By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Sister Dana sez, “Now that PRIDE MONTH is over, are we supposed to stop being proud? Of course not! PRIDE is 365, 24–7, nonstop, all the time!”
We celebrated Pride with REVOLUTION OF LOVE San Francisco Pride Party on June 20 at El Rio bar. We schmoozed and fundraised for EQUALITY CALIFORNIA (EQCA) and danced as DJ Parks spun with stellar performances from DQs extraordinaire Dulce De Leche and Shiksa. “The LGBTQ community and our fearless allies are no strangers to Revolution,” said EQCA Communications Director Jorge Reyes Salinas. “Our communities have been at the forefront of changing hearts and minds, sharing ideas, and innovating culture—but most importantly, fighting, protecting, and advocating for full-lived equality!”
On June 22, to launch the third season of DIVAS & DRINKS, the San Francisco Bay Times and The Academy SF proudly presented powerhouse vocalist Rhonda Benin and her All Stars: Grammy winner Tammy Hall, legendary bassist Ruth Davies (whose discography includes several platinum and Grammy-winning records), and drummer Mark Lee, who has backed The Pointer Sisters and many other artists. Emcee for the evening was my dear friend, fellow columnist, and Pride Brunch co-host Donna Sachet, with music by DJ Rockaway presented by Olivia. Featured guests included SF Pride Executive Director Suzanne Ford, SF Pride Past President Carolyn Wysinger, and SF Pride Board President (in killer high heels), Nguyen Pham.
Ten years after California first resumed same-sex marriages, 250 couples were wed by City Administrator Carmen Chu and the Office of the County Clerk in a special LGBTQ PRIDE MARRIAGE CELEBRATION at City Hall on June 23. Couples received commemorative Pride marriage licenses and Pride pins.
Gary Virginia and Donna Sachet‘s 25th Annual PRIDE BRUNCH honoring the San Francisco Pride Parade Grand Marshals is always one of the most high-profile and festive events of Pride Week. This beloved tradition, a fundraiser for PRC, marks a major milestone this year and was a rare opportunity to meet and hear from all the Grand Marshals. All proceeds supported PRC’s lifesaving, integrated social, legal, and behavioral health services for those affected by HIV/AIDS, mental health issues, and substance use. Held at the Westin St. Francis on June 24, the program began with mesmerizing music by violinist Kippy Marks, the SF Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, and DJ Jimmy Strano, as well as colorful flaggers Fiona Davidson & Jouke Lanning.
Hosts Gary Virginia and Donna Sachet introduced PRC CEO Chaun Teng, SF Mayor London Breed, State Senator Scott Wiener, and State Assemblymembers Phil Ting and Matt Haney. Each of the Grand Marshals gave riveting speeches of Pride. These Grand Marshals included Honey Mahogany, Laura Lala-Chavez, Dr. Nasser Mohamed, Breonna McCree, and a representative for Organization Grand Marshal Drag Story Hour. Vocalist Carly Ozard belted out “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” and auctioneer Liam Mayclem did the lively live auction. Lifetime Achievement Grand Marshal Paul Aguilar was the final speaker, and Donna perfectly closed the day singing what else but “I Left My Heart in San Francisco!”
LOCKDOWN COMEDY’s 3rd Anniversary Show on Zoom is July 19, 7 pm. The show features Shazia Mirza (London), Cathy Ladman (LA), Will Durst (SF), and “The Geduldig Sisters”—producer Lisa Geduldig (SF) and her 92-years-young mother, Arline Geduldig (Florida). https://www.koshercomedy.com/
I heard this on the news—an absolutely perfectly poetic summation: “Trump’s incompetence outweighs his malevolence.”
The latest Brady PAC poll has found that 61% of Americans support an assault weapons ban. This year there have been 342 mass shootings (plus at least 17 more over the July 4th holiday). Sister Dana sez, “Did you know that AR-15 rounds eviscerate tissue, and leave stumps where once were heads? These weapons of war decapitate, amputate, and permanently debilitate, IF the victim survives. Knowing these shocking facts, how can ANYONE cling to the original, outmoded, archaic Second Amendment Rights to supposedly just hunt animals?!!”
RICHMOND/ERMET AID FOUNDATION (REAF) is presenting HELP IS ON THE WAY XXVII, Broadway and Beyond on July 16, 7:30 pm, at the Marines’ Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter Street. This year’s concert will feature most of the touring cast of the Tony Award-winning Broadway show Les Miserablés in addition to some of our REAF favorites in this Broadway-themed spectacular including Phantom of the Opera star Lisa Vroman, Wicked and Light in the Piazza star David Burnham, MAC Award-winners Leanne Borghesi and Marta Sanders, Cabaret star Ava Nicole Francis, and Billboard top recording star Debby Holiday singing a tribute to TINA TURNER. Joining them will be comedian/author/director Del Shores as auctioneer, and they will be paying special tributes to our REAF grand diva CAROLE COOK and REAF veteran LESLIE JORDAN. https://www.reaf-sf.org/
Large majorities of U.S. adults across different racial, ethnic, and religious identities oppose religious-based discrimination against LGBTQ people, according to a new WILLIAMS INSTITUTE report. Even majorities of Republicans oppose religious-based anti-LGBTQ discrimination, the report finds. Its findings suggest that Republican-led attacks on LGBTQ civil rights—many of which are couched in religious terms—are actually opposed by most American adults.
We are amidst an unprecedented wave of direct, discriminatory attacks against LGBTQ people. This year, more than 400 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced across state legislatures. Many of these bills target transgender youth, preventing their access to lifesaving healthcare. Last year marked the passage of the most anti-LGBTQ and anti-transgender legislation in recent history. Congress must act now to protect all Americans’ inalienable right to EXIST. THE EQUALITY ACT, the only piece of federal legislation to explicitly affirm LGBTQ civil rights, can rectify and protect LGBTQ individuals from these attacks at the state level.
At MOULIN ROUGE, KREWE DE KINQUE will be raising funds for our first-ever TEAM KDK in the AIDS WALK! Organized by KdK King XX Mez, this will be a fun event whether or not you are walking on July 16, getting donations virtually, or helping at the Midnight Sun beer bust fundraiser on Saturday, July 15, 4–7 pm, 4067 18th Street. There are so many great songs from the musical Moulin Rouge—the open show is calling you! https://tinyurl.com/5ck22r7p
HELLO YELLOW BRICK ROAD, performed by the SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS, is a wild and wonderful celebration that combines highlights from Elton John’s groundbreaking album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road—marking its 50th anniversary—along with favorites from The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, and Stephen Schwartz’s blockbuster musical, Wicked. This will be SFGMC’s second collaboration and performance with the SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY. Davies Symphony Hall, July 19, 7:30 pm. https://www.sfgmc.org/
California has unveiled its 2023 State Income Limits, demonstrating the widening income inequality gap in the state, and putting further emphasis on the high cost of living in cities like San Francisco. According to the updated guidelines by The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)‘s latest income limits, Sister Dana sez, “(Are you ready for a scornful laugh?! And a huge hiss?!)” a single person earning less than $122,500 in San Francisco County is now considered to have low income.”
On June 28 we enjoyed free admission to the Castro Theatre for a special showing of “TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR”—the first major Hollywood studio film to center on drag queens! The event was sponsored by Comcast NBC Universal, the San Francisco Bay Times, and The Academy SF. Comcast is giving $25,000 each to EQUALITY CALIFORNIA and to THE SF LGBT CENTER. Double Emmy Award-winning producer, director, and writer Jan Wahl co-emceed with renowned drag artist, LGBTQ community fundraiser, and Absolute Empress Khmera Rouge. For this historic night, John Newmeyer—LGBTQ community member, philanthropist, and the brother of Julie Newmar—spoke about his convincing Julie to be “Catwoman” in the “Batman” TV series. Julie will soon be celebrating her 90th birthday. Catwoman says of John: “My brother is one cool cat!”
On June 29, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on two landmark cases challenging Affirmative Action in higher education, ending decades of expanded access to college education for students of color and overturning decades of precedent. Chief Justice Roberts’ opinion for the court held that Harvard University and the University of North Carolina’s race-conscious admissions policies violate the equal protection clause. The UNC case was decided 6–3 and the Harvard case 6–2, with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson recusing herself. Sister Dana sez, “Of course the six ‘justices’ are doing anything they can to deny human rights. They are doing away with the civil rights of women, people of color, students, and queers. But they forget: WE VOTE!”
The Supreme Court issued a ruling in Creative LLC v. Elenis on June 30 (the last day of PRIDE MONTH) that overrules state laws protecting LGBTQ people’s access to publicly available services, and enshrines anti-LGBTQ discrimination. In response, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) issued the following statement: “The Supreme Court today ruled bigoted business owners can exempt themselves from civil rights laws by refusing to sell to LGBTQ people. This ruling is dangerous and horrifying. It has massive implications for LGBTQ anti-discrimination laws in employment, housing, and other contexts,” said Senator Wiener. “The Court is taking us down a road where discrimination against LGBTQ people is constitutionally protected. This attack isn’t happening in a vacuum,” he noted. “It’s part of a well-funded, concerted legal strategy by right-wing extremists to hijack the First Amendment and use it as a tool to validate and constitutionally protect anti-LGBTQ discrimination,” he concluded.
It should be pointed out that this was an imaginary made-up, fake case with no actual gay couples involved.
Sister Dana sez, “We LGBTQ people will NOT accept second-class citizenship!”
Seventeen Broadway dancers are auditioning for eight spots on a chorus line. Exploring the inner lives and bittersweet ambitions of performers, A CHORUS LINE, playing now through September 9, captures the spirit, tension, and hope of an audition. It is the winner of the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, winner of nine Tony Awards, four Drama Desk awards, three Obie Awards in 1976, and a Special Gold Tony Award in 1984 in honor of becoming Broadway’s longest-running musical. Get in line and audition at San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post Street, Floor 2M, SF! https://www.sfplayhouse.org/
Spanning 11 days, the 2023 San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival (Frameline47) marked the largest film festival in Northern California this year. In addition to the Audience Awards, Frameline presented emerging and established queer and trans filmmakers with four juried awards, including the Outstanding First Feature Award. And Frameline is happy to report that they received almost $60,000 in funding on Closing Night. https://www.frameline.org/
Recent decisions of the majority Supreme Court Six have rolled back abortion rights, voting rights, access to education, and LGBTQ rights. And they won’t stop there. Sister Dana sez, “We need to be like THE only true-blue SUPREMES and sing out: ‘Stop! In the Name of Love!’”
Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun
Published on July 13, 2023
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