Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun–
By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Sister Dana sez, “Besides getting a good deal on mattresses, exactly WHAT was the purpose of PRESIDENTS’ DAY anyway?!”
THE GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM, located in the heart of the Castro district, reopened to the public on February 23, after a month’s closure during the Omicron surge of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first stand-alone museum of LGBTQ history in the nation, the Museum displays the only known remnant of one of the two original RAINBOW FLAGS from 1978. The museum opened its doors to the public in 2011 and welcomes over 20,000 visitors annually. https://www.glbthistory.org/museum
Sister Dana sez, “Apparently I am now living in Upside-Down World, because I suddenly AGREE with Senator McConnell on something. Regarding the January 6 riot, in his words to my astonishment: ‘It was a violent insurrection for the purpose of trying to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after legitimately certifying the election from one administration to the next.’ OMG! Mitch and I are in accord!”
After more than two years as Executive Director of SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE, Fred Lopez will leave the role at the end of February to accept a position in the Director’s Office of the SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART. In the interim, Lopez will be succeeded by Suzanne Ford, a transgender woman who currently serves as SF Pride’s Treasurer. Following this year’s celebrations in June, the Board will embark on a search for who will fill the role of executive director on a permanent basis.
Sister Dana sez, “Considering upcoming Midterm Elections—for starters, the Democratic Platform includes the facts that 6.6 million jobs were added in President Biden’s first year; unemployment fell to 4.0% (a new pandemic low); and wages are up 5.7% from a year ago. Whereas the Republican Platform is merely the paltry Party of Trump—built on the four effs: fraud, fear, fascism, and free-for-all!”
It is a fact that over 90% of Canadian truck drivers are fully vaccinated, following their country’s health guidelines. Sister Dana sez, “What was with these other mother truckers, QAnon crazies, and far right-wing wacko protesters flocking from everywhere blocking borders—all for ‘freedom’ from lifesaving vaccination?! And then Repugnican politicos rushed to rally for their cause! This BORDERS on insanity!”
Luc Montagnier, a French virologist who shared a Nobel Prize for discovering the virus that causes AIDS, has died at age 89. But despite the fame he gained for his early discovery of the HIV virus, in later years he became an outspoken critic of the coronavirus vaccine.
A woman of mixed race appears to be the third person ever to be cured of HIV, using a new transplant method involving umbilical cord blood that opens up the possibility of curing more people of diverse racial backgrounds than was previously possible. Cord blood is more widely available than the adult stem cells used in the bone marrow transplants that cured the previous two patients, and it does not need to be matched as closely to the recipient. Most donors in registries are of Caucasian origin, so allowing for only a partial match has the potential to cure dozens of Americans who have both HIV and cancer each year, scientists said. https://www.croiconference.org/
“Let the Good Times Roll!” (as we KREWE DE KINQUE club members are fond to shout) with a PISCES BIRTHDAY HAPPY HOUR at 440 Castro with Krewe de Kinque Queen XVI Kelly Rose & King I Gary Virginia! The fun begins on Friday, February 25 (Kelly’s Birthday; Gary’s is the 23rd), from 5–7 pm. Find us at an outdoor table in the large parklet. No host bar with Happy Hour drink specials, celebration cake, outdoor music & the usual shenanigans. First come, first seating as available. Proof of vaccination required for bar service indoors. Festive attire encouraged! Please RSVP and join us on a busy Imperial Coronation weekend in San Francisco! https://tinyurl.com/2p8njdjm
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is signaling support for the “DON’T SAY GAY” bill, which would bar the “discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity” in primary schools. Meanwhile 300,000 “blue” suburban moms (including a progressive org: “Red, Wine, & Blue”) are mobilizing to counter conservatives in fights over masks, book bans, and diversity education. Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, executive director of GLSEN, stated, “The story of our democracy is the story of the fight to include everyone—Black people, Indigenous people, disabled people, immigrants, and LGBTQ people.” She stressed these bills take away the support and safety that young people desperately need in school.
President Joe Biden weighed in, saying, “I want every member of the LGBTQ community—especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill—to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are. I have your back, and my Administration will continue to fight for the protections and safety you deserve!”
The legislation would hurt kids who need the most protection in school and are “already vulnerable to bullying and violence just for being themselves,” said Kevin Munoz, White House assistant press secretary. “But make no mistake—this is not an isolated action. Across the country, we’re seeing Republican leaders take actions to regulate what students can or cannot read, what they can or cannot learn, and most troubling, who they can or cannot be,” Munoz added. “This is politics at its worse, cynically treating our students as pawns in a game and not people who deserve love and respect. At every step of the way, Republicans have peddled in cheap, political attacks, instead of focusing on the issues parents, students, and teachers care about.”
Opponents of the bills warn that they would lead to further stigmatization of gay, lesbian and transgender children, causing more bullying and suicides within an already marginalized community. They say the bills would eliminate LGBTQ history from the curriculum and prevent teachers from having discussions in their classrooms if questions about sexual orientation and gender identity came up.
Sister Dana sez, “I was never very nervous about mid-terms in college at UCLA, so why am I (and 64% of Americans) worried that democracy is in crisis and at risk of FAILING?!”
On February 17, LOCKDOWN COMEDY continued its Zoom show with comedians Becky Braunstein (Portland), Suwon Weaver (LA), Ian Williams (SF), producer/ comic Lisa Geduldig (SF & Florida), and her 90-year-old mom Arline Geduldig (Florida). It’s always a blast to laugh along with 90 strangers across the globe and chat during the after-party wrap-up! Join us again every third Thursday, 7 pm! https://tinyurl.com/46t63xud
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE continues to amuse, amaze, and make me awestruck (awe-strike me? cause awe? aw forgettit!). I am awe-stricken (sure, let’s go with that) because it has been revealed that both of the current contestants, Jasmine Kennedie and Bosco, are coming out as transgender and reviewing surgical options to medically transition “in the near future.” Drag Race season 14 is now on its way to becoming one of the most diverse casts in Drag Race history (sistory?), thanks to Bosco, Jasmine, and transgender contestants Kerri Colby and Kornbread “The Snack” Jeté. Kornbread is toast now, having been unluckily eliminated. The season also featured its first straight cisgender contestant, Maddy Morphosis, who just got bounced during his unfortunate “Lip-synch for Your Life” final competition. His performance fell flat (and not in a daring death drop), and he was sent straight home!
After three years without a host, the OSCARS are making up for lost time with three hosts for this year’s awards. Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes are in final talks to host the 94th Academy Awards. Three very funny ladies! Of course, the show doesn’t air until March 27, so a lot could change by then. But here’s hoping this trio survives the terrors of Tinseltown!
THE IMPERIAL COUNCIL OF SAN FRANCISCO, INC. presents CORONATION 57: “FAMILY IS UNIVERSAL.” Join us as we celebrate the reign of their most Imperial Majesties Emperor Mr. David Glamamore and Empress Juanita MORE! and the Court of More is MORE! and as we crown the successive Monarchs of The Imperial Council of San Francisco, Inc., the Founding Mother Court of the International Court System. Proceeds benefit the Imperial Council of San Francisco, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization in the State of California. Saturday, February 26, 5 pm–12 am, The Midway, 900 Marin Street. https://tinyurl.com/2cbzf72w
Sister Dana sez, “For those asking about my recent MRI journey in a gurney: I was in a tomb-like enclosure and despite 2 prescribed Xanax pills for claustrophobia, deep breathing, and self-hypnosis of relaxing on warm beach sand and ocean sounds—that was interrupted with the sound of a sudden shower of giant boulders falling on me; increasing volume of pounding; banging on pots and pans with brief welcomed periods of heavenly quiet; then sudden, jarring jack-hammering. Recycle and repeat! MRI ay ay ay! But like Gloria Gaynor, I Will Survive!”
Published on February 24, 2022
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