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    Sister Dana sez, “The difference between Harris and Trump campaigns…”

    By Sister Dana Van Iquity–

    Sister Dana sez, “The difference between Harris and Trump campaigns is the politics of joy versus the politics of retribution! It is between choosing the future or going back to the past!”

    Vice President Harris has been criticized for laughing, but it seems she is actually having the last laugh. Her rallies with Governor Walz are full of joy and laughter by the two candidates and coming from their extremely joyful attendees in response. We are all becoming joyful warriors for Harris/Walz! Joy will win!

    Sister Dana sez, “Congratulations to TEAM USA for winning the most OLYMPICS medals (an astonishing 126) and for tying with China at 40 gold medals each!”

    The many, huge accomplishments of newly minted Democratic Vice President Candidate Tim Walz as six-year Governor in Minnesota really must be noted: he enshrined abortion rights into state law; signed an executive order for gender-affirming care; legalized recreational marijuana; required paid medical and family leave; stood up for and passed bills for veterans; expanded background checks for gun purchases; and provided free lunch for school children as well as free college for students with a family income under $80,000. In Congress, he tried to pass bipartisan immigration legislation. Harris’ choice elevates a former football coach and social studies teacher whose rural roots, liberal policies, and snappy takedowns of Trump/Vance campaigns have recently put him on the map!

    Sister Dana sez, “Vice President Harris’ pick for Veep is totally ‘off the Walz,’ and I LOVE it!”

    Meanwhile MADAM VICE PRESIDENT Kamala Harris and Tim Walz capped off their first week together on a campaign trail with a packed rally in Las Vegas that drew a reported 15,000 supporters. And seen at more and more rallies, the adoring crowds keep growing stronger for freedom and democracy!

    Whereas at his incoherent, raging, dishonest (NPR found 162 lies and distortions), hour-long press conference at Mar-A-Lago on August 8, clueless Trump falsely claimed, “I think that abortion has become much less of an issue. It’s actually going to be a very small issue.” In immediate response, the Harris Campaign fact-checked by stating, “Abortion is not ‘less of an issue’ for voters. It is not ‘subdued.’ It is not a ‘small issue’ for voters, despite how much Donald wants it to be.”

    Sister Dana sez, “For Trump—trying to avoid jail while offering little more than negativity in his campaign—it’s either the White House or the BIG House for him!”

    While Trump and Vance falsely accuse VP Harris of failing as “immigration czar,” Harris has elaborated, “We know our immigration system is broken, and we know what it takes to fix it: comprehensive reform that includes strong border security and an earned pathway to citizenship.” On the campaign trail, she has reminded Arizona and Nevada audiences, “Earlier this year, we had a chance to pass the toughest bipartisan border security bill in decades; but Donald Trump tanked the deal—because he thought by doing that, it would help him win an election. But when I am President, I will sign the bill!” Sister Dana sez, “What you will NOT see at Harris/Walz rallies are those nasty, fear-mongering ‘MASS DEPORTATION!’ placards!”

    Mesa, Arizona, Republican Mayor John Giles really said it like it is at the August 9 Glendale, Arizona, rally, “The Republican Party has been taken over by extremists that are committed to forcing people in the center of the political spectrum out of the Party.” He exhorted, “So I have something to say to those of us who are in the political middle: You don’t owe a damn thing to that political party!”

    Sister Dana with Jerry The Fairy (left) and another friend at the Richmond/Ermet
    AID Foundation (REAF) benefit at the Marines’ Memorial Theatre held on July 15.
    Photo by Chris Michaelson

    Out and proud actor BD Wong has slipped into character for an Instagram social media video in support of Kamala Harris. Wong, 63, is known to millions for his recurring role in TV’s hit, Law & Order: SVU. “In the American political system, a presidential candidate who has been convicted of 34 felonies is considered especially heinous,” says Wong directly to the camera as if narrating a TV trailer. “In Washington, D.C., a dedicated former prosecutor is challenging this convicted felon as part of an elite squad known as Kamala Harris for President. This is her moment, and I am on her team,” he continues. Then Harris’ hubby Doug Emhoff appears. This vital ad will run in November on most networks.

    Mayor London Breed announced the recipients of the city’s new Entertainment & Nightlife Revitalization Grant (ENRG) program on August 13. Fourteen local entertainment and nightlife businesses and neighborhood organizations will receive grants of up to $50,000 to produce a diverse array of weekend and evening programming Downtown. Programming will launch later this month with an exciting range of activities—from concert pop-ups and theater performances, to drag showcases and street parties in newly created Entertainment Zones, to designated areas where restaurants and bars are permitted to sell
    to-go alcoholic beverages during outdoor events. Events will take place across Downtown neighborhoods, including Mid-Market/Civic Center, Tenderloin, SoMa, Financial District, Union Square, Yerba Buena, and The East Cut. “In San Francisco, we are innovating and exploring every possible avenue to make Downtown an exciting and welcoming 24/7 destination that attracts more people and new business opportunities,” said Mayor Breed. “Entertainment Zones will bring a new energy to our city.”

    Trans state employees have won a court victory against a Ron DeSantis law banning their care. A Federal Judge, Robert Hinkle, has overturned a state law that Duh Santis signed just last year: Florida’s restrictions on gender-affirming care for state employees, referring to the insurance program in the state as “facially discriminatory.” Samantha Past, a staff attorney with the ACLU of Florida, stated, “Our clients dedicated their careers to bettering Florida, and in return they were denied coverage of essential medical care needed to better their own lives.” She continued, “Discrimination has no place here, and we are hopeful that this decision will encourage a commitment from the state to treating members of our transgender community with the respect they deserve and reciprocating their care and devotion to the state of Florida.”

    Rest in peace and power, Jerry The Faerie, known by friends and family by that name, but born as Jerry Berbiar. He was a fierce member and warrior with the RADICAL FAERIES, HARVEY MILK LGBTQ DEMOCRATIC CLUB, and BOUND TOGETHER BOOKSTORE. But more than that, he was a dear friend. He died at 69 years old. I miss Jerry horribly. I had fully intended to attend his Celebration of Life memorial, but unfortunately had experienced a nasty fall in my hallway on August 12 leaving me with a badly mangled ankle and in need of a pacemaker—keeping me stuck in two different hospitals for four days. I am trapped home now—painfully struggling to use crutches, so just call me “Sister Dana The Lame Nun”!

    Aileen Cannon has DISMISSED Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s classified documents case. So then Jack Smith immediately filed an appeal. And now Attorney General Merrick Garland SLAMMED Cannon for her absurd argument. “For more than 20 years I was a Federal Judge. Do I look like someone who would make that basic mistake about the law?” he argued. “Our position is that it’s Constitutional and valid. That’s why we appealed.”

    Sister Dana sez, “Trump has been indicted on 91 felony charges so far, 
    and he was found guilty on all 34 counts in his FIRST criminal trial. We absolutely CANNOT have a fascist felon for president!”

    The Fourth Version of the SF QUEER FILM FESTIVAL comes to the Bay Area August 23–25, Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness Avenue—bringing along with it 64 movies, shorts, and webisodes that are as diverse as its targeted audience. The festival has been building steam over the past few years even though it still promotes itself as a more intimate film festival.

    “Obviously, FRAMELINE is the queen mother of all LGBTQ film festivals, and we can never match its prestige and popularity,” said Amir Jaffer, Executive Director of SFQFF. “But there is so much more content than ever before that even Frameline can’t screen every wonderful option they are provided.”

    While SFQFF started at the Delancey Street Screening Room, it moved last year and found a home at Landmark’s Opera Plaza Cinema—the last Landmark Theatre in San Francisco. “We like the Opera Plaza as the staff is great to work with, and we don’t feel overpowered by a giant theatre,” added Jaffer. “It makes the intermingling of filmmakers and filmgoers easier.” Jaffer continued, “One of the reasons we added our festival is to give more opportunities to screen movies—some that may have been denied a Frameline submission. But the quality is so great this year that SFQFF has also had to say no to quality content due to time limitations.

    Opening night August 23, 6–8:30 pm, will be the world premiere of A Moment For Love, a movie starring clothing designer Bobby Love and popular gay movie actor Adam Huss in an over the top, cult classic in-the-making vehicle that is claimed to be magical. Short film (Un) Free Will, about angels with unfinished business, will also screen. Creators and actors for both films will be on hand, and Love promises to wear something outrageous!

    Other highlights of the SFQFF festival include these: Mother Father Sister Brother Frank features TV’s Mindy Cohn from The Facts of Life whose family is already dysfunctional, but it turns into a bloody mess (literally) when hated Uncle Frank shows up. Aligned whisks us away to Greece, where a New York male dancer travels for work and is partnered with another man—perhaps triggering some feelings he may need to explore.

    Under the Influencer has a talented digital lesbian artist who realizes her mentor is taking credit for some of her best work.

    A Wonderful Life is a sweet story of a bear-ish man who welcomes a friend from the past—as the two realize they have unresolved feelings. Surviving Voices: The Latinx Community has come back to the festival each year. F.L.Y. is a period piece of sorts, but from very recent times as a pair of exes are forced to stay together due to the COVID-19 shelter-in-place directive.
    https://www.sfqueerfilmfest.com/

    THE ACADEMY SF, THE SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE, and the SAN FRANCISCO BAY TIMES invite you to the SAINTING of multiple Emmy and James Beard award-winning television host Leslie Sbrocco, whose unwavering support of the LGBTQ community has helped countless individuals and local businesses! She is receiving a well-deserved sainting by honoring not only her LGBTQ advocacy but also her efforts in the fight against cancer. As a stage-4 colorectal cancer thriver, Sbrocco dedicates significant time to charitable work to help others impacted by cancer. The event will additionally include a performance by former Beach Blanket Babylon star Renée Lubin, accompanied by renowned musician Dr. Dee Spencer, emcee iconic Donna Sachet, DJ Rockaway, and much more! August 30, 6–10 pm, The Academy SF, 2166 Market Street.

    Since both George Bush AND Donald Trump became President after losing the popular vote, Democrats have been discussing serious changes to the way votes are tallied. Because Hillary Clinton WON the 2016 Election popular vote by 2.9 million votes … and Trump STILL became President! Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Hillary, and so many other powerful politicos are calling on Congress (after overwhelmingly taking the Presidency, House, and Senate in 2025) to abolish the Electoral College. Sister Dana sez, “One person, one vote! States are NOT battlegrounds! Stop wasting billions of bucks on kowtowing to ‘special voters’ special advantages! Power to the People!”

    Sister Dana sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun
    Published on August 22, 2024