Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun–
By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Sister Dana sez, “My Christmas wish is that D.C. will become the 51st State!”
Washington, D.C., has ZERO representation in Congress. That means D.C.’s 700,000 residents have NO U.S. Senators and NO Representatives in the House! It’s taxation without representation! But if D.C. were to become a state, not only would its residents FINALLY have representation in Congress, but also Democrats would gain seats in the House and Senate. Our majority would be unbreakable!
Show your advocacy for LGBTQ friends and family in fun, festive style with the PRIDE NUTCRACKER from Wondershop on the Target website. It pictures a man dressed in a traditional nutcracker costume holding a progress pride flag and wearing a rainbow hat with trans flag colors of pink hair & beard, with a blue and white coat. This decorative wooden figurine could be the perfect ice-breaker gift at parties to start the conversation! https://tinyurl.com/2p882fk8
And just the opposite on your gift list should be Donald J. T-rump Jr.’s online merchandise emblazoned with LGBTQ in rainbow lettering. Disgustingly, the initials spell out the phrase: “Let’s Get Biden To Quit.” Sister Dana sez, “Aw, poor DJTJ doesn’t get enough attention from daddy and has to stoop this low!”
The SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS rings in the holiday season with its annual seasonal extravaganza, HOLIGAYS ARE HERE … AGAIN! Returning to the stage for the first time since the 2019 holiday season, SFGMC brings back everything that has made this concert one of the Bay Area’s annual signature holiday treats. This year’s concert will feature something for everyone, including “Festival Gloria,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” “Los Peces en el Rio,” and “Over the River” with special guests, SFGMC’s very own HOMOPHONICS and THE LOLLIPOP GUILD. December 10 and 11, Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes Street. https://bit.ly/3cwBimo
On November 20, President Joe Biden announced his nominees for the UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE BOARD OF GOVERNORS, “to replace outgoing Governors Ron Bloom and John Barger.” This means the Board can soon fire Trumpian Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who has been trying to demolish the USPS and mail-in voting. Sister Dana sez, “Joy! Joy! We’ll be rid of DeJoy! USPS he will not destroy!”
Republican lawmakers in 43 states have carried over, pre-filed, or introduced more than 250 relentlessly anti-democratic bills that would restrict ballot drop box locations, restrict types of IDs you can use to vote, restrict vote by mail, restrict weekend early voting, and more. Voter suppression is a fundamental attack on democracy that Republicans have deployed repeatedly to maintain their power. Sister Dana sez, “We’ve got to fight back and pass those vital voting bills!”
Congratulations to out loud and proud Lil Nas X, whose song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” just scored three Grammy nominations! The song received nominations for Music Video of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year at the 64TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS NOMINATIONS on November 23.
The official LIGHTING OF THE CASTRO HOLIDAY TREE ceremony, sponsored by CASTRO MERCHANTS and made possible by generous donations, took place on November 29 at 6 pm at the Bank of America Plaza (501 Castro Street at 18th Street). And as in pre-pandemic years, they pulled out all the stops with entertainment and rousing speeches. We heard Mayor London Breed, State Senator Scott Wiener, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, SFPD Chief William Scott, Castro Merchants President Masood Samereie, Donna Sachet, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, and, of course, Santa and his elf! What a way to start the ho ho holidays!
LIGHT IN THE GROVE GALA returned on November 30, completely outdoors, as a re-imagined, magical celebration of Reunion, Remembrance, and Renewal in the NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL GROVE. Light in the Grove, held annually on the eve of WORLD AIDS DAY, is their largest annual fundraising event, with all proceeds directly supporting the mission and programs of the National AIDS Memorial. There were beautifully illuminated pathways with brilliant, colorful light displays, imaginative artistic features, and enchanting dance and musical performances. We viewed the traditional, moving candlelight reflection at the Circle of Friends and a stunning, night-time outdoor display of the 50,000 panels of the AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT. The evening included inspirational reflections from featured guest speakers during a short outdoor program.
Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone were the brightest beacons of hope for San Francisco’s disenfranchised and displaced. But more than that, they represented the spirit of San Francisco. They were both brutally assassinated on November 27, 1978. THE 43RD ANNUAL MILK-MOSCONE VIGIL was held in Harvey Milk Plaza on November 27 at 7 pm. It was hosted by the HARVEY MILK LGBTQ DEMOCRATIC CLUB, CASTRO LGBTQ CULTURAL DISTRICT, and FRIENDS OF HARVEY MILK PLAZA. Attendees received lit candles for the event. A large banner stated Milk’s solemn, prophetic words: “Only that way will we start to achieve our rights. All I ask is that the movement continue, and if a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door!” Next to that were black & white photos of Milk and Moscone in their heyday. Among the speakers were Senator Scott Wiener;Milk Club-endorsed David Campos for State Assembly, District 17; and veteran activist Cleve Jones (who worked with Milk back in the day on his campaign for SF Supervisor). After the rally, we all marched down the sidewalk behind a banner with Milk’s well known inspirational phrase: “Hope Will Never Be Silent.” We paraded to the site of Milk’s old camera shop/campaign headquarters at 575 Castro Street—now the HRC HQ store. It’s an historic place with Milk looking down at us through a mural painted above and a plaque under which are buried Milk’s ashes.
The RICHMOND/ERMET AID FOUNDATION (REAF) provides aid for HIV services, hunger programs, and support for homeless and disenfranchised youth and seniors. REAFwill present “HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS XX: Feliz Navidad” on Sunday, December 5, 6 pm silent auction and 7:30 pm concert at Brava Theater, 2781 24th Street. The star-studded cast includes David Burnham: Broadway, TV star; Leanne Borghesi: Cabaret star; Rodney Earl Jackson: Broadway actor/co-founder Bay Area Theater Company; Steve Knill: from TV’s The Voice; Sharon McNight: Tony nominated cabaret star; Jai Rodriguez: Broadway, TV star; Shawn Ryan: from TV’s America’s Got Talent; Marta Sanders: MAC award winning cabaret star; Bruce Vilanch: Broadway (Hairspray), TV star; Lisa Vroman: Broadway (Phantom of the Opera) star; Paula West: Cabaret/recording star; and Salsamania: World Champion dance troupe. https://www.reaf-sf.org/
T-rump has claimed at least $65,500 of his taxpayer-funded presidential pension since leaving the White House. He is the only president to be twice-impeached, who is guilty in inciting life-threatening violence at the Capitol riots. Sister Dana sez, “Strip this treasonous monster of his pension!”
THE CASTRO MERCHANTS & THE CASTRO ART PROJECT are pleased to bring back the annual CASTRO ART WALK on December 9 in the Castro District from 5 to 8 pm. It’s always such a delight to walk around and see various artists’ works displayed. The exact art venues have not been finalized as of this printing, but you can check them out at https://www.castroartwalk.com/
On the heels of a very successful debut summer season of SOMA Second Saturdays!, The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District, Folsom Street, and SOMA West Community Benefit District have announced their first-ever SANTA SECOND SATURDAY! This one-day kink-themed holiday fair will feature the best of local leather and kink artists, craftspeople, and businesses to kick off the holiday season. The fair will take place at multiple locations throughout the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District on the afternoon of Saturday, December 11, with a free hop-on, hop-off shuttle from Fogcutter Tours running continuously between the locations from noon until 6 pm. https://sfleatherdistrict.org/
Sister Dana sez, “Bah! Humbug! There will be no Dance-Along Nutcracker this year!” However, THE SAN FRANCISCO LESBIAN/GAY FREEDOM BAND will take us on an aural journey with music celebrating the winter season from around the world. WINTER POSTCARDSfeatures a number of fantastic compositions, including Alfred Reed’s seminal Russian Christmas Music, Julie Giroux’s lyrical Evening Snow in Kambara, and James Curnow’s enthralling Overture to a Winter Festival. The Band will also perform several sentimental favorites, including Greensleeves, A Rollicking Hanukkah, and Concert Suite from The Polar Express. December 11, 1 pm, St Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1111 O’Farrell St. https://www.sflgfb.org/
Republican Rep. Margie QAnon Greene introduced a bill to award a Congressional Medal of Honor to murderer Kyle Rittenhouse for “protecting Kenosha, Wisconsin,” while 21 Republicans had voted against giving that medal to heroic law enforcement officers who protected the Capitol during the riots. Sister Dana sez, “How extreme do these Repugnicans have to get before we oust them?!”
It touches my heart to discover this four-minute-long Norwegian postal service ad of a grown man’s wish written in a letter to Santa: “All I want for Christmas is you,” resulting in a wish come true with a long, romantic hug and kiss from Santa to the man. This reflects Norway’s decriminalization of homosexuality with the banner stating, “In 2022, Norway marks 50 years of being able to love whomever we want,” and the tag: “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us to all of us.” So charming! And so inclusive!
Sister Dana sez, “May I be the first to wish everyone a very Happy Queer Year 2022!”
Published on December 2, 2021
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