By Joanie Juster–
As recently as last year, the dangers we were warned about seemed like fevered conspiracy theories. Surely, we said, those horrible things that happened in other countries, in other eras, couldn’t happen here. This is the United States of America. This is the 21st century. Our rights are guaranteed in our Constitution. We are a free country.
But it can happen here. And it’s happening now. We are becoming less free by the minute. And if you haven’t yet noticed it affecting you personally, trust me: it will.
First, they came for transgender people. And drag queens. Then all the others in the LGBTQ+ rainbow. And immigrants. And people of color. And women. And trade unions. And federal workers. And public schools. And college students. And national parks. And the environment. And judges. And lawyers, And autistic people. And people with HIV/AIDS. And old people, sick people, disabled people. And artists, musicians, and creators. And a free press. And Canada, Greenland, Ukraine, and, basically, anyone who doesn’t bend a knee and kiss the ring of our new overlords.
Just in case you, by some miracle, don’t fit into any of the above categories, they also came for science. And history. And healthcare. And empirical truth. And the rule of law. And freedom of speech. And due process. And democracy. And the balance of power. And our Constitution. And all of our deeply cherished rights and freedoms.
They are not satisfied with destroying the very structure and functioning of our government. They are hell-bent on breaking down our very societal norms that bind us together as a civilized country. They want to break us. They want to take away our dignity, our freedom, our equity, and any sense of security we may have ever had.
But we won’t let them.
We won’t let them destroy the best parts of our country without a fight. And we won’t let them destroy our families, our neighbors, and our communities, because we all need each other. They want to divide and conquer us, but this is the time for solidarity and unity. This battle is intersectional; we all need to stand together to provide strength and security for all. We need to protect each other, and hold each other up. And we need to provide joy and hope when both seem hard to find. This is our moment.
The biggest sign of hope is in the growing numbers of Americans openly protesting the destruction of our country. At rallies and marches, at town halls and school district meetings, in big cities and, especially, in small towns across the country, Americans are standing up and speaking out. They see their jobs, their families, their communities being attacked, and they aren’t having any of it.
Keep up the great work, everyone. There are protests somewhere in the Bay Area every week; find groups that you can support and that support you, and make your voice heard. It will take all of us, working together, to preserve what’s most precious to us. And while times are dark now, and will get darker, we can and will prevail.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker recently gave a no-holds-barred speech that resonated widely with folks who are looking for ways to make a difference. He highlighted resistance actions taken by ordinary citizens who have provided courage to countless others to stand up and speak out. Pritzker challenged all of us to act: “Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption. But I am now … . Cowardice can be contagious, but so too can courage … . So, I have one question for all of you. Are you ready for the fight?”
Let the answer be a resounding yes.
Meanwhile, Ride a Bike for a Good Cause
While madness abounds on the federal level, life still goes on in our own community.
The San Francisco AIDS Foundation’s (SFAF) final AIDS Life/Cycle is coming up in June, and they could use your help. From supporting this year’s riders to volunteering at what will surely be an epic ride-out from the Cow Palace early on June 1, you will want to be part of this event. AIDS LifeCycle: https://tinyurl.com/ALCF25
While the AIDS Life/Cycle may be coming to a close, the SFAF has announced that it will be partnering with another beloved community organization, the Castro Country Club, to introduce new cycling fundraising events in 2026 for the queer community and allies. Funds raised by these events will support the programs and services of each respective agency.
In Spring 2026, the SFAF will host a three-day cycling event from San Francisco to Sonoma, as well as a one-day ride event in Fall 2026. Plans also include the return of the “Big Gay 10K” run in Spring 2027. For info, or to help name SFAF’s 3-day event, go to: https://tinyurl.com/SFAF26
The Castro Country Club will host the “Recovery Ride” from Sausalito to Guerneville on September 11–13, 2026, to support the LGBTQ+ recovery community. For more info: https://tinyurl.com/CCCRide26
Who Will Be the Next Drag Laureate?
In 2023, at the height of anti-drag hysteria throughout the country, San Francisco boldly made history by creating the groundbreaking position of Drag Laureate to represent the city. Since that time, our inaugural Drag Laureate, D’Arcy Drollinger, has broken down barriers, advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, and served as an ambassador for the city of San Francisco and for drag culture.
D’Arcy’s historic tenure as Drag Laureate is coming to an end, and applications are now being accepted for the next Drag Laureate through May 15. Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/SFDL25
In the Meantime
Spring is here, roses are blooming, the Giants are winning games in fun new ways, the Golden State Valkyries are debuting in San Francisco on May 16, and Pride Month is just around the corner. Enjoy all the good things that make your life worth living. They are worth fighting for.
Joanie Juster is a long-time community volunteer, activist, and ally.
In Case You Missed It – The Growing Resistance
Published on May 7, 2025
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