As of this writing, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference (APEC) is wrapping up in San Francisco. Held from November 11–17, the summit is the largest international political gathering in San Francisco since the 1945 United Nations Conference on World Organization that led to the establishment of the United Nations. Parts of San Francisco were transformed for the summit, allowing APEC visitors to experience a more secure and spruced up city.
A legacy from Pride returned, with Illuminate reprising its June 2022 display of laser lights up Market Street. Emanating from the Ferry Building, the lights have been filling the night sky with jewel tone colors such as emerald green, sapphire blue, and ruby red. Ben Davis of Illuminate has also worked with Patrick Carney of the Pink Triangle Project atop Twin Peaks in June.
Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, along with co-hosts Mayor London Breed, California State Assemblymember Evan Low, and State Supervisor Scott Wiener, organized GAYPEC, a reception and party at Beaux in the Castro on November 15 for LGBTQ attendees of APEC. Equality California and the GLBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA) were also involved with the event. The focus was on queer Asian history and drag, with multiple drag artists performing. The San Francisco Bay Times plans to recap GAYPEC in the next issue.
The Castro Merchants were also brought into the planning of APEC, and created a “Perfect Day in the Castro.” Anyone can enjoy the recommendations, listed at https://sf.gov/perfect-day-castro
For more on APEC 2023: https://www.apec2023sf.org/
Published on November 16, 2023
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