By Sister Dana Van Iquity, Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun—
Sister Dana sez, “Just because it is mid-July, and we are no longer celebrating Pride Month, doesn’t mean we queers are any less PROUD! LGBTQ Pride is all year long: 24/7!”
Way before the San Francisco Pride Parade, on June 18, San Francisco leaders held a rally at City Hall to support a bill expanding LGBTQ civil rights. The proposed bill would protect and make the city a refuge to shield LGBTQ Americans who live in the city from out-of-state convictions tied to gender-affirming care, abortion, or drag performance. City leaders said this proposal was an effort to counter a growing wave of laws criminalizing those activities in other states. “Laws that were once unimaginable are now being used to investigate and punish people simply for seeking healthcare or expressing who they are,” said SF Supervisor Bilal Mahmood. “For generations, people have come to San Francisco seeking freedom and a chance to build a better life. Our city has always opened its doors, and we are here not about to let other states’ bigotry close those doors on them.” State Comptroller Malia Cohen, activist Honey Mahogany, and representatives from Planned Parenthood also spoke at this pre-Pride Parade demonstration.
The Frameline Film Festival for its landmark 50th year offered “50 Years of Queer Cinema” and featured the opening night of “Lady Champagne” —the riotous sequel of “S–t and Champagne” at the Castro Theatre on June 17 with a fun after-party at The Foundry. Starring, written, and directed by former San Francisco Drag Laureate D’Arcy Drollinger alongside of a cast of clever drag queen villainesses, the titular dancing queen is framed for her husband’s murder. Drag hijinks carry on throughout the fiercely funny flick (although, in my less than humble opinion, in need of a touch more editing for length) and made this Sister howl out loud—especially when D’Arcy joins a convent and is dressed as a nun! Nuntastic!
“Oasis Lives! The Future of SF’s Iconic Queer Nightlife Venue” was held on June 24 at 220 Montgomery. KALW gave an interview of Oasis nightclub owner D’Arcy Drollinger and Princess producer Tito Solo moderated by reporter Stafford Hemmer. D’Arcy had already announced the good news at her Lady Champagne Castro Theatre show that Oasis was set to reopen, so this was just icing on the cake!
On June 19 aka JUNETEENTH, the Castro Business District presented Castro Night Market between 18th and Collingwood streets with art, fashion, food, drink, merch, and live entertainment. Especially entertaining was the incomparable, belt-out singer Jason Brock accompanied by the delightful duet of Dee Spencer on electric piano. Electrifying! After his two sets, Jason and I had a great, slightly naughty chat and we took pix with Jason, Dee, and me. Mark your calendars for the next Castro Night Market on the third Friday of July 17.
Created by Mark Kliem (also known as Sister Zsa Zsa Glamour), Lavender Lounge started as a weekly queer dance party in San Francisco before evolving into a pioneering ’90s TV broadcast. It documented the city’s nightlife, trans community, and LGBTQ events before YouTube and modern social media. The film appeared at the Frameline Film Festival on June 19 and again at Haight Street Art Center on June 20. Sister Dana was a frequent visitor to the Lounge back in the day, and this show brought back such lovely and wild memories.
Sister Dana sez, “Let us REFLECT upon the no-bid $16.65 million Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pond that Trump tried to unnecessarily turn blue but has now become algae-green. Drain the swamp? Is not this a sign from the Universe Above to his ‘majesty’ to: ‘HANDS OFF OUR MONUMENTS, you green wannabe king!’”
On June 21 (Father’s Day) at 470 Castro Street, we honored and celebrated the Tenth Anniversary of STRUT, San Francisco’s home for queer healthcare, culture, and community. This lovely three-tiered (including an outside patio) house party was hosted by Honey Mahogany with Nikki Jizz. It also featured live performances, DJs, and queer art on the walls. I was so happy to wear my original MAGNET T-shirt emblazoned: “No Blame, No Shame” from ten years ago—when I helped christen Magnet then to become STRUT now. Sister Dana sez, “Keep on struttin’, STRUT!”
Sister Dana sez, “As I blew out the candles on America’s 250th Birthday Celebration, I wished Trump had never been born. Happy Independence to all of us true patriots!”
U.S. Air Force officer Major Jason Watson was arrested on July 2 on the Capitol steps after participating in a protest while in uniform calling for Trump’s impeachment. Just prior to his arrest, his bold speech was so inspiring. “I’m calling on average Americans everywhere to peacefully exercise your First Amendment rights every day until this administration is removed and our democratic republic is restored,” he said. “I believe in America. I believe in us. If just a nobody like me can take a stand for our Constitution and our democratic republic—then you can too. I hope you will join me in the defense of our republic!”
Department of Intelligence inexperienced, 2020 election denier, chief Bill Pulte, has nonintelligently begun firing dozens of experienced, qualified intelligence officials just a few weeks after Pulte’s arrival under orders from Trump—because they were part of ‘The Deep State’ (that doesn’t exist). Sister Dana sez, “Smooth move, punk Pulte, because it’s only our safety at risk. What could possibly go wrong?!”
The day before INDEPENDENCE DAY, Trump the Tyrant visited historic Mount Rushmore after The White House had suggested his face should be added to that glorious past presidential mountainside memorial. Sister Dana sez, “Well, of course! As if we needed more T-rump names and faces and memorials stuck everywhere in America to remind us that he is King of Everything! Oh, hell NO!!!”
And Trump needs to stop rewriting history to suit his authoritarian impulses to make our American past get weaponized. Historic, award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns said it best in his latest, stunning film, The American Revolution. In it, Burns elaborates, “The story of us is complicated, and it is not a single us. And it is authoritarian impulses to make history for this simple narrative and sow misinformation, disinformation, superstition, and conspiracies.”
Sister Dana sez, “No thanks to manic Musk and his disastrous DOGE cuts to worldwide healthcare, thousands upon thousands will perish. Switch the letters, and eliminating DEI means DIE!”
On Independence Day, our hallowed holiday of patriotism, hundreds of white nationalists marched at our Capitol in D.C. carrying confederate flags and chanting, “Reclaim America!” But, if they’re so proud, why did every one of them wear special white masks to only expose their eyes and matching caps with weird insignias on their heads? Wouldn’t white hoods be more appropriate? Sister Dana sez, “Hey, you creeps, this is America, not AmeriKKK!”
The GOLDEN GATE PARK BAND is presenting free concerts now through September 27, Sundays at 1 pm at the Bandshell in Golden Gate Park.
https://goldengateparkband.org/
Master Sister Dana sez, “I command you to mark your calendars for DORE (UP YOUR ALLEY) FAIR coming to South of Market on Sunday July 26 to celebrate all things leather and BDSM! Do it now, submissives! Just kidding. Word. Safe word.”
Sister Dana Sez, Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun
Published on July 16, 2026
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