By Donna Sachet–
Pride Month started early and hasn’t stopped since! Come with us for a whirlwind tour of events over the past couple weeks.
On June 9, we attended the first full-scale fashion show benefiting the Transgender District at The Academy, the private LGBTQ+ club that continues to broaden its offering of events for every taste. This Queer/Trans fashion show showcased local creators, models, and stylists with a far-reaching assemblage of looks, punctuated by creative performances, as about 100 people took it all in. One never knows where the next break-out fashion designer will arise!
The next day, the SF Giants hosted their Pride Day, preceded by a salute to the memory of Heklina, organized by good friends Sister Roma and Peaches Christ. Although we were unable to attend, all reports indicate a well-attended game and lots of LGBTQ+ visibility.
On Sunday, June 11, we joined a small group at the Mission Cultural Center for a long-awaited screening of Joe Castel’s Nelly Queen: The Life and Times of José Sarria. If there were ever a doubt about the significant contributions of this man to our civil rights movement and to the vibrant life of San Francisco, this movie puts that to rest. Even as a friend of José for years, we learned new facts and gained an even greater appreciation for him. Make sure you see it when it goes into wide release. Among the attendees were three Emperors and three Empresses, other good friends of José, and even the son of the owner of The Black Cat, where José made his performing debut. In addition, this was our first visit to the Mission Cultural Center and we understand it is in financial distress. With so many urgent needs around us, it is hard to single out individual opportunities, but check it out before it closes for retrofitting and other improvements; maybe you will be moved to help out.
Manny Yekutiel had a dream and his coffee shop in the Mission has exceeded even his expectations. Here you have a place for people to linger, sometimes over coffee or books or public readings or political actions or lectures and the list goes on and on. Most prominent local and national politicians, at least Democratic ones, have appeared there, as have various writers, performers, and other activists. But Tuesday, June 13, broke new ground when Manny hosted First Lady Jill Biden, making various appearances across town, campaigning for her husband. That alone would be exciting, but in addition, Manny invited five drag queens to be the first to welcome her to San Francisco! We joined Honey Mahogany, Dulce de Leche, Grace Towers, and Juanita MORE! and ushered the First Lady into Manny’s. She was gracious and enthusiastic. Following that, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis introduced the First Lady to hundreds of well-wishers and she gave a rousing campaign speech. Don’t worry; photo evidence will follow.
Wednesday night’s Opening Night of the Frameline Film Festival was triumphant … the perfect film, Fairyland (a moving, sensitive story of parenthood, lovingly set in San Francisco), a packed house at the Castro Theatre (when have we seen that for years?), and the Castro neighborhood teeming with excitement (with bars, restaurants, and other businesses reaping rewards). If any recent event has put the COVID disaster in the background, it was this one. The roar of appreciation from the attending crowd must have given renewed energy to the Frameline team and film aficionados everywhere. The after-party at Terra Gallery was a terrific celebration, mixing the people behind films and those in front of them for cocktails, bites, and animated conversation. We had a quick moment with Frameline Executive Director James Woolley, who glowed with satisfaction.
The Pink Triangle once again is visible all over the city, thanks to Patrick Carney and his team of tireless volunteers, rising very early atop Twin Peaks annually to remember those shamed and imprisoned by Nazi Germany and turning this symbol into an emblem of resilience and strength. Last Saturday’s opening ceremony, attended by Mayor London Breed, State Senator Scott Wiener, Assemblymembers Phil Ting and Matt Haney, Supervisors Rafael Mandelman and Joel Engardio, and several other elected officials, offered spectacular vistas as the morning fog dispersed. Additional speakers D’Arcy Drollinger, Gary Virginia, Dr. Michelle Kraus, Joe Rodriguez, and Suzanne Ford gave a historical perspective to the Pink Triangle and its relevance to today. Pink balloons, pink fabric, and bottles of pink Champagne completed the picture.
The final weekend leading up to SF Pride Week ended with the Red Dress Bar Crawl, when every kind of red dress imaginable appeared on every male body type imaginable for an unimaginable display throughout the Castro. Must we reconsider our signature color? Perhaps.
Regardless, we anxiously await the many events of Pride Week, leading up to the extraordinary demonstration of the rich variety of the LGBTQ+ Community that is the Pride Parade & Celebration. So many places around the globe cannot envision ever having this freedom of expression and will be looking on with envy. Be visible! Be out! And be proud!
Donna Sachet is a celebrated performer, fundraiser, activist, and philanthropist who has dedicated over two decades to the LGBTQ Community in San Francisco. Contact her at empsachet@gmail.com
Thursday, June 22
Divas & Drinks
Bay Times party at The Academy
DJ Rockaway, Bacardí cocktails, Extreme Pizza
Pride Party & celebration
Featuring Rhonda Benin and the All Stars
Name That Tune ongoing competition
The Academy, 2166 Market Street
$20
https://tinyurl.com/yyzsmtrn
Saturday, June 24
Gary Virginia & Donna Sachet’s 25th Pride Brunch
Annual benefit for PRC, honoring SF Pride Parade Grand Marshals
3-course brunch, drinks, program, entertainment
Westin St. Francis Hotel, 335 Powell Street
11 am–2 pm
$150 & up
www.prc-sf.org
Sunday, June 25
SF Pride Parade and Festival
Market Street & Civic Center
www.sfpride.org
Wednesday, June 28
Comcast presents To Wong Foo screening
Co-Emcees Khmera Rouge & Jan Wahl with John Newmeyer
Personal video message from Julie Newmar
Dress as your favorite character
Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street
6 pm Door, 6:30 pm Film
Free movie & concessions with reservation!
https://tinyurl.com/47ypysec
Sunday, July 9
Broadway Drag Show
Hosted by Renita Valdez
Benefits Monarchs’ Charity Fund
Aunt Charlie’s Lounge, 133 Turk Street
4–7 pm
Free!
www.sfimperialcouncil.org
Wednesday, July 19
Hello, Yellow Brick Road: Elton, Wicked, & Oz … Oh My!
SF Gay Men’s Chorus
Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue
7:30 pm
$59–175
www.sfgmc.org
Donna’s Chronicles
Published on June 22, 2023
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