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Arts and the Big Apple
PrEP concerns voiced
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Fall season, part 1
The
www.ebar.com
Serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities since 1971
Rick Gerharter
Plaintiffs Kristin Perry, left, and Sandra Stier
Prop 8 suit emboldens plaintiffs by Matthew S. Bajko
T
he indignities she faced growing up due to her sexual orientation often went overlooked by Kristin Perry. Rather than focus on the inequality and injustice that came with her being a lesbian, Perry allowed such discrimination to fade into the See page 9 >>
Crime incidents point to continued safety concerns
Vol. 41 • No. 34 • August 25-31, 2011
Sister Novice Qetesh the Divine, surrounded by other Sisters and supporters, finish Darshan, a ritual transformation of negative energy to positive, at Market and Sanchez during a vigil on August 13.
by Seth Hemmelgarn
A
recent string of incidents in San Francisco, including anti-gay hate crimes, may give the impression that such crimes are on the rise. Other incidents, including armed robberies, have also raised concerns. But data from the San Francisco Police Department show LGBT-related hate crimes are actually down, and levels of other incidents appear fairly stable. Citywide, there were three anti-gay or lesbian hate crimes through March of this year, with no anti-transgender incidents reported. Through the same time last year,
Rick Gerharter
there were eight anti-LGBT hate crimes, police data show. There were 26 such incidents in 2010 altogether. Even though anti-LGBT hate crime statistics aren’t keeping pace with last year, such incidents and other crimes have gained attention. Residents, gay or otherwise, are urged to be careful when they’re out in the city. Police have reported that at 9 p.m. on August 6, near Market and Sanchez streets, three white male teens, ages 13 to 15, beat a 52-year-old Santa Barbara man with
a baseball bat while yelling, “Fuck you, faggot.” The name of the man, who declined an interview request made through Park Police Station Captain Denis O’Leary, hasn’t been released. Police haven’t provided information on any arrests. Another incident occurred about a week before. At about 2 a.m., Sunday, July 31, outside Blue Restaurant, 2337 Market Street, a woman called one of the Sisters of See page 8 >>
Oakland Pride welcomes families
Final Sistahs’ O march Saturday
by Seth Hemmelgarn
by Heather Cassell
T
he streets around Oakland’s Lake Merritt will be flooded with women for the 10th and final Sistahs Steppin’ in Pride Dyke March as supporters take part in the event Saturday, August 27. The core organizers, many of whom founded Sistahs, haven’t had time to reflect on their decision to Jane Philomen Cleland close the chapter on the annual East Bay Peggy Moore Dyke March since they announced it in March. They have been busy making this year’s event the best they’ve ever produced. See page 8 >>
had anticipated. They have made adjustments for this year’s budget, rganizers are preparing and she said the organization doesn’t Oakland’s second have any paid staff. annual LGBTQ But Todd is not anticipating a Pride festival, hoping to draw surplus this year, she said. families and collect money for “As of right now we are on target,” establishing a community center she said. “Barely, but we are on target.” in the city. She said she hopes “with This year’s Oakland Pride will community support, by showing be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, up to the event, that will help us get September 4. The Labor Day through this year and perhaps give Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, second from right, and City Councilmember Rebecca weekend festival takes place at us momentum and help us into next Kaplan, right, show off T-shirts for this year’s Oakland Pride at a fundraiser the two 19th and Franklin streets in the year.” held earlier this month. They are joined by Pride organizers and volunteers. city’s Uptown neighborhood. Many attendees will be showing (BART riders should exit at the their support by paying more to get Jane Philomen Cleland 19th Street station). into this year’s festival. The general home” and “We are family,” she said. The event will feature four stages with admission fee for 2011 is twice the $5 charge for Aside from providing a welcoming space for over 75 performers, including headliners last year’s event. families at the festival, Pride is “committed to Jennifer Holliday, from the cast of the original Another source of funds is sponsorships. facilitating leadership and coalition building for Dreamgirls, and disco legend Thelma Houston Pride has been working to raise about $100,000 the funding and development of the first LGBTQ (“Don’t Leave Me This Way”). Admission is $10, in that area. community center in Oakland for everyone,” a or $5 for seniors and youth 12 and under. “I want to say we’re close to that goal,” Todd statement from the organization said. The 2011 theme is “We Are Family,” and said. Large sponsors include the biopharmaceuBut Todd said in a recent interview that “It’s board Chair Amber Todd suggested that should tical company Gilead, although donors contribgoing to take a little bit more work” before there’s be reflected in this year’s crowd. Todd said that uting $1 to $2,000 are responsible for up to 50 money in the bank for the community center. last year’s event drew an “enormous” number percent of the sponsorship funds, she said. Erin Todd estimated the deficit from the 2010 event of families, including elderly mothers with their Rau, a Gilead spokeswoman, didn’t respond to was about $5,000. The operations budget for this children, and couples with their kids. an emailed question about how much the comyear’s festival is $135,000, a slight increase from “We truly see the representation of families pany is contributing. last year. and that warm, welcoming feeling you get Todd, who said, “It’s going to take us a couple Pride officials had underestimated some when you go home for the holidays,” Todd said. years to gain sustainability,” said Oakland City costs last year, she said. For example, security Organizers want people to know that “We are expenses were $2,000 to $3,000 more than they See page 9 >>
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