Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun–
By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Sister Dana sez, “While Voters resoundingly rejected the recall of California Governor Gavin Newsom, let’s not rest on our victory. Repugnicans will call fraud on all elections to come, and there will be more recalls as soon as these Trumpers are able.”
EQUALITY CALIFORNIA (EQCA) said it best: “Tonight, we have defeated the anti-LGBTQ+, anti-abortion, anti-immigrant, anti-science, and anti-worker Republican Recall. We have affirmed our California values and our support for Gavin Newsom—the most pro-equality governor in California history—and his tireless efforts to build a California for all.”
A poll found that 83% of LGBTQ voters said NO to the Recall. Meanwhile, California taxpayers spent nearly $300 MILLION on a Recall that should never have happened.
The Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer became the first openly transgender bishop of the EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH in America (ELCA) when they were installed to the Sierra Pacific Synod at GRACE CATHEDRAL in San Francisco on September 11. Joining Bishop Rohrer for this historic day was Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, along with nearly all 65 bishops of the different ELCA synods across the United States. The Holy Eucharist and the rite of installation service celebrated voices of people at the intersections of physical, racial, ethnic, linguistic, gender, and sexual diversity. “I step into this role because a diverse community of Lutherans in Northern California and Nevada prayerfully and thoughtfully voted to do a historic thing,” said Bishop Rohrer. “My installation celebrates all that is possible when we trust God to shepherd us forward.” In addition, on September 10, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in San Francisco, a listening session facilitated by transgender Lutheran clergy and leaders from around the country explained what it is like to be transgender among the people of God.
So sad to hear that the Board of Directors of the GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER HISTORICAL SOCIETY has announced the resignation of my dear friend Terry Beswick, effective September 15, as he resigned as executive director for five and a half years to pursue other career and life opportunities. “The Society has become a stronger, more diverse and more effective organization during Terry’s tenure, and we are grateful for his efforts on behalf of LGBTQ history,” said Board Chair Maria Powers. “Terry leaves us well-positioned for future growth, and we know he will continue to make a positive impact in our community.”
SF DUCAL CORONATION 47: BORDELLO AT ST. BASIL’S CATHEDRAL is being held on September 25, 5 pm, at the Holiday Inn San Francisco-Golden Gateway, 1500 Van Ness Avenue. Of course, you must show proof of vax and be masked. Grand Duke Timothy R Valdivia and Grand Duchess Katherine Magdalene Rose will be grandly stepping down. https://www.sfducal.org/
FOLSOM STREET FAIR is NOT canceled! It’s just going by a different name. Folsom Street Presents: MEGAHOOD2021! Here’s an inspirational message from FOLSOM STREET EVENTS: “We’re taking you back to basics. Bringing you into the future. Giving you a vision of where we were and where we’re going on this journey of sexual liberation for ALL. The first Folsom Street Fair in 1984 was called MEGAHOOD. A stand against gentrification. An insistence on a place for us all. An event that was all about COMMUNITY. We can’t wait to see you in the street, in your mask, from just far enough away to be absolutely tantalizing. Our stages will be amazing, our exhibitors will be spicy, and our community will be together.”
The Fair is on Sunday, September 26, 11 am–6 pm on Folsom Street between 8th and 12th. You will be checked to be vaxxed and masked. Carry your own water bottle and sunscreen. To mitigate the risks of COVID-19, the footprint of the Fair has been modified to reduce crowd density. That means instead of two stages at either end of the stretch, there will be six entertainment stages with live acts performing all day long. Dress to impress: remember, it’s a leather/kink/fetish/fun fair. https://www.folsomstreet.org
STARTING HERE, STARTING NOW is a thrilling, touching, taunting musical using the songs of Richard Maltby, Jr., and David Shire. This is ALL musical ALL the time at the San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post Street, San Francisco. There is NO spoken dialogue, and none necessary. And there is a special “San Francisco values” twist. Directors Susi Damilano and Nicole Helfer add a male cast member and thereby turn the show into a very gay, lesbian, bisexual, polyamorous, pansexual, occasionally gender-bending love/love lost story. Add to the talents of the cast their awesome acting, singing, and dancing to some quite exquisite tap-dancing! Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Rinabeth Apostol, Keith Pinto, and Melissa WolfKlain are at times lovers, haters, flirters, hurters. Now through October 2. https://www.sfplayhouse.org/sfph/
CDC CENSUS BUREAU has found that statistically WEST VIRGINIA is first in the nation in opioid use, first in deaths per capita, second in poverty, second in obesity, 45th in education, 47th in vaccination, and 50th in infrastructure. Sister Dana sez, “Hey, West Virginia Senator MANCHIN, come down from your MANSION and see how your poor constituents below are suffering! Pass President Biden’s bills now!”
Congratulations to SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE for electing a First Majority-Transgender Board! In a major milestone for diversity and inclusion, four new trans-identified nominees are set to join two trans-identified incumbents on the 11-member Board. https://sfpride.org/
Sister Dana sez, “Very Happy 51st Birthday (September 17) to Rebecca Kaplan who has been working really hard for Oakland as Vice Mayor with the Oakland County Board of Supervisors!”
September 18 was NATIONAL HIV/AIDS AND AGING AWARENESS DAY (also known as NHAAD), meant to bring attention to critical issues related to HIV among older Americans. In California, we gained a major victory when Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 258, The HIV & AGING ACT, on July 23, expanding access to a wide range of services and support for older adults with HIV/AIDS. The upcoming state budget also includes $13 million in additional funds to end the epidemics of HIV, STIs, viral hepatitis, and overdose; as well as $5 million to address the specific needs of older people with HIV. In San Francisco specifically, $750,000 was allotted for HIV housing subsidies in the upcoming budget, along with $200,000 for mental health services for long-term survivors and $340,000 to preserve the HIV-care safety net.
Inspired by true life, the film made after the London live musical, EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE, is about Jamie, a teenager from Sheffield, who dreams of life on stage as a drag star. His best friend Pritti and his loving mum encourage him with endless support, while local drag legend Miss Loco Chanelle mentors him toward his debut stage performance. Meanwhile, Jamie has to deal with an unsupportive dad, a strict career advisor, and ignorant school bullies. This is a lovely, heartfelt, inspirational show, but the singers are not quite Broadway polished for my taste. Still, go see it for the story! Century 9 Theatre, 845 Market, SF; and also on Amazon Prime Video.
MARCH FOR OUR RIGHTS & A SAN FRANCISCO AND BAY AREA COMMUNITY ORGANIZED MARCH FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE is being held on October 2, 10:45 am, starting at SF Civic Center, Grove and Hyde Street, and ending at Embarcadero Plaza. Masks and social distancing are required. https://bit.ly/39mArn4
Sister Dana sez, “Donald Trump does not deserve the Nobel Prize; let alone the No Belly Prize!”
On October 2, 6 pm, join your LGBTQ community foundation, HORIZONS, for its 2021 VIRTUAL GALA, where they will honor the resilience and brilliance of our queer community. Make a gift of any amount to join the broadcast, where we will hear from their grantee partners about their collective impact and raise critical resources to advance their transformative work. Among the special guests is U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin. http://horizonsfoundation.org/gala
THE 47TH ANNUAL CASTRO STREET FAIR is October 3. What form it takes this COVID-19 year is anyone’s guess right now. Founded by Supervisor Harvey Milk in 1974, the Castro Street Fair has since raised more than $1.5M for community nonprofit beneficiary organizations. The Fair’s nonprofit beneficiaries earn a share of the proceeds by providing volunteers to help support the production of the Fair and collect donations at the entry gates. With the cancellation of so many outdoor gatherings in 2020, such as San Francisco Pride and Up Your Alley, these nonprofits lost an important source of revenue that awful year. To help make up for some of that loss, the Fair has launched a fundraiser via Bonfire offering a commemorative t-shirt highlighting the immortal words of the Fair’s founder, “Hope will never be silent.” 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the shirts will be donated to the 2019 Castro Street Fair beneficiaries. The campaign is a limited time offer. https://castrostreetfair.org/
Sister Dana Sez, “While millions struggle, the ultra-wealthy like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are jetting off to outer space! It’s so unjust and unfair, so we must stand with Bernie Sanders and support his Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act!”
Published on September 23, 2021
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