By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun–
Sister Dana sez, “Trump is sabotaging the postal service. And at the center of this sabotage was Trump’s evil lapdog, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. The ‘De’ stands for Defunding the Post Office; the ‘Joy’ stands for the Joy he got in trying to defeat vote-by-mail!”
Of note: DeJoy has at least $30 million invested in USPS competitors and would profit IMMENSELY from privatizing the USPS (one of Trump’s campaign promises)!
I joined 97 of my best friends for THE HARVEY MILK LBGTQ DEMOCRATIC CLUB virtually held 44TH ANNUAL GAYLA on August 15. Hosted by SF drag queen Juicy Liu, it featured a keynote speech by District Attorney Chesa Boudin. Juicy took note, “We are alone together!” Milk Club Co-Presidents Kevin Bard and Kaylah Williams welcomed us. Many SF politicos were in the chat room. There were fabulous drag performances by Drag King Alex U. Inn, Mexican Goddess Betty Fresas, and reigning Miss GAPA Mocha Fapalatte, with DJ B’Lo aka Bobbi Lopez on the turntables. Awards were given: DefundSFPDNow Coalition: Eileen Hansen Social Justice Hero Award; Supervisor Board President Norman Yee: Harry Britt Lifetime Achievement Award; Mari Villaluna: Jazzie Collins Community Leadership Award; Michael Roupett: Bill Kraus Leadership Award; and Gooch: Sylvester Pride in Arts Award. Boudin accepted his Bill Kraus Leadership Award, having just taken office in January, noting “the world has dramatically changed” since then. He spoke about COVID-19, the need for reformation of incarceration policies, Black Lives Matter and police issues (including dealing with the Police Union), hate crimes, and that crime in general in SF is down 20%. He concluded saying that we must continue to make changes for good and, “I feel hopeful!” Juicy closed the ceremonies with a campy finale, “Juicy Colors,” along with her giant stuffed toy panda bear creating “panda-monium” during this awful “panda-mic.” What a gorgeous gayla!
Sister Dana sez, “The U.S. Postal Service creed has now been slightly altered: ‘Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds’—that is, of course, unless Trump slows down, gloomy state mail-in vote ballots.”
It’s extremely important to vote this year. Make doubly sure you are registered to do so. Together we rise!
https://www.vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote/
You might be able to vote early online.
https://www.usa.gov/absentee-voting#item-212898
Speaking of voting, DRAG OUT THE VOTE was on THE DAILY SHOW on August 21, Comedy Central TV. Several RuPaul DQs spoke ballots! And if you blink, you will miss some SF Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence during the ’80s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lTpRVl6XIE
I get so choked up when I recall that amazing acceptance speech: “United we can and will overcome this season of darkness in America,” Joe Biden said. “It is with great honor and humility that I accept this nomination for president of the United States of America.” Cue the tears.
Senator Scott Wiener issued the following statement: “I am so thrilled that my friend, Senator Kamala Harris, is on the ticket as Vice President Biden’s running mate. I’ve known her since her beginnings in San Francisco politics, and she has been a wonderful mentor to me as I began my own career in public service. She represents the best of what San Francisco politics is about: providing a model for the rest of the country on what progressive, forward-thinking, and unafraid leadership looks like. I have full confidence that she will make a fantastic Vice President. I know I’m speaking for many of us when I say I look forward to her debate with Vice President Pence. Now let’s go get her and Vice President Biden elected and get President Trump out of the White House.” Amen!
54TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF COMPTON’S CAFETERIA RIOTS, a virtual celebration, will be held on August 28 from 5 pm–8 pm PST, available to stream on the TRANSGENDER DISTRICT’s Facebook page as well as on Zoom. In addition to music and performance festivities, it features keynote speaker, Dr. Susan Stryker—historian, professor, and Emmy Award winning filmmaker who will share with audiences on how she discovered the rich history of transgender and queer resilience that nearly vanished from public memory. https://www.facebook.com/events/823888928143112
Sister Dana sez, “Did you know that America was named after Amerigo Vespucci, an explorer who was a racist male slave owner and slave trader in the 1500s? So maybe it’s time to consider renaming our country?!”
SFGMC‘s annual CRESCENDO gala went virtual on August 7 via YouTube as a fantastic fundraiser for the SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS. SFGMC brilliantly amplifies the voices of the LGBTQ community. For a thrilling pre-show treat, the Chorus sang “Turn, Turn, Turn” (“To Everything There Is a Season”) from 1965 by The Byrds. They also sang “The National Anthem” as a salute to BLACK LIVES MATTER and a moving memorial listing those thousands lost to violence. They also sang my favorite RENT piece, “Seasons of Love,” as a valentine to all of us. Our excellent emcee was longtime Chorus member Michael Tate. SFGMC Conductor Dr. Timothy Seelig gave a very informational Chorus history, in common with the first pandemic for the queer community, AIDS. He spoke proudly of their continuing virtual broadcast at SFGMC TV.
SFGMC honored Emmy, Tony, and Grammy-Award winning actor, singer, performer, and activist Billy Porter with the 2020 Trailblazer Award. The Vanguard Award recipient was activist and philanthropist Ariadne Getty, a leading proponent of LGBTQ equality in the U.S. and globally. Mayor London Breed spoke about activism through song. Incredible entertainment included songs by Alex Newell, Billy Porter, Inaya Day, and Shea Diamond; appearances by Kristin Chenoweth, Wilson Cruz, Tyler Glenn, Breanna Sinclaire, Ken McNeely, Gigi Gorgeous, the Getty Family, and The Chorus, of course. We were informed about SFGMC’s Season 43 programming—including nine new virtual Chorus shows in the future. Billy sang “For What It’s Worth,” which was recorded by the Buffalo Springfield way back in 1967. After more than 50 years, this protest song still has the power to inspire. The Chorus closed this magnificent night with a rousing “Singing for Our Lives.” I am happy to report that the Chorus raised over $55,000 that night.
By now, you know what a huge fan I am of Randy Rainbow and his flawless, humorous musical parodies. So, here’s another of his gems: a glorious tribute to VP Candidate Senator Kamala Harris to the tune of “Camelot.” Whoever hears this will never again mispronounce her first name! https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=0RbKStEFNT8&feature=emb_logo
This URL says everything you never wanted to know about Repugnican Veep candidate Mike Pence and his wife:
Trump tweeted that it’s his “great honor!” in response to a gay Republican video calling him the “most pro-gay president in American history.” But facts prove otherwise. The Trump administration has opposed LGBTQ rights in court, banned transgender people from the military, rolled back protections for LGBTQ people in several executive departments, expanded religious exemptions to allow nonprofits and businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ people, and given anti-LGBTQ hate groups more access to the White House.
Three gay Democratic rising stars participated in the 17-person keynote address nominating Joe Biden for Vice President—Pennsylvania Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Georgia Rep. Sam Park, and Long Beach, California, Mayor Robert Garcia—making them the first LGBTQ people to deliver a keynote address at the DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.
San Francisco’s newest drag show can be found in a storefront window on Haight Street. Known as FISH BOWL DRAG, the show occupies a small, hand-built stage in the window of the historic Red Victorian at Haight and Belvedere streets. It’s drag for the age of social distancing: performers can work their routines safely indoors, while passersby can tip via Venmo. The space is outfitted with street-facing speakers, to ensure the performances are as audible as they are visible. This will also draw attention to a new Gofundme campaign, which hopes to transform the Red Vic into a residential space for transpeople.
Out singer-songwriter Wrabel has released “SINCE I WAS YOUNG,” a collaboration with Kesha. Here are some sweet lyrics: “Since I was young, I always tried to cover up, Who I was and who I loved, Then I got older.” https://www.towleroad.com/2020/07/wrabel-kesha/
Fab The Duo, a biracial glam pop-rock gay duo and real-life couple, has released their new music video for the title track “OUR LOVE IS RESISTANCE.” The inspirational video follows them as they march down the streets of Manhattan towards The Stonewall Inn, the birthplace of the gay rights movement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6FmR4Mmiys&feature=youtu.be
Gay masked cowboy crooner Orville Peck has a haunting take on “FANCY,” a 1969 ballad first sung by Bobbie Gentry, later covered by Reba McIntire and Shania Twain, about a child named Fancy whose mother needs money and dresses her child up in a satin dancing dress, to be a prostitute. But here’s the trick: it’s sung with a deep male gender-bending voice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=aaYSSQelQ1g&feature=emb_logo
Sister Dana sez, “One last item before I sign off: Let me be the first to wish y’all a HAPPY LABOR DAY (September 7), whether you are celebrating via Zoom or Twitch or socially distancing somewhere!”
Published on August 27, 2020
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