By Sister Dana Van Iquity, Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun–
Sister Dana sez, “LeatherWalk is coming! You don’t HAVE to wear leather—but you will be happy you did.”
LEATHERWALK 2023 is Sunday, September 17, 11 am to 2:30 pm, starting at City Hall (Polk Street side) and parading to South of Market leather bars—behind the official black, blue, and white with red heart banner leading the way. This is the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District’s annual SOMA celebration and march. We walk together to celebrate leather, kink, family, and community—all while raising funds for the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District. The march makes brief stops at these leather-themed spots: Oasis, Hole in the Wall, Powerhouse, Azúcar Lounge, Folsom Street Community Center, Leather Etc., Mr. S Leather, Ringold Leather History Alley, Lone Star Saloon, Eagle Plaza, and SF Eagle. The Walk culminates at the SF Eagle’s Leather Pride Fest and the raising of the Leather Pride Flag launching LEATHER WEEK 2023. https://sfleatherdistrict.org
BEARRISON STREET FAIR is back! Join us at the SF Eagle beer bust on September 10, 3–7 pm, 398 12th Street and help support the fair! Bearrison Street Fair will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023. Grrrrrr!!! https://www.bearrison.org
Sister Dana sez, “At the Presidential Debate, I was shocked to find that I actually agreed with crazy Nikki Haley, that Trump is ‘the most disliked politician in America.’”
Democratic lawmakers joined LGBTQ rights organizations and activists on the steps of the Capitol for their annual LGBTQ ADVOCACY DAY RALLY. The demonstration was held on August 29 as the battle over the rights of transgender students and parents continues to escalate. “We are on the right side of history, and we will not back down until all students feel safe and supported when they’re at school,” said Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego). Lawmakers discussed proposed legislation to protect members of the LGBTQ community, especially transgender youth. “This community, time and time again, when we’ve been under attack, we have stood up and said no, not on our watch!” exhorted State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).
Meanwhile, on those same steps of the Capitol the Monday before, a group of conservative parents, calling themselves “Protect Kids California,” and a few Republican lawmakers held their own “special” news conference. The group announced three proposed ballot initiatives they want to take to voters. They include: blocking transgender girls from competing in girls’ sports programs, blocking transgender minors from gender-affirming medical care, and requiring school officials to notify parents if their child changes their gender identity. The dueling rallies follow the filing of a lawsuit by Attorney General Rob Bonta, who is suing the Chino Valley Unified School District over its own parental notification policy. “This policy is destructive, it’s discriminatory, and it’s downright dangerous,” said Bonta. “We are going to put these ballot measures where they belong—in the garbage bin of history,” added Senator Wiener.
Sister Dana sez, “Trump should not be out on bail, because he could easily flee the country, hop his jet over to Russia, and live happily ever after with his lover, Putin!”
We Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence presented ‘OHANA, a fundraiser for the MAUI AIDS FOUNDATION (MAF)’s wildfire relief effort at the Lookout bar in the Castro on August 31. “’Ohana” in Hawaiian means “family.” Emceed by Honey Mahogany & Sister Roma, the evening featured DJ Bugie, Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu National Hula Dance Company, Kitten on the Keys, delightful drag performances by Royal Grand Duchess 28 of Alameda and Contra Costa Vicky Sparkle Titz and Miss Linda Summers, Royal Crown Prinx with the Grand Ducal Council of SF. The lovely Tongo LeLe, Reigning Miss Castro Club 7, gave us some gorgeous hula dancing. Suggested donations of $5–$100 let 100% of the benefit’s proceeds go towards wildfire relief. MAF representative Cory Hall spoke passionately about the Maui fire. The fundraiser was the brainchild of longtime Sisters (and partners) Saki Tumi and Penny Costal. “We lived on Maui shortly after we met in San Francisco,” said Sister Saki. “We were greeted with open arms and made many lifelong friendships. When we heard of the unbelievable destruction and loss of life, we knew this was a chance for the Sisters to channel our community’s love to help out. We’re especially grateful to Gregg Crosby, general manager of the Lookout, for offering this terrific venue. Mahalo!”
Maui Aids Foundation Fire Relief Fund has stepped up and is providing assistance to all of those in Maui who were affected by the fire. They are seeking to provide everything from diapers and formula to sleeping bags and clothing to displaced residents and families. You can help fulfill their Amazon wish list and make cash donations directly at https://www.mauiaids.org/
On September 1 and 2, ART WALK SF AND CASTRO ART MART combined forces for a super-sized Castro Art Walk and Castro Art Mart. The Castro Art Mart usually runs every first Sunday, except for this one special first Saturday mash-up with Art Walk SF.
Every year from September 15 to October 15, Americans celebrate NATIONAL LATINO AND HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH by appreciating the community’s history, heritage, and contributions of the ancestors of American citizens who came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and South & Central America. Hispanic Heritage Month originally started with one week of commemoration when it was first introduced by Congressman George E. Brown in June 1968. With the civil rights movement, the need to recognize the contributions of the Latin community gained traction in the 1960s. Awareness of the multicultural groups living in the United States was also gradually growing. September 15 is set as the star date for the month as it is important for many reasons. It is the independence anniversary for Latin American countries El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. From here onwards, the independence days of Mexico and Chile fall on September 16 and September 18, respectively. DÍA DE LA RAZA or Columbus Day also falls within this month, on October 12. Hispanic and Latinx populations have been integral to the prosperity of the U.S. Their contributions to the nation are immeasurable, and they embody the best of American values. The Hispanic-American Latina community has left an indelible mark on the U.S. culture and economy.
Celebrate Hispanic & Latina/e/o/x Heritage Month with a special Drag Lotería! OPENHOUSE will have two new drag performers, food, several rounds of Bingo, and prizes. It’ll be an afternoon of fun and friends! September 27, 1:30–3 pm, 75 Laguna. RSVP at rsvp@openhousesf.org or 415-231-5871
Sister Dana sez, “I was not at all surprised that at the Presidential Debate, Mike Pence came off as his usual sanctimonious, holier-than-thou self.”
The September installment of LOCKDOWN COMEDY on Zoom takes place on Thursday, September 21, 7 pm. It features Ophira Eisenberg (NY), Cynthia Levin (NY), Eve Meyer (SF), Lisa Geduldig and her 92-years-young mom, Arline Geduldig (Florida). https://www.koshercomedy.com/
Sister Dana sez, “Asa Hutchinson, former Arkansas Governor, at the Presidential Debate deserved a standing ovation (certainly not getting booed) for reminding us that the 14th Amendment would disqualify Trump in office as an insurrectionist!”
Sunday, September 10, 11 am is the annual OAKLAND PRIDE PARADE down Broadway from 14th to 21st. Free to the public. Noon–6 pm is OAKLAND PRIDE FESTIVAL + CELEBRATION. https://oaklandpride.org/
Sister Dana sez, “It was rather refreshing to NOT have Trump present at the Debate—the way he stomped all over Hillary Clinton when they had THEIR Presidential Debate!”
Author Edward Cahill is in conversation with KM Soehnlein on his new novel, DISORDERLY MEN. Cahill’s debut novel is about three gay men in pre-Stonewall NYC who find their fates thrown together in the police raid of a Village bar. Fabulosa Books is hosting this reading at 489 Castro Street, September 20, 7 pm.
But wait … there’s more at Fabulosa. On September 21, 7 pm, Cory Allen will be there to talk about his memoir, BREAKING FREE: A Saga of Self-discovery by a Gay Secret Service Agent. This is a deeply personal yet candid saga of a gay Secret Service Agent in the Obama era; an agent who was struggling with his own identity, marriage, discrimination, and balancing the demands that accompany being assigned to protect the most powerful people in the world.
Sister Dana sez, “Since Southern California got a horrible storm named Hilary, shouldn’t Florida have gotten a storm named Ivanca?!”
The 44th annual HAIGHT STREET FAIR brings thousands of people to Haight Street between Stanyan and Masonic to shop over 200 outdoor vendors including food, green businesses, local artists, clothing, crafts, nonprofits, and more. The Fair is Sunday, September 17, 11 am to 5:30 pm. https://www.haightashburystreetfair.org
Sister Dana sez, “I know it is just wrong to root for the San Diego Padres over our beloved SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS—and I would NEVER; but I WAS a bit titillated by SD’s gay hot pink trimmed uniforms! Also, ‘SD’ is my monogram.”
MAGNET’S 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Art Show is having its reception at Strut on September 8, 8 pm, 470 Castro Street. Note: not on the usual first Friday, (because of the holiday weekend); they are having it on the second Friday.
Sister Dana sez, “We can now call Trump by his prison name: Inmate Number P01135809!”
Sister Dana sez, “Donald Trump facing 91 criminal charges is punishable by 713 YEARS in prison! Lock him up!”
Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun
Published on September 7, 2023
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