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    Sister Dana Sez, “HAPPY THANKSGIVING!”

    By Sister Dana Van Iquity–

    Sister Dana sez, “HAPPY THANKSGIVING (November 28) to everyone! This is a time for gratefulness and giving thanks. Although I always prefer to call this holi-gay as THANKS-GAYING! TGIG! Thank God I’m Gay! Every Day!”

    The holiday always occurs on the fourth Thursday of November, but the dates can differ based on leap years. We had a leap year in 2024. A November 28 Thanksgiving happens roughly every five-to-six years. Here’s a little history lesson: During the autumn of 1621, at least 90 Wampanoag Indigenous joined 52 English people at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, to mark a successful harvest. It is remembered today as the “First Thanksgiving,” although no one back then used that term.

    NOW WHAT? I chose to lead with that gratitude theme for my opening statement, and will continue to try to have hope—after this devastating election has happened—with the following reminder: Vice President Kamala Harris, in her Concession Speech, urged her supporters not to give up. “While I concede this election,” she said, “I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign.” She emphasized, “Sometimes the fight takes a while.”

    Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave these encouraging words on August 28, 1963: “Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

    The latest Exit Poll showed 86% of LGBTQ Americans voted for Kamala Harris. Hey, Harris fans and/or haters, I just saw this on the internet and had to repeat it: “It would appear that being a singularly worthless man is still a major advantage over being an exceptionally impressive woman.” Sister Dana sez, “Trump didn’t win; disinformation did!”

    To quote The Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, Dean of GRACE CATHEDRAL: “It is impossible not to overhear the conversation at the next table. My neighbor is addressing someone else, ‘convicted felon, and he gets elected … devious, smart people with a plan … dysfunctional!’ He sounds so hurt by the events of this week. I have heard from immigrants who worry about mass deportations and from friends who feel the election revealed our culture’s deep misogyny and racism. Yet others wonder about whether or not their marriages are at risk. My neighbor is now talking about what this election will mean for the future of democracy and for wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Grace Cathedral includes such a wide diversity of people. We have some who are very pleased about the election, as well as others who feel overcome by grief. The world has never needed Grace Cathedral more.” Sister Dana sez, “Amen!”

    Just two days after the Election Voting Day, on November 7, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a special session of the California Legislature to commit new funds to Attorney General Rob Bonta’s DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. The funds will be used to vigorously defend California values and policy priorities from the incoming Trump Administration’s anticipated assault. Senator Scott Wiener issued the following statement in response. “California will not roll over while our basic freedoms and values are trampled by Donald Trump and his allies. Trump has signaled a deep resentment of immigrants, LGBTQ people, women, climate action, and any American who doesn’t support his extremist vision for our nation. In California, we value pluralism and democracy, and any attempt to undermine these values will be met with the full force of California’s right to self-govern under the Constitution. These funds lay the groundwork for the long road ahead, as we prepare to defend Californians—and California values—from the dangerous and unlawful assault Trump has promised!”

    Sister Dana sez, “It’s heartening to know that at least SOME Californians have values—despite the fact that many of them (a sickening 38% of California) jumped onto the off-the-rail Trump train!”

    Sister Dana (right) with Gerard Koskovich (left) and Roberto Ordeñana (center) at the GLBT Historical Society’s Reunion Gala held at the Marines’ Memorial Club on October 19.
    Photo by Chris Michaelson

    THE LGBTQ+ VICTORY FUND has great news in their House races: incumbent candidates Angie Craig (MN-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Chris Pappas (NH-01), and Eric Sorensen (IL-17) are all headed back to the U.S. House! With their wins, ALL of the LGBTQ congressional incumbents have won their races! Sister Dana sez, “I know they will continue to be strong voices for EQUALITY in the United States House!”

    And more LGBTQ+ VICTORY FUND fantastic news: Kristin Alfheim has won her race and flipped a key seat in the WISCONSIN STATE SENATE! Extremist politicians and bigoted groups have been running anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ ads to attack candidates like Kristin. But Kristin’s victory—and the wins from other amazing LGBTQ candidates—shows that many voters are tired of the politics of hate. Sister Dana sez, “Not nearly enough—but many. Ten million people did not bother to vote.”

    State Senator Sarah McBride has taken an historic step with the race for Delaware’s only seat in the House of Representatives. This huge House win has made McBride the first out transgender person to serve in Congress, joining a shockingly small LGBTQ contingent in the House and Senate. She beat her Republican opponent, John Whalen III, who ran on an anti-immigration, anti-choice platform. And I’m so happy that Senator Tammy Baldwin fought homophobic attacks to retain her Senate seat in Wisconsin.

    Congratulations to Texas Representative Julie Johnson, who will be the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress from the South. Cheers to Washington State Representative Emily Randall, who will be the first Latina lesbian in Congress.

    The pro-LGBTQ ballot initiatives in California, Colorado, New York, and Hawaii won. Voters in those four states have decisively sided with LGBTQ rights.

    I’m just pointing out that Daniel Lurie will be the first San Francisco mayor in more than a century never to have served in government before his election. Just a fact.

    The world premiere of THE NANNY LIVE at SF OASIS runs now through November 30 at 298 Eleventh Street! When she appears on the doorstep of wealthy widower Maxwell Sheffield’s posh New York home, cosmetics saleswoman Fran Fine unexpectedly gets a job as the nanny for the Broadway producer›s three children. Get to know the whole family along with acid-tongued arch nemesis C.C. Babcock, Niles the sassy Butler, Fran’s meddling mother Sylvia, and more in this hilarious send up of the hit ’90s sitcom. The costumes! The sass! The hair! This is a show begging to be brought to the stage by drag performers! https://www.sfoasis.com/

    PROJECT OPEN HAND is celebrating its 32nd annual HAND TO HAND Gala on Friday, November 22, 6–9 pm at The Hibernia, 1 Jones Street. Partake in an evening of fun, food, and fundraising to celebrate their achievements, honor community members, and support Project Open Hand’s vision for a healthier California through nutrition. The mission of Project
    Open Hand is to improve health outcomes and quality of life by providing nutritious meals to the sick and vulnerable, caring for and educating the community. Their food is like medicine, helping clients recover from illness, get stronger, and lead healthier lives. https://www.openhand.org/

    Congress is about to hand “Trump the Terrorist” a giant weapon to crush dissent and stop groups from challenging his actions. “The Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act,” also known as H.R. 9495, would grant the Trump administration unilateral authority to revoke the tax-exempt status of any group it deems to be a “terrorist supporting organization.” The Trump administration wouldn’t have to provide an explanation. No due process. No justification. Sister Dana sez, “WARNING! Trump could stop any nonprofit’s ability to support itself with just the flick of his orange makeup-stained pen!”

    “CABARET” comes to the Castro on November 21! “So, life is disappointing?
    Forget it!” because THEATRE RHINOCEROS, in its third year of residence in San Francisco’s historically gay Castro neighborhood, presents Kander & Ebb’s timeless masterpiece Cabaret … in a tiny, perfectly intimate theater. Cabaret is directed by John Fisher with music direction by Armando Fox and choreography by Adin Walker. This classic musical stars an extremely talented ensemble of nine Bay Area actors and three live musicians. After this year’s election, who can’t relate to 1930s Berlin?! Now through December 15 at 4229 18th and Castro streets. “Come hear the music play!” https://www.therhino.org/

    LAURIE ROLDAN SINGS A SONG FOR YOU is a Cabaret Concert inspired by the music of Karen Carpenter—written and directed by Laurie Roldan. These are timeless Carpenters Christmas Favorites in a nostalgic evening to warm your hearts and lift your holiday spirits! The November 30, 2 pm and 7 pm shows run 90 minutes, with no intermission. 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. https://www.lesherartscenter.org/

    QBAR in the Castro held its GRAND RE-OPENING ceremony on November 9. Sister Bubbles Bathory of the SF SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE cheered on the happy onlookers with a blessing and ribbon-cutting, and then she introduced me to give an eyewitness report and little history lesson on how the fire first appeared on November 16, 2019. In the very early morning, I gazed through my window outside and down to the immediate left to see an abandoned building below completely engulfed in flames—and fire quickly making its way up the wooden banister towards me. I stood there praying aloud in utter terror—when a fireman suddenly appeared and hurriedly escorted me downstairs and across the street to wait for hours and hours in my pajamas while they put out the raging fire. Five years later of constant (noisy) reconstruction almost every day—and QBar is now open again!

    LYRIC, Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center for LGBTQ young folx, threw a fantastic DONOR APPRECIATION SOIRÉE in their new space at The Purple House, 127 Collingwood Street on November 14. This year they honored the one and only Juanita MORE! as Donor of the Year. Through her Pride Campaign, Juanita raised more than $140,000 for LYRIC youth. We are so grateful for her contributions to LYRIC and the wider LGBTQ community! Also honored were the LAZY BEAR group of Russian River bear party—accepted by Stephen Adams, and Oliver Elias Tinoco with the Youth Award. Lane Casey, LYRIC Director of Development and Communications, spoke and introduced Gael Lala-Chavez, LYRIC Executive Director, who thanked ALL the donors and friends for helping LYRIC’s vision to inspire and encourage youth to be who they want to be through social justice and to support young leaders, their families, and allies. Now more than ever, we are seeing more and more of our queer POC youth leading the way. As Juanita says for me and all other activists, “They will be my voice when I can’t speak anymore—and will change laws, minds, and open hearts. The time has come for everyone to celebrate LGBTQ+ POCs as leaders, activists, and trendsetters!”

    LIGHT IN THE GROVE is an annual, magical outdoor celebration of Love, Community, and Remembrance in the NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL GROVE in the heart of historic Golden Gate Park. On November 30, the eve of the WORLD AIDS DAY National Observance, this unique and inspiring event occurs. This is one of the Bay Area’s best LGBTQ fundraising events. Enjoy beautifully illuminated pathways with brilliant, colorful light displays, imaginative artistic features, and enchanting dance and musical performances. See the stunning night-time display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Spend time at the moving candlelight reflection at the Circle of Friends (many, many little inscribed tiles concerning those who have not survived their fight against AIDS). Feast on gourmet hors d’oeuvres, dinner, sweets, and beverages at various stations throughout the evening. Sister Roma will emcee featured guest speakers delivering inspiring reflections during a short program.  https://www.aidsmemorial.org/

    The annual CASTRO HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY will happen
    on Monday, December 2, on Castro Street, between 18th and 19th streets. The 2024 master of ceremonies will be none other than Donna Sachet. Expect local celebs, live music, and Santa with his elves. The yearly Holiday Tree is a Castro tradition maintained by Castro Merchants. This year, public support is even more important—as they need to replace nearly all of their red ornaments that were stolen last year. Even during the height of 2020’s shelter-in-place, Castro Merchants made sure the tree was there, lending its outdoor festive spirit and excellent photograph backdrop. It’s also a major foot traffic pull, which is critical for maintaining the “Shop Local” movement during the winter holidays. Shoppers should remember that the local stores are open for business—so we break our online retailer habits. 
    https://bit.ly/4hZjTmX

    Sister Dana sez, “Following the election and new autocracy cabinet plans, we are feeling a range of emotions: fear, anger, confusion, sadness, and more. But whatever we’re feeling, we don’t have to face this alone. We are part of a community of millions of likeminded folx across the planet, and no matter what’s next, we’ll face it together!”

    Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun
    Published on November 21, 2024