By Sister Dana Van Iquity, Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun–
Sister Dana sez, “MOTHER’S DAY is happening on May 14. May I be the first to wish all you mothers and drag mothers a very happy day! Congratulations and conDRAGulations! You have raised some very fine folx!”
MOTHER’S DAY is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. In the United States, Mother’s Day 2023 will occur on Sunday, May 14. The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Jarvis would later denounce the holiday’s commercialization, and spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day traditionally involves presenting moms with flowers, cards, and other gifts.
The ACLU has tracked an astonishing 469 anti-LGBTQ bills in state legislatures across the country. Florida, the land of “Don’t Say Gay,” has become the epicenter of such discrimination. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden gave a tremendous toast on April 29 at the WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER: “Let us commit that we will be a nation that will embrace light over darkness, truth over lies, and finally, finally, finally restore the soul of the nation!”
Sister Dana sez, “The 4th of May is a very special day for STAR WARS fans. To them, I say: ‘May the 4th be with you!”
San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) held their annual fundraiser, CRESCENDO, at the Four Seasons Hotel SF on April 22. Inspirational opening remarks were given by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. The Nancy Pelosi Ally Award was given to Mayor London Breed. The Visionary Award was presented to Tribal Council Chair Greg Sarris & the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. Olympic Medalist Brian Boitano received the Vanguard Award.
Montana’s GOP-dominated House of Representatives has decided to silence Representative Zooey Zephyr, a transgender lawmaker, barring her from speaking or attending floor sessions for the remainder of the legislative session. This was a direct attack on democracy and the rights of an elected representative to voice their opinion and represent their constituents. Sister Dana sez, “And yet a screaming loudmouth like Margie Taylor Grinch is allowed to shout out as much as she wants!”
LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District’s Fifth Anniversary Party is May 6, 6–10 pm at the Folsom Street Foundry, 1425 Folsom Street. Free admission to AUDACIOUS ANNIVERSARY 5 offers entertainment, food, demos, and fun! Emcees are Lance Holman and Alotta Boutté. Strut your stuff at the 2nd Annual “Brazen Runway.”
Also on May 6, Bare Chest Calendar Finals at DNA Lounge, 375 Eleventh Street, 3–6 pm. As well as Ms. SF Eagle Leather Contest at the SF Eagle, 3–5 pm. https://sfleatherdistrict.org/
WELCOME CASTRO is a new neighborhood visitor center and fabulously queer retail experience celebrating the LGBTQ history and queer culture of the Castro village. Located at 525 Castro Street (at the old Levi’s store), right at the “gay crossroads of America,” it’s a great first stop to learn about all the sights, attractions, and people that make the Castro so unique. It is very similar to the old UNDER ONE ROOF queer retail store—by queers and for queers. We watched folx ceremoniously cut the ribbon for the GRAND OPENING on April 27 with special guests and announcing a new round of grants to support pop-ups in vacant Castro storefronts. The dynamic speakers included Terry Beswick as emcee; Mayor London Breed who snipped the ribbon with oversize scissors;Castro District Supervisor Rafael Mandelman;proud new owner of Welcome Castro, Robert Emmons; Terrance Alan, President of the Castro Merchants; and a very special drag queen story-time with the DQ extraordinaire Per Sia reading to us about how all bodies are “cool,” which we repeated each time she asked about various bodies, and we “children” shouted out loud and proud: “COOL!” She later joined Olivia Hart and Christina Ashton with fabulous drag performances outside the store.
We also celebrated a window art installation by Serge Gay, Jr. in collaboration with the CASTRO LGBTQ CULTURAL DISTRICT, as well as a History of the Castro exhibit featuring photos from Daniel Nicoletta and others. Staffed by friendly neighborhood ambassadors ready to answer peoples’ questions about the queer Castro’s rainbow of offerings, with guides and other printed materials in multiple languages, Welcome Castro (in the words of the late, great Supervisor Harvey Milk) is “here to recruit you!” BTW, I was quite happy to purchase a lovely pair of rainbow knee-high socks.
Sister Dana sez, “Shop till you drop at Welcome Castro! Buy, buy, buy! You’re not going broke, you’re supporting the queers!”
LOVE YOUR UGLY was an artist talk with Clint Frederic Wiater on April 27 at 2358MRKT. He discussed art, life, healing, and queer existence. He displayed 44 pieces of original art work, highlighting the last decade of his creative journey. Among my favorite encaustic on wood panel pieces (that will still be on display all May) are #40 “Iconic Castro,” #42 “Hope We Never Be Silent,” #34 “CEO of Grindr Is a Pimp,” and his entire underwear series. Check all of them out at 2358 Market Street!
Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS), a program of SHANTI PROJECT, keeps people and their companion animals together. PAWS believes that no one should have to make the difficult choice of caring for themselves or caring for their beloved pets. They provide free comprehensive support services for pets of older adults and individuals living with disability or illness. PAWS presents their annual fundraiser, PETCHITECTURE at the Fairmont San Francisco on May 18, 6 pm reception for canine guests & their humans; 7:3 0pm formal dinner and program. In the past, on display were various forms of architecture for pets. Thus, the titled fundraiser. https://www.shanti.org/
With over 900,000 members, Equality California (EQCA) is one of the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organizations. And they are California’s only LGBTQ civil rights organization working at the local, state, and national levels. EQCA is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that works to achieve full, lived LGBTQ equality by electing pro-equality leaders, passing pro-equality legislation, and fighting for LGBTQ civil rights and social justice in the courtroom. EQUALITY CALIFORNIA (EQCA) recognized Stop AAPI Hate and also Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, a glass-ceiling-breaker and American icon who has been a champion for the LGBTQ community from the very beginning of her career. The annual SAN FRANCISCO EQUALITY AWARDS fundraiser was held on April 29 at the International Mark Hopkins Hotel. We mingled with legislators, advocates, and community leaders as we celebrated the accomplishments of the past year and geared up for the fight ahead. Speaker Pelosi received the Vanguard Leadership Award, and Stop AAPI Hate received the Community Leadership Award, which is so apropos to kick off AAPI HERITAGE MONTH.
LOCKDOWN COMEDY continues to make us laugh on Zoom, with the next scheduled for Thursday, May 18, 7 pm, featuring headliner Dhaya Lakshminarayanan (SF), Nina G (Oakland), Nick Leonard (LA), and “The Geduldig Sisters”—producer/comic Lisa Geduldig and her 92-years-young mother, Arline Geduldig (both coming to us in Florida). https://www.koshercomedy.com/
In response to overwhelming demand, organizers of the upcoming May memorial for drag icon Heklina have announced that a block of Castro Street will be shut down. It’s been almost a month since the LGBTQ community was shocked by the passing of this amazing drag performer and nightlife promoter. Heklina, aka Stefan Grygelko, passed away unexpectedly while on tour with longtime friend and collaborator Peaches Christ in London. HEKLINA: A MEMORIAL (She Would Have Hated This) will take place on Tuesday, May 23, both inside and outside the Castro Theatre. Tickets for the inside are no longer available, but the show will be live-streamed on a big outdoor screen. Beginning at noon, Castro Street will be closed between Market and 18th streets where a stage for the event will be set up. The stage will be hosted by LOL McFiercen and Dulce De Leche.
DRAG FOR CUBA: Collection in the Castro was held on April 30. In addition to the financial and medical donations that RAINBOW WORLD FUND always brings, this year they collected wigs, female clothing, costume jewelry, make-up (new), and accessories for the Trans and drag community. Most Cubans live on or near the poverty level. Trans and drag expressive people simply cannot afford these items. They will be taking the items to Cuba on their 9th annual Rainbow World Fund humanitarian aid trip May 11–21. The items will arrive in time for Cuba’s Pride celebrations.
Incidentally, RAINBOW WORLD FUND (RWF) is honored to be the beneficiary of a special KREWE DE KINQUE event and beer bust on Saturday, May 20, from 4–7 pm at the Midnight Sun, 4067 18th Street. Please come meet our new Royals! Krewe de Kinque King XX Mez & Queen XX Moxie invite you to their first benefit at KDK’s home bar, the Midnight Sun! King & Queen XIX Mark & Tawdry will be presenting a BIG CHECK from our Bal Masque XX to the RWF LGBTQ+ Ukraine Emergency Fund.
CINCO DE MAYO, or the 5th of May, commemorates the Battle of Puebla in 1862 where Mexico defeated the French. This is seen as a day to celebrate the culture, achievements, and experiences of people with a Mexican background, who live in the United States. There is a large commercial element to the day, with businesses promoting Mexican services and goods—particularly food, drinks, and music.
Sister Dana sez, “Happy CINCO DE MAYO—no matter how you choose to celebrate it! But I would definitely think twice before wearing a giant sombrero.”
Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun
Published on May 4, 2023
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