By Sister Dana Van Iquity—
Sister Dana sez, “Happy LABOR DAY! And I don’t really care if you wear white after Labor Day!”
The rule against wearing white after Labor Day started in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a mix of practical weather habits and strict upper-class social signaling by the elite. That ain’t us! This year, Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7, 2026, which is the latest possible date the holiday can occur. This is the unofficial end of summer and a federal holiday honoring the American labor movement.
FABULOSA BOOKS presented yet another of their informative, inspirational Author Talks (they don’t call it Fabulosa for nothin’) at 498 Castro Street on August 16. We truly enjoyed the Q&A with Dr. William Stell who has written “BORN AGAIN QUEER,” which was presented by Metropolitan Community Church SF (MCC) and was beautifully moderated by Senior Pastor Rev. Daniel Borysewicz. MCC provided free pink stickers stating, “God Thinks You Are Fabulous.” Well, no wonder MCC boldly states on its free pink cards, “We are a home for Queer Spirituality” and “Where Your Queerness Is Not Only Welcomed But Celebrated!” Way back before I became a nun, I used to volunteer as a ball-caller for Bingo as a fundraiser at their church just three blocks from my home. Then, in 1985, when I became a nun, it was only natural to fundraise there in total Sister drag and makeup. But MCC has now moved to 1620 Gough Street. From where did all this evangelical homophobia come anyway? Most evangelicals feel entitled to hate LGBTQ people and deprive us from our civil rights—backing their bigotry with supposed Bible verses. Side note: Didn’t Jesus say there is only one commandment, to love thy neighbor as thyself? Hello!? We queers are your neighbor! This book shows the history of evangelical gay activism versus the making of anti-gay Xtianity. Evangelicals claim that their opposition to homosexuality is an inherent feature of their faith, rooted in their unchanging beliefs about the Bible. Most scholars, journalists, and observers have accepted this account; in Born Again Queer, Stell upends it. Arguing that the anti-gay majority in evangelicalism has been less dominant and more vulnerable than previously thought, Stell describes a network of authors, ministers, and professors—all veterans of major evangelical institutions—who worked in the 1970s and 1980s to persuade Christians that their churches should affirm the relationships and ministries of gay and lesbian members. By the late 1970s, some even thought that these activists might shape the future of evangelicalism. That speculation proved mistaken, and the anti-gay evangelical majority eventually overpowered the gay-affirming minority. Stell’s book shines a brilliant light on this largely forgotten chapter in American evangelicalism. Drawing on extensive archival research and interviews, Stell documents the work of four prominent activists: the founder of a predominantly LGBTQ denomination called the Metropolitan Community Churches, the leader of a gay advocacy organization called Evangelicals Concerned, and the evangelical feminist coauthors of the influential book Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? By recovering the successes of evangelical gay activists and the struggles of their opponents, Stell’s account transforms how we think about evangelicalism, how we talk about the culture wars, and how we approach both religion in queer movements and queer activism in religious movements. As a former member of an anti-gay Xtian cult in Redwood City for seven years, 1972–1979 (where they preached, “Homosexuality is the same as murder in the eyes of God,” to which I tried to disagree and then got an exorcism on the church floor), I really identified with this exceptional book. Buy it at Fabulosa!!
San Francisco queer artist June Petrie exhibits her layered acrylic and mixed-media abstract paintings at Fabulosa Books. Landscapes, animals (especially the glittered roosters), figures, and cosmic imagery emerge. Catch her statement: Instagram:@junepetrieartist.
On August 11, just hours after Todd Blanche was sworn in as Trump’s Attorney General, the Department of Justice moved to shield “Dear Leader” from accountability. Releasing a memo from the Office of Legal Counsel, this act expanded the scope of executive privilege. The new guidance would extend privilege to communications with “private advisors so long as they relate to official presidential decision-making, involve or reflect communications with the president or his direct advisors, and are confidential.” This matters because it may curtail roadblocks to potential oversight efforts. Executive privilege is NOT absolute! Congress should be able to override it as part of the legislative branch of government with its legitimate function showing a demonstrably critical need for oversight. Sister Dana sez, “Unfortunately, under this awful autocratic, imperialistic government, the prez and HIS butt-smooching Congress have the last say. But WE the people say, ‘Down with Trump and his monstrous minions!”
According to PolitiFact on August 14, Trump devoted 45,000 words since January to construction on such projects as the Reflecting Pool and the Golden Ballroom. He mentioned these at 84 events across 66 days, more than a quarter of all his public events during that period. He has talked more about them than topics that we citizens truly care about, such as the economy and immigration. Sister Dana sez, “We know that talkative Trump can be wordy, but why is this windbag so loquacious and gabby about the same stupid issues about which we citizens could care less?!”
In the upcoming midterm elections, we need to flip four MAGA-held states: Montana, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. As President Barack Obama says, “A House majority will be the first line of defense and first step forward in protecting our democratic system!” Sister Dana sez, “Oh how I wish Obama was OUR president—or maybe in the future … a judge in the Supreme Court!”
Tyrant Trump plans to send 1,000 poll monitors nationwide. Sister Dana sez, “More like election HARASSERS!”
According to Queerty, Republicans were just busted creating fake “local news” outlets online to deceive swing state voters. Looking into a network of seemingly independent news sources in key battleground states, they uncovered a common thread: sites like “Iowa Voice” and “Maine Policy Updates” might seem like places you can turn to for actual policy updates. But, when you start reading some of the (almost certainly AI-generated) articles, something doesn’t quite add up. That is because they are all funded by the same dark money group One Nation. And that money leads straight to a Senate GOP Super PAC. The sites feature articles tailored to foster a favorable opinion of Republican lawmakers in states like Ohio, Alaska, and Georgia, where Trump-aligned figures predict a tougher-than-usual midterm battle. It’s not a simple case of touting the accomplishments of Republicans and putting down their Democratic opponents. These sites peddle in utter falsehoods, giving GOP candidates credit for changes they had nothing to do with, and falsely accusing Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff of wanting to “gut” a child tax credit initiative in Georgia. Sister Dana sez, “It’s so typical of Repugnicans to lie and cheat whenever they can!”
To those folx wondering why I suddenly have a big, black eye and cheek, I will explain. After the SF Pride Parade, I fell to the asphalt. And a week later, I tripped and fell in my home. Sister Dana sez, “Now you can call me ‘The Fall Guy’!”
Sister Dana Sez, Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun
Published on August 27, 2026
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