By Sister Dana Van Iquity
Sister Dana sez, “Doritos is showing its support for LGBTQ teenagers with limited-run rainbow tortilla chips. The move is part of Doritos’ partnership with the It Gets Better Project, an organization that encourages queer teens. Doritos rainbow chips, inspired by the pride flag, are available to consumers who donate ten or more dollars to the project. And, of course, the rabid rightwing homophobes are calling for an immediate boycott! Incredible!”
In celebration of their fanciful fabric showrooms, the SAN FRANCISCO DESIGN CENTER partnered with local drag queens to create amazing ensembles from textile manufacturers represented at the SFDC. The event was a combination variety/runway show with dossiers made for each queen. From amazing drag performances to high-energy acts, DESIGN MEETS THE DIVAS OF DRAG presented an unforgettable drag show emceed by Terry McLaughlin. To round out the variety show, a special ensemble performance from the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus highlighted the evening with “Give My Regards to Broadway” and other B-way favorites. Four finalists were chosen by celebrity judges, Sister Roma, Tim Seelig, Darin Geise, and Richard Hallmarq. One beautifully outfitted and talented queen was crowned. Net proceeds of the event benefited the EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY SERVICES’ new Navigation Center whose pilot program strives to find permanent housing for the homeless, directs them to rehabilitation and/or mental health centers, and provides bus rides home to family members.
Participating Queens and showrooms included: Madison McQueen paired with Kravet, Brunschwig & Fils/Lee Jofa paired with Khmera Rouge, Cowtan & Tout paired with Kylie Minono, DeSousa Hughes paired with Cassandra Cass, Duralee paired with Heklina, Fabricut paired with Paju Munro, Georgina Rice & Co paired with Raya Light, Hewn paired with Honey Mahogany, Kneedler | Fauchere paired with Mercedez Munro, Osborne & Little paired with Roxy-Cotten Candy, Quadrille paired with Pollo Del Mar, Robert Allen/Beacon Hill with Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, Shears & Window Textiles with PerSia, and Sloan Miyasato had Vanity Ytinav. My faves were Mercedez for her live singing and Katya singing a stunning pop-opera version of “Carmen” live as well. Otherwise the others did lip-synch numbers. After the judges compared notes, Katya was revealed as the winner! Congratz to you, dear Katya!
BALONEY: FOLSOM was San Francisco’s Gay All-Male Revue (except for a few women), at Oasis nightclub, choreographed by Rory Davis, directed by Michael Phillis, starring Will Bedell, Rory Davis, Shaun Mullen, Simon Palczynski, Michael Phillis, Andrew Sheets, Andrew Slade, Alex Steinhaus, Tim Wingert & Nancy French, and more. Sister Dana sez, “Be sure to catch the next, all new, all different version of BALONEY when it returns to Oasis!”
SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION presented TRIBUTE CELEBRATION 2015 at the Exploratorium on Pier 15 to reflect on the tremendous progress made in the fight against HIV, glimpse into the future of our work, and recommit to making San Francisco the first U.S. city to end the HIV epidemic. The event was hosted by comic Scott Nevins who did hilarious impressions of celebrities including Eartha Kitt, Harvey Fierstein, Carole Channing, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, and Cher.
All proceeds from Tribute Celebration directly supported San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
The DREAAM PROJECT is a San Francisco AIDS Foundation program that stands for “Determined to Respect and Encourage African American Men.” The DREAAM Award, honoring a young person of color and a leader for contributions to health and wellness in our community, was bestowed upon Ravi Williams. The Cleve Jones Award (Jones was a co-founder of SFAF and still very much an activist) was presented to Congresswoman Jackie Speier for her tireless efforts fighting for a healthier San Francisco. She is an outspoken advocate for women’s health and federally funded HIV testing and prevention services. She has also introduced bills against gay conversion therapy and in support of extending health care benefits to LGBTQ families.
Douglas M. Brooks, White House Office of National AIDS policy director, lauded SFAF CEO Neil Giuliano for his five years of service, and bade him a fond farewell to Phoenix, Arizona, as he leaves the office. Brooks applauded SFAF as the world model for HIV/AIDS policy and procedure. Giuliano announced the completion of construction at the new Castro SFAF building on Castro, and revealed the new title of the facility there was “Strut.” Strut is the new home for health and wellness from San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Located at 470 Castro Street and opening soon, it’s a place where gay and bi men can find tools and support to manage their health and connect with other guys. The RICHMOND/ERMET AID FOUNDATION (REAF) presented a special One Night Only Benefit Cabaret, OSCAR UNMASKED: An Evening of Academy Award-Winning Music with company mem bers from the National Touring Cast of The Phantom of the Opera at Marines’ Memorial Theater. It was a benefit for REAF and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Songs from The Phantom were not performed; but instead, dozens and dozens of Academy Award winning songs were. The event was produced by executive directors Ken Henderson & Joe Seiler. The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation has worked with over 40 touring casts to date to produce “One Night Only Cabaret” events. Approximately 400,000 happy people descended on SoMa for FOLSOM STREET FAIR on Folsom Street from 8th to 13th Streets. There were leatherfolk, rubber people, fetishists, drag queens, Star Wars characters, Roman centurions, naughty nurses, French maids, furries, plushies, ponies, nuns, and tourists. Among my favorites: Bare Chest Calendar guys were selling their calendars to benefit AIDS Emergency Fund and Positive Resource Center. Trans Thrive offered drop-in service for the transgender community. Native American Health Center provided free rapid HIV testing. My favorite tee-shirt noted: “Good boys need spankings too!” All in all it was a fine day at Folsom Fair!
VATICAN’T: So the visiting Pope didn’t bless same-sex marriage. No surprise. BFD.
REPUBLICAN’T: John Boehner steps down as House Speaker. Great. But will his do-nothing successor be worse?
COMING UP!
NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY (NCOD) is an internationally observed civil awareness day that takes place every October 11th. On this day people celebrate individuals who publicly identify as LGBTQ—coming out regarding one’s sexual orientation or gender identity being akin to a cultural rite of passage for so called queer people. Go purple on October 15th for #SPIRITDAY! Millions go purple on SPIRIT DAY in a stand against bullying and to show their support for LGBTQ youth. glaad.org
SPARK! is the TRANSGENDER LAW CENTER’s 13th anniversary celebration on October 1st, 6-10pm at Sir Francis Drake, 450 Powell Street. transgenderlawcenter.org
PEACHES CHRIST presents WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BIANCA DEL RIO? at the Castro Theatre, Saturday, October 3rd, 3 & 9pm. Starring Peaches, Bianca, Heklina, Mahlae Balenciaga, Lady Bear, Martiny, and more. Screening of the classic Whatever Happened to Baby Jane and this wacky live takeoff. peacheschrist.com
HORIZONS’ annual 35TH ANNIVERSARY GALA DINNER & CASINO PARTY returns to the historic Fairmont Hotel on October 3rd and once again takes over the iconic Tonga Room for a night that is “perfectly suited” to celebrate the Bay Area LGBT Community. A fabulous evening is in the cards! 5:30pm Reception & Silent Auction, 7pm Dinner & Program, 8:30 pm Casino Party & The Tonga Room. horizonsfoundation.org or phone 415-398-2333, ext 103.
ART FOR AIDS benefits the UCSF ALLIANCE HEALTH PROJECT on October 9th at City View, 135 Fourth Street @ 3rd, 4th Floor. Silent and Live Auctions of art. Food, wine, and cocktails: 6pm-10pm, VIP Reception: 5:30pm. artforaids@ucsf.edu
NUNS READING NOIR is a ONE CITY ONE BOOK discussion of DAVID TALBOT’s national bestseller, SEASON OF THE WITCH, hosted by the SAN FRANCISCO SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE at Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Branch Library, Saturday, October 10th, 2–4pm. Audience participation is ENCOURAGED. Free for all adults. Featuring EDDIE MULLER, the “Czar of Noir” and PAM TENT of The Cockettes. sfpl.org
SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS presents CRESCENDO TURNS 10! at Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton Street, Sunday, October 11th featuring Chad Michaels performing as Cher! sfgmc.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/Crescendo
The noted author HEATHER JACKS is currently working on two different coffee table books that are designed to showcase and preserve unique pieces of San Francisco’s history. Her second book explores the story behind the SAN FRANCISCO SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE. Jacks will be hosting a free fun fundraising launch party, which will include food, drinks, live music, raffles, a photo booth, and more at Cafe Flore, 2298 Market Street, corner of Market and 16th Street from 7pm to 11pm on Wednesday, October 14th. DENISE PANDEY has cleverly created huge cookies in the shapes of EssEff nuns’ busts for this EAT A SISTER event. Come eat Sister Dana the cookie! heatherjacks.com, tnbta.com
MARGARET CHO – THE PsyCHO TOUR is Thursday, October 15th at Castro Theatre, two shows: 8pm and 10:30pm. Says Margaret, “There’s no I in team, but there’s a CHO in PSYCHO!” ticketmaster.com/event/1C004EBAA3C53419
Sister Dana sez, “As anyone can attest, I like a man’s buns; but the current hairstyle of a man bun? I’m sorry. I can’t. I just can’t!”
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