By Donna Sachet–
San Francisco Pride 2024 lived up to its reputation as the premier party week in the country with something for everyone! We congratulate an incredible team of Board members, staff, and volunteers on once again putting all the pieces together, amazing our out-of-town guests, and pleasing all of us locals.
We arrived back from our whirlwind trip to Washington, D.C., for the President’s Pride Month Celebration at The White House (read all about it on page 18 of this issue of the Bay Times) just in time for Divas & Drinks at The Academy and our fourth annual Pride Party. DJ Rockaway, courtesy of Olivia Travel, got us off to a rousing start, followed by introductions of some very special guests. Visiting from New York City was popular live streamer Fernando Camino, founder of SuperFriends NYC. He was in town to bring a taste of San Francisco Pride to his many East Coast followers, streaming our Pride Parade from the Bay Times contingent. Also visiting were Elizabeth “Liz” Herren, Betty Sullivan’s daughter and Callie Herren, Betty’s granddaughter, … three generations of Sullivans at Divas & Drinks! Then it was time for a rapid-fire door prize drawing for five fabulous items, including two tickets to the exclusive VIP Pride Party at City Hall that Sunday. Remember the symbolic torch used to light the Pink Triangle a few years ago? It was on hand for the Dykes on Bikes to pass to Suzanne Ford and Nguyen Pham of SF Pride, followed by fabulous music from Renée Lubin, accompanied by Dee Spencer. Completing the evening was the Shake It! Booty Band with music and dancing into the night.
We started Pride Weekend very early with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi back at The Academy, but in the Legends Hall, for her Pride, Politics & Eggs Breakfast, attended by a slew of influential local Democrats. It was the great honor and pleasure of Gary Virginia and us to introduce the Speaker with a litany of her many legislative accomplishments and a tribute to her incredible leadership. She then shared personal comments about the political battle ahead and the need for all of our involvement. For those who claim not to be involved in politics, never forget that staying on the sidelines, not joining in campaigns, or even not voting, as all of these are political acts in themselves. The future of the nation, the State, and San Francisco are all on the ballot in November!
Saturday night, we joined friends for a totally new event hosted by the Bay Times, traveling by motor coach down the length of Market Street, tracing the path of the laser lights cast by Illuminate in the colors of the Gilbert Baker rainbow flag. Upon arriving at the Embarcadero, we disembarked to soak up the special ambiance of the night and the location, including uplifting music from violinist extraordinaire Kippy Marks. We joined him for a chorus of I Left My Heart in San Francisco to the delight of our crowd and the many others gathered there.
Sunday, we had another early start with the Alice B. Toklas Democratic Breakfast at the Hyatt Embarcadero, seated at Mayor London Breed’s prominent table. Nearly 600 guests heard from Speaker Emerita Pelosi, Mayor Breed, State Senator Scott Wiener, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, and surprise guest First Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. The hands-down most inspirational speech came from Pennsylvania Assembly Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, whose call to action reverberated around the room. No attendee remained on the sidelines after that speech.
From there, we found our way to the assigned spot for our contingent in the Pride Parade. Yes, we were in the Parade this year, riding with Khmera Rouge in a fun woodie station wagon, decorated by Patrick Rylee with inflated red lips and colorful advertisements for Sunday’s a Drag at Club Fugazi. To anyone who has never ridden in the Pride Parade, waiting in the wings for hours and finally turning that first corner onto Market Street, it is an indescribable experience! As we passed spectators four and five deep along the route, our personal pride in this incredible city and its LGBTQ+ Community was enormous.
Back in Civic Center, we joined hundreds of guests at City Hall for the VIP Party with wine, light refreshments, and entertainment, including the always powerfully alluring Jason Brock. Upstairs on the Mayor’s Balcony, we hobnobbed with those attending the Consular Corps Pride Parade Afterparty. After so much non-stop activity, it was refreshing to sit and visit with Gary Virginia, Deana Dawn, John Weber, Victor Ruiz-Cornejo, and so many others.
When we walked through Civic Center with our little companion Peanut the next day, hardly a trace of the tremendous barrage of events remained. It was hard to remember the masses gathered in front of the Main Stage, the hordes meandering and celebrating, and the palpable pride on display everywhere. We must not, however, forget that pride, that unity, and that power. Hang onto those memories as a source of strength as more difficult times loom ahead. We are all in this together; now, let’s act like it.
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
Sunday, July 14
Sunday’s a Drag at Club Fugazi
Featuring SF’s most fabulous drag performers
Hosted by Donna Sachet
Club Fugazi, 678 Green Street
July–September, every Sunday
Brunch at 11 am, show at noon
$76 & up
www.clubfugazi.com
Sunday, July 14
Help Is on the Way 30:
Broadway & Beyond
Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation
Debby Boone, David Burnham, Sam Harris, Bruce Vilanch,
Lisa Vroman & more
Touring cast of Mrs. Doubtfire
Marines’ Memorial Theater,
609 Sutter Street
Beacon Grand Hotel
(VIP after party with cast)
7:30 pm
$39 & up
www.reaf.org
Friday, July 26
Divas & Drinks
San Francisco Bay Times
Pride Contingent
Thank You Party
With Emcee Donna Sachet, iHeartRadio star
DJ Christie James,
SF Pride leadership,
and much more
The Academy SF,
2166 Market Street
6–10 pm
$15
www.academy-sf.com
Saturday, July 27
All the Tea
Retro disco dance party
Hosted by Gary Virginia
Midnight Sun, 4067 18th Street
Free!
Donna’s Chronicles
Published on July 11, 2024
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