By Rabbi Martin Rawlings-Fein—
As we prepare for the 29th Annual Alice Pride Breakfast on June 28, I have been thinking about what makes this event so important, not just for our community, but for our democracy.
The Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club (“Alice”) has always been about more than elections. For more than five decades, Alice has served as a gathering place for LGBTQ+ people and our allies to organize, advocate, and build political power from the inside. The Pride Breakfast is one of the most visible expressions of that work, bringing together elected officials, activists, labor leaders, community organizations, and everyday residents who believe that equality and justice require constant engagement.
This year’s Pride Breakfast carries meaning. We are commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot, one of the earliest known acts of organized transgender resistance in the United States. Three years before Stonewall, transgender women, drag queens, lesbians, gay men, and other TGNC people in San Francisco stood up against the police. Their bravery helped lay the foundation for the LGBTQ+ movement we know today and led to the development of the first-of-its-kind community-relations liaison for the LGBTQ+ community.
As a transgender man and one of the first transgender co-chairs of Alice, I am especially mindful of that history. I am fortunate to share this responsibility with my co-chair, Jane Natoli. Together, we became the first concurrent transgender co-chairs in the history of Alice. Our partnership expresses both how far our community has come and the work that remains ahead. At a time when transgender people are facing unprecedented attacks across the country, our leadership is an indication that transgender voices belong, not only in our community organizations, but at every table where decisions are being made.
One of Alice’s most important responsibilities is helping voters navigate local and state elections as evidenced by the work that we do with the San Francisco Bay Times. Our endorsement process is intentionally member driven. Candidates complete questionnaires, participate in forums, answer questions from our members, and engage in intelligent discussions about issues affecting LGBTQ+ people and our wider community. Endorsements are never automatic, no matter what people think. They are earned through transparency, accountability, and a demonstrated dedication to our values by attending our membership meetings and engaging with our process.
This year, our members considered early endorsements of both Scott Weiner for Congress and Gary McCoy in the District 8 Supervisor race. Following a recommendation from our Board, the membership voted at our membership meetings to move forward with early endorsement ballots for both. Regardless of the outcomes, the process itself reflects what makes Alice unique: Our members make decisions democratically after thorough consideration and oftentimes serious debate.
In recent months, we have hosted conversations on public transportation, public safety, exploring the historic relationship between the SFPD and the LGBTQ+ community, and challenges facing our community at the local, state, and national levels. These discussions help strengthen our common understanding and remind us that civic engagement is not something that happens every four years. It is an ongoing responsibility. We believe democracy works best when people are informed, involved, and feel empowered to participate.
The Pride Breakfast embodies this philosophy. It represents a celebration of our victories, an opportunity to honor those who came before us, and an invitation to act for the work that still lies ahead. This year, we are honored to welcome leaders, including Dr. Rev. Megan Rohrer; Mayor Daniel Lurie; Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi; one of two Democratic nominees for Congress, Scott Wiener; the Democratic nominee for Governor of California, Xavier Becerra; and community historian Andrea Horne; among others.
When our elected leaders are present, it reflects the influence our Alice community has built through decades of organizing our membership. But influence alone is not enough. We must continue to participate, advocate, and hold our leaders accountable for the impact of their policies. The history of the LGBTQ+ movement teaches us a simple truth: Progress does not happen by accident. It happens when people show up.
As we gather on June 28, we celebrate, not only San Francisco Pride, but also the democratic values, civic engagement, and community organizing that have made every victory possible. That is the legacy of Alice. And that is the future we are working to build.
The question is: Who will help build it? Join us at a future Alice membership meeting and be part of the next chapter.
Martin Rawlings-Fein is the Co-Chair of the Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club. He is a Bay Area rabbi, educator, and community leader dedicated to inclusive Jewish life, creative ritual, and spiritual care. https://alicebtoklas.org/
Published on June 25, 2026
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