By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun–
Sister Dana sez, “A recent poll reveals that 44% of Republicans refuse to vaccinate. Hey, you stubborn elephants, roll up those sleeves!”
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (HRC) streamed TIME FOR EQUALITY on April 22 at 5 pm. The technically sketchy event (virtual can be difficult) included a presentation of the HRC “National Visibility and Impact Award” to the Emmy & Golden Globe nominated hit FX television series POSE. Accepting the award on behalf of the cast and crew were Co-Creator and Executive Producer Steven Canals, and actors Sandra Bernhard, Dyllón Burnside, Dominique Jackson, Indya Moore, Billy Porter, Mj Rodriguez and Hailie Sahar. HRC President Alphonso David was joined by elected officials including Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Senator Alex Padilla, Councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Senator Jeff Merkley, State Senator Sam Parks, Senator Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, and Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Rachel Levine. Despite tech probs, the program was inspirational. Especially the Pose peeps in person!
Sister Dana sez, “President Biden has announced an enormous $670 million investment to combat HIV. This is over a 30% increase in the annual federal budget to help end the epidemic! There’s only one catch: Congress has to approve. Hello, Mitch? You up, Lindsay? Yo, Ted!”
SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS produced their annual fun fundraiser, CRESCENDO, this year held virtually and was entitled VOICES RISING on April 22 at 6 pm. Yes, sister was a busy nun that night! We enjoyed the gorge singing of SFGMC, Jake Shears, (with his new number, “Last Man Dancing”), a cappella Homophonics, and actor/ hostess Shangela. Rita Moreno, LeAnn Rimes (who sang from the heart with the Chorus), and Oakland Interfaith Gospel Chorus Artistic Director Terrance Kelley were honored and awarded. Veteran Board Chair Michael Tate was auctioneer and introduced Mayor London Breed. Marvin White of Glide gave inspirational prose,composer Andrew Lippa, SFGMC Artistic Director Tim Seelig, and Executive Director Chris Verdugo spoke, as did many others. I have to add that I had the fortunate experience of meeting Ms. Moreno at a fundraiser a while back where I delighted in confessing that I had been at a bathhouse in just a towel watching her as bathhouse entertainer Googie Gomez in the comedy movie The Ritz. She laughed and we both hugged! https://www.sfgmc.org/crescendo
Sister Dana sez, “During the address to Congress, President Biden struck a hopeful tone on the pandemic, and history was made with two women on the dais. Yet Repugnicans refused to clap and sat on their butts. Sigh.”
The SF Imperial Founding Mother Court of the INTERNATIONAL COURT SYSTEM presented CORONATION 56: “Get Lit, A Novel Idea” virtually on Facebook on April 24. We celebrated SF TMIM Emperor William Bulkley and Empress Mimi Osa stepping down and crowning our next Monarchs of San Francisco. The show was flawlessly co-hosted by Empress Baby Shaques Munro & Emperor Terrill Grimes Munro. The program opened with the “National Anthem” sung live by empresses from Mexico, Canada, and SF (Empress Donna Sachet). The Imperial Court of the Majestic Golden Gate’s entire cast did a witty if not a bit naughty bedtime story, a very wacky Wonderland to “Welcome to the Tea Party.” Emperor William and Empress Mimi received their lovely official portraits. The Queen Mother Nicole Murray Rodriguez sent a message of hope and “light at the end of the tunnel” and congratulations to the reigning monarchs on doing a grand job and superior fundraising during such a horrible lockdown. Photographs of past and current monarchs flashed on the screen, bringing tears of both sadness and joy to my eyes. Such memories! We celebrated 40th to 30th to 10th anniversaries of various emperors and empresses (far too many to list here because of my word limits, alas).
Act 2 included several clever command performances. Awesome pieces were performed by the three Imperial candidates. Ehra Amaya did the Spice Girls‘ “Stop Right Now” with the perfect lockdown lyrics: “I need somebody with a human touch.” Mr. David Glamamore did a magical “Midnight Radio” from Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Juanita MORE! glammed it up with Follies’ “I’m Still Here,” because we have to remind ourselves that despite the pandemic, we ARE still here!Act 3 concluded with the dramatic step-down of Empress Mimi and Emperor William. They received their official rings. They gave us their final numbers. Mimi sang us an emotional “Goodbye.” Emperor William did “Yellow Brick Road” followed by a joyful piece with many members of his court. But this all led to the greatly anticipated announcement of our now newly crowned EMPEROR DAVID GLAMAMORE & EMPRESS JUANITA MORE! All hail the Emperor and Empress of San Francisco! Hip! Hip! Hooray!
Sister Dana sez, “It’s great to know that while there won’t be a Pride Parade this year, we will once again have an illuminated Pink Pride Triangle all June Pride Month this year on Twin Peaks!”
SF Mayor London Breed will use the Pink Torch (LED) to illuminate the Pink Triangle on Tuesday, June 1, (start of PRIDE MONTH) at dusk. The lighting will be preceded by a Pink Torch Procession that will start at Oakland City Hall then cross the Bay Bridge and wind through parts of San Francisco and culminate when the torch is used at the ceremony by the mayor as she pushes the “illumination button.” The Pink Torch Procession is again being produced by event wiz Patricia Suflita Wilson.
DIVAS & DRINKS was Zoom-hosted by Donna Sachet on April 29. THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY TIMES collaborated with THE ACADEMY to present a new live game show in a matchup. Challenging questions regarding famous women were devised by Bay Times co-publisher Jennifer Viegas. Team Mecca 2.0, led by captain Kelly Gilliam, took on Team Olivia, led by captain Tisha Floratos. After a hard-fought battle, Team Olivia won. We enjoyed lively music spun by DJ Rockaway while learning how to make delicious cocktails by various mixologists from various bars and curated by Heather Freyer of Bacardi. And, there was the big reveal at the end: the unveiling of an internationally-renowned mystery guest who shared thoughts about the women who have helped and inspired her throughout her amazing life. Jewelle Gomez introduced Margaret Cho, who was on the cover of the SF Bay Times for her activism for queer rights, AAPI rights, and just plain human civil rights. Such an honorable person! Also, I learned that one story holds the Margarita cocktail was named after singer Peggy (Margaret) Lee.
Hundreds of LGBTQ candidates won their races with the support of VICTORY FUND and their supporters. Let’s work together to elect hundreds more in the future. Victory Fund virtually celebrated its 30TH ANNIVERSARY on May 2. Speaking were U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Georgia State Representative Park Cannon, Georgia State Representative Sam Park, Pennsylvania State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, Pennsylvania State Representative Brian Sims, veteran activist Cleve Jones, and Virginia Delegate Danica Roem, and we learned firsthand how this community has empowered equality. For the last 30 years, Victory Fund has caused rainbow wave after rainbow wave, electing LGBTQ candidates up and down the ballot who have gone on to make huge changes in their community. We heard from our LGBTQ leaders themselves on how Victory Fund changed the course of their career—and helped them make history on Election Day. The musical guest among others was Sara Bareilles. Senator Baldwin received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Victory Fund.
SOMA SECOND SATURDAYS started May 8 and continues every 2nd Saturday from noon to 5 pm, Free! We’re taking it back to the streets! With the City reopening, the LEATHER & LGBTQ CULTURAL DISTRICT, Folsom Street, and SOMA West CBD are partnering to bring us SOMA Second Saturdays, a Vendor, Art, and Artisan Fair on Dore Street next to Powerhouse. COVID-19 protocols enforced.
Since I attended last year’s virtual SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DRAG? fundraiser for HARVEY MILK CIVIL RIGHTS ACADEMY, the public Elementary School in the Castro with a Civil Rights based education, of course, I caught this year’s delicious drag show and competition online on May Day, May 1st. Live from Oasis TV, sponsored by the DUCAL COUNCIL OF SAN FRANCISCO, it was hosted by always awesome Kylie Minono and Chyna Maykit. They told great tales about Harvey Milk. Senator Scott Wiener lauded the Academy. Fabulous performances were executed by Alex U. Inn, Afrika America, Landa Lakes, Madd Dogg 20/20, The One and Only Rexy, CoCo Buttah, Snaxxx, Polly Amber Ross, Dusty Porn, BeBe Sweetbriar, and Kylie. Who would be crowned San Francisco’s Drag Superstar? Four community members had signed up to raise funds for the school and were put in drag to compete for the crown. Contestants had to slay it in their performance and charm the celebrity judges, Honey Mahogany, Bebe Sweetbriar, and Alpha Betty: “Why is drag important?” with their videos. Academy teacher Miss Information, Betty Bottoms, and Drag King Man Whora competed; but several times competitor Eve Swallows took the crown having been so timely “Gaga” for Mother Earth, Netflix, and vaccination! Congratz, Eve!
LOCKDOWN COMEDY has been taking place on Zoom every 3rd Thursday of the month since July of last year. The show is produced by San Francisco comedian, Lisa Geduldig, from her mother’s retirement community home in Florida. The May 20th, 6 pm PST show features Steve Mittleman (LA), Nathan Habib (NY), Emily Van Dyke (SF), Lisa and Arline Geduldig (Lisa’s 90-year-old mother—Florida). https://www.koshercomedy.com/lockdown-comedy
Sister Dana sez, “We need to rename tyrannical Donald J. T****p State Park in New York to icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg State Park. How cool would it be to say: ‘Let’s go hang out at RBG!”
Published on May 6, 2021
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