By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Sister Dana sez, “Happy HoliGays, and remember to keep the ‘X’ in ‘Xmas’!”
RAINBOW WORLD FUND held its 19th Annual RWF WORLD TREE OF HOPE LIGHTING CELEBRATION at Grace Cathedral on December 9. Thousands of origami cranes inscribed with wishes for the future of the world—from people all over the world—graced the tree. RWF is the world’s first LGBTQ-based humanitarian aid organization. Its mission is to promote peace, unity, and hope by leading the LGBTQ movement in participating in humanitarian relief efforts. Founded in 2000, RWF has donated over $6.5 million of lifesaving aid and provided more than 95,000 volunteers service hours. RWF is all-volunteer run. The evening’s awesome emcee was lovely Juanita MORE!. It featured the Grammy-winning San Francisco Boys Chorus, Cleve Jones, Origami Artist Linda Mihara, The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Young exchanging origami cranes with Deputy Consul General of Japan Takeshi Ishihara, the Queer Chorus of San Francisco, Leberta Lorál singing with Tammy Lynne Hall on piano, RWF Founder Jeff Cotter, and three of us Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc., blessing the tree.
Possible Secretary of State Marco Rubio has long opposed same-sex marriage, saying back in 2015 that the Supreme Court’s decision legalizing marriage equality was an example of the “government compelling” people “to sin.” Rubio has said, “There is no way … that there is a constitutional right to an abortion or a constitutional right to marry someone of the same sex.” He voted against the RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT, a law requiring states and the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages. He reportedly called the law “a stupid waste of time.” Sister Dana sez, “Here is yet another example of the horrific, dangerous, creepy cabinet choices by terrible Trump!”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) signed the FREEDOM TO READ ACT into law on December 9, banning libraries and public schools from banning books. The law is not set to take effect for a year, but the New Jersey state librarian and state education commissioner can implement it now as needed. It states that libraries cannot ban books based on origin, background, or the views presented in the text or by the authors. Librarians are also forbidden from banning texts they disagree with. “Across the nation, we have seen attempts to suppress and censor the stories and experiences of others,” Murphy said in a statement. “I’m proud to amplify the voices of our past and present, as there is no better way for our children to prepare for the future than to read freely.” The law also protects all public library staff “from criminal and civil liability arising from good faith actions performed pursuant to the provisions” of the bill, and provides residents “access to all library material, including diverse and inclusive material.” Sister Dana sez, “This is great news! It’s a beautiful ban on banning books!”
We delighted in the December 11 show that was staged at Feinstein’s at the Nikko, SONGS OF THE SEASON, a quintessential San Francisco holiday-themed cabaret founded by drag personality Donna Sachet and produced by Billboard recording artist Brian Kent as a benefit for PRC. Incredible performances combined tradition and whimsy, accompanied by witty banter. All proceeds helped support PRC’s lifesaving social, legal, and behavioral health services to help the city’s most vulnerable populations. The evening featured so many sweet songsters including Brian Kent, Leanne Borghesi (who spotted me at intermission and insisted I get a complete makeup makeover since I was not dressed as my nun self), along with Marta Sanders (as the co-partner with Borghesi of the sassy duo known as “The Show Broads”), Brian Justin Crum, Charles Jones, and Kenny Nelson; as well as quite clever Sister Roma (reading her witty, satiric, anti-Trump take on “T’was the Night Before Christmas” poem), violinist Kippy Marks, and Dr. Dee Spencer (on piano). But it was a truly sweet and tearful surprise as the grand finale to see and hear Donna Sachet singing “White Christmas” in person—as she had only just recovered from serious health issues. https://prcsf.org/
Unserialized and untraceable “ghost guns” are in the news after the capture of the gun-man who shot the CEO of United Health Care. But these deadly weapons are more prolific than only this shooting, and that’s why the Supreme Court is set to rule on the regulation of ghost guns by this summer. Sister Dana sez, “Ghost guns are REAL guns and must be regulated!
Mayor London Breed held this year’s annual GUN BUY BACK event on December 14, providing a place for people to turn in their weapons—no questions asked—and get guns off the streets and out of communities. SF Police reported that 88 weapons were returned. Good job, Mayor!
As if there were not enough reasons why Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for secretary of defense, should be dumped—he said on a 2015 Fox News clip that he believed out LGBTQ soldiers “erode” the U.S military’s effectiveness and that women in the military shouldn’t serve in combat roles, though he has recently tried to downplay those views to help his chance of winning Republican Senate confirmation. Here are his exact words back then: “What you’re seeing is a military right now that is more interested in social engineering led by this president than they are in war fighting. So, as a result, through ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and women in the military and these standards, they’re going to inevitably start to erode standards … and has nothing to do with national security.” Sister Dana sez, “Of course he took it all back—once he realized it would harm his confirmation. But you just know he will surely take back his take-back once safely installed!”
An estimated 6.1% of current military personnel identify as LGBTQ, according to a 2022 study, a percentage that accounts for approximately 126,827 people. If confirmed by the Senate, horrible Hegseth will be partially responsible for reinstating Trump’s ban on out trans military service members. The ban could result in the discharge of anywhere from 2,150 to 10,790 trans military members. On a positive note, in a statement against Hegseth’s views, HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN National Press Secretary Brandon Wolf wrote, “Every day, brave military servicemembers get up and courageously protect and defend our country. They put their lives on the line for our freedoms, and they are owed our ironclad gratitude for their sacrifice.”
Military families with transgender children are horrified by the House’s passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, and some servicemembers are now considering leaving the armed forces to protect their kids. The annual military budget contains a provision banning gender-affirming care for the trans children of military members. The bill passed on December 11, 2024, in a 281–140 vote, with 81 Democratic congressmembers voting in its favor. Sister Dana sez, “I expected nothing less from Repugnican Representatives, but SHAME on those Democrats for such a cowardly, cruel, spineless act!”
THE JANUARY 6TH COMMITTEE bravely fought to uncover the facts and hold terrorist Trump and his cronies accountable for his role in inciting a deadly insurrection against the United States on January 6, 2021. But now that he’ll be back in office, he wants revenge. He said the January 6th Committee should be JAILED. Sister Dana sez, “Hey Trump, you are either living in ‘Upside-down World’ or looking at a mirror—because it is YOU the insurrectionist who should be jailed!”
In other Upside-down World news, Time magazine has named Trump as “Person of the Year.” Sister Dana sez, “There must have been a typo on the cover—because I’m certain it was supposed to say ‘WORST Person of the Year’!”
According to LGBTQ Nation, Democratic leaders in Michigan are putting together a plan to keep their party in power after Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s second term ends in 2026. Could it be Governor Pete Buttigieg? “I haven’t made any big decisions about my future. And I know that we’ve got six more weeks, and we’re going to sprint through the tape,” Transportation Secretary Buttigieg told reporters at a recent event near Detroit. Sister Dana sez, “You go, girl! Run, Pete, Run! Please do it, Mister B!”
CARNAVAL SAN FRANCISCO is the largest and longest-running multicultural celebration in California, with over 400,000 people in attendance in the Mission District every Memorial Day weekend on every year since 1978. And, on December 12, they held the Grand Opening of “Casa de Carnaval,” their new permanent, brick & mortar home—having been evicted in five different locations since 2009. Mayor London Breed officially cut the colorful ribbon, and they are now located at the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Arts Healing Center at 683 Florida Street in the Mission District. The Carnaval San Francisco theme for 2024 was “Honor Indigenous Roots.” The idea of honoring indigenous heritage has always been part of Carnaval culture.
THE SAN FRANCISCO MIME TROUPE in cooperation with Z Space presents A RED CAROL, an Activist Adaptation of the Dickens classic. Adapted for the stage and directed by Michael Gene Sullivan, this is a limited engagement with 9 performances only! Now through December 29 at Z Space, 450 Florida Street. https://www.sfmt.org/
Mark your calendar now for the next LEATHER & LGBTQ CULTURAL DISTRICT Town Hall on January 11, 2–4 pm at the Folsom Street Community Center (1286 Folsom Street). Hear about what they have been doing and their plans for the future. The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District exists to represent and support us! They want to hear from us!
https://sfleatherdistrict.org/
LYRIC’s programs and services are open to LGBTQQ youth and allies 24 years old and younger. LYRIC’s next Board Meeting is open to the public. They invite interested community members to join them in person on January 14, 6:30–8:30 pm at 127 Collingwood Street in the Castro.
On New Year’s Eve 2014, with the help of so many people, OASIS nightclub was created. Owner and Drag Laureate D’Arcy Drollinger comments, “I will admit, so much has happened in the last decade it feels much longer than 10 years—from not wanting to sell the club and buying out my partners, to almost losing the club during the pandemic, to Heklina’s passing, to name a few.” Sister Dana sez, “ConDragulations, D’Arcy, on such a fabulous club and your Tenth Anniversary!”
The 39th annual JAPANESE NEW YEAR BELL-RINGING CEREMONY at the Asian Art Museum on 200 Larkin Street will happen on December 29 at 1 pm in Samsung Hall. Ring in the New Year by taking a swing at a 2,100-pound, 16th-century Japanese temple bell. Led by Reverend Gengo Akiba, this inspiring ceremony will include a purification ritual and chanting of the Buddhist Heart Sutra. Visitors will have an opportunity to ring the bell to leave behind any unfortunate experiences, regrettable deeds, or ill luck from the year. The bell will be struck 108 times to usher in the New Year and curb the 108 mortal desires that, according to Buddhist belief, torment humankind.
In other New Year News, Sister Dana (also known as Dennis) will usher in his 77th bidet (oops … I mean “B-day”) on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2025. Oh my! She old. Sister Dana sez, “Instead of making and then soon breaking your New Year’s Resolution, I have the solution: ‘I resolve to be the best me I can be.’ Just try to break THAT ONE!”
Sister Dana Sez, Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun
Published on December 19, 2024
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