LGBTQ History Month
Historical society kerfuffle
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Mill Valley Film Fest
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Vol. 53 • No. 40 • October 5-11, 2023
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Senator Laphonza Butler takes the oath of office, which was administered by Vice President Kamala Harris Tuesday, October 3.
Butler sworn in as US senator
Rick Gerharter
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein died September 29.
CA US Senator Dianne Feinstein dies at 90
by Cynthia Laird
Rick Gerharter
Cheer abounds at Castro fair
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heer SF, the pep squad made up of LGBTQ and allied members, and the city’s official cheer team, performed at the intersection of 18th and Castro streets Sunday,
by Cynthia Laird
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.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, the oldest sitting member of the Senate and a trailblazer for women in politics, has died, multiple outlets reported Friday morning. She was 90. Feinstein, a Democrat whose political career began in San Francisco and who was catapulted into the national spotlight after the assassinations of gay supervisor Harvey Milk and then-mayor George Moscone in 1978, had served in the Senate since 1992. She was the first woman elected to represent California in the Senate. Her office issued a statement that Feinstein died September 29 at her home in Washington, D.C. The memorial for Feinstein till take place Thursday outside San Francisco City Hall, beginning at 1 p.m. Her body lied in state in City Hall on Wednesday. Feinstein, the longest-serving woman in the Senate, had been in poor health in recent months, and suffered a severe case of shingles earlier this year that caused her to miss months of work. Feinstein announced in February that she would not seek reelection next year, as the Bay Area Reporter previously reported. Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler, a Black lesbian, to succeed Feinstein and she was sworn into office Tuesday. Her taking office brings Senate Democrats back to 51-50 control (three independents caucus with the Democrats.) Last week, Newsom issued a statement praising Feinstein. See page 12 >>
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THANKS TO LITQUAKE’S MEDIA SPONSORS:
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aphonza Butler was sworn in Tuesday as California’s new senator, succeeding Dianne Feinstein, who died last week. Butler, a lesbian, becomes the Senate’s first Black lesbian member and only the third Black woman to ever sit in the chamber. Vice President Kamala Harris, for whom Butler once worked as a senior adviser, administered the oath of office. Harris herself had served as California’s junior senator before resigning to become vice president. See page 12 >>
October 1, during the Castro Street Fair. The fair saw an enlarged footprint this year as well as entertainment, vendor booths, and more.
SFFD assistant chief loses discrimination trial by John Ferrannini
Juratovac, one of six assistant chiefs, stated she’d be returning to duty. “I have always wanted to be a firefighter and love the Department and my hometown, the City of San Francisco,” stated Juratovac. “Look forward to returning to work and dedicating myself to the mission of the San Francisco Fire Department, which includes protecting the lives and property of the people of San Francisco and providing a work environment that values health, wellness, cultural diversity, and equity.” Deputy city attorneys Amy Frenzen and Adam Shapiro referred the B.A.R. to their office’s spokesperson, Jen Kwart, who said, “justice prevails” in a statement. “This result demonstrates that the jury understood the facts and that neither discrimination, nor harassment or retaliation occurred in this instance,” stated Kwart, a spokesperson for City Attorney David Chiu. “The city is and has been committed to an inclusive workplace free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.” Juror No. 9 agreed to speak to the B.A.R., but only wanted to be referred to by his number. The juror said that it was clear there were interpersonal conflicts between Juratovac and her colleagues, but that it didn’t rise to the level of unlawful behavior. See page 4 >>
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he lesbian assistant fire chief who sued the City and County of San Francisco alleging retaliation, harassment, and discrimination lost her case September 29, with a jury deciding in favor of the city. The verdict, which was unanimous except a 9-3 no vote on the question of whether Nicol Juratovac’s disclosure of unlawful acts in the department contributed to adverse employment actions against her, ended a 13-day civil jury trial in San Francisco Superior Court that brought both the current and immediate past fire chiefs in for testimony. Only nine of 12 votes were necessary to reach a verdict. In her jury instructions September 28, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Suzanne Ramos Bolanos confirmed that three-quarters of the jury had to find that the plaintiff’s case is more likely true than not true – a different standard from criminal proceedings, which requires a unanimous jury to find that facts are proved beyond a reasonable doubt. The jury appeared to consist of nine men and three women. Following the verdict, Bolanos addressed Juratovac after the jury left her courtroom. “I really hope you continue with your fabulous career,” she said. “It’s clear the jurors were impressed with you, so that’s very meaningful.” Juratovac’s attorney, Therese Y. Cannata, of Cannata O’Toole and Olson, gave a brief statement to
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Deputy City Attorney Amy Frenzen leaves San Francisco Superior Court September 28, accompanied by two San Francisco Fire Department officials.
the Bay Area Reporter. “We’re disappointed, but I’d like to thank the jury for their service,” Cannata said. Asked if Juratovac would like to speak to the B.A.R. Cannata said, “I think that speaks for her as well,” before the two went behind closed doors. In a subsequent news release, Cannata stated, “Reflecting on these past few weeks, we remain proud to have had the opportunity to represent Chief Juratovac in this case and know that she will carry on as a great leader of the San Francisco Fire Department.”
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