By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun–
Sister Dana sez, “Now that PRIDE MONTH is over, are we supposed to stop celebrating Pride? Of course not! Pride is 24/7, 365—as is BLM. So, let’s keep up the good fight for everyone’s civil rights! We will all rise together!”
What I am not proud of are the vandals who attacked my Castro ‘hood on Pride Sunday with spray-painted graffiti on all the buildings and sidewalks with ugly statements like “Kill KKK kops!” “Be gay do crimes!” and “Queers H8 KKK kops, even gay kops!” What I am proud of is the CASTRO BUSINESS DISTRICT headed by Executive Director Andrea Aiello that were out at the crack of dawn the next day to clean up the mess.
Juanita MORE! said it best, thanking everyone who came out on Pride Sunday and helped to organize, volunteer, and support the PEOPLE’S MARCH. “We did what our queer brothers and sisters did after the riots at Compton’s Cafeteria and Stonewall—we got out in the streets and marched. We took the same route down Polk Street where the first march happened 50 years ago—when everyone came out refusing to be ignored, abused, or forgotten any longer.” She emphasized, “The killing and treatment, the racism, the police brutality, the scapegoating of Black Americans must stop!”
The Board of Directors of SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE noted that more than 50,000 viewers tuned in for the official Pride 50 online celebration on June 27–28.
Celebrating PRIDE, my gay-fabulous church, THE VINE, held the 4TH ANNUAL SISTER ACT SING-ALONG PRIDE MASS—usually in Grace Cathedral but during the pandemic only virtually on Facebook. We sang the numbers from both Sister Act movies, including “I Will Follow Him,” “Oh Happy Day,” and “My Guy.” Sister Dana (in rainbow habit) got to do a reading from Rainer Maria Rilke‘s Letters to a Young Poet, as seen in the movie by Whoopi Goldberg inspiring a young woman. So very contemporary with the theme of “struggle” that we are in today! Come visit our inclusive church online: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=309912303491012&ref=watch_permalink
With over 600 virtual sessions and events, AIDS 2020: VIRTUAL, held July 6–10, enabled delegates to access and engage with the latest HIV science, advocacy, and knowledge traditionally presented at the conference, while offering a range of new features made possible by the new virtual format. Senator Scott Wiener remarked, “The INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE serves as an important reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we need to go.” https://www.aids2020.org/
THE NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL helped to kick off the 23rd International AIDS Conference Virtual, with the launch of a new web platform featuring all 48,000 panels of the iconic AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT online. A new “2020–40” storytelling initiative shares a series of personal stories every week from 40 years of the pandemic – the lives, the heroes, the survivors. https://aidsmemorial.org/
For us diehard activists, we can enjoy the sensational Billy Porter remaking FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH—originally by Buffalo Springfield in 1966 during the protest song genre of the 60s. “Everybody look what’s going down!” It is still timely during these turbulent times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba3b-wBut8s
Sister Dana sez, “Did we have a nice Fourth of July Independence Day? Unfortunately, some inconsiderate people started celebrating way back in March with loud firecrackers going off at all hours of the night—torturing dogs and disturbing the sleep of selfless healthcare workers. This has got to stop!”
Lisa Geduldig‘s new monthly comedy series LOCKDOWN COMEDY happens on Zoom every third Thursday of the month beginning July 16, 6 pm. The July 16 show’s theme is “Across the Pond Comedy” with London’s Shazia Mirza, Tanyalee Davis, Mark Maier, Lisa Geduldig, and special guest: Lisa’s mom Arline. https://www.koshercomedy.com/lockdown-comedy
2019 Guggenheim Fellow and New York Times bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi will discuss his renowned book, How to Be an Antiracist, virtually on Monday, July 20, 7 pm with Dr. Charlene M. Dukes, president of Prince George’s Community College. Dr. Dukes is the first African-American woman to serve as president of the College and has 30 years of progressive leadership experience and administrative responsibility in higher education. https://bit.ly/31vh5JI
Sister Dana sez, “The T-rump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the entirety of the Affordable Care Act—with no replacement. This is incredibly stupid and dangerous. Not only do 23 million Americans get their healthcare coverage through ACA, but also nearly half a million Americans have enrolled in Obamacare after losing their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Absolute cruelty!”
What do you get when you combine Sylvester with Madonna in a marvelous mash-up, You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) Vs Vogue? You get a hot dance session by Xavier Toscano. Vogue, baby, vogue! https://youtu.be/eQVTu-2AzM8
Do you wanna “put on a happy face” during this pandemic? Do you have a message for the Denier-in-Chief? Then check out the latest Randy Rainbow parody, “Cover Your Freakin’ Face.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kOesPt7iBY
While RICHMOND-ERMET AID FOUNDATION (REAF) is not able to produce its usual in-person GALA this year, Ken and Joe invite you to a virtual summer gala concert. Relive the excitement of past events through clips cultivated from 25 years of outstanding performances with stars of stage and screen including: Susan Anton, Carol Channing, Petula Clark, Carole Cook, Tyne Daly, Loretta Devine, Jill Eikenberry & Michael Tucker, Sam Harris, Florence Henderson, Jersey Boys, Kimberley Locke, Alex Newell, Bruce Vilanch, Lisa Vroman, Paula West, Marissa Jaret Winokor, and many other surprises. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reaf-virtual-summer-gala-tickets-110199746408
This November, Californians will have a chance to fight systemic racism at the ballot box. The fight to reinstate Affirmative Action in California is officially on the 2020 ballot as Yes on Proposition 16!
The U.S. SUPREME COURT, in a 5–4 ruling, has struck down a draconian restriction on access to abortion enacted by the state of Louisiana. NCLR, the only LGBTQ legal group with a staff member dedicated to reproductive justice, celebrates another Supreme Court victory. “This decision is a relief to thousands in Louisiana and millions of people across this country whose fundamental right to reproductive autonomy remains secure for now,” said Imani Rupert-Gordon, NCLR Executive Director. “But the very fact that this case had to reach the Supreme Court is a sobering reminder of the relentless attacks on reproductive freedom and the need to elect officials who will safeguard that critical freedom.”
A Brazilian man was treated with the medication nicotinamide, a form of the vitamin B3, and it has been a year since he’s tested positive for HIV. This breakthrough could lead to a cure for the virus. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/health/
BTW, Brazilian president Bolsonaro told his staff that “wearing masks is a faggot thing” right before he caught coronavirus.
Sister Dana sez, “Election Day should be a National Holiday. This would boost Voter Turnout and help Democrats win! Also, we need to nationalize ballots by mail!”
As of June 1, more than 50 vicious, physical attacks—bruised and bloodied by riot police against clearly identified reporters covering BLM protests—have been documented on video. This is what happens when T-rump calls the press “the enemy of the people.” First Amendment rights be damned.
AIDS WALK SAN FRANCISCO and AIDS Walk New York are combining forces virtually to create AIDS WALK: LIVE AT HOME, a 90-minute, live-streamed event on Sunday, July 19, 10 am. (See page 6 for more info.) This will benefit PRC and other Bay Area HIV/AIDS service organizations. Scheduled performances and appearances by: Bette Midler, Gloria Estefan, Vanessa Williams, Laura Linney, Matt Bomer, Alex Newell, Skylar Astin, Alan Cumming, stars from Queer Eye, and more. Register: https://sf.aidswalk.net/Account/Register
GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY presents an online forum, THE EVOLUTION OF BLACK LGBTQ LEADERSHIP, Wednesday, July 22, 6–7:30 pm. https://www.glbthistory.org/events/2020/7/22/the-evolution-of-black-lgbtq-leadership
Are you tired of hearing people ranting against wearing a mask? Then you will delight in the two sides of the argument hysterically sung as a parody of the Broadway hit, HAMILTON, in this “mask-up.” https://youtu.be/m_HZectGDlo
Mayor London N. Breed has launched a new mobile COVID-19 testing site at the Latino Task Force (LTF) Resource Hub in the Mission. The testing site will operate on Thursdays from 10 am–3 pm in coordination with services provided for Mission residents at the Hub. https://www.ltfrespuestalatina.com/blog
SF GENERAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION is now accepting artist submissions for the annual HEARTS IN SAN FRANCISCO public art project, which will be celebrating its 17th year. For the 2021 series, the Foundation welcomes design submissions by both up-and-coming and established local San Francisco Bay Area artists. Design renderings for the heart sculptures must be submitted by August 31. https://sfghf.org/events/create-a-heart/
For the first time ever, the 31st Annual GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS will be held as a virtual ceremony, on July 30, 5 pm. Co-hosts are Fortune Feimster and Gina Yashere, with special performance by Chloe x Halle. Among the more than 16 celebs are Dan Levy, Rachel Maddow, and Dolly Parton. https://www.glaad.org/about
Among SFGMC’sgorgeous virtual performances, LOLLIPOP GUILD has a lovely “Seasons of Love” from the Broadway hit, RENT. https://www.sfgmc.org/in-concert
Sister Dana sez, “Oh how I miss gazing out my window nightly to watch utterly enchanted by the spectacular Illuminated Pink Triangle! I wish it could glow all year long. Hopefully it will return next Pride Weekend!”
Published on July 16, 2020
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