Sister Dana Sez, “Mother’s Day is May 8. Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers, and that includes drag mothers as well!”

By Sister Dana Van Iquity

Sister Dana Sez, “Mother’s Day is May 8. Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers, and that includes drag mothers as well!” Sister Dana also wishes you a Happy Cinco de Mayo—even if you aren’t personally commemorating the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862! Drink tequila anyway! 

GOODBYE TO STEVE GIBSON was a bittersweet going away party for the wonderful STEVEN GIBSON, who after nearly 13 years as director of MAGNET, the Castro-based health, social wellbeing center and community space, announced his resignation at Magnet (now relocated two blocks away and renamed STRUT) to become the HIV Prevention Branch Chief at the State Office of AIDS in Sacramento on May 16. The HIV Prevention Branch funds initiatives to assist local health departments and other HIV service providers to implement effective HIV detection and prevention programs. Several months ago Magnet had merged with San Francisco AIDS Foundation to become Strut, combining the services of Magnet, Stop AIDS, Stonewall, Bridgemen, Positive Force, Dream Project, and the Elizabeth Taylor 50-Plus Network.

Longtime AIDS activist Matthew Denckla acted as emcee for the festive bon voyage party upstairs at Strut. He joked, “I have known Steve since childhood.” Denckla introduced some of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to give a similar blessing to the one given more than a decade ago at the opening of Magnet. The nuns dubbed him “AIDS Hero” and presented him with a golden scepter. Prior to that title, long ago he had been “sainted” by the nuns as “Saint of Love and Latex.” Magnet opened at 4122 18th Street on July 9, 2003, and merged with SFAIDS in 2007. Gibson was hired in 2001 to begin work on the groundbreaking model of community sexual health in the glass storefront that became Magnet. Sister Dana was in on the beginning stages when it was only a vague concept. In fact, way back in the day, I attended spontaneous Stop AIDS meetings in private homes facilitated by Gibson. Magnet opened in 2003 to tremendous success and has since been studied and replicated around the world—providing 15,000 clinical visits just last year. Gibson has also extended the work with expansions to the mobile testing unit, the expansion of HIV and HCV testing, as well as launching an extremely successful PrEP program. Anna Damiani recalled the early days of Magnet and presented Gibson with a Certificate of Recognition from Senator Mark Leno. Supervisor Scott Wiener rattled off Gibson’s many accomplishments and presented him with a Certificate of Recognition from the Board of Supervisors, declaring it officially “Steve Gibson Day in San Francisco.” Steven Tierney, former director of HIV prevention, spoke of the early days of Magnet as the very first gay men’s health and wellness facility–open without shame through the all glass front. Interim Chief Executive Officer Tim L. Jones and Executive Director, Gay & Bisexual Men’s Health & Wellness Tim Patriarca, also spoke. When asked who among us has been inspired by Steve to do more for the community, Sister Dana did not raise his hand, because, gosh, how much more can I do? I laughed when Steve pretended to give me shade with a fake scowl, and we joked about it afterwards. We all screamed three loud “thank you’s” to Steve and helped ourselves to a piece of the celebratory cake. By the way, for Steve’s farewell, the clouds outside were dark and gloomy, but when Steve took the stage, the clouds departed to reveal a full moon glowing in all its glory. So totally apropos!

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIN LIBRARY turned 20. So did The JAMES C. HORMEL LGBTQIA CENTER, the gateway to the Main Library’s broader collections documenting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and allies’ history and culture, with an emphasis on the Bay Area. In addition to books, periodicals and archival collections, the Center collaborates with other library departments and community organizations to sponsor a diverse array of exhibitions and public programs. The Hormel Center Reading Room at the Main Library houses non-circulating materials. Celebrating the birthday was a show in Koret Auditorium, QUEEREST.LIBRARY.EVER! HORMEL @20. City Librarian Luis Herrera welcomed everyone and acknowledged Senator Mark Leno and Commissioner Zoe Dunning. Herrera said