie, a regular customer; and Bill, who was the swing-shift counterman at The Grubstake. He kept his love affair with Mike quiet. He refused Mike’s invitation to live with him in the great apartment on Upper Terrace and squirreled himself away on Potrero Hill, occasionally painting, sometimes writing, always getting frustrated, and usually feeling miserable.

It was 4 am and Casey had just finished a 12-hour shift in the cab. It had been an unusual night, profitable, and marked by gossip about a woman found in Golden Gate Park. “A grisly murder,” the people in his back seat whispered—was this the beginning of yet another serial killer?

For more information about John Jason Phillips and to purchase the books, go to:

https://www.johnjasonphillips.com/

Buttons On! for DIFFA Fundraiser for UCSF’s

to Be Held on September 13

Join the Design Industries Foundation (DIFFA) San Francisco on September 13 from 6–8 pm for a vibrant evening celebrating Buttons On!, an exhibit of the joyful and unconventional work of artist Beau McCall. The benefit will take place at the Museum of Craft and Design at 2569 3rd Street in San Francisco.

Proceeds will support DIFFA’s grant to UCSF’s Ward 86 HIV/AIDS programs at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Since 1984, DIFFA has awarded more than $58 million nationwide, offering flexible, unrestricted funding for care and education. Today, the foundation’s mission extends to support individuals facing food insecurity, housing instability, and mental health challenges.

Presented in partnership with the Museum of Craft and Design, the exhibition honors McCall’s signature style hand-sewn buttons on upcycled fabrics, materials, and objects-spanning nearly four decades of wearable and visual art. Experience bold new creations alongside rarely seen archival pieces, and all for a great cause at the upcoming event.

For tickets and more information: https://e.givesmart.com/events/JUg/

Queer Indie Pop Artist Fedge

San Francisco-based queer indie pop artist Fedge celebrated his third single, “Can’t You See,” at a release party at the Lobby Bar in the Castro on August 22. Now available on all major streaming platforms, the track explores a rarely-heard theme in pop music: the exhaustion of constant conflict with the people we love most, and the hope for reconnection before it’s too late.

Debuts New Single at Castro’s Lobby Bar

The Lobby Bar, at 4230 18th Street, which is owned by transgender community and business leader Grace Huntley, was the perfect backdrop for the intimate event that featured a curated playlist, a signature themed cocktail, and an atmosphere that blended the bar’s elevated vibe with Fedge’s heartfelt pop storytelling.

Set against anthemic pop-rock production and aching vocal harmonies, “Can’t You See” blends urgency with vulnerability. Lyrically, it’s a plea for closeness in relationships where love feels conditional, communication turns to arguments, and the push and pull make it harder to stay connected. The chorus delivers the song’s central ache: “Why is everything a fight? Can’t you see we’re on borrowed time ... . All I need is love, can’t you see?”

Blending the drive of pop-rock anthems with confessional storytelling, Fedge stands apart by drawing from his experience as a queer Taiwanese American artist raised between cultures. His music reaches beyond romance to wrestle with family, identity, and belonging, themes that are not often centered in mainstream pop. That perspective gives his songs both intimacy and universality, creating work that is as personal as it is anthemic.

“Growing up, I felt like I was always trying to keep the peace, holding back my feelings so we wouldn’t drift further apart,” says Fedge. “And when you’re the child of immigrants, that distance can feel especially heavy, like balancing two cultures, two generations, two ways of thinking under one roof. You learn to build tough skin. But underneath, you’re still just a kid who wants the sweet without the bitter.”

“Can’t You See” follows the disco-fueled confrontation of “Invisible to You” and the bittersweet regret of “Too Early, Too Late , ” continuing Fedge’s narrative of vulnerability and healing. These singles lay the foundation for his forthcoming debut EP Through It All, due this fall—a project that is both cinematic and confessional, exploring queerness, identity, and the quiet strength it takes to break cycles.

“Every generation has the chance to break a cycle,” Fedge says. “We can’t rewrite the past, but we can choose to show up differently moving forward. This song is my way of turning pain into something that might help someone else feel less alone.”

https://www.iamfedge.com/

Photograph of Beau McCall (left) and his life partner, Souleo (right), at Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA, 2023

maybe a little more. I’m someone like Steve who tries to do all the good in the world I can. A lot of the function of Steve and [his husband] George (Jaison Hunter) in the film is to be these inspirational figures. The turning point is Hunter watching us walk home happily together. They are an idea [about] what a supportive relationship can be, and this sparks his ideas of pursuing this avenue. The role we have is to be a good model of [what] a good ally can be.

Gary M. Kramer: Brandon, the film is very topical in regard to immigration issues. While it doesn’t cover all the details involved in a case like Javi’s, what can you say about the topicality of the film?

Brandon Grimes: Obviously, the situation has changed drastically since we’ve shot it, unfortunately. I like that the film doesn’t get too deep into the weeds about the process, and it is more about the emotional container of Javi’s identity within that. It is from the perspective of someone who is trying to be an ally—how you can be kind and helpful and on the lookout for how you can help people who might need it. The culmination of the advice that Steve gives to Javi is really all you can do is lay low and hope for the best. The procedures have only gotten more hopeless. There is some awareness that, even though this is largely a light, funny heartfelt movie, it’s sinking for people that those who are undocumented are trying to go through the

right channels and they are not available. This is the big takeaway for a fun, buddy film.

Rafael Silva: It’s a hard topic for a lot of people, obviously for the people going through it and for those with no experience with it. Hopefully, it serves as an entry point for getting involved and engaged and knowing how to participate. The film is about being a compatriot, and that means being from the same country. If we want a better country, we all have to get together and literally fight for and demand a better country.

Gary M. Kramer: Both of you get to dance in a gay club scene. Are you good dancers?

Brandon Grimes: I thought I was doing perfectly fine, and everyone thought I was hilarious.

Rafael Silva: I thought you were phenomenal.

Brandon Grimes: That scene is my favorite in the film—maybe I’m biased— but it’s such a beautiful representation of queer joy. It is not over-sexualized, like gay bars tend to be in movies. It was a celebration of being who you are, and I think it serves as a beautiful touch point in Javi’s character and his self-acceptance.

Rafael Silva: I tried to put a little salsa into that scene with Hunter. Hopefully it reads well. It’s liberating. Javi feels he can

be himself in this space. That’s what’s so important in our society. There are these spaces that allow you to be yourself unapologetically, and that’s the beauty for me, regardless of whether you dance well or not. It’s about having fun and stepping into a version of ourselves that we love dearly.

© 2025 Gary M. Kramer

SISTER DANA (continued from pg 39)

bigots feel that some people who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria are “mentally defective,” and should have one of their basic rights to bear arms be taken away. This is widely viewed as unconstitutional and also purports to solve a problem that does not exist. A recent UCLA study has found that trans people are over four times more likely than cisgenders to be victims of crime. CBS News reports that U.S. murders of trans people nearly doubled over the past four years. Ironically, even the National Rifle Association (NRA) has come out against the Trump team planning to ban trans people from owning firearms. Sister Dana sez, “No, there is certainly NOT an epidemic of shootings BY trans people. But there IS an epidemic of assault gun violence by cis-gender white men!”

The Radicchio Salad zine, along with the Radicchio Salad blog, is the brainchild of Ori Tom Ravid and Chris Hendrix. So Fabulosa Books at 489 Castro Street on September 4 held a festive launch party and issue #5 zine signing celebration. Fabulosa’s guest artists Ravid and Hendrix edited the zine, along with artist, writer, and filmmaker Henry Roark, whose fancy collages appear in the summer zine issue. The Radicchio Salad zine features original food writing and art from contributors worldwide, interviews with Industry folk who are super-hot, and recipes from chefs—both professional and not. Every zine is based around a specific theme, and the editors were so excited to debut their first physical copy of their latest issue “Gay Summer” in San Francisco. “Not only is summer in SF just getting started, but it’s

JEWELLE GOMEZ (continued from pg 32)

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

gay summer here all year ’round,” the editors cleverly commented.

WRITERS WITH DRINKS will occur on September 19, 7–9 pm at Strut/Magnet, 470 Castro Street. Hosted by author Charlie Jane Anders, this program will feature a half dozen more writers. https://www.sfaf.org/

The OAKLAND PRIDE PARADE was held on September 7, with the parade proudly going down Broadway from 22nd Street to the festival, which was at Frank H. Ogawa/Grant Plaza in front of Oakland City Hall.

Did this shock anyone else that on September 4, Department of Defense Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth boldly and brutally stated, “At your direction, Mr. President, the War Department is going to fight decisively—not end this conflict. It’s gonna fight to win, not not to lose. We’re gonna go on offense—not just on defense—maximum legality, not tepid legality—but violent effect, not politically correct.” What horrendous message does that send to our allies and to our enemies?

Sister Dana sez, “As we hold in remembrance of the dreadful 2001 9/11 SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACK against America, we must also be aware of THIS September’s attack against democracy by Dictator Donald and his September 5 executive order to rebrand the DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE into the Department of WAR—without the usually required Congressional approval! Shocking and utterly unacceptable!”

of social change: “Boys should be taught how to communicate and to explore and express their feelings and be kind and helpful to others.” Believe it or not, a parent learning how to address a young son’s concern that his sheets are “too pretty” (from essay by Devon Ward) is where we can start to make a safer world where women aren’t preyed upon and men discuss differences rather than shoot at them.

Before getting pregnant, Robin made use of the amazing workbook Considering Parenthood by the late Cheri Pies, which gives practical information and exercises to help a lesbian make the decision whether or not to have a child. However, Robin ultimately figures out that it can’t be a totally rational decision. (Although the book showed me I’d rather write novels than have a child.)

While there are so many commonalities in childrearing situations, cultural differences can be significant. Fortunately, there are several other books on the market that can contribute to the knowledge. But this book has one thing you probably can’t find anywhere: an essay by Jolivette Mecenas, “A Punk Playlist for Queer Moms Raising Feminist Boys!” Jewelle Gomez is a lesbian/feminist activist, novelist, poet, and playwright. She’s written for “The Advocate,” “Ms. Magazine,” “Black Scholar,” “The San Francisco Chronicle,” “The New York Times,” and “The Village Voice.” Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @VampyreVamp