By Sister Dana Van Iquity, Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun–
Sister Dana sez, “November 8 is the GENERAL ELECTION. Let’s ‘Queer the Vote’ or ‘Drag Out the Vote’ or ‘Rock the Vote’ or any other way we can make our vote count!”
The best thing we can do to stop Trump in 2024 is to get out the Democratic vote in 2022. Click to find all the volunteer opportunities available: http://www.dailykos.com/gotv
Sister Dana sez, Vote BLUE in ’22!”
On October 19, AIDS LEGAL REFERRAL PANEL (ALRP) commemorated 39 years of serving the legal needs of people living with HIV/AIDS with their FROM THE HEART Reception at the historic Julia Morgan Ballroom. Their mission is to help people living with HIV/AIDS maintain or improve their health by resolving their legal issues. ALRP represents the legal community’s caring response to AIDS and is the only institution in the San Francisco Bay Area whose sole mission is dedicated to providing free and low-cost legal services. Since its beginnings in 1983, ALRP has handled over 85,000 legal matters for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Executive Director Bill Hirsh welcomed us and reminded us over and over that “AIDS is not over!” This year’s special guest host was City Attorney David Chiu. ALRP was proud to honor the tremendous contributions of long-time supporter and ALRP former Board Co-Chair Karl Christiansen with their ALRP 2022 Clint Hockenberry Leadership Award in recognition of his exemplary leadership and advocacy. ALRP also recognized ALRP Panel Attorney Nancy Lofdahl, Esq., with the ALRP 2022 Attorney of the Year Award (with her favorite client, Marty Carls); and the law firm, Jose Marin Law, with ALRP’s 2022 Firm of the Year Award. The firm now has seven attorneys on staff, working 550 cases, helping immigrants, the economically disadvantaged, people with HIV, and others. LGBTQ people and others seeking asylum come to the firm full of heartbreaking stories and heartfelt hopes.
If the GOP regains the House, four of the leading Republican contenders for the House Budget Committee chair have all vowed to demand cuts to SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE in return for their cooperation in raising the debt ceiling next year. Sister Dana sez, “This would be the ultimate in senior citizen cruelty!”
A world leader in the Pride movement, SF PRIDE is also a grant-giving organization, and since 1997 has granted more than $3 million dollars from proceeds of the PRIDE CELEBRATION AND PARADE to local nonprofit LGBTQ organizations and those organizations working on issues related to HIV/AIDS, cancer, homelessness, and animal welfare. SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE proudly hosted THE 2ND ANNUAL KEN JONES AWARD RECEPTION on October 20, Spirit Day (when some of us wore purple to support LGBTQ youth) at the SF Hilton’s Cityscape Bar and Lounge. I can’t think of a better place to honor some of the incredible achievements of our communities’ finest advocates.
So many honors were bestowed. The “10 Years of Service Award” for those organizations, individuals, or other entities that have contributed ten years of consecutive service to the LGBTQ community was received by Grant Colfax & Paul Henderson; the “Pride Freedom Award” for outstanding contributions to advancing civil rights and freedoms for LGBTQ people went to Olaywa Austin; the “Pride Community Award” for outstanding service to LGBTQ communities went to Bill Hirsch; the “Gilbert Baker Pride Founder’s Award” honoring those who have made a significant and historical impact on the LGBTQ community and the movement for LGBTQ rights was given to Pau Crego; the “Audrey Joseph LGBTQ Entertainment Award” to recognize those who have made a significant and historical impact or left an indelible impression on the LGBTQ community and the movement for LGBTQ rights, through their artistic expression, or through their contribution within the entertainment industry was given to D’arcy Drollinger; the “José Julio Sarria History Maker Award” to Bay Area people who make extraordinary changes in the way society views the LGBTQ community was presented toGreg Cassin; and the “Pride Creativity Award” for outstanding artistic contribution to the LGBTQ communities was awarded toGuerilla Pump. And the “Teddy Witherington Award”—bestowed by the current City of San Francisco Mayor, recognizing those individuals who have contributed a longstanding, large body of work to the LGBTQ community—was presented to Michelle Meow.
We celebrated 46 years of queer progressive politics in San Francisco at THE HARVEY MILK LGBTQ DEMOCRATIC CLUB’s Annual Dinner & GAYLA on October 22 at Congregation Sherith Israel. Spread across the stage was a picture of a grinning Harvey Milk and his famous slogan: “Hope Will Never Be Silent!” Milk Club President Edward Wright gave us hope when he shouted, “We are NOT going backwards!”
Zander Moricz was the keynote speaker. After Florida Governor Ron DeSantis passed the DON’T SAY GAY bill, Florida teens have advocated against the law. One of those teens is Zander Moricz, the 18-year-old class president of Pine View School, who is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the state of Florida relating to the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation. Moricz said his principal told him not to talk about his queer identity and opposition to “Don’t Say Gay” in his speech. Zander spoke inspirationally and accepted the “Bill Krause Award.”
The Milk Club honored LGBTQ pioneer, labor activist, and progressive icon Cleve Jones with the “Lifetime Achievement” Award. Cleve’s lifetime in the gay liberation movement started in the early 1970s. Mentored by Harvey Milk and having worked in Milk’s City Hall office as a student intern until Milk’s assassination in 1978, Cleve Jones was a friend of, and collaborator with, Harvey. Event chair Jeffrey Kwong stated, “For almost half a century, Cleve Jones has worked ceaselessly to realize Harvey Milk’s agenda for queer liberation. Cleve has lived out the words of Harvey Milk—never compromising and never staying quiet when it comes to the rights of the most marginalized.” San Francisco Rising—building the political power of working-class communities of color—received the “Eileen Hanson Social Justice Hero Award.” Nicky Jizz, for her years of working to create events that uplift and center QTBIPOC performers and experiences in nightlife, accepted the “Sylvester James Award” in fabulous drag. Juicy Liu was full-on drag to sing live “Over the Rainbow.” The place went crazy over her amazing singing! Jupiter Peraza, an undocumented transgender activist, organizer, DACA recipient, and more, gave us a stunning transgender history lesson, spoke of the difficulty trans people struggle to get documented, and received “The Activist Award.”
Sister Dana sez, “We should be alarmed that 33 House Republicans are introducing a new bill to restrict LGBTQ programs, literature, and sexual orientation in federal facilities—essentially fortifying Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill NATIONWIDE!”
PRC’s annual celebration of hope, resilience, and pride is returning to the elegant Four Seasons hotel on Friday, November 4, 6 pm, 757 Market Street. Join them for an inspirational and electrifying evening of incredible cuisine, wine, entertainment, and fun!
All proceeds support PRC’s lifesaving, integrated social, legal, and behavioral health services to help the city’s most vulnerable populations. https://prcsf.org/
A California judge has ruled in favor of a bakery owner who refused to make wedding cakes for a same-sex couple because it violated her Christian beliefs. Sister Dana sez, “Riiight, because cakes are just too gay!”
Gay comedy icon Leslie Jordan went too soon to Gay Heaven at 67 years. Jordan first came to fame in Sordid Lives playing Earl “Brother Boy” Ingram in Del Shores’ stage comedy, a role he repeated in the film version that has gone onto cult status. He came to national fame as Karen Walker’s adversary Beverly Leslie on Will & Grace, for which he won a Guest Actor in Comedy series Emmy. He was everywhere—including the time when he came to SF and I got to interview him. RIP Leslie, and keep making the angels in Heaven laugh!
The mission of SAN FRANCISCO NIGHT MINISTRY is to provide emotional support and care for people on the streets of San Francisco as well as on the phones worldwide. They are hosting a drag show fundraiser “SF CELEBRITY KNOCKOUTS” with friends from all over the SF community performing in a battle for the crown on Saturday, November 5, 5 pm at Azúcar Lounge, 299 9th Street. MC Olivia Hart will greet and lead attendees through the evening’s performances, all centered around a battle royale between SF celebrities from The Imperial Court, The Ducal Court, Krewe De Kinque, and Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. www.sfnightministry.org
The Russian Parliament has moved to further expand anti-LGBTQ laws. This bill would impose tough new restrictions on the promotion of LGBTQ rights in Russia, on top of a 2013 law concerning LGBTQ “propaganda.” And it is suspected that some of the members of Parliament are closeted LGBTQ people. Sister Dana sez, “NYET!”
Hateful Lindsey Graham tweeted: “I want every liberal to be miserable come election night.” He also added, “There are gonna be people jumping off bridges in San Francisco by the thousands.” Wow. Can you feel the love?! Me neither.
NEW FARM SHOW presented by ARTSAVESLIVES is on November 13, noon–6 pm, 10 Cargo Way when music and art will come together on a lovely Sunday afternoon. https://www.thenewfarmsf.org/
Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) is horrified (as are most of us) regarding the vicious assault on Paul Pelosi, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband.“This attack is terrifying, and the direct result of toxic right-wing rhetoric and incitement against Speaker Pelosi and so many other progressive leaders,” Wiener said. “Paul Pelosi was brutally attacked for being married to one of the strongest Democratic leaders in our nation’s history. Paul is a fantastic person, and I’m rooting for his recovery.”
Sister Dana sez, “Our wonderful FORMER PRESIDENT OBAMA has hit mightily along the campaign trail to address Repugnican hate and violence with just two powerful commands: GO VOTE!”
Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun
Publisned on November 3, 2022
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