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    Sister Dana sez, “Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!”

    Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun–

    By Sister Dana Van Iquity–

    Sister Dana sez, “Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! But I prefer to call it ‘ThanksGAYing,’ because I am thankful to be Gay! T.G.I.G.! Thank God I’m Gay!”

    Sister Dana sez, “A reminder that November is Transgender Awareness Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the lives of transgender and gender nonconforming people.”

    TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE is commemorated annually on November 20 to honor trans lives lost to violence each year. GLAAD has released a media guide to urge us journalists to accurately and inclusively cover transgender people so they can participate in and contribute to society in safety and acceptance, and will highlight trans people working in their communities to drive change.

    OUT & EQUAL Workplace Advocates has an extremely informative site addressing Transgender Day of Remembrance quite thoroughly. https://bit.ly/3n6aL5P

    Mayor London Breed and City Attorney David Chiu have announced a $2.5 million investment to promote and support the live music and entertainment sector in San Francisco. The funding will support the SF LIVE INITIATIVE, which will produce a new series of live performances presented by local entertainment venues at outdoor parks and plazas in 2022. The goals of the initiative are to showcase and support the San Francisco music and entertainment sector, boost neighborhood vitality and enhance the city’s economic recovery through arts and culture. Funding through SF Live will cover the costs of producing this outdoor event series as well as stipends to participating entertainment venues, who will curate talent lineups and market the performances. The $2.5 million investment is funded through an allocation from the California State Legislature led by Chiu, when he was an Assemblymember.

    A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is playing at the GATEWAY THEATRE, presented by 42ND STREET MOON. Hurry to catch this delightful, witty, and a little risqué romantic farce based on the Ingmar Bergman film Smiles of a Summer Night. Set in Sweden in the 1900s, it concerns a time when couples meet, part, and reunite during a glorious “Weekend in the Country”—all under the watchful eyes of the wry family matriarch and a harmonizing Greek chorus. It is filled with lively waltzes, but the dance must end November 21. The beautiful Stephen Sondheim score contains his biggest hit in “Send in the Clowns.” This is The Moon’s first main stage production in 20 months! https://tinyurl.com/332femd6

    You Can’t Stop the Beat! HAIRSPRAY, Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon is back on tour, November 23–28 at SAN JOSE’S CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, 255 S. Almaden Blvd. Join 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960’s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. https://broadwaysanjose.com/

    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER LIVE has arisen at The Oasis, 298 11th Street, now through December 4. “Into every generation a slayer is born: one drag queen in all the world, a chosen one. She alone will wield the strength and skill and the perfect stylish yet affordable boots.” The kick-ass cast is back along with some wicked new additions in a high-camp parody of the popular music episode “Once More, With Feeling!” That means … all drag! All dancing! All singing! Kings and queens are doing it with feeling! https://www.sfoasis.com/

    Harvey Milk and George Moscone were the brightest beacons of hope for San Francisco’s disenfranchised and displaced. But more than that, they represented the spirit of San Francisco. THE ANNUAL MILK-MOSCONE VIGIL will be held in Milk Plaza on November 27 from 7–8 pm.

    The annual HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING will take place on Monday, November 29, at 6 pm outside the Bank of America (500 Castro Street). The annual event marks the kickoff of the holiday shopping season and is sponsored by the CASTRO MERCHANTS. Expect live entertainment and a blessing by us Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

    The Tree Lighting will be followed by the MENORAH LIGHTING ceremony on Tuesday, November 30, at 6 pm at Jane Warner Plaza. The ceremony is organized by the CASTRO/UPPER MARKET COMMUNITY BENEFIT DISTRICT, CASTRO MERCHANTS, and SHA’AR ZAHAV.

    On December 1, the NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL will bring three powerful programs to the public for WORLD AIDS DAY that will offer inspiration, hope, remembrance, and reflection. The programming, free to the public, will include a virtual national forum and observance, hundreds of community displays of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, and a magical evening display of lights in the 10-acre National AIDS Memorial Grove. In the 30 years since the National AIDS Memorial was created, its mission has grown to include the 10-acre MEMORIAL GROVE, the 50,000 hand-sewn panels of the AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT, and engaging programs that include storytelling initiatives, youth scholarships, Quilt displays, volunteer workdays, and powerful community events. To learn more about the memorial and its World AIDS Day programs, including a full list of speakers, events and information on how to participate and provide support, visit https://www.aidsmemorial.org/

    Join HORIZONS for a panel that virtually brings together preeminent LGBTQ leaders to explore what’s next for our movement. This year, we’ve seen the start of a new administration, the continuation of a pandemic, and social justice battles waged in classrooms and state legislatures. Where do we go from here? December 1, 5–6:30 pm. Can’t make this time? Register to be the first to know when a recording is available. https://www.horizonsfoundation.org

    Sister Dana sez, “Tired of the same old, hetero holiday Hallmark and Lifetime rom-com movies?  Well, that’s gonna change this year with lots of LGBTQ-themed holiday flicks in the works. Ho ho, homos!”

    And NETFLIX is giving us an early present on December 2 with a way gay SINGLE ALL THE WAY with Michael Urie, Kathy Najimy, and Jennifer Coolidge!

    THE SAFEWAY HOLIDAY ICE RINK IN UNION SQUARE presents the 12th annual DRAG QUEENS ON ICE, December 2, 7 pm featuring Denali of RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 13) and an exceptional lineup of the fiercest EssEff drag queens and kings. Donna Sachet will host. A dynamic set of on-ice performances will feature the return of Dusty Porn, Mahlae BalenciagaKhmera Rouge, and Paju Munro,while Jubilee and Jota Mercury will take to the ice for their solo skating debuts. Special guests, Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Queen Dilly,Queen of Make Believe, will join in the festivities. https://unionsquareicerink.com/

    Actor Kal Penn has publicly opened up about his sexuality for the first time. The Indian-American performer, 44, published his autobiography You Cannot Be Serious. He says he and Josh (his partner of 11 years) are now trying to decide on what sort of wedding to have, with him wanting a “big ass Indian wedding,” while Josh wants something smaller: “So we have to meet halfway in the middle.” Sister Dana sez, “Welcome to our Team!”

    Senate Republicans have abused the filibuster yet again to stop the Senate from even debating the JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ACT that would protect our democracy and the right to vote. This marks the fourth time in the last six months that Senate Republicans have refused even to open debate on voter protections. It also marks the fourth time Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema have put protecting the arcane and destructive filibuster over protecting our democracy. Sister Dana sez, “Bust the filibuster! Destroy it now and forever!!!”

    We had the opportunity to come meet artist Isa Amalee to view her latest show—on display through 2021 at THE ACADEMY in the Castro at 2166 Market Street—featuring whimsical portrayals of famous characters in music and pop culture, as well as still life works. My faves that you should check out are as follows: “Lou Reed,” acrylic, pen on wood; “Grace Jones, The Comic Hero”; “Metallica, Whiskey in the Jar”; “Ziggy Stardust, Ground Control”; and “Joan Jett 2021.” https://amaleeart.com/

    PRC’s annual celebration of hope, resilience, and pride, MIGHTY REAL, returned LIVE to the Four Seasons Hotel on November 5. All proceeds of the fundraising gala went to support PRC’s lifesaving, integrated social, legal, and behavioral health services to help the city’s most vulnerable populations—including people affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use, or mental health issues. Speakers included Director of Development Randi Paul, Board President Brian Schneider, Chief Executive Officer Brett Andrews, and Mayor London Breed. Emcee was Dale Johannes.

    The height of the evening was the presentation to the 2021 MIGHTY REAL honorees. Broadway and show business legend Joel Grey received the Sylvester Community Pillar Award for his commitment to human rights and his heroic achievement in bringing Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart to Broadway. Activist and performer Honey Mahogany received the Vanguard Leadership Award for her seminal work within the LGBTQ+ community in San Francisco. Bare Chest Calendar was awarded the Outstanding Community Partner Award for raising more than $2 million for PRC over 38 years of calendars. And Tito’s Handmade Vodka was given the Outstanding Corporate Partner Award for valued sponsorship of PRC’s varied events over the years. I really must rave about LAST WAVE, the fabulous band that entertained us with golden oldies including Sylvester‘s “Mighty Real,” the night’s theme.

    RICHMOND/ERMET AID FOUNDATION (REAF) will present “HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS XX: Feliz Navidad” on Sunday, December 5, 7:30 pm at Brava Theater, 2781 24th Street. Enjoy the star-studded cast including David Burnham: Broadway, TV star; Leanne Borghesi: Cabaret star; Rodney Earl Jackson: Broadway actor/co-founder Bay Area Theater Company; Steve Knill: from TV’s The VoiceSharon McNight: Tony nominated cabaret star; Jai Rodriguez: Broadway, TV star; Shawn Ryan: from TV’s America’s Got TalentMarta Sanders: MAC award winning cabaret star; Bruce Vilanch: Broadway (Hairspray), TV star; Lisa Vroman: Broadway (Phantom of the Opera) star; Paula West: Cabaret/recording star; and Salsamania: World Champion dance troupe. https://www.reaf-sf.org/

    The new HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (HRC) survey says that 91% of LGBTQ adults are fully vaccinated. That’s 20 percentage points higher than the general population’s vaccination rate today; 70% of U.S. adults are fully vaccinated. Another 3% of LGBTQ people in the study said that they had gotten at least one dose of the vaccine. Sister Dana sez, “This news should not only BOOST our egos but inspire us to get BOOSTER shots!”

    Published on November 18, 2021