By Joanie Juster–
Fangirling @JeopardAmy
Once upon a time I was a nerdy little girl who loved accumulating knowledge. Always with my nose in a book, I also memorized state capitals, U.S. presidents, multiplication tables, the periodic table of elements, planets in the solar system, world globe regions, and anything else that could be memorized. I grew up to be a nerdy Jeopardy! fan, so when this publication asked me to interview Amy Schneider, the winningest woman in Jeopardy! history, I was on it. Amy is not only singlehandedly making being smart cool again, but she is also funny, kind, down-to-earth, thoroughly delightful, and, not incidentally, blazing trails for trans people everywhere. Look for my interview with Amy on pages 2–3 of today’s edition.
Remembering Rachele Sullivan
The world—and the leather community—lost a great soul on January 17.
Rachele Sullivan was a healer by nature, and by profession. Taking care of others was her calling, whether through her work as a registered nurse, or in the community. She worked in emergency rooms, prisons, and in hospice care, with indigenous tribes, and on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, she was recognized as a top registered nurse in Today’s Nurse magazine and received an award of recognition from the International Nurses Association.
Rachele was an icon in the leather community as a tireless volunteer and ally. From fundraising to event planning to volunteer coordination, she gave her time and talents to many community causes, including Folsom Street Fair, Pride, Ms. San Francisco Leather, the Exiles, the International Ms. Leather Contest, and the San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance. She worked hard to create safe spaces for women at the Folsom Street Fair, was a driving force behind the creation of both Eagle Plaza and the Leather and LGBT Cultural District, and raised thousands of dollars for AIDS research and education.
Healer, educator, volunteer, ally, activist, warrior, mother, friend. The community gathered for a public vigil for Rachele on February 8 at St. Anne of the Sunset on Judah Street in San Francisco.
Calling All Volunteers
Two grassroots organizations that work hard to ensure the safety and well-being of our community have put out the call for volunteers.
The LGBT National Help Center is seeking LGBTQ+ moderators for their LGBT youth and Transgender youth chatrooms. Moderators are especially needed on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Help create a safe space for young people to create community. To apply: https://tinyurl.com/5ypejydv
Castro Community on Patrol (CCOP) is an all-volunteer organization that makes a positive difference in the Castro Neighborhood, offering general safety information and guidance, encouraging good behavior and helping to prevent (or quickly address) bad behavior, and providing an extra set of “eyes and ears” for the community. During weekly uniformed and visible “Safety Patrols,” CCOP volunteers help keep the community safe for all. To learn more, and to sign up: https://tinyurl.com/yjsuks28
Election Day Is February 15: VOTE!
San Francisco voters: cast your vote by mail-in ballot or in person by February 15. Need to know where or how to cast your ballot? Call (415) 554-4375, or visit www.sfelections.org
But the important thing is: VOTE!
Joanie Juster is a long-time community volunteer, activist, and ally.
Published on February 10, 2022
Recent Comments