Images by Rink (1970s–1980s Photos Provided by Rafael Mandelman)
Rafael Mandelman, a former San Francisco Bay Times columnist, on January 8, 2025, was elected unanimously as the President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He is the third LGBTQ+ Board President, and the first such president in over two decades.
Mandelman was first elected to the SF Board of Supervisors in June 2018. It was a special election that had him replacing incumbent Jeff Sheehy for the duration of the term. Mandelman later that year won the November general election for a full term.
The photos of Rafael Mandelman with his mother Ellen Mandelman and grandmother are bittersweet, given that Ellen for years battled mental illness and homelessness. Young Rafael put his energies into his academic life, attending UC Berkeley, Harvard, and Yale, and being a model student. His upbringing helped shape his empathy for those facing personal challenges and instilled in him a desire to work to solve problems related to addiction, mental illness, homelessness, and more.
The role of president of the board is one of the most important in the city. The president, for example, is the first in the line of succession for mayor. Former mayor London Breed served as president of the board when mayor Ed Lee died. She became mayor for a brief time before later winning the 2018 mayoral election.
The president of the board also presides over meetings. Perhaps most importantly, the president can assign members to board committees. This can have a powerful impact on legislation.
At a time of great leadership change, both locally and nationally, Mandelman is a leader of compassion, integrity, and dedication whom many are looking to now for guidance. Those of us who worked with him at the Bay Times can attest to his thoughtfulness and professionalism—qualities that go hand in hand. Here, via images, we look back on Mandelman’s life and career as we look forward to following his work in the months ahead.
The Inauguration of Rafael Mandelman as a San Francisco Supervisor took place at City Hall on July 11, 2018. Dennis Herrera, then City Attorney of San Francisco, was among those who participated in the swearing in ceremony.
San Francisco Bay Times founding contributor and renowned activist Cleve Jones thanked Rafael Mandelman for attending his birthday party at the Mix bar in October 2017. The event benefited the Rainbow World Fund. Mandelman has attended many Jones birthday parties since, with all serving as important LGBTQ+ community fundraisers.
For several years, Rafael Mandelman was a San Francisco Bay Times columnist. His column was entitled “A San Francisco Kind of Democrat.” With fellow columnist Sister Dana Van Iquity, he attended the opening of the exhibit Bay Times Pride Kiss (showing images of couples kissing at the 2014 Pride Parade) at Sweet Inspiration Bakery Café on Market Street on Valentine’s Day, 2015.
Rafael Mandelman for years has supported both the Harvey Milk and the Alice B. Toklas Democratic clubs. With Sister Roma, Honey Mahogany, and Carolina Morales, he was photographed at the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club Dinner & Gayla at the Grey Area in July 2018.
Before and during his political career, Rafael Mandelman has continued to support multiple LGBTQ+ nonprofits. One year he even wore a onesie at the Santa Skivvies Run, a benefit for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. He was one of over 150 participants that year. After the run, they celebrated at the Lookout in the Castro.
The late great Jane Morrison, a legendary progressive leader in San Francisco, was a staunch supporter of Rafael Mandelman. In May 2010, she even hosted a benefit brunch for him at her home. As shown here, the event was attended by other well-known political influencers such as Aaron Peskin (then the Democratic Party Chair) and Tom Ammiano (then a California State Assemblyman)
(right) Rafael Mandelman was among the out LGBTQ+ community leaders who were with the marriage equality movement from the very beginning. In September 2013, with David Chiu, Scott Wiener, and Mark Leno, he helped celebrate the wedding of marriage equality activists Kris Perry and Sandy Stier.
Shown with Mark Leno, Donna Sachet, and Paul Tan, Rafael Mandelman attended the Human Rights Campaign Dinner at the St. Francis Hotel in October 2016.
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