By Sister Dana Van Iquity
Sister Dana sez, “Is there anything scarier this Halloween season than the thought of either Trump or Carson becoming President?! All tricks and no treats.”
SHANTI held its 41st anniversary dinner, COMPASSION IS UNIVERSAL, at The Palace Hotel. At the reception, Shanti Executive Director Kaushik Roy spoke about the recent merger with PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) and introduced the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader, who lauded Shanti for its compassionate services given to those with life-threatening illnesses – “as a model for the rest of the country.” She thanked Charles Garfield for founding the organization. Event Chair Bahya Oumlil-Murad gave welcoming remarks, as did Mistress of Ceremonies, Janet Reilly. The program was hosted by Omar Sharif, Jr. with special appearances by Sasha Farber of Dancing with The Stars and Eugena Washington from America’s Next Top Model. The 2015 Nancy Pelosi Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree went to The Honorable James C. Hormel, U.S. Ambassador, and The James C. Hormel Community Spirit Award Honoree was Keith Waltrip.
I attended the KICK-OFF for the ANNUAL GLAAD GALA to be held on Saturday, November 7, at Hilton San Francisco Union Square. It was also a time to celebrate Spirit Day by wearing purple, and a chance to meet the staff and leadership of GLAAD and learn more about their work to accelerate acceptance while mixing and drinking with other like-minded people. During the event we learned more about GLAAD’s work and their mission from Vice President of Development, Lauren C. Dowling.
MARGARET CHO – THE PsyCHO TOUR was a real treat (and not a trick) on Spirit Day (when we activists wore purple to take a stand against bullying) at the Castro Theatre. Said Margaret Cho, “There’s no I in team, but there’s a CHO in PSYCHO!” Her standup was as sassy as ever, including her holding up a photo of the Pope posed with notorious homophobic marriage license rebel Kim Davis, ripping it in two, and pulling off her wig to reveal a classic Sinead O’Connor shaved head beneath. It was the perfect Saturday Night Live reboot, and the audience went wild with hooting, hollering, and clapping furiously. She also did a
little strip to show off her full body tattoos, of which she is very proud. She spoke emotionally about her true mentors, the late Robin Williams and Joan Rivers. Cho made it very clear that she is fat, and there is nothing wrong with that! She declared, “I AM my fat!” Then she brought out the Be Robin Band of seven women and a man to sing an angry number about rapists, and a second song entitled “Bad Pussy.” Afterwards I was able to approach Margaret to remind her of the time she gave me an awesome interview about coming out bisexual and proud at the SF Gay Pride Parade as a Grand Marshall. I gave her several copies of that week’s issue of the San Francisco Bay Times with her picture on the front and inside. She was thrilled and gave me a big kiss!
We got to relive the wild downtown drag balls of 1970s San Francisco through a treasure trove of recently discovered photos by the legendary Roz Joseph at a reception held at THE GLBT HISTORY MUSEUM.
REIGNING QUEENS: THE LOST PHOTOS OF ROZ JOSEPH is now on display, so the public can come celebrate the rediscovery of these wonderful photos and perhaps get comments from co-curators Joey Plaster & Elizabeth Cornu, and see a diverse cross-section of the City’s arts, nightlife, and drag scene. The photos are on display through February 2016, in the Community Gallery of the GLBT History Museum at 4127 18th Street in San Francisco.
“Roz Joseph documented a world of self-styled baronesses in diamond tiaras, elaborate ‘royal’ coronations and gender-bending performance,” notes curator Joey Plaster. “Her photos show how gay men deployed theater and fantasy to make very real contributions to San Francisco’s gay community. We’re excited to bring these long-lost images back into public view almost four decades after they were made.”
Roz Joseph was born in the Bronx in 1926 and studied photography in New York City. In the 1960s, she shot images in Europe and North Africa. In 1970, she moved to San Francisco, where she began photographing city scenes. In 1991, Chronicle Books published a volume of her work, Details: The Architect’s Art. She also published in Artweek and California Living. Her prints have been exhibited at the San Francisco Art Institute, the California Museum of Photography and Paradox Gallery. Joseph has been a resident of San Francisco for 45 years. glbthistory. org/museum
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (HRC) had their 31st Annual Gala, EVERYONE EVERYWHERE, at the Westin St. Francis. Gala Co-chairs Cherie Green and Jim Baney welcomed nearly 1,000 of the Bay Area’s most influential citizens to celebrate the strides HRC has made toward achieving equality for our community this past year, while preparing for the work ahead in the year to come. During the VIP reception, Congressman Mike Honda, representing the 17th District, spoke as a huge supporter of LGBTQ interests who has for decades pushed for legislative equality. He said he was the proud granddaughter of a little child who self-identifies as a “transgender girl.” Also at the VIP reception, Co-chair Baney presented the Ally For Equality Award to Eireann Dolan and Sean Doolittle. When the Oakland A’s hosted their first LGBT Pride Night, Eireann and her boyfriend, A’s pitcher Sean Doolittle, offered to buy back any tickets from fans who were uncomfortable attending the game. They also raised $40,000 to buy more LGBT Pride Night tickets and donated them and the remaining funds to Our Space LGBTQ Community Center, AIDS Project East Bay, Frameline, the You Can Play Project, Rainbow Community Center, and a number of individual LGBTQ professional athletes from all over California.
HRC President Chad Griffin spoke of the many victories achieved and those that are yet to be won – especially ENDA – the Employment NonDiscrimination Amendment for nationwide rights for LGBTQ citizens. “Our history shows us that we can accomplish the impossible, and we must do it together,” exhorted Griffin.
At the dinner, the Charles M. Holmes Community Service Award was presented by Supervisor Scott Wiener to Frank Woo. Woo has served the community in many capacities for over 20 years, such as being the Co-Chair of the $13 million Capital Campaign to build the SF LGBT Community Center, serving on the Board of Trustees of Grace Cathedral, serving as founding member of Brothers for Sisters Committee, raising awareness and funds on behalf of the women’s community, raising contributions in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and serving on the Board of Directors of the Men’s Associated Exchange (MAX), the nation’s largest gay social and fraternal organization at that time. He was the Honorary Grand Marshall of the 2002 San Francisco Pride Parade. Woo toldme, “After 13 years serving on HRC’s National Board of Governors and National Board of Directors, I retired and stepped down at my last Board meeting in Washington on October 3rd. The Steering Committee voted to present me with this year’s Charles M. Holmes Community Service Award. I’m both honored and humbled and think it’s fitting that after 25 years of community service, my first-ever award is coming from the organization I treasure the most.” Surprising everyone, Woo got down on one knee and proposed to his partner of 21 years, Sheldon Sloan, proudly on stage.
The Visibility Award was given to Candis Cayne. Cayne participated and recurred in Caitlyn Jenner’s unprecedented docu-series, I Am Cait. Cayne has always been a vocal activist for the LGBTQ community working closely with various charities and organizations including the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the Human Rights Campaign. In August of 2015, Cayne teamed up with the global LGBT social network MOOVZ as their new Global Creative Director. Also, The Corporate Equality Award was given to Wells Fargo for its continual support of the LGBTQ community.
Special guests were Geena Rocero of Gender Proud whose activism focuses on elevating trans visibility, and Jim Obergefell, lead plaintiff in the landmark marriage aidshealth.org the landmark marriage equality case Obergefell vs. Hodges.
COMING UP!
GLAAD GALA SAN FRANCISCO is Saturday, November 7, 5:30pm – 12am at Hilton San Francisco Union Square, 333 O’Farrell Street. At this year’s event, GLAAD CEO and President, Sarah Kate Ellis, will present the prestigious GLAAD Local Hero Award to a community leader who has accelerated acceptance of the LGBT community, locally and beyond. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. Celebs attending are yet to be announced. glaad.org
HOLLYWEEN is San Francisco’s newest, sexiest party. It’s tonight at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf (145 Jefferson Street). A multitude of Hollywood celebs, both dead and alive, are waiting to greet you in the most spook-tacular fashion. $30 admission gets you an open bar compliments of Stoli Vodka and Barefoot Cellars, tasty bites, special entertainment by pop recording artist Xavier Toscano, dancing to the beats of GoBang! and a stroll through all the exhib
stores, like Lowes, now offer custom cut mirrors. If yours doesn’t, then look for a glass repair company in your area, and they should be able to help you.
These quick tips can turn your coffee table into a useable focal point in your room with space left over for lounging and the occasional Netflix binge.
Isa Noyola Becomes Transgender Law Center Director of Programs
Transgender Law Center announces that Isa Noyola, who for the last year has led the organization’s immigration and movement-building work, has assumed the role of Director of Programs. Noyola’s new position reflects Transgender Law Center’s emerging work as a multi-disciplinary organization committed to creating concrete change in the lives of those members of our communities who are most marginalized. “In my role as Director of Programs at TLC, I hope to explore new and exciting opportunities for this work, while honoring the unbearable loss of leadership and talent our communities have suffered and continue to suffer daily,” said Noyola. “My decision to do this work was not a career choice but a matter of survival, and I am committed to picking up the torch that has been violently taken away from my sisters.”
transgenderlawcenter.org
its Madame Tussauds has to offer. Get your sexy on and dress up in costume (or don’t) for one unforgettable night of mystery and mayhem hosted by San Francisco’s Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Proceeds benefit THE RICHMOND/ ERMET AID FOUNDATION. Tickets at hollyweensf.eventbrite.com
THE SICK & TWISTED PLAYERS are celebrating their silver 25th anniversary this year. One of S&T’s gore camp classics, TEXAS CHAINSAW, 90210, airs with all new digital enhancement, titles and visuals, every Saturday twice, 6pm & 9pm PDT October 31st, November 7th, 14th, and 21st. It is broadcast on SF cable channel 76. Perfect for Halloween!
Kit Tapata & Patty McGroin are BOURBON & BLANCHE presenting non-stop holiday entertainment for your pleasure, every Saturday night until New Year’s Eve! Next up is HELLAween show and costume party with performances by
Kylie Minono, Jezebel Patel & Mini Minerva, DJ Tia Dora, and Door Gal Piper Angelique
+ many more fabulous guests! Fun takes place at The Residence, 718 14th Street. facebook.com/ events/1073865785981696/
Sister Dana sez, “Have a very happy Holloweenie, boys and ghouls!”
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