By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Sister Dana sez, “After only nine people were interviewed (and excluding Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford), the FBI gave a secret report that was a total sham and a farce. Now I know what F.B.I. stands for: Fake Background Investigation.”
On October 5, the SENATE voted 51–49 for cloture on perjurer Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the SUPREME COURT, including one Democrat. The Congressional Repugnant Party (except Senator Lisa Murkowski, reciting the Judicial Conduct Rule in opposition) is obviously anti-woman. And Joe Manchin is a traitor to the Democratic Party. Just remember that the Midterm Elections are coming! VOTE!
It’s important that we get as many sane people out to the polls this year as we can. Should anyone ask, California residents can register by mail or online up to October 22. They can also register in person even on voting day, November 6. Online registration is here: https://registertovote.ca.gov
Ironically, October 5 was also the first anniversary of the #metoo Movement.
“The confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court is an insult to women and survivors of sexual assault,” comments SF Mayor London Breed. “We should believe victims when they come forward, and their stories must always be more important than any political goals.”
Our own Senator Kamala Harris expressed outrage “at this hasty and unjust process. She urged, “It is now up to each of us to continue to fight for justice and equality and hold our government accountable.”
Sister Dana sez, “Let’s take to the streets! Let’s keep up the pressure! And let’s make sure that everyone knows we’ll remember who stands with us today—and who stands with Donald ‘Hoax’ Trump, Mitch McConnell and Brett Kavanaugh! And let’s pray for the Blue Wave!”
Take heart! There is some good news. Also on October 5, the U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA ruled that San Francisco’s sanctuary ordinance is lawful, and concluded that the Trump administration’s attempt to deny federal funding to the City is unconstitutional.
It was a spectacular evening at MAKE HISTORY! the gala presented by the GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY featuring Tony nominee and Obie-winning trans-genre cabaret star Mx. Justin Vivian Bond! We gathered at The Green Room at the War Memorial & Performing Arts Center on October 5 to support the GLBT Historical Society in presenting LGBTQ history through their world-renowned archives and museum. GLBTHS Executive Director Terry Beswick welcomed everyone, saying, “Now in our 34th year, the Historical Society is in a period of transition and growth fueled by an increasing hunger for knowledge of our LGBTQ past.” He added, “We are all history makers here.” Later he announced a $50,000 year-end matching challenge from several generous supporters, which will match all donations received through December 31. It was an evening full of entertainment and fun inspired by LGBTQ history.
At this year’s gala, they highlighted the vibrant history of our community by honoring archivist, collector and curator Lisbet Tellefsen with the Clio Award presented by Amy Sueyoshi; the SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS on the occasion of their 40 year anniversary with the History Makers Award presented by Tina Valentin Aguirre and SFGMC director Chris Verdugo; and Thomas E. Horn, president and trustee of the BOB ROSS FOUNDATION, with the Willie Walker Award presented by Senator Scott Wiener. They also celebrated the memory of pioneering LGBTQ studies and human sexuality scholar and educator Dr. John P. De Cecco with a very special recognition by Beswick and Dr. John Elia, and with the renaming of the GLBTHS archives after Dr. De Cecco. The fundraiser also helped GLBTHS as they plan for a new, world-class museum and public history center in San Francisco. I especially enjoyed the old B&W home movies of gay people way back in the day enjoying themselves privately when just their celebrating was a crime. Entertainment was provided by Kippy Marks on electronic violin and by Mx. Bond in a glorious cabaret performance accompanied on piano by David Sytkowski. Offsides, I reminisced with Justin about the time in the early 80s when we worked together on the first gay comedy sketch show on Comedy Central, Out for Laughs. Bond knocked us out with her set, including “Revolution,” which she wrote on a Radical Fairies retreat; a piece about her “first snorting heroin at the age of 50;” an anti-assimilation anthem, “Time Takes a Cigarette;” and a classic, “Hustlers.”
Sister Dana sez, “There is a new wave of children in the immigration courts across America. Though the exact figures are not known, lawyers who work with immigrants said the large number of migrant children now being held in detention has given rise to a highly unusual situation: more and more young children (many under age 6) coming to court. This is reprehensible!”
The monthly CASTRO ART WALK sponsored by CASTRO MERCHANTS continued its every first Thursday evening event on October 4 for another exciting self-guided experience. Participating in the Castro Art Walk (and most likely will continue to exhibit all October, so go check them out) was Art Attack, 2358 Market Street (where I was pleased to again see more acrylics on canvas by Tracy Piper using contrasting colors to vividly express the emotions of the persons pictured: #2, “Always & Forever;” #3, “Hold Fast;” #6, “Droughtful;” and #22, “Violet.”) Also, I noted that the artist, Serge Gay, Jr., has two acrylics from the recent STRUT exhibition, #16, “Miss Bunny;” and #20, “Safe Space.” Also worthy of special mention was Spark Arts, 4229 18th Street (including live entertainment by musicians and vocalists) with famed artist and teacher Thomasina De Maio offering a live female model for a sketching opportunity for anyone so inclined. My fave series there was “Housewives & Breadwinners” by Barbara Pollak-Lewis with her dozen little, wooden, painted-on plaques of various housewives—possibly from the 1950s. Also enjoyable are the fine art archival pigment prints of female nudes of Susan R. Kirshenbaum. Other venues with art to enjoy all month long are Berkshire Hathaway, 2324B Market Street; Blackbird Bar, 2124 Market Street; Ruby’s Clay Studio & Gallery, 552A Noe Street; The Artist’s Gallery, 4406 18th Street; Brewcade, 2200 Market Street; Norden Living, 3618 17th Street; Ixia, 2231 Market Street; Local Take, 3979 17th Street; The Academy, 2166 Market Street; and Dog Eared Books, 489 Castro Street. Do give ’em a look!
Sign I spotted in a Mission apartment house window: “Never Again Is Now.” Think about it. It’s spot on!
Meanwhile, stand with one million other Tax March supporters and sign this petition. Demand Trump release his tax returns https://www.dailykos.com/campaigns/forms/add-your-name-demand-trump-release-his-taxes
HORIZONS FOUNDATION held their ANNUAL GALA AND AFTER PARTY on October 6 at the historic Fairmont Hotel ballroom for cocktails and dinner, followed by an unforgettable After Party in the Tonga Room. Horizons is committed to find and fund our community’s social entrepreneurs and start-up organizations that meet new needs, or meet ongoing needs in new and promising ways. Their evolving grants list continues to reflect and shape the community. Horizons Foundation is today what its founders envisioned: a community philanthropic institution that is of, by and for the LGBTQ community, both today and tomorrow, and for future generations. Honorees at the gala were Gavin Grimm and Jewelle Gomez.
Gavin is a central figure in seeking rights for transgender individuals. Gavin has been fighting a school board policy that banned him from using the boys’ restrooms for over three years. The case, taken up by the ACLU, has taken years to wend its way through the legal system and took a major turn when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth District ruled in August 2016 in Gavin’s favor but was immediately appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, denying Gavin his victory.
Gomez is the author of eight books, including the double Lambda Literary Award-winning vampire novel, THE GILDA STORIES. She was the recipient of a National Endowment on the Arts Fellowship in Literature and two California Arts Council Artist in Residence grants. In 2017 she received the Barbary Coast Trailblazer Award from LitQuake. She was a 2018 Community Grand Marshal for San Francisco PRIDE. In the 1980s she was on the founding boards of Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the Astraea Lesbian Foundation and the Open Meadows Foundation. She is currently playwright in residence at New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC).
The program began with Vocal Rush, an acapella youth group singing “Born This Way.” Board Co-chair Olga Talamante sadly reminded us that “this day sucks” because of the Kavanaugh confirmation. “But we’ll get through this together and fight on,” she added. “A broken heart is an open heart.” The Courage Award was presented to Gavin by Abdi Soltani of the ACLU who expressed excitement that ACLU and all of us “are going to make a difference and change the world.” The Visionary Award was presented to Jewelle by Ed Decker, executive director of NCTC, who quite simply stated, “Love is love is love.” Horizons President Roger Doughty called this “a day of disgrace.” He added, “Over the past year, we’ve witnessed numerous attacks on the rights and values of our community, but we’ve also been buoyed by the incredible spirit of our community in resisting injustices and in working together to build paths forward.” He continued, “Horizons is at the forefront of bringing groups together, providing a framework, and giving our grantee partners the resources they need to serve our entire, diverse, and spectacular community.” After the auctions were over, they announced that Horizons had raised a total of over $100,600. At the after-party in the Tonga Room, how fabulous it was to be dancing to “It’s Raining Men” as the artificial rain poured into the pond!
The 45th annual CASTRO STREET FAIR was held on Sunday, October 7, from 11 am to 6 pm in the heart of the Castro. It was a great day of entertainment, exhibitors, food and beverages. For the first time ever, there were no booths or stages on Market Street. So, they moved the main stage to 18th & Castro. There were way kewl performances all day long by such talent as Big Dipper, Spice Queers, Cheer San Francisco, San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, SF LA Queer Nightlife, The Monster Show, New Conservatory Theatre Center Presents Avenue Q, Siobhan Aluvalot, Fou Fou Ha!, Ms. Jackson, and hosted by Carnie Asada and Miss J. Dance Alley was in the Walgreens parking lot at 18th, between Castro and Collingwood. People danced their buns off to DJs Trevor Sigler, Siobhan Aluvalot, Robin Malone Simmons & Elaine Denham. There were roaming performances from the local collective Dolores Flow with flagging, hooping, and moving entertainment featuring Action V. Jackson, Liam Ocean, Cindy Sparks, Sasha Vu, Magical Morgaine and Aaron Zammaron.
There was a plethora of information available in booths of such organizations as PRC, Rainbow Walk, AIDS/LifeCycle, Theatre Rhinoceros, Bare Chest Calendar (and some hot bare-chested babes to sign your calendar), SF AIDS Foundation, Bay Area Musicals, P-FLAG, Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District, UCSF Alliance Health Project, LGBT Asylum Project, San Francisco Bay Times, Academy of Friends and AIDS Healthcare Foundation. At the Companions of Dorothy the Worker Radical Ministry, you could get your pet blessed by The Rev. Diana Wheeler. My tabby, Panther, is how sanctified with a tiny little medal of the patron saint of animals, St. Francis of Assisi (after whom San Francisco is named). At the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, you could pie your favorite (or least favorite) politico smack in the face! The gayborhood folks could learn about the New Harvey Milk Plaza at the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza booth, where we discovered that the final architectural renderings for a planned redesign of the Castro’s Harvey Milk Plaza have been released. https://www.friendsofharveymilkplaza.org
I was pleased to once again find the colorful Rainbow World Fund bus parked on 18th & Castro, encouraging folks to come inside, have a seat and learn more about RWF. Executive Director Jeff Cotter explained how to help LGBT refugees and their countries’ humanitarian needs, currently specifically focusing on Guatemala, Uganda, Iraq and Syria. Jeff revealed the sad/mad news that this year the annual RWF Tree of Hope would NOT be in City Hall for Christmas. He could not say why. For more info, go to http://www.rainbowfund.org
Folks joined Juanita MORE!, Supervisors Rafael Mandelman, Hillary Ronen, Jane Kim, and BART Director Bevan Dufty and an all-star cast of co-hosts in celebrating the birthdays of our Hometown Heroes CLEVE JONES AND BRIAN BASINGER for a birthday fundraiser party to benefit the YES ON C CAMPAIGN—the boldest effort in a generation to tackle the housing affordability and homelessness crisis to make our City clean and beautiful again. The party was on October 8 at Juanita MORE!’s new restaurant, MORE!jones, 620 Jones Street. Happy birthday to both of you wonderful boys and good buddies! https://www.ourcityourhomesf.org
PRC (Positive Resource Center) presented the MIGHTY REAL Gala on October 12 at San Francisco’s Four Seasons Hotel. Chief Executive Officer Brett Andrews said that PRC had much to celebrate as they continue their double merger with AIDS EMERGENCY FUND and BAKER PLACES, and as they unveil the plans for their new consolidated service center at 170 9th Street. Their goal was to raise $250,000 for PRC’s lifesaving HIV/AIDS, mental health, and substance use services as well as the infrastructure to support those programs. He said, “To the survivors, we believe you; and to the Black Lives Matter, we see you and value you; and to the never again against gun violence movement, we stand shoulder to shoulder with you.” Michael Tate of SF Gay Men’s Chorus was auctioneer. The amazing television, film, and stage star, Jason Brock, was the featured entertainer, accompanied on piano by Dee Spencer. He sang “You’ve Got a Friend,” “The Greatest Love” and “Last Dance” by the iconic Donna Summer.
Honorees included founder of AIDS WALK SAN FRANCISCO (raising over 90 million dollars over his 30 year career), Craig Miller, as the recipient of the Vanguard Leadership Award presented by anchor Dan Ashley; KAISER PERMANENTE as the recipient of the Keystone Service Award, accepted by Baker Place founder Tim Illig; and community leaders, Donna Sachet (presented by co-host Michelle Meow) and Gary Virginia (presented by Deana Dawn) as the dual recipients of the Sylvester Community Pillar Awards. Both are Mighty Real in this nun’s opinion! After dinner, PRC hosted a dynamic after-party with music by DJ Lamont and disco dancing until midnight, along with a special bourbon tasting bar, courtesy of Seven Stills distillery.
Sister Dana sez, “October is the month of our High Holy Gay Holiday, HALLOWEEN. But there are other events happening this month. Check these out!”
For the month of October, STRUT will be exhibiting the work of Alexander Hernandez, J-PEG. On October 5, STRUT held his opening reception to celebrate his work. Artist’s statement: “My current work explores gender expectations and cultural assimilation. I wanted to incorporate patterns similar to the textile motifs I have been using in my work. So, I pixelated pictures that men have given me on Scruff, Grindr and other apps. The pixilation gives anonymity but also resembles quilting squares. I wanted to create pin-up like portraits of men of color who also have to deal with navigating cultural and gay identities. I used textile patterns that resemble bed sheets and back pack straps that remind us all of our boyhood. All these things come together to create collage-like pieces that capture the complexities of growing up gay and queer.”
THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS is now playing at one of my favorite intimate theater venues, Gateway Theatre (that used to be Eureka Theatre), 215 Jackson Street, now through October 21. Produced by the delightful folks at 42ND STREET MOON, the show that was nominated for seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, will make you tap your feet, laugh out loud and maybe even shed a few tears. Based on the true story of Texas’ Chicken Ranch brothel, it’s a real foot-stompin’ mid-70s country and western musical. Director/choreographer Christina Lazo has given life to this classic show. The choreography is unbelievably impressive. The guys do amazing tap, high kicks, acrobatics and more. The ladies are equally remarkable in dancing—with the exception of a rather stiff performance from a dozen (well, maybe possibly because they’re made of wood). At times I worried that the small stage might collapse. And the ensemble cast of 18 sings their hearts out. Each actor plays a multitude of different roles to perfection. Beware of having flashlights shined on you by the creepy televangelist crusaders. You will want to hiss at the villainous, hypocritical politicos and cheer the misunderstood ladies of the evening. Miss Mona’s “establishment” has operated for decades with a turned eye from the local Sheriff, entertaining everyone from politicians to the local bare-chested college football players. If you saw the movie, you’ll be glad that all of the classic numbers are there. All I can say is, “Yeeee haaaaw!” And next up for 42nd Moon is Dames at Sea. http://42ndstmoon.org/bestlittlewhorehouse/
Sister Dana sez, “Why do the Repugnicans get away with saying we nonviolent protesters are ‘an angry mob’? And yet there are ‘some’ Nazis and White Nationalists that are ‘good’?!”
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (HRC) will hold their 34th annual SF GALA DINNER on Saturday, October 20, but at a different venue than originally offered. Due to the ongoing strike at the Westin St. Francis, the HRC Gala has been moved to the Hyatt Regency Hotel located on the iconic Embarcadero at the start of Market Street. To allow enough time for set up, the start times have been pushed back slightly. VIP Reception will start at 5:30 pm, and General guests should arrive at 6:30 pm. Guests should check in with their photo ID upstairs in the stunning main atrium lobby of the Hyatt, where they will be hosting the reception and silent auction. HRC is proud to feature a special performance by transgender recording artist Shea Diamond. https://www.sfhrcgala.org
D’Arcy Drollinger presents: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER LIVE! at the Oasis, now through November 3, Thursdays at 8 pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 7 pm, 298 11th Street & Folsom, with a special Wednesday night performance on Halloween. Last year’s awesome cast is back along with some wicked additions for a mash-up of season 3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this loving tribute and high-camp parody of the popular 90s supernatural television series known for its groundbreaking themes, smart quips and indie-rock score. It is part drag show, part swashbuckler and part horror fantasy send-up. http://www.sfoasis.com
ALL HALLOWS NUNSENSE: a grand, gay cabaret, is hosted by the SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE and features SWAG Foundation. Come celebrate an intimate night of music and masquerade, as we present songs from members of the SWAG Foundation. As this is Halloween weekend, feel free to don a mask or go all out in fabulous Halloween regalia. Saturday, October 27, with two show times: 7 pm–8 pm and 9–10 pm at LEVYdance, 19 Heron Street. SWAG is a vocal ensemble comprised of 18–20 singers. Focusing on gospel, R&B, hip-hop and pop genres, SWAG was formed to focus on outreach to underserved, oppressed, underrepresented and minority communities, especially youth & elderly. https://www.facebook.com/events/2243726939031842/
This Halloween/Samhain weekend, COMFORT & JOY is back with an even more dazzling Castro block party for their second annual “GLOW IN THE STREETS!” Come get your life on the dance floor with booty-shaking beats all evening, compliments of DJs Black, Power Top Ramen, Justime and Hil Huerta. Saturday, October 27, 4–9:30 pm, Noe Street between Market and Beaver—2298 Market Street. They’ll also be serving up amazing art, performances and other festivities throughout the night. https://www.facebook.com/events/926616600864798/
There were a group of “10 Crazy Queens” in the 90s that started doing group drag to attend the Muscle System Ball (aka MUSCLE SISTERS BALL, which some of us lovingly called The Muscle Sissies Ball). It was a significant event in that it was to raise money for HIV services and organizations. It was THE gym before there were the dozens that proliferated 10 years later. The owners had the idea of a drag event ball charging for attendance—and you were required to drag. 20+ years later, some have moved out of town. Sadly, some have passed away. But now you can relive the dream at SPARK ARTS on the eve of Halloween, Tuesday, October 30, 6–9 pm, 4229 18th Street off Castro. https://sparkarts.com/
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS is hosted by BACK TO THE PICTURE on November 2, 6–9 pm, 934 Valencia Street. They’ll have some traditional Mexican Day of the Dead treats, food, wine, etc. and Day of the Dead art exhibited by dozens of artists. www.backtothepicture.com
Sister Dana sez, “Happy Halloween to everyone, and to those who are trying out drag for the first time: you gooo grrrlll!”
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