By Sister Dana Van Iquity
Funded by the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District, the CASTRO STREET HISTORY WALK is 20 plaques engraved in the Castro Street sidewalks documenting the history of the Castro/Eureka Valley beginning with the Yelamu Indians through the present day. The HISTORY WALK UNVEILING ceremony was held outside 440 Castro Street to reveal the very first plaque, which honors the history of indigenous people in the area before 1776.
Scott James, a volunteer board member of CBD, spoke about the etchings chronologically going up to 19th Street, crossing at the new rainbow crosswalks, then back down the other side up to the Castro Theatre. People on the sidewalks will learn the origins of the names “Castro” and “Noe,” and see the first moment “The Castro” was mentioned in American pop culture – making the gayborhood renowned as a beacon for LGBTQ freedom.
James gave thanks to those who helped in the process: Nick Perry of the Planning Department as visionary, manager, researcher. James thanked John Dennis of the DPW, the board members, and CBD Executive Director Andrea Aiello. He thanked others, including the GLBT Historical Society, the Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc., specifically yours truly, Sister Kitty Catalyst, and Sister Qetesh the Devine, as well as Cleve Jones, Tommi Avicolli-Mecca, Trey Allen, and Ron Pinto. I lobbied heavily for the 1981 plaque regarding Bobbi Campbell, RN, aka Sister FlorenceNightmare, who posted the very first warning of a strange disease suddenly attacking gay men, as well as for 1982 = The Sisters’ very first AIDS fundraiser – a dog pageant show in the Castro with disco diva Sylvester as one of the esteemed judges. Supervisor Scott Wiener called the History Walk “a labor of love for people in this community” and “truly a hometown Castro experience” that will forever “ensure we are deeply rooted in our history and never forget what this neighborhood is about – in terms of its diversity, inclusiveness, and love.”
SPARK! was the TRANSGENDER LAW CENTER 12th anniversary fundraiser at Sir Francis Drake hotel, emceed by Mistress & Master Of Ceremonies Veronica Klaus & Dr. Kortney Ryan Ziegler and hosted by Alix Sabin & Kristen Verrastro. Entertainment was provided by the talented Josh Klipp & the Klipptones with Breanna Sinclairé, and dancing to Go Bang! DJs Steve Fabus & Sergio Fedasz.
CeCe McDonald received the Authentic Life Award for her courage and resilience in bringing visibility to our diverse communities, the unjust ways that transgender people are treated throughout interactions with the police and justice system, and the ways in which prisons are not safe for anyone, regardless of gender identity. Willy Wilkinson received the Vanguard Award for leading when nobody else could or did – from garnering attention and funds for trans communities impacted by the AIDS epidemic, to founding the first support group for FTM people of color, to changing hearts and minds through his work and trainings. ACLU of Northern California received the Community Partner Award for their leadership and support in cosponsoring AB1266, the School Success and Opportunity Act, and for being an unyielding, fierce, and fully committed stakeholder while defending the law against a potential referendum effort.
Senator Mark Leno and a representative from Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s office presented Certificates of Recognition to all honorees and TLC at the VIP reception. TLC Executive Director Masen Davis spoke touchingly of being a young child and having to change into jeans and a t-shirt in the bushes on his way to school in order to reflect his true gender. “I felt alone those days,” he said. “But I certainly do not feel alone tonight,” addressing the over 400 attendees to tumultuous cheers. He also noted that ENDA is not the end-all in LGBTQ civil rights: “We are not free until all are free!”
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