By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Sister Dana sez, “Props go to GOP Congressman Justin Amash for breaking from the Trump-loving Repugnicans and stating: ‘Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct.’ Hopefully this attitude will be contagious in Congress!”
THE GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM held a reception for their latest exhibition: THE MAYOR OF FOLSOM STREET: Alan Selby’s Legacy on May 16 in the museum. The exhibition runs now through September 30 at 4127 18th Street. “The Life and Legacy of Alan Selby” uses photographs, artifacts, fine art and digital displays to document the life of Selby, also known as Mr. S, who opened the iconic leather and kink retail store Mr. S. Leather in San Francisco’s SoMa district in 1979. One of the City’s longest-lived and best-known queer retail establishments, Mr. S. Leather grew into a kind of community center as well as an international destination. The show was curated by Jordy Jones, Selby’s biographer; Jeremy Prince, the museum and exhibition director; and Gayle Rubin, renowned feminist and sexuality theorist and professor of anthropology at the University of Michigan. Also drawing on the “Alan Selby Papers” preserved in the society’s archives, this exhibition illustrates Selby’s life within the context of a changing SoMa neighborhood, AIDS charities, and the emergence of a distinct queer leather and kink culture—all of which Daddy Selby was a large part of. Here you will find his Certificate of Honor by the SF Board of Supervisors, Selby’s American and British passports, a sling, the memorial Alan Selby leather jacket gorgeously decorated by Bill Bowers and even his very last leather cap that was laid upon his body at the time of his passing. I will never forget how Alan always lovingly addressed me as “Sister Veronica,” instead of my true nun name or my birth name. He was truly a character!
May 17 was a historic day—the first time a comprehensive LGBTQ civil rights bill has come to the floor of the House, when all of the Democrats passed THE EQUALITY ACT. This legislation will provide millions of LGBTQ Americans protections from being denied medical care, fired from their jobs, or thrown out of their homes simply because of who they are. It now goes to the Senate. 70% of Americans support the Act. Of course, Trump has opposed it.Sister Dana sez, “Lawmakers in Taiwan have voted to legalize same-sex marriage, which is a first for Asia! GongXi! Which I think is Chinese for ‘Congratulations’!”
NCLR held its ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION on May 18 at the Marriott Marquis for a splendid dinner and speeches. Opening the ceremonies were Co-chairs Emily Doskow and Felicia Medina, who introduced NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter. We learned The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) was the first national LGBTQ legal organization founded by women, and it brings a fierce, longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and our community’s most vulnerable. Since 1977, NCLR has been at the forefront of advancing the civil and human rights of the LGBTQ community and their families through impact litigation, public policy, and public education. Awards were given. Vanguard awardees were Honorable Deb Haaland from the U.S. House of Representatives and Honorable Malcolm Kenyatta from the PA House of Representatives. Courage awardees were Kate McCobb, who suffered the traumatic effects of conversion therapy for eight years, and together with NCLR, brought an ingenious case against her Berkeley therapist for consumer fraud which reached a settlement; Danny Sims won with NCLR a 2018 case against his Florida school district permitting him access to the boys’ restroom. His bravery has paved the way for all transgender students in Volusia County, Florida. The Kate Kendell Commitment to Justice Award went to Maria “Lupita” Lopez Segoviano—presented by Kate Kendell. After a few words from Interim Executive Director Cindy Meyers and board member Olga Talamante, we all adjourned to Citiview at Metreon for the festive after-party.
Presented by CASTRO MERCHANTS, I really enjoyed WINDOWS FOR HARVEY, the gayborhood celebration centered on the May 22 birthday of Harvey Milk. Over 30 local merchants, in partnership with artists and designers, rolled out installations inspired by Harvey and his legacy all along Castro and Market streets. I only wish it could be all year long!
On a similar note, on May 19, THE FRIENDS OF HARVEY MILK held a GRAND UNVEILING of the Milk plaque installed in Harvey Milk Plaza. In part, the inscribed words read: “Harvey Milk – May 22, 1930–November 27,1978. Harvey Milk Plaza is named in honor of San Francisco’s supervisor, California’s first elected official to be openly gay. In January 1976, Mayor George Moscone appointed Harvey to the Board of Permit Appeals as San Francisco’s first openly gay Commissioner. In the 1977 District Election of Supervisors, Harvey was elected to the Board. He championed the rights of all people. In his tragically short term as Supervisor, he authored San Francisco’s Gay Rights Ordinance and fought for the causes of women, the elderly, minorities, renters, environmentalists, union members, and neighborhood residences. Harvey Milk Plaza was dedicated on September 15, 1985, by Mayor Dianne Feinstein, Board of Supervisors President John L. Molinari, and Milk’s successor, Supervisor Harry Britt.” The plaque concludes with Milk’s quote: “I am all of us.” The Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band performed and led a march to the HRC Store (Milk’s old camera shop) after some speeches. I will let Senator Scott Wiener say it all: “He paved the way for so many of the rights we enjoy today, and always reminds us of the importance of giving hope to future generations.” Then there was a reception to see the new Harvey Milk Plaza designs. And on May 22 we had the Milk Block Party in Jane Warner Plaza with music and dancing.
6TH ANNUAL STOLI KEY WEST COCKTAIL CLASSIC TOUR – SAN FRANCISCO, the world’s largest LGBT bartender competition and show, celebrating gay bars and Bar Stars, took place at Hamburger Mary’s in the Castro on May 20. I have done these every year, and they are so enjoyable. I was one of the many, many judges. Hosts were First Lady of the Castro Donna Sachet and Patrik Gallineaux, LGBT Ambassador for Stoli. The winner got a trip to Key West and other prizes, such as money to their favorite Bay Area LGBT-supportive charity, the chance to become Honorary Grand Marshal of KEY WEST PRIDE 2019, trophy, sash, title, a trip somewhere in North America and more. The winner was David Facer with his “Chai and Stop Me” combination of Stoli Vanilla, crushed pineapple, Bayou Spiced Rum and other ingredients. His chosen charity is the GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY getting $10,000. There was a very special performance by Latoya London with an extremely emotional “All By Myself” that both rocked and wrecked the house!
FRAMELINE, the world’s longest-running and largest showcase of queer cinema, has announced the full program for its 43rd annual Festival after unveiling its first 12 titles last month. Frameline43, the SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL LGBTQ+ FILM FESTIVAL, takes place June 20–30 in San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland. This year’s slate includes 59 films screening for the first time in the U.S., including 22 world premieres, 8 international premieres, 12 North American premieres, and 17 U.S. premieres. The lineup also contains a record-breaking 22 first narrative features. Thirty-eight countries will be represented, including China, Argentina, Brazil, Iran, Italy, Romania, Vietnam, India, Guatemala and Indonesia. Frameline will also welcome a number of high-profile guests during its 11 days of programs, including Trixie Mattel, Angelica Ross, Carol Lynley, Mike Doyle, Bruce Vilanch, Nicole Maines, Brendan Scannell and Robert Anderson Clift. Sadly, we heard this would be the sixth and final year for Frameline Executive Director Frances Wallace. She shared the news at the FESTIVAL LAUNCH PARTY on May 21 at Oasis. For a wealth of information, pick up a free copy of the 148-page booklet, or go online. One film I am particularly proud of is Thanks to Hank (page 92) about the late great activist Hank Wilson, directed by Bob Ostertag. As Hank was a good friend of mine and other Sisters, we appear in the film as nuns doing a blessing and sainting of Hank, as well as personal interviews about this profound man’s legacy in the queer/HIV community. https://www.frameline.org
PRIDE MONTH will be kicked off in June with the City Hall Pride Flag raising from the Mayor’s balcony on June 3.
So, Sister Dana sez, “Be loud and proud by attending some of these events!”
Theatre Rhinoceros invites you to see SISTER ACT – THE MUSICAL before it closes on June 2. The famous Whoopi Goldberg movie that became the hit musical now gets the Rhino twist when a drag queen singer has to go into hiding as a nun. But she’s not the only nun in drag—not at Rhino! The Gateway Theatre, 215 Jackson Street. It is hilarious. This Sister laughed. This Sistercried. Holy crap, it’s fabulous! http://therhino.org/
You and your canine companion(s) are invited to enjoy PETCHITECTURE, the signature fundraiser supporting PETS ARE WONDERFUL SUPPORT (PAWS). commemorating the 32nd anniversary of PAWS on June 6 at the Fairmont Hotel. The reception will begin at 6 pm, and a seated dinner with formal program and award presentation will begin at 7:30 pm. You’ll be doggone disappointed if you miss this! http://www.shanti.org/pages/petchitecture
Celebrate the voices of our extraordinary, unique, and diverse City in THE CHRONICLES OF SAN FRANCISCO, by internationally recognized artist JR. Presented in SFMOMA’s soaring Roberts Family Gallery, this work is free and accessible to the public. Sister Dana is among the protesters in checked veil and fist in the air. https://www.sfmoma.org/exhibition/jr/
A reception hosted by GOOGLE celebrates STONEWALL 50 and unveils the next designs for the RAINBOW HONOR WALK plaques. Enjoy food, drink, a silent auction and “appearances” by some of the honorees. Monday, June 3, 5:30 pm– 8:30 pm, Google Headquarters, 188 Embarcadero. Free tix at http://rainbowhonorwalk.org/
Discover the stories of 28 Barbary Lane, decades later, when ARMISTEAD MAUPIN’S TALES OF THE CITY launches globally on Netflix on June 7.
Artist and activist Gilbert Baker (1951–2017) created the iconic and globally recognized rainbow flag as a symbol of the LGBTQ community in 1978. His life and work will be explored, illuminated and celebrated in this unique event organized for the posthumous release of his memoir, “Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color.” Hosted by the GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY and cosponsored by the JAMES C. HORMEL LGBTQIA CENTER of the San Francisco Public Library, the evening will begin with a reception, followed by a short film, readings from the memoir and a discussion with local activists. Koret Auditorium in San Francisco Public Library Main, 100 Larkin Street, June 11, 5:30 pm–7:30 pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/2247754938824962/
Sister Dana sez, “If you don’t like abortion, don’t get one!”
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