By Sister Dan Van Iquity–
Sister Dana sez, “Haven’t the First 100 Days of Trump been just a breeze? Nope! More like a combination of hurricane, cyclone, and tornado!”
At the National Republican Congressional Committee Dinner, the Rump (with his usual hyperbole and over-exaggeration) lied, calling these “the most successful 100 Days in the history of our country.” Meanwhile, in the latest polls, Trump’s job approval has sunk to historic lows. Statistics show that the current president has the lowest 100-day approval rating of any president in the past 80 years. Americans are criticizing his major policies—especially on tariffs. And T’s 1st 100 are the worst stock market since nasty Nixon’s reign. Michigan Representative Shri Thanedar has filed Articles of Impeachment against the obvious autocrat—but with all the butt-smooching Repugnantcan Congress, we know there is no chance in hell of them releasing their firm attachment to T’s behind (both literally and statistically). Sister Dana sez, “When Trump told The Atlantic Magazine, ‘I Run The Country and The World,’ was that NOT grounds for impeachment?! Among the other 100+ reasons.”
I’m always thrilled when I can report good political news (so rare during these terrible Trumpian daze); but here are the latest setbacks in Court—riveting headlines that Dictator Donald is now suffering: in NBC News, “Judge blocks Trump bid to halt federal funding for sanctuary cities (that includes us San Franciscans),” and “Federal judge blocks portions of Trump executive orders on elections”; NPR, “Judge blocks Trump administration plans to dismantle Voice of America”; Washington Post, “Two federal courts extend Deportation block under Alien Enemies Act”; and The New York Times, “Courts block Trump from withholding school funds over D.E.I., for now.” Sister Dana sez, “Extra! Extra! Read all about it: Most of red America citizens are falling out of love for their King!”
In 1966, three years before Stonewall, the Tenderloin district of San Francisco became the stage for one of the first acts of organized LGBTQ resistance in the United States. The queens and transgender women who gathered at Compton’s Cafeteria weren’t just meeting for a meal—they were building community and finding strength in their shared struggles. When police harassment pushed them too far, they took a stand. Their bravery sparked a riot that changed the course of LGBTQ history. COMPTON’S CAFETERIA RIOT, playing now through July 26, Fridays & Saturdays 7–9 pm at 835 Larkin Street, is the story of their resilience, their defiance, and their fight for the right to exist. Written by Collette LeGrande, Donna Personna, and Mark Nassar, directed by Ezra Reaves, and produced by TENDERLOIN MUSEUM—this is a late-night breakfast immersive and interactive theatrical experience bringing this groundbreaking moment to life. Come get served! https://www.comptonscafeteriariot.com/
EQUALITY CALIFORNIA (EQCA) held its April 25 EQUALITY SAN FRANCISCO AWARDS at The Conservatory at One Sansome, where former San Francisco International Airport Director Ivar C. Satero received the “Ally Leadership Award,” and Gigi Gorgeous accepted the “Equality Visibility Award.” Gigi reflected on her journey to living her truth as a transgender woman and offered a powerful message for LGBTQ youth: “This award is for every young person who feels unseen, unheard, or unsure: You are not alone. You are powerful, you are worthy, and your story matters.” Influential leaders spoke, including Controller Malia Cohen, Senator Scott Wiener, Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, and President of the SF Board of Supervisors Rafael Mandelman.
Commander-in-Thief Trump is assailing the beyond-reproach Democratic fundraising platform, ACTBLUE, by taking executive action and making his Department of “Justice” and A.G. Pam Bondi investigate for fraud or any other lie they come up with. ActBlue Communications Director Megan Hughes has responded, “The Trump administration’s and GOP’s targeting of ActBlue is part of their brazen attack on democracy in America. [This] escalation by the White House is blatantly unlawful and needs to be seen for what it is: Donald Trump’s latest front in his campaign to stamp out all political, electoral, and ideological opposition.” Representative Gerry Connolly, top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, stated, “There is no room for grift, foreign influence, or corruption in our elections.” He concluded, if Trump “was at all serious about cracking down on foreign corruption of U.S. elections, he would start by taking the ‘For Sale’ sign off his own back.”
As a reminder to what I stated in my last column, Andry José Hernández Romero is a 31-year-old, gay make-up artist and stylist, who enjoys theatre, costume design, and the arts. He is also an asylum seeker from Venezuela who had a scheduled asylum appointment but was wrongfully deported to a notorious maximum security “terrorism confinement” prison in El Salvador without due process of law. His story was recently featured on CBS News’ 60 Minutes. Now Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem need to be ordered to cease wrongful deportations and return Hernández Romero and others like him safely and immediately—and to afford all Americans, asylum seekers, and foreign nationals residing in the United States due process of law as required by the U.S. CONSTITUTION! Hernández Romero has no criminal record and is legally seeking asylum in the United States due to credible threats of violence against him in Venezuela (not El Salvador) because of his sexual orientation and political beliefs. His kidnapping, deportation, and imprisonment is a wound against the entire community. Nobody has heard from him nor about him since his awful unlawful abduction.
That is why our queer community and allies boldly assembled and rallied for the BRING HIM BACK PROTEST on April 26 noon at Jane Warner Plaza, Castro & 17th Streets. It was produced by the SF Democratic Party, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, and Oasis Legal Services. We fight for our community. My fave placard said it all: “The only thing illegal about Andry Romero is his DETENTION!” Sister Dana sez, “Bring back wrongly ‘disappeared’ gay immigrant Andry Hernandez Romero! And never stop fighting the radical right’s wrongs!”
Polls are showing that confidence in T-rump’s handling of the economy is plummeting, while empty store shelves become a clear sign of uncertainty to retailers over tariffs. And how is the King of Tariffs responding to the latest Time interview in his uncaring declaration of an explanation? Trump stated, “Well, we all want to make deals. But I am this giant store. It’s a giant, beautiful store, and everybody wants to go shopping there. And on behalf of the American people, I own the store, and I set the prices, and I’ll say, if you want to shop here, this is what you have to pay.” Sister Dana sez, “But we true Americans do NOT want to shop there! Sue the owner for pursuing American bankruptcy! Or better yet, put the owner behind bars!”
According to The San Francisco Standard, painter Jessica Jane Charleston traveled from London to San Francisco for a solo art show scheduled here at The Design Center on April 24, only to find her paintings had not arrived. Eight of her largest figure paintings were stuck in customs in Los Angeles. These pieces are now trapped in the backlog that is overwhelming the shipping company DHL, thanks to the terrible tariffs and severe customs regulations imposed by Trump. The White House has issued a fact sheet on his “national economic emergency,” which says certain items will “not be subject to reciprocal tariffs.” These include “artworks,” “photographs,” and “posters.” But do these exemptions still hold true under Trump’s April 5 executive orders to impose 10% tariffs on all goods? Confusion and chaos continue.
On April 28, White House staffers posted dozens of posters outside the gates with the purported mugshots of immigrants accused of crimes as part of a propaganda campaign by the Trump administration. The posting was meant to coincide with DarnOldTrump’s 100th day in office. These ugly posters were purposely placed along the White House walkway where reporters stand to deliver TV news reports—meaning they will be seen by millions of viewers. Awful Attorney General (we didn’t pick her) Pam Bondi stood right in front of the posters for an interview on Fox-TV. Disgusting!!!
Many well-deserved congratulations go to incoming Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, who emphasized in her speech on April 30, “Elections matter. And so now we have to make sure more people are educated in terms of the impact of their votes and what it means in terms of participating in this democracy!”
Author Kyle Casey Chu, who wrote the novel, THE QUEEN BEES OF TYBEE COUNTY, spoke elaborately and eloquently about being our true selves—including an audience Q&A at an Author’s Talk reading on May 1 (May Day) at Fabulosa Books. Buy this book, and find out about these Queen Bees and the secret of one of them. And next from Fabulosa Books’ Author Talk series is TRANS HISTORY: A GRAPHIC NOVEL FROM ANCIENT TIMES TO THE PRESENT DAY by Alex Combs & Andrew Eakett on May 13, 7 pm, 489 Castro Street. Find out why human sex and gender diversity is not a modern concept.
May is a very busy month. MOTHER’S DAY is May 11. Mother’s Day is celebrated to honor mothers and all maternal figures, recognizing their contributions to families and society. It’s a day to express love and appreciation for the sacrifices mothers make—often with gifts, cards, and family gatherings. Sister Dana sez, “This is also a great day to honor and celebrate DRAG MOTHERS who have ‘birthed’ their ‘kids’ into being drag queens who slay!”
JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH is a time to celebrate the contributions of Jewish Americans to American culture, history, and society. It is annually observed in May because it builds upon the success of the 350th Anniversary Celebration of Jews in America in May 2004, which commemorated the arrival of Jews in New Amsterdam. This anniversary was organized by the COMMISSION FOR COMMEMORATING 350 YEARS OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY, a coalition of American Jewish organizations. In 2006, President George W. Bush designated May as Jewish American Heritage Month following a series of annual presidential proclamations designating Jewish Heritage Week, which were often held in April or May, according to the American Jewish Committee.
Rabbi Irwin Keller, former lawyer and drag queen, discusses his long-awaited volume of essays, memoir, and poetry, entitled SHECHINAH AT THE ART INSTITUTE: Words, Worry, Wonder. This event will be in conversation with famed writer and historian Jim Van Buskirk on May 28, 5:45 pm, Main Library, Hormel LGBTQIA Center, 3rd Floor.
May is ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, paying tribute to the generations of Asians and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in its future success. At a time when LGBTQ and immigrant rights are under attack, Queer & Trans Asian & Pacific Islander (QTAPI) visibility and engagement are especially important, standing as a force of resistance and solidarity for our queer community. The carefully curated “Celebration Guide” features over 80 amazing AAPI cultural performances, workshops, film screenings, community festivals, and author talks taking place throughout May 2025.
https://apasf.org/
Come march with GAPA at the first-ever CHINATOWN PRIDE PROCESSION on May 24, 6 pm, 800 Grant Street, with GAPA headlining and leading the parade. Featuring GAPA Royals and Rice Rockettes, this vibrant procession will visit Chinatown’s queer landmarks—teaching dance moves at each stop before culminating in an Immortal Runway performance at Portsmouth Square Pedestrian Bridge. The celebration continues through the night with art activities, fabulous performances, and a Silent Disco at the Chinese Cultural Center. https://www.gapa.org/
This May month also begins HARVEY MILK DAY celebrations all across the globe. On July 30, 2009, the White House posthumously honored Harvey Milk with the “Medal of Freedom” for his work and leadership in advancing LGBT civil rights. In an interview from 2009, Harvey’s nephew, Stuart Milk, speaks about his legacy on YouTube. On May 3, Stuart Milk stated, “My uncle would have been 95 this May 22nd. Today [have] a look back at the brief video produced by President Obama and sent out to the world from the White House. Hope is never silent.”
https://milkfoundation.org/
The HARVEY MILK LGBTQ DEMOCRATIC CLUB’s 49th annual GAYLA: The Milk Way: Fighting for Earth, Science, and Us is on May 22, 7 pm, at Bay View Opera House, 4705 3rd Street. This yearly event gathers progressive San Francisco politicians, community activists, and grassroots organizers, and is the perfect venue to showcase your civic engagement and commitment to progressive and LGBTQ causes.
https://www.milkclub.org/
Did you ever wonder what was going on with Rolfe, from The Sound of Music? Come find out how the Nazis wormed their way into his mind, how his boyfriend wanted him to escape Austria, and whether he made it out. Produced by Theatre Rhino’s Joe Tally, THE RADICALIZATION OF ROLFE is now playing through June 1 at Safehouse Arts, 145 Eddy Street. The hills are alive with intrigue and ambition!
https://safehousearts.org/
Organizers and the Kennedy Center have now canceled a week’s worth of events celebrating LGBTQ rights for this year’s WORLD PRIDE FESTIVAL in Washington, D.C. This came after the anti-DEI shift in priorities and the quick removal of leadership at what used to be one of the nation’s premier cultural institutions. In response, WASHINGTON’S CAPITAL PRIDE ALLIANCE has completely separated itself from the Center. Sister Dana sez, “Good riddance! I think this place should now be renamed ‘The Trump Autocratic Center’ to reveal its truly creepy, crappy center significance!”
Sister Dana Sez, Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun
Published on May 8, 2025
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