Sister Dana Says Wisdumb from a Fun Nun

But now on to happy Halloween news and OUR traditional values (the EssEff ones) with THE SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE, who are putting on the annual CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN IN THE CASTRO, held again this year in the Gymnasium at Eureka Valley Rec Center, 100 Collingwood Park, between 18th and 19th Streets, Thursday October 31st, from 2:30-4:30pm. Starting at 2:30 we’ll have face painting, games, and entertainment with Cortez the Magnificent. At 3:30 we’ll begin the costume contest. We have numerous prizes donated byCliff’s Variety to give away to contestants in a variety of categories. Come bring the kiddies, who are encouraged to wear costumes along with their parents. By 4pm we will head out for our annual Halloween Parade, with festivities wrapping up around 5pm.

Not a trick but definitely a treat was BOYS’ LIFE at BeatBox, the first of the OUT MALE CONCERT SERIES featuring four of the hottest male musicians in the biz. The next Out Male Concert will be in the New Year. Don’t miss it! Performing individually and together, each of them brought their own unique style to the table to create a concert like no other! Fiercely femceed by Bebe Sweetbriar, it featured originals and classics by TV (X-Factor), film, and stage star Jason Brock; out Billboard recording artist Brian Kent, New York City-based singer Justin Utley; and catchy pop songwriterJeb Havens in his farewell EssEff performance, off to L.A. They had lively backup dancers and DJ Andrew Gibbons spinning. Stupendous!

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN  celebrated its 29th ANNUAL HRC SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA GALA DINNER at the Westin St. Francis Hotel. Nearly 800 of the Bay Area’s most influential citizens gathered at this event to celebrate the strides HRC has made toward achieving equality for our community in 2013, while preparing for the work ahead in the years to come. For more than 30 years, HRC has worked to pass hate crimes legislation, repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” enact marriage equality in double-digit states across the country, and ensure people can come out in their homes, workplaces, and communities. The program opened with a video of all the hate and lies spewed by homophobic organizations and leaders, which did not make for easy digestion of the lovely dinner served. Fortunately, later on a queer-positive video was screene

Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom was present. Jason Collins, newly out NBA basketball player on the cover of Sports Illustrated, said, “It is an honor to be here. Obviously this spring my life changed, and I am overwhelmed by all the support I am receiving.

“We cannot forget the Americans in 29 states who can be fired for being gay, or those in the 33 states who are fired for being transgender,” said dinner co-chair Heather Freyer. The theme was ENGAGE, and co-chair Matt Hendry said, “We honor our awardees, speakers, and special guests … as the very embodiment of what it means to engage and serve as powerful reminders of the impact that can be made through everyday giving and activism.

Frank Woo of the Board of Directors introduced HRC President Chad Griffin. “Our fight means committing harder and digging deeper than ever – so we can unite this country under a single banner of fairness, finally bringing full equality, including marriage, to all 50 states,” said Griffin. HRC helped bring marriage to Delaware, Minnesota, and Rhode Island, and sent the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to the Senate floor with bipartisan support for the first time in more than a decade. “We’ve already accomplished so much together, but equality can’t wait. Let’s make 2013 our biggest year yet. We have got to fight like hell!”

Three awards were presented. Laura Prepon received the Ally for Equality Award. She made her TV debut on the long-running sitcom, That 70’s Show as Donna, the girlfriend of Eric Forman (Topher Grace). She stars in the Netflix original series, Orange Is the New Black, opposite Taylor Schilling as Alex, the nefarious drug-trafficking ex to Schilling’s Piper. Prepon starred as Chelsea Hanson in the NBC comedy “Are You There, Chelsea?” We were treated to clips from some of her work. She said she really enjoyed playing a lesbian, and “I love being on a show that challenges taboos and barriers.” She noted the LGBTQ community has been “so supportive” of her, and is “so honored to be part of this community. HRC grows closer to my heart every year.” Dorothy Polash received the Charles M. Holmes Community Service Award. Polash worked as an actress and pop/rock singer in NYC, where she began her activism by working on the Hunger Project. She is an ardent believer in human rights, a consummate bridge builder, and our greatest ally. Since 2008, she has worked tirelessly with HRC, lobbying Congress on behalf of passage of ENDA, the Matthew Sheppard Hate Crime Bill, repeal of DADT, and downfall of DOMA. She also worked with HRC, Equality California, and the Courage Campaign to repeal Proposition H8. “I will continue my fight for LGBT equality in hopes that someday the struggle will be over, and equality will be law,” she said. Intel Corporation received the Corporate Equality Award, having earned a spot on the HRC Corporate Equality Index for 11 consecutive years for policies and practices that support their queer employees.

Entertainment was provided by Mary Lambert, formidable Seattle artist who caught the attention of local hip-hop duo,Macklemore & Ryan, with whom she wrote and sang the same-sex rights anthem, “Same Love,” which has sold over a million copies, peaking at number 11 on “The Billboard Hot 100.” She sang “She Keeps Me Warm” and recited a touching and personal original poem. Jess Godwin, from the Chicago music scene, played keyboards and sang with a sweet combination of the sounds of Alicia Keyes, Sarah Bareilles, and Norah Jones. In addition to classic covers, she sang some of her own compositions from her four EPs: To the Heart of It, Quiet the Room, Klutz, and Jess Goodwin. jessgodwin.com.

AIDS LEGAL REFERRAL PANEL held their JUSTICE FROM THE HEART 30TH ANNUAL RECEPTION & AUCTION in the Julia Morgan Ballroom at the Merchants Exchange, raising a record $162,000 to support ALRP’s free and low cost legal services and programs for people living with HIV/AIDS. The Annual Reception was attended by over 400 guests, also a record. During the evening, ALRP recognized its 30 years of achievement and honored those who have made a lasting difference in the lives of people with HIV/AIDS. Ambassador James C. Hormel presented the ALRP 2013 Clint Hockenberry Leadership Award to Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader. One of Congresswoman Pelosi’s first legislative victories was assisting in the creation of the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS program. She also worked to accelerate development of an HIV vaccine, expand access to Medicaid for people living with HIV, and increase funding for the Ryan White CARE Act, the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative, and other programs vital to people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS. During her Speakership, discretionary funding for HIV/AIDS was increased by over $500 million. She has personally fought to prevent drastic cuts in care and treatment funds for San Francisco’s HIV+ community, at one point restoring nearly $17 million to the county’s systems of care for people with HIV/AIDS. It would not be going too far to say that her work has probably saved the lives of some of ALRP’s clients. And she continues to advocate for people with HIV and AIDS, calling on the nation to redouble efforts. California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano presented the ALRP 2013 Attorney of the Year Award to Selby Lighthill, Esq., and the ALRP 2013 Firm of the Year Award to Hanson Bridgett LLP.

GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY hosted its annual UNMASKED gala fundraiser, bringing together enthusiasts of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender history for a festive evening at the Regency Center to support the GLBT History Museum in the Castro. “Unmasked pays homage to the pioneers of our community, who have made it possible for GLBT people to take off our masks and live our lives openly,” said Paul Boneberg, executive director of the GLBTHS. “This year, we’re highlighting the historic contributions of Bay Area GLBT media and two of our own longtime volunteers.” Emcees were board co-chairs Steven Gibson and Renee Perry. Entertainment included drag stars Miss Rahni and Landa Lakes, swing dancers Ron Jenkins and Photis Pishiaras, and DJ Rapid Fire. Amy Sueyoshi and Tom Burtch were honored with the Willie Walker Award, named after a founder of the society. Sueyoshi is a Historical Society board member who has served as an exhibition curator for The GLBT History Museum. Burtch has staffed the museum reception desk and assisted with exhibit installation; he is the lead curator of the museum’s current exhibition on the SF Gay Men’s Chorus.

Attending as special guests were representatives from the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, as well as historic queer media, including Ache: A Journal for Lesbians of African Descent (1989-1993); the Bay Area Reporter(publishing since 1971); “Fruit Punch” on KPFA Radio (1973-1995); “The Gay Life” on KSAN Radio (1977-1984); The Ladder: A Lesbian Review (1956-1972); San Francisco Bay Times (publishing since 1978 and the oldest fully LGBT funded, owned and operated paper in the Bay Area); the syndicated transgender column “Transmissions” (publishing since 2000); and Trikone Magazine (publishing since 1986).

PROJECT INFORM believes it is possible to create the first generation free of HIV and hepatitis C within the next decade. To achieve that dream, they focus their work in four areas: drug development, bio-medical prevention, education, and health care access. Project Inform encourages the development of better treatments and cures for both HIV and Hepatitis C. They advocate for innovative, medically-based prevention strategies, providing up-to-date, life-saving information to help people living with HIV and Hep C make the best choices regarding their treatment and care. And they press governments to set policies and assure unlimited access to affordable health care that will one day end the HIV and Hep C epidemics. Producers Henry Lucero, Christopher Berini, and Emily Mariko-Sanders presented the EVENING OF HOPE – A NIGHT OF LIFESAVING FASHION fundraiser for PI at Metreon City View. Fashionista Heklina, dressed in puss-print micro-mini and big big platinum wig, was mistress of ceremonies, entertaining with her eight diverse (old, young, fat, thin) urban/ street backup dancers to “Eaten Alive.” Later she and her gang would return to sing and dance proudly to “Proud Mary.”

The height of the evening was a fabulous Condom Couture Fashion Show, with models working the runway in designer haute couture condom gowns fashioned from fabric, shiny foil packs of condoms, and condoms themselves in all colors. Three of my faves had a gorge rainbow bustle and train of condoms; exaggerated epaulets of gold condom wrappers; and a man right out of Mad Max Thunderdome in black leather and black condoms. Hot!

Executive Director Dana Van Gorder announced that night they had raised $200,000, which does not count funds raised through the auctions brilliantly barked out by Lenny Broberg. Dana spoke of his recent cancer scare, having recovered and become more energized than ever to fight against HIV/AIDS and Hep C. “We continue to press forward with a greater sense of urgency,” he said. He lauded the original founder, the late Martin Delaney.

Project Inform honored four of their staff, David Evans, Alan McCord, Andrew Reynolds, and Anne Donnelly. They presented the Thomas M. Kelley Leadership Award to Kathleen Clanon, M.D., UCSF Division of HIV/AIDS aka Ward 86,East Bay AIDS Project, and Organization to Achieve Solutions in Substance-Abuse aka OASIS. Board ChairChristopher Esposito announced PI would be a lead beneficiary in next year’s AIDS Walk San Francisco.

CUMMING UP!

PROJECT NUNWAY V: DISSIDENT FUTURES brings THE SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE’s annual fashion gala back to the place of its glorious birth in the grandest fashion, featuring emcee Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s, Sister Roma, and guest judge Pandora Boxx of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Bay Area funketeers, Planet Booty, Honey Mahogany, and SpacEKrafT will provide the soundtrack as the Sisters turn out their best sashay and shantay, bedecked in original high-fashion (and high-concept) looks created from recycled materials in collaboration with local designers. Sister Dana will be modeling his look from Trash MashUp designs. Worrrrk! Saturday, November 2nd, 7pm, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Forum, 701 Mission Street. ybca.org.

THE RITA HAYWORTH OF THIS GENERATION is written and performed by Mexican-Italian actor, playwright, performance coach, and award winning co-screenwriter Tina D’Elia, directed by Mary Guzmán, Wednesdays and Thursdays, November 6th through November 21st, 8pm at The Garage, 715 Bryant at 5th Street, 715bryant.org, (415) 518-1517. A one-woman wow!

CELEBRATION OF LIFE in honored and loving memory of the iconic and extraordinary legacy of San Francisco’s belovedSTEVEN RASCHER, Emperor XVI After Norton of San Francisco, is Saturday, November 2nd, The ARC, 180 11th Street at Howard, 6-9pm. Per Steven’s request: no mourning attire; instead a happy, stylish & fun-filled celebration.

Velvet Rage Productions presents “FRIENDS: THE ONE WHERE EVERYBODY’S IN DRAG!” Don’t miss their latest production, 5 weeks only, starring Heklina, D’Arcy Drollinger, Leigh Crow, Nancy French, Gerri Lawlor, and StevenLeMay. Must end November 21st. Rebel, 1760 Market at Octavia Street. Two shows nightly every Wednesday, 7 and 9pm. friendsliveeventbrite.com.

NFL punter Chris Kluwe was one of the first pro-football players to stand up for LGBTQ rights, and he wrote a now-legendary letter defending his football buddy Brendon Ayanbadejo when Brendon was attacked by Maryland state delegate Emmett C. Burns, Jr. Join Chris, NCLR’s Executive Director Kate Kendell, and Senior Legislative and Policy Strategist Geoff Kors for an evening of cocktails, fun, and lots of football puns at NCLR MEN’S NIGHT. This event is not just for men; everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Wednesday, November 6th, 6-8pm, Infusion Lounge, 124 Ellis Street. RSVP by November 5 to Dani Siragusa at DSiragusa@NCLRights.org.

Pornocopia: flick pick of the week: Diversion, titanmen.com.

Sister Dana sez, “Contrary to their motto, Virginia is NOT for lovers – if yer queer – cuz Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli wants to ban same-sex marriage and make oral sex a felony. Seriously?!”