By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun–
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!”
MIGHTY REAL, PRC’s annual celebration of hope, resilience, and pride, returned to the elegant Four Seasons Hotel on November 4. The event raises vital funds in support of PRC’s essential services for San Franciscans struggling with homelessness, substance use disorder, mental illness, and HIV/AIDS. PRC Board President Brian Schneider elaborated on the theme, “Mighty Real,” being named after Queen of Disco Sylvester’s signature song, “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real).”
After two decades under the inspirational guidance of Brett Andrews, PRC is experiencing its own set of changes as they usher in a new era of leadership. They are delighted to announce the passing of the leadership torch to Interim Chief Executive Officer Chuan Teng. She has been a part of the PRC family for more than ten years, initially as a staff attorney helping clients access public benefits, and most recently as Chief Operating Officer. “This year we celebrate new beginnings by honoring the past while looking to the future,” said Teng. PRC honored its retiring Chief Executive Officer, now CEO Emeritus, Brett Andrews, with the inaugural “PRC Lifetime Achievement Award,” presented to Brett for being a visionary leader who has made a true mark on the organization, and who has dedicated his life to the care of others for nearly 20 years of service. My dear friend Stafford Hemmer gave a truly moving testimonial of his healing experience through PRC.
I am particularly proud that we Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were honored with the Keystone Service Award for “their commitment to improving the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS and showing us that, through dedication of spirit, hard work, and sheer determination, we can envision a brighter future. We honor their pioneering work, their community service to the LGBTQ community, and their mission to promulgate joy and expiate guilt.” Senator Scott Wiener presented Certificates of Honor to other awardees: Outstanding Corporate Partner Award to Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, and the Sylvester Community Pillar Award to Latrice Royale. Patrice accepted in full drag to belt out the gay anthem “I Will Survive” and got us all standing on our feet and dancing!
Sister Dana sez, “Special congratulations to Supervisor Rafael Mandelman for winning overwhelmingly in the District 8 Election!”
Also, thanks to San Francisco voters who tremendously approved Prop F, the renewal of the LIBRARY PRESERVATION FUND (LPF), which secures funding for SF Public Library services and materials as well as operations of facilities and capital projects for the next 25 years. Last July, in addition to an endorsement from Mayor Breed, all eleven district supervisors signed on as co-sponsors to support the LPF renewal and voted unanimously to place it on the November ballot.
Sister Dana sez, “Marjorie Taylor Greene has filed Articles of Impeachment against Attorney General Merrick Garland. Is this officially Opposite Day—when it’s actually vice versa? Garland should IMPEACH GREENE for her overt insurrection!”
NCLR (The National Center for Lesbian Rights) held the CHAMPIONS FOR JUSTICE DINNER at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on November 11. Noting that the gala fell on Veterans Day, NCLR began the night’s celebration by welcoming LGBTQ members of the United States Armed Forces on stage to honor them for their service. This was the first in-person event since 2019—and celebrated NCLR’s 45th anniversary, as well as serving as the organization’s inaugural annual gathering for Imani Rupert-Gordon, who joined NCLR as their new Executive Director in March 2020. “Despite the many challenges we have faced over the past few years, we still have much to celebrate, including our historic wins this year on behalf of transgender youth in Alabama and Utah,” she said. “Even though it is clear there is still much work to be done—including defeating laws like ‘Don’t Say Gay or Trans’ in Florida,” continued Rupert-Gordon, “we know that our fight for justice puts us on the right side of history. We will lead with the bravery in our heart that is written into the DNA of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.”
Dinner was hosted by actor and comedian Cameron Esposito. NCLR bestowed their “Justice Award” to Kansas Representative Sharice Davids, “Voice & Visibility Awards” to actress and producer Abbi Jacobson and philanthropist and award-winning independent musician Gina Chávez, and “Courage Awards” to Doctors Morissa Ladinsky and Hussein Abdul-Latif, and Cameron Wright.
Sister Dana sez, “Whose brilliant (NOT) idea was it to remove the newsstand from its longstanding Castro Station location? This was GAY CENTRAL for the queer readers of magazines. Not cool!”
Works of HeART was a lovely fundraising art auction for MAITRI held on November 12 at Art Attack SF in the Castro. “Maitri” is Sanskrit for “compassionate friendship.” They provide compassionate residential care for people in need of hospice, respite, or 24-hour medical care. Exhibiting more than 50 pieces by local artists, they had the perfect piece of art to fill that space on your wall. Alas—here in my little Castro studio—there is not one square inch of room to add more art to what I like to call my “nun museum” of art and photos. It was just so gratifying to see that the proceeds went directly towards Maitri’s compassionate care for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and those affirming their gender. https://www.maitrisf.org/
Sister Dana sez, “President Biden should award Liz Cheney with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It’s because of courageous Americans like Cheney that our Democracy is still intact!”
FABULOSA BOOKS at 489 Castro Street on November 22, 7 pm presents a reading from author Jake Newsome of his PINK TRIANGLE LEGACIES, telling the dynamic and inspiring history of the LGBTQ community’s original pride symbol by tracing the transformation of the pink triangle from a Nazi concentration camp badge into a widespread emblem of queer liberation, pride, and community. Drawing from unexplored archival sources and original interviews, this historian showcases the voices of LGBTQ Holocaust victims and a rich tapestry of queer lives who found meaning in the pink triangle in a post-Holocaust world. https://www.fabulosabooks.com/
Cast members from the Broadway touring cast of Ain’t Too Proud will present a special cabaret production, “LOVE’S IN NEED OF LOVE TODAY“, featuring Motown, holiday, and more music on November 28, 7:30 pm at the Strand Theater, 1127 Market. Jazz icon Paula West will be a special guest for this special benefit cabaret show. Proceeds will benefit The RICHMOND/ERMET AID FOUNDATION (REAF) and BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS. https://www.reaf-sf.org/
Mayor London Breed and Santa will officially kickoff the famous CASTRO HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING—a fun, festive ceremony with sing-alongs, SF GAY MEN’S CHORUS, SF LESBIAN/GAY FREEDOM BAND, and much, much more—on November 28, 6 pm, outside 501 Castro Street. https://bit.ly/3tsQucN
LIGHT IN THE GROVE will return on the evening of November 30, 6–9:30 pm as a tented, indoor magical celebration of Reunion, Remembrance, and Renewal in the NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL GROVE. Held annually on the eve of WORLD AIDS DAY, it is the Grove’s largest annual fundraising event, with all proceeds directly supporting the mission and programs of the National AIDS Memorial. https://www.aidsmemorial.org/grove
WORLD AIDS DAY takes place every December first each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day. Globally, there are an estimated 38 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS related illnesses, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. https://www.worldaidsday.org/
THEATRE RHINOCEROS presents A SLICE OF LIFE, a comic-drama written and directed by John Fisher, now through November 27 at 4229 18th Street, (formerly Spark Arts). Roxanne and Jordy have absolutely nothing in common, except that they are daughter and father. They are also both storytellers, with some stories true and others complete fantasies. https://therhino.org/
The JANUARY 6TH COMMITTEE have held their FINAL scheduled Public Hearing. So right-wing outlets are DESPERATE to stop the January 6th Committee from holding more hearings! SisterDanasez, “We must DEMAND more meetings and more truth-telling!”
After a successful San Francisco run, the hilarious, clever, kooky COCKETTES are storming Oakland with the ETERNAL EMISSIONS cabaret show at PianoFight Oakland (1540 Broadway) on December 3 & 4 at 7:30 pm. (This was just a tease, and I’ll tell you more in my December 1 column.) https://rb.gy/wqxvfd
A.C.T.‘s “A CHRISTMAS CAROL” will return to the stage for the first time in three years. AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER will usher in the holiday season with the in-person return of its celebrated production of the Charles Dickens classic. It will stay true to the heart of Dickens’s timeless story of redemption, and will bring a playful sensibility to his rich language. A Christmas Carol is a cornerstone of the A.C.T. repertory and has become a holiday tradition for families all around the San Francisco Bay Area for nearly 50 years. Staged at A.C.T.’s Toni Rembe Theater (formerly the Geary Theater) 415 Geary Street, November 30–December 24. Tickets at Box Office, 415-749-2228 or online at
Sister Dana sez, “Congratulations to Maura Healey and Tina Kotek making history, winning elections to be the first OPENLY LESBIAN U.S. Governors!”
Words of Wisdumb From a Fun Nun
Published on November 17, 2022
Recent Comments