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BAY TIMES S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING SIX DECADES Est. 1978

ELISE ARMITAGE, WHAT THE FAB MEDIA HTTPS://WHATTHEFAB.COM/

Out in Wine Country

Crush Season LGBTQ+ Guide to Napa & Sonoma

San Francisco Bay Times columnist and drag artist Donna Sachet with Peanut at V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena (Late Summer 2026)

See pages 2–6

Out in Wine Country LGBTQ+ Crush Season Escape to Wine Country Late summer through there for the LGBTQ+ BAY TIMES community. St. Helena is early November is Crush where San Francisco Bay Season in California’s Crush Season Times columnist and drag Wine Country. During its Out in Wine Country LGBTQ+ Guide to Napa & Sonoma artist Donna Sachet peak period, wineries recently went with harvest grapes and Peanut to visit V. Sattui immediately press or Winery (see pages 4 and “crush” them to begin 5 of this issue). St. fermentation. At a time Helena recently held its when there is so much first Pride celebration in urban disconnect from June of this year. While farming rituals and the city had previously nature’s cycles of life, it marked Pride Month provides visitors to Napa, with civic observances— Sonoma, and other such as hoisting the grape-growing counties a Progress Pride Flag at chance to slow down and City Hall in June 2025— celebrate this productive 2026 marked the town’s inaugural dedicated and festive season in one of the state’s most Pride Day event. Organized in partnership beautiful regions. with Napa Pride, the event brought together Making the trek to the North Bay from other local vendors, food trucks, winemakers, and parts of the Bay Area is all the more welperformers to downtown St. Helena and coming these days thanks to growing support Lyman Park. S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING SIX DECADES Est. 1978

ELISE ARMITAGE, WHAT THE FAB MEDIA HTTPS://WHATTHEFAB.COM/

See pages 2–5

San Francisco Bay Times columnist and drag artist Donna Sachet with Peanut at V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena (Late Summer 2026).

There is still more Pride in the Wine Country on the horizon. From September 16–20, Russian River Pride will take place in Guerneville and Johnson’s Beach. Sonoma County’s flagship fall event will close out the regional Pride season under the majestic redwoods. The main parade will march down Main Street on Saturday at noon, leading into a riverfront festival at Johnson’s Beach, pool parties at the R3 Hotel, and the annual “Giveback Tuesday” kick-off at Rainbow Cattle Co. This year’s theme is “Let It Flow”: https://russianriverpride.org/ In both Napa and Sonoma counties, Out in the Vineyard will be hosting Autumn Harvest tours. While V. Sattui’s Harvest Ball on September 19 sold out in a flash, tickets as of this writing are still available to the Crush Party on October 16, 2026, where there will be an old-fashioned grape stomp, live music, dancing, a menu of foods from a live-fire Tuscan grill and wood-fired pizza ovens, and plenty of vino including several

quality non-alcoholic options. For more info: https://bit.ly/46hYnoV To get in mental gear for the stomping, check out one of the most memorable moments in sitcom history: Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) testing the patience of a professional Italian grape stomper: https://bit.ly/4hKG4jg Many who visit the North Bay do not want to leave and decide to move there either full or part-time. For this issue of the Bay Times, we asked three such individuals for their recommendations: Brett Andrews, CEO of All Home and former longtime CEO of PRC; former Beach Blanket Babylon star Renée Lubin, who is now a sought-after performer and coach; and former Bay Times columnist Liam Mayclem, who is the “Foodie Chap” on KCBS radio and KPIX TV. We expected that they would quickly jot down a handful of recommendations, but each took significant time to craft very personal lists that reflect their own tried-and-true favorites.

Renée’s Napa Valley Beat By Renée Lubin Holmes Greetings Friends: Summer is moving swiftly towards cooler breezes much faster than I’d like to admit. I am sharing my most recent experiences and favorite spots in and around the Napa Valley. This is not to say that there isn’t a plethora of fabulous possibilities and things I’ve tried and have yet to explore. The key word here is “recent.” We all know that things come and go, and, as well, money, chefs, owners, seasons, etc. All these factors of life can affect every experience. That being said, here is a synopsis of my recent favorites.

cooler nights.

Special Cocktails and Tasting Rooms

The Gentleman Farmer Bungalow - Napa This cozy spot is not only a tasting room but also a kitchen where you find great wines, the warmth of kindred spirits, thoughtful noshes, and divine food experiences.

Robert’s Tropical Table - Calistoga Crafted cocktails are always a treat and the food is tasty. Warm nights are memorable on the patio with music. Enjoy the small intimate indoor area on

Chef Robert Jones

The Fink - Napa Don’t miss this old-fashioned speakeasy with an extensive encyclopedia of cocktails to choose from. The menu has delicious bites to delight even a picky palate. The Fink offers various events and nightlife fun and entertainment. The consummate host is Judd Finkelstien; you might get lucky enough to meet him and possibly myself for a night of Sunday jazz.

Jeff Durham and Joe Wolosz

Husband team Jeff Durham and Joe Wolosz have created a space to partake in a specialized experience—or simply walk in. If the door is open, you are welcome to enter. You’ll find indoor and outdoor spaces to delight the senses. Vin En Noir - Napa This Black woman owned venue was established by acclaimed Chef Leilani Baugh. She welcomes

Recent Restaurant Nods Market - St. Helena Brix - St. Helena Highway (just north of Yountville) Brasswood - St. Helena Bear - Napa Consignment Fun Lolo’s - St. Helena Consign and Design - Napa Historic Movie House

those new and experienced to enjoy wines, bubbles, and events in her downtown locale. You’re sure to find an “off the beaten path” suggestion to suit your palate. Her expertise in food and cheese pairing in this warm and inviting space will leave you with a smile deep down inside. Check the website ( https://vinennoir.com/ ) for offerings of special events and tastings.

Cameo Cinema - St Helena This is California’s oldest continuously operating single-screen movie theater. Check for events and showtimes ( https://www.cameocinema.com/ ). The popcorn is a must here.

Best Brunch

As always, get out and enjoy the ever-changing and the staples of the Napa Valley. Live your life like it’s golden.

Auberge Du Soleil Restaurant - Rutherford This Michelin star establishment has maintained its status for 19 years coupled with majestic, breathtaking views. ‘Nuff said!

Renée Lubin Holmes is a vocalist, actor, and coach. Well-known to Bay Area audiences as a former “Beach Blanket Babylon” star, Lubin Holmes remains a sought-after performer at venues throughout the entire region. https://www.reneelubin.com/

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AUGUS T 27, 2026

Out in Wine Country A Late Summer Road Trip to V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena By Donna Sachet Set aside whatever preconceptions you have about wine tasting north of San Francisco. We’ve got a surprise for you! We spent a leisurely Tuesday in Napa at V. Sattui Winery and can’t say enough about how pleasant, unpretentious, and satisfying it was. We left San Francisco around noon, dressed for a warm weather mini-vacation, with Don Berger behind the wheel and Peanut cuddled in our lap. The drive up there alone is part of the rejuvenating experience, as bustling highways give way to open vistas, rolling hills, and sprawling vineyards under a sparkling clear sky. As we neared our destination, various

businesses with familiar names, like Mondavi, Nickel & Nickel, and Opus One, began to pop up, eventually leading to a charming collection of brick buildings, cooling fountains, and spacious lawns that is V. Sattui Winery. President Thomas Davies offered us a warm welcome and started our tour with gems from their decades of history, starting with Vittorio Sattui who came first to North Beach in San Francisco in 1885 and then up to Napa with a dream of creating “Napa d’Italia.” After the crippling impact of Prohibition, a descendant of Vittorio proudly revived the family winery.

Black and white vintage photos guided us down a hallway behind the scenes to witness actual bottling of wine from the recent harvest. As a longtime devotee of history, we loved this stroll down memory lane and that very special glimpse of the creative process of today. The brick structures, built to reflect their history, have been updated periodically to encompass wooden balconies, shaded picnic areas, and the main tasting and shopping area, The Mercato Del Gusto. Resembling a country barn with wide wooden doors, high ceilings, and long aisles of temptation, the Mercato exceeded all expectations with a huge selection of meats, chees-

es, fresh-made sandwiches, and liquid refreshments, all of which make for a delightful picnic luncheon to be enjoyed under the olive tree covered, picnic table strewn lawn. Even on a Tuesday, a bustling crowd of all ages shopped vigorously, tasted wine enthusiastically, and eventually shared lunch in the sunny outdoors. We settled in at one of the long marble bars with high stools as our wine tasting began. A very knowledgeable member of their team guided us through a flight of wines and a tray of delectable bites of meat, cheese, and

Thomas Davies of V. Sattui Winery (left) with Donna Sachet (center) and Don Berger of Regency Limousine

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(continued on page 5)

Out in Wine Country Photos by Elise Armitage, What the Fab Media https://whatthefab.com/ Special thanks to Thomas Davies and Ali Paterson of V. Sattui Winery

(continued from page 4) vegetables. We’ll leave the descriptions of the various wines offered to the more wine-savvy among you, but, suffice it to say, we sampled four wonderful wines from the extensive variety produced here and will be sure to add this label to our personal wine cellar. V. Sattui wines are only available here at their headquarters and online, not in any store, creating a very special customer following with personal service. As we were finishing our tasting, we asked Thomas to tell us which of the many selections was his personal favorite and he had trouble choosing among what he lovingly called his chil-

dren. His pride in what he does was immensely evident. In addition to the three bars for tasting inside, we were shown a sundrenched outside area with tables and chairs for a different kind of experience. What initially seemed like a relaxed visit ended much too soon and we retraced our steps back to the welcoming entrance and our waiting car. Having participated in a variety of wine tastings in Napa and Sonoma, we came away with several refreshing memories. First, the atmosphere is lowkey, unpretentious, and welcoming, from the winding pathways lined with bubbling fountains to the bustling Mercato filled with a

diverse variety of shoppers and wine tasters to the idyllic picnic area scattered with romantic couples, family groups, and other visitors all enjoying a unique Napa afternoon. Second, everyone we met reflected such pride in what they were doing, bringing a quality product and a unique experience to hundreds of visitors each day. And, third, this quick visit gave us such a break from San Francisco, slowing down our pace, opening us up to the sunny outdoors, and learning so much about a successful historic business. Our loyal readers know how much we love San Francisco and all it has to offer, but

never forget how close a completely different and satisfying experience can be, north of the urban excitement, nestled in charming Napa. We cannot recommend V. Sattui Winery strongly enough. Make plans to visit soon! V. Sattui Winery 1111 White Lane (@ Highway 29) St. Helena https://www.vsattui.com/ Donna Sachet is a celebrated performer, fundraiser, activist, and philanthropist who has dedicated over two decades to the LGBTQ Community in San Francisco. Contact her at empsachet@gmail.com

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Out in Wine Country Essential Healdsburg By Brett Andrews I am squarely a Sonoma County kid, and Healdsburg to be precise. Here are some of my favorites. Dining Dry Creek Kitchen (particularly on Thursday, which is locals’ night) Hazel Hill at Montage Healdsburg Folia Bar & Kitchen at Appellation Healdsburg Sweet T’s (great BBQ) ROOF 106 at The Matheson Acorn (for breakfast) The Madrona Baci Café & Wine Bar Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar Quail & Condor (bakery)

St. Helena is a charming and inviting wine country town that has it all when it comes to dining. All of the restaurants, of course, boast impressive wine menus.

There are many spots with rock star chefs at the helm, including Press by Bocuse d’Or silver medalist Chef Philip Tessier ( https://pressnapavalley.com ) and The Charter Oak restaurant by Michelin-starred Christopher Kostow. https://www.thecharteroak.com For family fun, in addition to Gott’s, here are some restaurants not to be missed:

Stressed Vines Cellars Marine Layer Winery LIOCO Marietta Cellars

Cook St. Helena https://cooksthelena.com Charlie’s Napa Valley https://www.charliesnv.com

Wine Tasting

Harvest Table https://www.harvesttablenapa.com

Auteur Wines Aperture Winery Overshine Wine Co. Lambert Bridge Winery Copain Winery Gary Farrell Vineyards and Winery

To dine in St. Helena from casual to fancy is to dine among winemakers and farmers, the folks with their hands in the dirt who make magic in Wine Country. An added bonus is that there are wineries all around, so taking a wine break in between tastings offers you an abundance of choices. Here are two more of my favorites:

Healdsburg Shops Susan Graf Healdsburg A/Muse Forager Healdsburg ANTHEM Home Faherty Healdsburg

Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch https://bit.ly/4zxc68G Violetto https://www.violettonapavalley.com

Accommodations h2hotel Harmon Guest House Hotel Healdsburg Hotel Trio Healdsburg Appellation Healdsburg

Liam Mayclem is a former “San Francisco Bay Times” columnist who is an Emmy Award-winning radio and television personality. https://www.bookliam.com/

Things to Experience True West Film Center Journeyman Meat Co. Healdsburg Farmers’ Market (Saturday) Tuesday’s Music in the Plaza Modern Antiquarium Healdsburg Brett Andrews is the CEO of All Home ( www.allhomeca.org ).

SA N FRANCISCO BAY T I ME S

By Liam Mayclem

For a casual yet yummy burger, there is no better spot than the classic Gott’s Roadside. https://www.gotts.com

Healdsburg Plaza Tasting Rooms

Liam’s List for St. Helena: A Wine and Dine Destination

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Chef Philip Tessier

Community Thank You! Orphan Andy’s Founders Dennis Ziebell and Bill Pung Sainted During First Public Honoring of Them

Photos by Michael Kirschner

Dennis Ziebell and Bill Pung, who for nearly fifty years owned and operated Orphan Andy’s in the Castro, were sainted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and celebrated during the first-ever public event to honor them. The two-part event took place on August 21, 2026, and was co--presented by the Castro Community Benefit District, the Castro Merchants Association, and the San Francisco Bay Times. The first part of the evening took place at the Castro Night Market main stage and was emceed by Donna Sachet. Ziebell and Pung arrived via a pedicab cycled by Brady Bakay. Sachet sang a personalized version of “It Had to Be You” to Ziebell and Pung. (Watch it at https://bit.ly/4c2Rr2n ; video by Mike Kirschner.) Presenting honors were Senator Scott Wiener, Assemblymember Matt Haney, President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rafael Mandelman, Andrea Aiello of the Castro Community Benefit District, the publishers of the Bay Times, and Nate Bourg of the Castro Merchants Association. The new owner of Orphan Andy’s, Michael Goodrich, also attended and provided free brownies to Castro Night Market guests, who were invited to write messages of gratitude on a giant scroll located at the market’s information booth. The second part of the evening happened at Orphan Andy’s—3991 A 17th Street— where the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence led by Sister Roma and Sister Zsa Zsa sainted them. They may now hereafter be known as Saint Bill the Bountiful and Saint Dennis the Delectable. Sainting is the highest honor of the Sisters, whose longtime member and Bay Times columnist Sister Dana Van Iquity was among those attending. Video of the sainting, taken by Mike Kirschner, may be viewed at: https://bit.ly/4qBiEzl

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BAY TIMES S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING SIX DECADES Est. 1978

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING SIX DECADES Est. 1978

PHOTO COURTESY OF JUAN DAVILA

Community Thank You!

BAY TIMES

S AN F R ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

AUGUS T 27, 2026

Do You Need an Estate Plan? Do I Need an Estate Plan? Four Reasons You Almost Certainly Do 1. What you have built deserves protecting. There’s a stubborn belief out there that estate planning is for people with a certain number attached to their name, and that’s simply not true. Consider any accounts, a home, children, and loved ones who would be left sorting through your affairs if something happened to you.

Money Matters Brandon Miller I have never once had a client rub their hands together and say, “Brandon, let’s talk about my mortality.” And yet here we are, because estate planning is the one item on your financial to-do list where procrastination sends the bill to the people you love. Miguel Torres (of Miguel Torres Law) has been Brio’s estate planning attorney partner for more than ten years, and this year we brought him directly into the Brio ecosystem. He’s working alongside our advisors and alongside Shannon Kennedy (who handles the part of this work that has nothing to do with paperwork and everything to do with being human) to better serve our clients.

2. Probate. Nearly every state in the union will run your family through it if your documents are not in place, and California is no exception. It’s long, public, and lands at exactly the moment your family has the least capacity to deal with anything. A little planning now can spare them most of that, and often all of it. 3. Your estate plan is not just for when you are dead. What happens if you become temporarily incapacitated, and you need someone to help keep things running? That somebody has to call your bank, your insurer, and your mortgage lender, and each of them will ask who they are speaking to. Without a power of attorney and an advance healthcare directive, that person has to petition a judge for the authority to represent you, which takes a month or two in California on a good day. (continued on page 32)

Joy Baucom of Diligence Security Group Receives NGLCC 2026 Supplier of the Year Award At the recent National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) International Business & Leadership Conference, held in San Diego, Joy Baucom received the top award of the entire conference: 2026 Supplier of the Year. The award recognizes the success and growth of Baucom’s company, Oakland-based Diligence Security Group. Baucom, who is on the board of the Golden Gate Business Association and is GGBA’s Partnerships Committee Chair, was a former Army intelligence analyst who served two tours of duty in Iraq. Diligence Security is now one of the major security companies in California and has contracts with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, Peralta Community College District, and many other agencies and businesses. https://diligencesecuritygroup.com/

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Message from Leadership

Healthy, Resilient, and Ready By Aaron Boot-Haury I am still catching my breath from last week in San Diego, where board members Joe Solis and Joy Baucom, several GGBA members, and I joined roughly 750 LGBTQ+ and allied business owners, corporate procurement professionals, and fellow chamber leaders at the NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference. I also return with exciting news: GGBA was honored as NGLCC’s 2026 Rising Star Affiliate Chamber of the Year. Standing on that stage to accept it, I felt the full weight of the recognition. For us, “rising star” is not a beginning; it is a homecoming. It is national affirmation of the extraordinary work our team has poured into rebuilding GGBA over the past two years, an effort that reached a milestone with our relaunch this June, and that continues. That work is being noticed. Healthy, Resilient, and Ready is not just a conference theme; it is a fair description of

where GGBA stands today. We are healthy: growing in membership, growing in corporate sponsors, and growing in engagement. We are resilient: at 52 years old, we have moved through turbulent times, great times, and every kind of time in between, and we are still here. And we are ready to build on the solid foundation we now have, to expand our programming, launch new partnerships and initiatives, and take GGBA to new heights. The most impactful hour I spent all week was a mainstage discussion bringing together national leaders from the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), Disability:IN, the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA), the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE), Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), representing the full breadth of America’s diverse business communities. Faced with the same political headwinds so

GGBA Member Spotlight Kai Cleans is a professional cleaning service provider dedicated to maintaining pristine, healthy, and refreshed environments for both residential and commercial spaces. Offering a broad scope of exterior and interior maintenance—ranging from house, window, and deep home cleaning to comprehensive cleaning after renovations or in preparation for an event—the company focuses on high-quality, eco-friendly practices tailored to every property’s specific needs. The visionary behind the business is Kai DeMoss, a former software engineer who has merged modern high-tech savvy with roll-up-your-sleeves physical work to revolutionize the cleaning services industry. GGBA: Please tell us more about Kai Cleans and what your mission is there. Kai DeMoss: Kai Cleans is a premium housecleaning service built for parents with busy homes, working professionals, and anyone who values the mental clarity and time freedom that comes with a professionally cleaned space. My path here wasn’t a straight line. I earned my degree in computer software engineering, and, for a while, I thought that would be the whole story. But I found my way back to cleaning because I saw a

many of us have navigated over the past 18 months, these longtime partners have only drawn closer, strengthening collaborations that were already there. One powerful example: they have banded together to create a unified global certification program, reducing the need for a business to seek separate certifications from multiple organizations. And they are leaning into the intersecting parts of all our identities rather than treating them as separate boxes to check, because almost none of us is only one thing. So many of the entrepreneurs we serve are LGBTQ+ and a person of color, and a woman, and a veteran, and a small business owner working hard to keep the doors open. What struck me most was how simple the shared goal turned out to be: we all want the same thing. We want to see these businesses grow and thrive. When one diverse business succeeds, it does not come at the expense of another. It widens the door for everyone behind it. That is exactly the posture GGBA has been building toward. Our values name partner-

ship plainly: we achieve more through collaboration. A chamber like ours is strongest when we are not protecting turf but sharing roadmaps, with other LGBTQ+ chambers, with our sibling diversity organizations, with the corporate partners still choosing to show up, and with one another as members. From our workshops and mentoring to our events across San Francisco and the East Bay, the whole premise is that we grow faster together than we ever could apart. To Joe, Joy, and the members who made the trip: thank you for representing GGBA so well. To those who could not make it, I hope you will join us next year, when NGLCC will mark its 25th anniversary in Washington, D.C. Healthy, resilient, and ready is where the national movement is. It is also, I am proud to say, where GGBA is. Aaron Boot-Haury is the President and CEO of the Golden Gate Business Association.

Kai DeMoss of Kai Cleans

real need. People needed support, not just with their spaces, but with the overwhelm that comes from trying to hold everything together. What kept me in this industry was the immediate relief I’d see on a client’s face after their space had been reset. That moment when a home goes from chaotic to calm, you can watch it happen in real time. I started to understand my work as a kind of energy transformation. A clean space doesn’t just look different. It changes how you feel the second you walk through the door. My mission is to give people back their time, their peace of mind, and their sense of home. No judgment. No compromise. No

exception. We exist to prove that a clean space and a safe space can be the same thing. GGBA: What is unique about Kai Cleans and what are the values of the business? Kai DeMoss: As a founder, I hold multiple marginalized identities. I’m biracial, part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and neurodivergent. Building this business has taught me that these identities aren’t something to work around. They’re the foundation of what makes Kai Cleans work. Entrepreneurship gave me the chance to turn lived experience into leadership, and to build something that actually reflects the community it serves. That’s a kind of empowerment I didn’t expect when I started, and it’s become one of the most meaningful parts of this journey. That perspective shapes how we show up for clients with similar identities, people who may have felt like an afterthought in their own home before. In our clients’ spaces, there’s no need to explain yourself. No bracing for judgment. No managing someone else’s discomfort just to feel comfortable in your own house. Our values come down to three words we live by. Customer obsession comes first. Your happiness is the whole point of what we do. Exceptional quality standards come next. Consistency and pride in the work are

Kai DeMoss

non-negotiable for our team. Integrity ties it all together. That means transparent pricing with no hidden fees, honesty about whether we’re the right fit for your needs, and clear communication from the moment you book through every clean after. Premium, to us, doesn’t just mean quality of cleanliness. It means emotional safety alongside professionalism, delivered every single time. GGBA: Why did you decide to create Kai Cleans?

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What Documents Make a California Estate Plan Truly Complete? health care directive lets you name someone to make medical decisions if you cannot speak for yourself. A will can also name a guardian for minor children. That makes it an important part of a complete plan even when a trust already exists. What documents help during incapacity?

Trust Essentials Jay Greene, Esq., CPA A Bay Area homeowner may have a trust but never retitled the house. A retiree may have a will but no health care directive. A couple may have old beneficiary forms that no longer match their wishes. Why does a will matter if you already have a trust? A will still matters because it serves as a backup and can handle assets that were never transferred into the trust. California guidance says a will or trust can direct who receives your property, and an advance

The key incapacity documents are a financial power of attorney, an advance health care directive, and HIPAA access. These documents let trusted people step in if you cannot manage money or make medical decisions yourself. California’s Probate Code section 4701 recognizes your right to name someone to make health care decisions, and state resources note that people should update these documents along with wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. That practical support matters in the Bay Area, where many households are managing homes, retirement accounts, aging parents, or blended families. It also matters for people building families in ways that may not fit old assumptions. Why are beneficiary forms such a big deal? Beneficiary designations matter because they

Photos by Bill Wilson On August 22 at the Roxie Theatre and in partnership with the 2026 San Francisco Queer Film Festival and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the National AIDS Memorial presented the premiere of a documentary honoring AIDS caregivers. The documentary is included in the award-winning film and mini-series Surviving Voices: HIV Lifetime & Long-Term Survivors. In addition to the film screening, the program included a panel discussion, moderated by Sister Roma. Panelists were activists Alex U. Inn and Rebecca Denison, caregiver/advocate Fernando Castillo, and UCSF professor emeritus Paul Volberding, MD. https://www.aidsmemorial.org/surviving-voices

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Zoe Dunning (Editor’s Note: It has been nearly a decade since Zoe Dunning wrote an article for her popular column in the San Francisco Bay Times, Do Ask, Do Tell. She explains the long break in this relaunch piece, so we will focus on reintroducing this remarkable, accomplished leader to you. Commander Dunning is a retired U.S. Navy officer, political strategist, and pioneering LGBTQ+ rights activist best known for her landmark challenge to the military’s exclusion of gay service members. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1985, Dunning served on active duty and later joined the Navy Reserve. In 1993, while attending business school at Stanford University, she publicly came out as a lesbian at a political rally, directly challenging the military’s discriminatory policies. Facing discharge, she fought her case through a military administrative board, successfully arguing that coming out did not prove an intent or propensity to engage in prohibited conduct. She won her legal battle and became the only openly gay person allowed to remain on active duty or in the reserves under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, continuing her naval career until her retirement at the rank of Commander in 2007 after 22 years of service. When former President Obama signed the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act into law on December 22, 2010, Dunning was by his side.

My last regular column for the Bay Times was published in June 2017, the year my life turned upside down. I was completely exhausted by five years of toxic San Francisco Democratic politics. I was barely keeping my head above water amid the demands of my consulting firm. My marriage was in shambles. I wasn’t taking care of myself. I had never worked so hard to please others, only to fail so miserably. It was a turning point, and I had to start over and redesign my life. Sometimes it takes a tornado to tear down all that you know so you can rebuild on a stronger foundation. I stepped away from the political scene (the subject of many of my columns), finalized a heartbreaking divorce, sold our beautiful newly constructed home in Noe Valley, and moved to Oakland. I leaned on my incredible friends and family to support me through this transition. My days were filled with grief and hope, and over time my new life slowly took shape. I changed up the type of consulting work I did. I served on the California Veterans Board and the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors. During 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I joined and eventually led a nonprofit, Wall of Vets, which organized veterans to provide protection and security for Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters. I started dating again (ugh—the apps!). I began writing my memoir. Things were falling in place. Until ...

Zoe Dunning and Alex Randolph (2015)

PHOTO BY RINK

Incidental 2.6 cm nodule versus mass-like consolidation in the right upper lobe. Recommend

PHOTO BY RINK

Later elected to the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee, Dunning served for several years and also served as the First Vice Chair of the San

Hello again, my San Francisco Bay Times friends. It’s been a while. It’s good to be back.

Jane Morrison and Zoe Dunning (2013)

I remember holding my iPhone, double-blinking at what I was reading. This was a neck X-ray for soreness in my neck. What is this about a nodule in my lung? I was 3 weeks shy of my 60th birthday. I have never smoked. My mother died of lung cancer at 58, when I was only 18. I had spent my entire life trying my damnedest to avoid her fate. How could this be?

Commander Zoe Dunning joined Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Vice President Joe Biden, and other members of Congress and the Administration on December 22, 2010 at the Interior Department in Washington, DC, joined President Barack Obama in the signing ceremony of the law to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” national policy in effect since February 28, 1994.

Further testing led to a diagnosis of stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer. I was devastated and terrified when (L–R) Brigadier General Keith Kerr, Commander Zoe Dunning, Mayor Edwin Lee, Petty Officer Joseph Rocha (2011) I heard the news. Kaiser Permanente, lenge the President, Congress, and the and later UCSF, took incredible care of me. Pentagon to lift the ban on gays in the miliI underwent four rounds of chemo, surgery tary, I had no idea I would become part of a to remove that lobe of my lung, and 30 radisuccessful campaign that repealed Don’t ation treatments. I’m one of the lucky ones, Ask, Don’t Tell eighteen years later. Small with a biomarker mutation that makes me acts of courage can lead to large-scale eligible for a miracle, targeted therapy drug that greatly increases the odds of disease-free change. We just need to take that first step. survival. And it is working—three years since With that in mind, this monthly column will the diagnosis, I am healthy, with no detectfeature my hot takes and perspectives on able disease, feeling better than ever. I’m news events (with an emphasis on those active and living a full life again. affecting the LGBTQ+ community, particuI recently attended the Frameline Film larly in the Bay Area) and what you can do Festival and watched the Mary Oliver docuabout it. I’ll also spotlight organizations and mentary, Saved by the Beauty of the World. The people I think are doing extraordinary work film quoted the end of her poem, on behalf of our community. And occasionThe Summer Day: ally I’ll share more personal reflections and “Tell me, what is it you plan to do experiences that may also inspire you to get with your one wild and precious involved. life?” I welcome your reflections and input. What A cancer diagnosis, or any helps you step over the threshold from life-threatening event, makes one thought to action? Feel free to share with me focus on this important question. It at zoe@zoedunning.com has helped me prioritize my time, money, and commitments since that I may feature your ideas in a future column! fateful day. At the top of my list is

writing—my memoir, this column, and anywhere else I can share stories and guidance to help inspire others to speak up, act, contribute, and lead change. There is so much cruelty in the world and in our government; it can feel helpless and hopeless to stop it. In 1993, when I decided to come Bob Dockendorff and Zoe Dunning (2013) out publicly as a lesbian and chal-

Zoe Dunning is a retired U.S. Navy Commander, a leader in the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and the former 1st Vice Chair of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee. She lives in Oakland with her rescue dog, Bobo, and is writing her memoir, “Incompatible” (working title).

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Do Ask, Do Tell

Francisco Democratic Party. Here at the Bay Times, her column ran for many years during that period and was an anchor next to the column of Rafael Mandelman (both before and after he went into public service). During Pride this year, the publishers of the Bay Times ran into Dunning at Rikki’s, struck up a conversation, invited her to resume her column, and are thrilled she said yes. Please join us in welcoming her Zoe Dunning (2014) back and look for her column further evaluation with monthly in the Bay Times.) chest x-ray or chest CT.

OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTO/CHUCK KENNEDY

Designing Our Wild & Precious Lives

Elections Are Coming: You Can Help What can we do? Rise up. Speak out. Resist. And vote—and make sure you get as many other people to the polls as possible. We need to vote in numbers so overwhelming that there can be no question as to where this country’s heart lies. We need to vote so decisively that we end up with an unbeatable majority in Congress. We need to vote in such numbers that there is an unmistakable course correction in this country. And then we need to use that unbeatable majority to eject him and his crooked cronies from office.

In Case You Missed It Joanie Juster Election Season in Full Swing The primaries are finally over, and, if you haven’t already started getting serious about the upcoming midterms, now is the time to roll up your sleeves and pitch in. The man in the White House is crumbling at a rapidly accelerating pace, sowing chaos, confusion, and danger every time he speaks or posts. His delusional rants are alienating our allies, providing encouragement to our adversaries, and unleashing the very worst in his followers. Meanwhile, the American people are suffering. The more lawsuits he loses, the more power slips away from him, the more he lies and rants—and the more dangerous he becomes. These are precarious times for all of us, for our country, and for the world.

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ly playing dirty, and we must do everything in our power to make sure everyone who has the right to vote can vote freely, without intimidation, and that their votes are counted properly. Ready to help? There are many great organizations doing good work, and your help will be welcomed everywhere. Voters need to be educated about the issues and the candidates. Voting rights must be protected. Volunteers need to be recruited and trained. Voters need to be registered, protected, and may need help getting to the polls.

We need to hit the Reset button so our country can start repairing the unspeakable damage that has been done to our democracy, our rule of law, our civil rights, our economy, our healthcare systems, our natural environment, our souls. There has been so much damage done that it may take a generation to heal everything, but we can still start right now. And we need to make sure that those who have been wreaking so much damage, all while raking in obscene profits, pay a very steep price for their corruption. The president and his cronies are trying every trick they can to make sure they cannot lose their power in Congress. They are doing everything possible to make it harder for people to vote, to rig the rules so only the “right” people can vote, and to hold sway over local election officials. They are blatant-

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conditionally and vote provisionally.” From now until Election Day, I will be posting links to organizations where your time, efforts, or dollars can make a big difference. Here are three to start with: League of Women Voters: This organization is the gold standard of nonpartisan grassroots groups protecting and expanding voting rights for more than a century. https://tinyurl.com/LWVvol26 Bay Area Coalition: The coalition is a collective of over 60 organizations that focus on Democratic voter turn-out in swing districts. https://tinyurl.com/BACvol26

First and foremost: Are you registered to vote? And is your registration current? National Voter Registration Day is September 15. Use that day to check your registration, and to reach out to everyone you know to encourage them to check theirs, or to register. Just moved, or need to change your registration? In San Francisco, you can register and vote on the same day! Just go to City Hall or your polling place on Election Day and tell them you want to “register

State + Local Election Alliance: Their mission is to defend democracy by ensuring the officials responsible for running elections will protect the right to vote and uphold the rule of law. https://tinyurl.com/SLEAvol26 Why are these elections so critical? Just look at what has happened in Ghana. In June, their parliament approved an anti-LGBTQ+ bill that criminalizes homosexuality. Individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ can receive up to three years in prison. The bill (continued on page 29)

A Journey Home to Kansas City

6/26 and Beyond John Lewis Stillness— the cicada’s cry drills into the rocks. The renowned Japanese poet Bashō wrote this haiku four centuries ago after hiking for days to reach a remote mountaintop temple in northern Japan. Last week, I stood surrounded by giant oak trees filled with cicadas in front of Red Bridge Elementary School in Kansas City, Missouri, where 63 years ago I began a journey myself when I entered kindergarten. Like Bashō, I too found myself immersed in the mesmerizing hum of cicadas, for me echoing off the red brick facade of the school. I, too, experienced profound peace and a sense of well-being. I was in Kansas City, along with Stuart, for my fiftieth high school class reunion. Attending the long reunion weekend with numer-

Photos courtesy of John Lewis

ous classmates with whom I had spent hour upon hour, five days a week (except for summers), year after year—some for 17 years—was deeply grounding for me. As the oak saplings planted not long before we entered kindergarten grew into mature trees, our brains, bodies, and A statue circa 1125, constructed of wood and polychrome, of hearts transformed Guanyin, the Bodhisattva associated with compassion and “the from small children one who perceives the sounds of the world” on display at the to young adults Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri Red Bridge Elementary School, Kansas City, Missouri during those formaly the first thing I saw was tive years. a massive Progress Pride Today, the neighborhood of “Red Bridge,” Flag hanging behind the after which the school is named, is a solidly counter of a coffee shop middle-class neighborhood of ranch house and café, which occupies subdivisions in southern Kansas City. When the combined storefronts my family moved there, new ground was of the old barber shop and being broken on many of the houses, includ- the Baskin Robbins, where ing ours. It is in no way a queer or particuour family enjoyed milklarly progressive neighborhood. shakes after summer little league baseball games. After visiting my elementary school, I Seeing the flag was enorchecked out Red Bridge Shopping Center, which my family often frequented a half-cen- mously gratifying to me tury ago. What I saw astonished and delight- and made me feel trium- Nighttime view of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and its reflecting pool phant. I was eleven years ed me. Red Bridge was the community drop atomic bombs on Japan old and living in Red where, growing up, I had repressed, conat the end of World War II. Bridge when the Stonewall cealed, and struggled with my sexuality. Among many interesting riots took place. Since When I arrived at the shopping center, nearexhibits at the Truman musethen, millions of um and library are two artiLGBTIQ+ people created facts related to the bombing. a highly successful movement that, among other The first is the green safety things, transformed places plug which, while installed in like Red Bridge into The safety device known as “The Green the plutonium bomb that was neighborhoods where Plug”—which was installed in the pluto- dropped on Nagasaki, preventtoday we have spaces nium bomb dropped on Nagasaki to pre- ed its accidental detonation. vent its accidental detonation and when where we are embraced removed made the bomb lethal—is on When Naval Commander and celebrated. Frederick Ashworth removed display at the Harry S. Truman the green plug and replaced it Although Kansas City is a Presidential Library and Museum, with the red activating plug, large American city with Kansas City, Missouri. the bomb became lethal. It is urban ills such as high the only surviving part of the crime and homelessness, bomb. As I gazed at the green this August, much of the plug, it symbolized to me the city seemed luxuriant. old, pre-nuclear age, when Lush green tree canopies humans did not have the shaded streets, boulevards, capacity to bring about the green parks, and lawns. complete mutual destruction of For us, a highlight of a our species through war. When Kansas City trip is a visit A “Sadako Crane,” one of the few to the Nelson-Atkins remaining of the original 1,000 origami the green safety plug was removed, a new, dangerous era cranes created by Sadako Sasaki, a Museum of Art. I have young Japanese girl who was exposed began. been fortunate to have to lethal radiation in the 1945 bombing seen a lot of Buddhist of Hiroshima, is on display at the Harry An equally stunning artifact is statuary while living and S. Truman Presidential Library and on display nearby: one of the traveling in Asia, but I Museum. very few remaining origami have found no more subcranes of the one thousand lime Buddhist statue than the one-thousandpaper cranes that the little girl Sadako Sasaki year-old Chinese Guanyin statue, surroundfamously folded as she lay dying from leukeed by ancient Buddhist temple walls at the mia, caused by radiation exposure at HiroNelson-Atkins Museum. I think of it as my shima. Sadako folded the thousand cranes home Buddhist statue. because, according to Japanese tradition, Finally, many don’t realize that greater Kansas City was the home of President Harry S. Truman, arguably one of the most influential presidents in American history. Of course, Truman made the fateful decision to

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doing so would enable her to have a wish come true. Her wish was for peace. Sadako’s origami crane is delicate and fragile, perhaps like the hope for peace itself, but it survives

(continued on page 29)

My Trip to World Pride 2026 By Tom LeNoble

It may sound like a small thing, but being remembered rarely feels small. There is something powerful about returning to a place thousands of miles from home and discovering that, somehow, a little part of you stayed behind. Then there was World Pride: the stage, the crowds, the energy, and the celebration and the extraordinary mixture of people who had traveled from around the world, each carrying their own story of what Pride means to them. Pride can be colorful, loud, joyful, outrageous, playful, and wonderfully over the top. I love all of that, but World Pride reminded me that, underneath the celebration, is something much more serious: human rights. At the Human Rights Summit, I listened to speakers from around the world talk about their countries, their communities, their struggles, their progress, and, in some cases, the progress they fear losing. I listened differently than I might have years ago. 18

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The final gala brought this part of my trip toward its close with celebration, reflection, and a wonderful sense of connection—and having friends from San Francisco Pride join me made it even more meaningful. There is something special about traveling halfway around the world and finding people from home standing beside you. We laughed. We celebrated. We talked about what we had seen and heard. And I found myself thinking about San Francisco, Amsterdam, and all the places in between where people are still working to make belonging more than a nice idea. I arrived in Amsterdam expecting World Pride and I certainly found it. But I also found memories, familiar faces, and new voices. There were the long walks along old canals, flowers, bold coffee, old and new friendships. There was celebration and difficult truths along with hope, and new perspectives. Travel can do that when we allow it. Sometimes we leave home thinking we are going somewhere to see something new, only to discover that distance gives us a different way of seeing what was already there. I came home from World Pride knowing there is still enormous work ahead. I also came home reminded of how many people around the world are willing to do that work, often with far greater risk than many of us will ever know.

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PHOTO BY TOM LENOBLE PHOTO COURTESY OF TOOKTA TOPLINE/FACEBOOK PHOTO COURTESY OF COUPLE OF MEN/FACEBOOK

Yet, some things remained wonderfully familiar. One of those places was a hotel where I have stayed more than twenty times over the years. I walked in and was remembered as I inhaled the fragrance that was so familiar. There was a welcome, coffee, conversation, and more. There were people who had been promoted, those who had moved on ... yet, familiar spaces remained.

San Francisco Pride’s Joshua Smith and Michelle Meow at World Pride 2026

Tom LeNoble (left) with Suzanne Ford

That inspires me and it also challenges me, because Pride cannot only be something we attend. Love cannot only be something we celebrate, and freedom cannot only matter when our own is threatened. We have to carry them home with us. And that may be the greatest gift Amsterdam gave me this time. So much opened for me: my eyes, my mind ... and my heart. Tom LeNoble is an international speaker, confidential advisor, and resilience strategist who works with leaders navigating meaningful inflection points in life and leadership. He has held senior leadership roles at MCI, Walmart.com, Palm, and Facebook, and high growth startups. He is the author of the award-winning memoir “My Life in Business Suits, Hospital Gowns, and High Heels.” Through speaking, coaching, and writing, he explores resilience, leadership, and the choices that shape how we show up for others and for the communities we serve.

PHOTO COURTESY OF COUPLE OF MEN/FACEBOOK

And, for me, there were memories everywhere. I found old, friendly places I had visited on trips before COVID. Walking through their doors felt a little like finding pieces of my own history waiting for me. So much has happened in the world since those earlier visits and even more has happened in my life.

There were so many expressions of love gathered together in one place. There were different languages, lives, stories ... yet the message was remarkably simple: Love belongs here. Maybe that is part of what Pride has always been about. It is not about convincing everyone to understand every part of another person’s life, but creating a world where people have room to live it.

San Francisco Pride’s Suzanne Ford spoke at World Pride 2026 in Amsterdam.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL QUINTANILLA/FACEBOOK

There is something about seeing a city on foot that changes your relationship with it. You notice the flowers spilling from windows and along the canals. You stop on bridges just because the view makes you want to stop. And you wander down a street without knowing exactly where it will take you.

Freedom is never simply something we inherit. It is something people before us fought for, something we are responsible for protecting, and something we help make possible for those who come after us. The Love Wall brought that home in another way with its hearts, tens of thousands, sharing messages and photos strung together sending messages of hope that will be displayed around the world.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM LENOBLE

I walked. And walked. And then walked some more.

We sometimes forget how closely people are watching us. What happens in America does not stay in America. Our laws, our political conversations, our language, our progress, and our setbacks can give others permission—permission to move forward, but also permission to move backward. That realization stayed with me.

PHOTO BY TOM LENOBLE

I went to Amsterdam for World Pride 2026, and, somewhere between the very long walks, the conversations, the flowers, the familiar places, and the moments that caught me completely by surprise, Amsterdam opened itself to me in a new way. Or maybe I was the one who opened.

One of the most important things I brought home from Amsterdam was a better understanding of the impact the United States has on the rest of the world.

PHOTO BY TOM LENOBLE

I have been to Amsterdam many times. I know the canals, the rhythm of the streets, the bicycles coming at you from every direction, and the particular beauty of a city that seems perfectly comfortable being both old and new at the same time. But this trip was different.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AUSWARTIGES AMT/FACEBOOK

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMSTERDAMIAN/FACEBOOK

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL QUINTANILLA/FACEBOOK

World Pride 2026

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL QUINTANILLA/FACEBOOK PHOTO COURTESY OF AUSWARTIGES AMT/FACEBOOK

PHOTO COURTESY OF VENGABOYS/FACEBOOK

PHOTO COURTESY OF TOOKTA TOPLINE/FACEBOOK

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVEN KRUMHOLZ/FACEBOOK

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL QUINTANILLA/FACEBOOK

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVEN KRUMHOLZ/FACEBOOK

Celebration Marks First International Exhibition of Original Rainbow Flag By David Landis

In March, the GLBT Historical Society Museum and Cork Public Museum signed a historic memorandum of understanding, paving the way for the first international loan and exhibition of the original rainbow flag. I and fellow San Francisco Bay Times columnists Dr. Bill Lipsky and Donna Sachet joined the group for a celebratory send-off before this iconic piece of LGBTQ+ history traveled across the Atlantic from San Francisco to

Ireland. The flag is now displayed at the Cork Public Museum for four months. Created by Gilbert Baker in San Francisco in 1978, the rainbow Pride flag has become one of the most recognized symbols of LGBTQ+ visibility, resilience, and liberation around the world. Its journey to Cork is especially meaningful given the sister city relationship between San Gilbert Baker’s original Francisco and Cork, making Cork flag as displayed at the the first international stop on the GLBTHS Museum. flag’s global tour. David Landis, aka “The Gay Gourmet,” is a foodie, For more information, see this a freelance writer, and a retired PR maven. You can email him at davidlandissf@gmail.com piece in The Advocate: Or visit him online at: www.gaygourmetsf.com https://bit.ly/3UaXcoF

PHOTO BY SEAN DOWDALL

The Consulate General of Ireland and the GLBT Historical Society and Museum staged a historic LGBTQ+ celebration on August 13, 2026, at Casements Bar in the Mission.

(L-R): David Landis (The Gay Gourmet), Irish Vice Counsel Naoise Kenny, Donna Sachet, and Irish pal Mike at Casements Bar on Aug 13, 2026, to celebrate the partnership of the Irish Consulate in San Francisco and the GLBT Historical Society. The original Gilbert Baker flag is being displayed at the Cork Historical Museum for four months. Cork is San Francisco’s sister city in Ireland.

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NCLR’s Imani Rupert-Gordon on Making a Difference and Keeping Optimism Alive erosity for me when I didn’t know what generosity was. My parents provided a life, an experience, and a home for me and my sister that they didn’t experience. We were one of very few Black families in our neighborhood. Our parents created a wonderful and loving environment for us.

Tom LeNoble: Who modeled generosity for you when you were young?

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Imani Rupert-Gordon: I couldn’t answer this question without naming my parents as people who were incredibly generous to me. They modeled gen-

Imani Rupert-Gordon: You know, this work isn’t easy. It’s not supposed to be easy. What keeps my optimism alive is that I’m here to do it. No one tells you to do this work, you just decide to do it, and then somehow you become one of the people who are making important decisions about what it looks like for all of us. It is such a profound honor to be able to fight for our community. Tom LeNoble: Tell me about a moment that reminded you that your organization is truly making a difference. Imani Rupert-Gordon: We had a staff meeting just yesterday and were talking about something that didn’t go well. Someone doesn’t want to continue, yet she shared how grateful she was and wrote this kind note about how NCLR was available to do this work with her and how women like her aren’t supposed to thrive. This will not always be like this. It will be easier for trans women to play sports someday. But that day is not today. Tom LeNoble: What is unique about doing this work in San Francisco? Imani Rupert-Gordon: For me, it’s that I have community here in San Francisco. I know other folks who are doing this work here. I think we don’t always name how important it is to have people whom you trust around you doing this work with you,

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Imani Rupert-Gordon is President of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights (NCLR), a national legal organization advancing the civil and human rights of LGBTQ people and their families. Previously, she led Affinity Community Services and the Broadway Youth Center in Chicago. A nationally recognized leader, Imani has been named to The Root 100 and received the Judith Butler Award for her commitment to social change. An expert on LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and gender justice, she has been featured in major national media. Imani holds degrees from the University of Chicago and the University of California, Santa Barbara.

NCLR Executive Director Imani Rupert-Gordon welcomed guests to the annual NCLR Gala.

but no one can do anything on their own. And being here with such incredible leaders, many of whom you’ve done this very interview with, is an honor. Tom LeNoble: What do you hope people will remember about your leadership long after you’re gone? Imani Rupert-Gordon: I hope they remember that I tried to do the right thing and I also tried to do it in a way that was strategic, so that there was more that could be done after I am not here. I can create a foundation so that, after I’m gone, someone will be able to do something that I wasn’t able to. Tom LeNoble: What do you wish every San Franciscan understood about the work your organization does and the people it serves?

Tom LeNoble: If philanthropy were a verb instead of a noun, what would it look like? Imani Rupert-Gordon: Philanthropy is such an interesting concept. When we’re thinking about philanthropy and a philanthropic mindset, it’s living in accordance with your values, so that we don’t have to have this dissonance at all. When I think about philanthropy, it’s not only money. It’s time, it is effort, it’s finding ways to create change in your community. There are so many things that go into that.

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Imani Rupert-Gordon: I think everyone wants justice, and I think there are always going to be people who can’t live in a world where people aren’t taken care of and not do something about it. And I think that’s one of the most beautiful things about humanity. I’m not concerned about it at all.

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Executive Directors Imani Rupert-Gordon (right) of NCLR and Dr. Tyler Termeer of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation serve as co-hosts of the San Francisco Bay Times Celebration of LGBTQ+ Black Women Leaders held annually during Black History Month.

Imani Rupert-Gordon: I would want everyone to understand that what we want is to create a world where everyone can thrive, where everyone can live with full access and be the very best versions of themselves.

Tom LeNoble: What gives you confidence that the next generation will carry this work forward?

Imani Rupert-Gordon spoke on June 7, 2021, on the steps of City Hall for the Mayor’s Flag Raising Ceremony held annually to mark the launch of Pride Month in San Francisco.

PHOTO BY KATRINA PATEL

Tom LeNoble

Tom LeNoble: What keeps your optimism alive when the work you’re doing becomes difficult?

Tom LeNoble: If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to make a difference, what would it be?

PHOTO BY OLGA TALAMANTE

The Philanthropic Mindset

When I was playing basketball, my dad would always cheer me on and my mom too, but in different ways. My mother, who didn’t really understand the game, just understood to cheer for people. She just thought everyone deserved to be cheered for.

SF Pride Grand Marshal Imani Rupert-Gordon was honored by the Golden State Valkyries, serving as their drummer at the Chase Center during Pride Night 2026.

Imani Rupert-Gordon: Find a lane that you want to change, that you want to be part of, and then do what you can to make a change in this environment. And I think that’s the same for civil rights and social justice. If you find your lane and then work in solidarity, you’re going to see how you can move something forward in solidarity with other communities, but also make your movement stronger. Tom LeNoble: What would surprise people most about you outside of work? Imani Rupert-Gordon: Something that I (continued on page 32)

Roland Schembari and Bill Hartman, Co-Founders Randy Alfred, Founding News Editor, 1978 Kim Corsaro, Publisher 1981-2011

Moore Hope Plaza Unveiled in Oakland’s Lakeshore LGBTQ+ Cultural District

2261 Market Street, No. 309 San Francisco CA 94114 Phone: 415-601-2113 Email: editor@sfbaytimes.com www.sfbaytimes.com The Bay Times was the first newspaper in California, and among the first in the world, to be jointly and equally produced by lesbians and gay men. We honor our history and the paper’s ability to build and strengthen unity in our community. The Bay Times is proud to be the first and only LGBTQ newspaper in San Francisco to be named a Legacy Business, recognizing that it is a longstanding, community-serving business that is a valuable cultural asset to the city.

Dr. Betty L. Sullivan/Jennifer L. Viegas Co-Publishers & Co-Editors

The atmosphere was filled with emotion and joyful purpose as speeches highlighted the couple’s transformative grassroots legacy. Moore and Wood, who met while organizing for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and went on to found the political consultancy Hope Action Change, spent Oakland LGBTQ Community Center Joe Hawkins (center) presented the Moore Hope Plaza sign during the ceremony on decades advancing civil rights, economic equity, and intersectional social justice across the East Bay. August 12. The unveiling ceremony stood as a powerful tribute to their decades of activism, honoring their contributions following their tragic sudden passing in a car accident in May 2024.

Beth Greene, John Signer, Michael Delgado Design & Production

Kate Laws Business Manager Kit Kennedy Poet-In-Residence J.H. Herren Technology Director Carla Ramos Web Coordinator Mario Ordonez Distribution Juan R. Davila Volunteer Coordinator ____________________________

CONTRIBUTORS Writers Rink, Sister Dana Van Iquity, Ann Rostow, Patrick Carney, Leslie Sbrocco, David Landis, Gary M. Kramer, Joanie Juster, Robert Holgate, Zoe Dunning, Eduardo Morales, Dennis McMillan, Tim Seelig, Rafael Mandelman, Jewelle Gomez, Rebecca Kaplan, Bill Lipsky, Beth Schnitzer, Rowena Brown, Kippy Marks, Ian Fullmer, Donna Sachet, Gary Virginia, Derek Barnes, Marcy Adelman, Jan Wahl, Stuart Gaffney & John Lewis, Brandon Miller, Howard Steiermann, Fernando Camino, Honey Mahogany, Kate Kendell Photographers Rink, Paul Margolis, Bill Wilson, Jerome Parmer, Michael Kirschner, Sandy Morris, Abby Zimberg, Joanie Juster, Ken Lew

ROWENA BROWN PHOTO

The centerpiece of the ceremony featured the official sign unveiling and a flag-raising ceremony, hoisting the Progress Pride flag high above Lakeshore Avenue. Attendees erupted in applause as the Peggy Moore and Hope Wood organizers emphasized that Moore Hope Plaza will serve as a permanent, visible anchor of safety and inclusion within Oakland’s designated Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District. The space now stands as a daily reminder of the progress paved by Black and queer activists in the Bay Area. Video of the unveiling of Moore Hope Plaza is at https://bit.ly/4y5sqw5

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Lisbet Tellefsen and Brendalynn Goodall

ADVERTISING Display Advertising Standard Rate Cards http://sfbaytimes.com/ or 415-601-2113 Custom ad sizes are available. Ads are reviewed by the publishers. National Advertising: Contact Bay Times / San Francisco. Represented by Rivendell Media: 908-232-2021 Circulation is verified by an independent agency. Reprints by permission only. ____________________________

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Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, Congressmember Lateefah Simon, and Oakland LGBTQ+ Center Co-Founders Joe Hawkins and Jeff Myers were among the leaders on August 12, 2026, who gathered for the official dedication ceremony of Moore Hope Plaza. Situated directly outside the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center, the plaza was formally unveiled in honor of the late political strategists and LGBTQ+ advocates Peggy Moore and Hope Wood, who were also longtime supporters of the San Francisco Bay Times. Serving as the official kickoff for the Oakland’s 2026 Pride pre-festival events, the gathering transformed the bustling commercial corridor into a space of celebration, remembrance, and community pride.

Moore Hope Plaza Drone View - Oakland LGBTQ Community Center Photo

GLBT Fortnight in Review By Ann Rostow

Ninth Circuit Panel Okays Release of Transgender Medical Data A split three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on August 14, 2026, ruled that Trump’s justice department is within its rights to subpoena the medical records of transgender youth seeking therapy, even after lower courts called the subpoenas unlawful. Under the terms of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the federal government may only intrude when investigating “a federal care offense,” whatever that may mean. Digging into the treatment of transgender kids out of pure Trumpian hostility violates HIPAA according to all the courts that considered the matter—until now. The majority opinion was written by Judge Carlos Bea, a 92-year-old GW Bush appointee, who teamed up with Trumpy Judge Daniel Bress to out-vote the dissenting Clinton-appointee, Judge Richard Paez. Based on the account by Chris Geidner on his Law Dork substack, the green light was basically lit by anti-transgender sentiment rather than legal analysis. Geidner notes that Judge Bea cited a recent anti-trans study from Finland that was not presented at any stage in the case, drawing a reply from Paez in his dissent. “As a threshold matter,” he wrote, “it is not our role to parse the merits of quantitative research neither raised before the district court nor briefed on appeal.” Paez also noted that the Finnish study has drawn “wide-ranging critiques.” I should really read the opinions rather than relying solely on Geidner, but I choose not to. Bea argued that a court has “no warrant to override the President’s judgment on a disputed matter of public policy,” as if the whims of the Executive Branch outweigh the text of a statute passed by Congress. “It is for the American people, through the democratic process,” he went on, “to decide whether a President’s views on such topics and the policies that result from those views are ‘improper.’” This carte blanche to the American President is our latest whack-a-mole challenge, and it’s possible that the case will be appealed to the full Ninth Circuit bench, which would likely roll back Judge Bea’s crazy thinking. If so, one assumes the case would rise to the Supreme Court’s shadow docket and on to their schedule if accepted. And from there, who knows?

read another article in The Advocate discussing the complexities of the bear community and criticizing the Times for its simplistic coverage. The Advocate quoted Richard Jones, founding editor of Bear World Magazine, who said the Times dropped a “quick headline” to garner attention, and, by implication, exaggerated a phenomenon that indeed has an effect but in no way threatens the subset of gay men who identify as bears—burly, hairy lads who come in a wide range of sizes to begin with. “We’re losing a little bit of weight, but we’re still a community, we’re still thriving, we’re still bears,” said Jones, who added that “being bears is very much a state of mind.”

Even more irritating than the media’s urge to turn every gray area into a black-andwhile crisis is the fact that many pundits present their views as new, original thoughts when we’ve been hearing the exact same observations for weeks.

According to The Advocate, another bear leader said the Times article “flattened a complex issue” and acted as though GLP-1s were “going to eliminate the bear community,” and that people were turning to the medications because “nobody was comfortable being a bear.”

“Yes, Andrea, but I think we can’t lose sight of the fact that the Democratic Party is torn between two ideologies; the mainstream party positions and the Democratic Socialists who are now surging—at least in the blue states, but now in a purple state like Michigan.”

I was struck by the juxtaposition of these two stories because I’m annoyed by the media’s tendency to jump to an easy headline at the expense of nuanced reporting. It’s lazy, it’s sloppy, and it’s described perfectly by the notion that “it flattens a complex issue.” And, yes, I’m talking about MSNOW because God knows what the Fox guys are saying.

“Good point, Jim. Do you think this will affect the midterms? Because we also saw a very different result in Wisconsin where the centrist came from behind to beat the socialist candidate for governor.”

The latest example is the “war” or “rift” within the Democratic Party between moderate candidates and democratic socialists. Abdul El-Sayed, our Michigan Senate nominee, is a leftist or a progressive but not a democratic socialist. Nonetheless, because he ran to the left of his mainstream opponent and because he looks like a bit of a renegade and has a scary name, he’s been gratuitously added to the list of socialists tearing the party apart. El-Sayed won by a point or so, while in Wisconsin, the actual socialist candidate for governor lost by a point or so. To me, these results are very similar, showing an even split between left and center in these neighboring states. Yet several pundits have exclaimed that the two primaries gave us “very different outcomes” or presaged a big showdown to come. I’ve also heard talking heads say that socialists have won in very blue areas, as if that’s a big trend. Why the plural? We’re talking about the mayor of New York City, but we haven’t seen big ticket socialist victories elsewhere. Why suggest it’s a widespread phenomenon?

Just the Facts, Man

The real story is the Democratic Party’s search for activism, youth, and authenticity. Our national committee seems shambolic, as far as I can see, bungling the analysis of our 2024 loss and failing to raise cash while the Republican committee has millions in the bank. Our leaders seem hapless. We’re looking for aggressive tactics rather than a defensive posture, and the rise of young leftist candidates echoes our frustration with complacent politicians.

I read a mildly interesting New York Times article the other day about bears (the gay male type), pointing out that the bears are shedding pounds thanks to Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs. It did not cross the threshold for our news column, that is until I

That said, the socialist platform with its wacky calls to abolish the Senate itself, gradually defund the police, dismantle the prison system, and whathaveyou is a millstone around the neck of all democrats. The Democratic Socialists seem to be a hodgepodge

Meanwhile in a different part of the country, the Justice Department dropped its appeal to get transgender medical records from Pittsburg patients, abandoning its case at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Why? I don’t know exactly. Maybe they’re picking their battles and thought the Ninth Circuit panel looked more promising.

of left-wing factions, and have only recently emerged as a thing. Even Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has drawn their ire for supporting incumbent congressmembers and Mamdani got rebuked for planning to grow his police budget. Most leftist candidates have distanced themselves from the label, to the extent that I don’t see the big “rift” as anything more than a left-to-center spectrum of Democratic opinions.

You get the picture. Look at Me! Have you seen the latest photos of Nancy Mace, the sex-obsessed three-term Congresswoman from South Carolina who recently lost her bid to run for governor? She came in fifth place and promptly launched a YouTube show and displayed shots of her full arm tattoos that previously had not been on public display. I don’t care who gets tattoos, of course, but I’ve been drawn to this nutcase ever since she told a Prayer Breakfast audience about how her boyfriend wanted to have sex that morning but she told him no dice because she had to get to a prayer breakfast. Why on Earth would you say something like that to a large audience? Particularly if you’re a member of Congress. Particularly if it’s a prayer breakfast. She went on to represent hateful things. She became antigay, virulently anti-trans, and just nasty. Then she gave another inappropriately intimate speech on the House floor, telling her colleagues about how her now ex-boyfriend and some other guys raped her, and I forget what else. (He’s suing for defamation.) She often posted shots of herself in provocative poses, seemingly obsessed with getting a certain type of attention. And, now, after losing badly, she still seeks the spotlight with her new YouTube gig, and photos. But why spend valuable GLBT news space on Nancy Mace, you ask? It’s because her tattoo includes the first line from Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf ’s classic novel of romantic malaise: “Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.” Because Mrs. Dalloway at one point loved and lost a Sapphic relationship, GLBT observers have jumped on the quote, wondering if Mace read the book or what she intended to convey. Oh, and in my research, I just learned that Mace believes space aliens are in contact with

Earthlings. Hmmm. I believe there are intelligent beings somewhere else in the universe, but I doubt they are hanging out among us with their universal translators and facial implants. Perhaps they’re based in a holographic viewing station that looks like a cliffside watching our pre-warp society develop. “Captain, these people have given their leadership role to a psychopath.” “I’m sorry, lieutenant, but we can’t interfere.” “I’ve spoken to one of them, Nancy, who said she can overthrow the dangerous government.” “Cut off contact at once.” From Russia With Hate In Pope Leo news, our man in the Vatican has appointed fifteen new consultors [SIC] to the Vatican’s office for religious life. I have no idea what this means, but several of the newbies are females who have criticized the Church’s stance on women. I include this tidbit from Letters From Leo dot com because the item concluded with: “They will now advise the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Vatican office governing the world’s religious orders, where Sister Simona Brambilla presides as the first woman ever to lead a dicastery.” What’s a dicastery? I had to find out! It turns out that it’s a major department in the Roman Curia, the central administrative body that advises the Pope. It used to be called a “congregation” or a “pontifical council” until Pope Francis changed it to “dicastery” in 2022. A “consultor,” in turn, is an advisor. Like a consultant. We love adding satisfying-sounding words to our vocabularies, but was the “dicastery” switcheroo really necessary? It’s lots of fun to learn new words, but many times these words are too obscure to use without sounding pretentious. Further, when you use a word nobody knows, you defeat the whole purpose of communicating ideas and thoughts. That said, I so love the word “Canicula,” which describes the dog days of summer, that I use it once a year. Twice would be showy. But it gives me such pleasure that I allow myself the annual indulgence. That was it for 2026. And I’ll never be able to use “dicastery.” In other Pope news, the Russian publishers of Pope Francis’s autobiography have censored out any reference to GLBT people, especially a section that welcomes us to the Catholic Church, which has been completely blacked out. This comes as the Russian LGBT Network, founded in 2006, has been forced to disband after a court in St Petersburg ruled it fit the definition of an extremist organization. Various high courts in Russia have defined gay-positive groups as extremist organizations, subject to punitive sanctions. Many groups have been banned and defunded and dozens of individuals have been heavily fined or arrested under the “extremist”

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(continued on page 32) AUGUS T 27, 2026

By Donna Sachet

“We were trying to help lesbians find themselves.” —Phyllis Lyon

f you really want to take stock of your friendships, both in quantity and quality, then celebrate your birthday on a Monday night. That’s right! Organizing a birthday celebration is never a small feat, but ask your friends to support a great cause on a Monday night event and you may be surprised who makes the extra effort to get all gussied up for you after a typically busy weekend. Kiki Krunch had no trouble at all filling Midnight Sun on Monday, August 10, 2026, resulting in a lively party, great entertainment, happy bartenders, and a nice sum raised for the San Francisco Community Health Center. Kiki has held several community titles, including Imperial Crown Princess and Miss GAPA, and she is very visible with her work with the Health Center, so the crowd definitely reflected her contributions. We saw three Empresses and three Emperors in attendance, as well as several GAPA titleholders. In addition, political personalities were coming out of the woodwork, including US Congressional candidate Connie Chan, SF City Supervisor candidate Michael Nguyen/Juicy Liu, and Mayor of Daly City Juslyn Manalo. The drag show entertainment was top notch with eye-popping performances by Ehra Amaya, Fia Monay Krunch, Nikita Vega, and an incredibly costumed Lady Gaga look-alike, Miss GAPA 2025 Quinn Amann Krunch. Kiki knows how to celebrate her birthday! We were honored to be at Casement’s bar in the Mission for A Rainbow Bridge: Celebrating Pride from San Francisco to Cork, the official send-off of Gilbert’s Baker’s original rainbow flag from San Francisco to Cork, Ireland. The LGBT Historical Society partnered with the Irish Consulate on this first-ever loan and exhibit as part of San Francisco’s Sister City program. As frequent readers of this column will remember, the Rainbow Honor Walk (RHW) had worked with the Irish Consulate on Roger Casement’s plaque, now installed on Castro Street, so many familiar faces were in the crowd, including Bill Lipsky, Charlotte Ruffner, Elizabeth Creely, Maire P. Walsh, Laura Thomas, Peggy Sue, Gerard Koskovich, and David Landis & Sean Dowdall. In a brief program, Vice Consul General Naoise Kenny demonstrated a clear knowledge of the history of the rainbow flag and reminded us that Ireland has a long and dignified history with the LGBTQ+ Community. We can think of no better place to start an international tour for this iconic symbol of our early movement. Mr. Imperial Leather Matty Zamora hosted Therapy at Lonestar Saloon benefiting Queer LifeSpace and we were there. Matty enlisted the support of the models of the Bare Chest calendar to sell raffle tickets, Jell-O shots, and their own calendars. A small silent auction of unusual items garnered generous bids as attendees mingled, enjoying free pizza and each other. The event ended with a single, but worth-waiting-for and well-tipped drag performance by Pup Lynn. When all was said and done, Matty had raised over $4000 for his beneficiary. Saturday, August 15, found us first at Twin Peaks for the annual High Tea in honor of José Sarria. Five hat-bedecked Empresses, several supportive Emperors, and a number of other Imperial courtiers attended, toasting Our Beloved Founder at 4 pm. We then headed down the street to Beaux for a monthly show, this time themed Motown Summer Fun and full of appropriate music, instantly recognized and appreciated by all. Reigning Emperor John Brett and Regent Empress Queen Cougar dressed in theme and kept the energy going for a fun afternoon in the Castro.

Saturday, August 29 Serenade: Unity in Song A live music cabaret with Imperial Court members Live singing and live piano accompaniment Hosted by Midas M. Munro Benefits Queer LifeSpace Beaux, 2344 Market Street 5–8 pm $11 www.imperialcouncilsf.org Saturday, Sept. 12 Opening Night of SF Opera War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness 5 pm $100 & up www.sfopera.com Saturday, September 19 Back to the Future: The Return of the Gays Reunion of former titleholders 2026 Pageant Beaux, 2344 Market Street 5–8 pm www.imperialcouncilsf.org

On August 21 at the Castro Night Market, we celebrated all that is the Castro, most especially Orphan Andy’s, and honored the recently retired owners Dennis Ziebell & Bill Pung. We appeared with them on the 18th Street stage to introduce State Senator Scott Wiener, State Assemblymember Matt Haney, and Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, all with certificates of appreciation in hand. Following them were In a community celebration of Orphan Andy’s founders Dennis Ziebel and Bill Pung, representative from the Castro Merchants, Donna Sachet sang a special rendition of “It Had to Be You” at the Castro Night Castro Community Benefit District, and Market’s 18th Street stage on Friday, August 21. the Bay Times. Betty Sullivan and Photo and Video by Michael Kirschner/San Francisco Bay Times Jennifer Viegas presented Dennis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlHMLIJVlbs and Bill with flowers and we then serenaded them with “It Had to Be You,” lyrics slightly Donna Sachet is a celebrated performer, adjusted for the moment. The Sisters of Perpetual fundraiser, activist, and philanthropist who Indulgence, led by the tireless Sister Roma, paraded up has dedicated over two decades to the to Orphan Andy’s to officially saint Dennis and Bill after LGBTQ Community in San Francisco. nearly 50 years of feeding the community with joy and Contact her at empsachet@gmail.com heart. What an evening! PHOTO BY SHAWN NORTHCUTT

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AUGUS T 27, 2026

IN MEMORIAM Barbara ‘Boo’ Price (October 8, 1943–August 4, 2026): Champion of Women’s Rights Through Law and Music ican Development Bank. His father was from Costa Rica and his mother was from Venezuela, cultures that Price valued as she was interested in international travel and different global perspectives. Although the marriage ended in divorce, it resulted in her only child, Andrés “Drew” GarcíaPrice, with whom she would remain close to throughout her life. García-Price is now a Hollywood storyboard artist, illustrator, and educator.

When Barbara “Boo” Price—also known as Barbara Kay Price and Barbara Price García-Dobles—was growing up in Lafayette, Indiana, she would gather her friends and cousins to produce talent shows in her family’s backyard for all the neighbors to attend. That early theatrical and musical entrepreneurship never left her, nor did her commitment to protecting and fostering women’s rights. She was born on October 8, 1943, to Eleanor Easter Price and George E. Price. Eleanor was a homemaker and a proponent of social equity in quiet but effective ways. George was the founder, with his brother, of National Homes Corporation, which pioneered the making of prefabricated homes on a scale large enough to meet the demands of returning war veterans and the baby boom generation. Price and her younger brother William spent many of their weekends working in the family business, with her serving as a greeter at the show homes. She was a dedicated student at Sunnyside Middle School in her hometown. At nearby Jefferson High School, Price held multiple leadership roles evidencing her many varied skills that she would later develop and use to benefit others. Among the class officers she was a treasurer and also was a popular athlete who was even on the “Yell Leaders Advisory Board” helping direct student spirit leaders. In Massachusetts at Mount Holyoke College, one of the historic Seven Sisters colleges, she again excelled in academics and valued the opportunity to learn alongside other ambitious women. She earned her B.A. in political science in 1965. Two years later, in Fayetteville, Indiana, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, she married Stanford University graduate Alberto García-Dobles of the Inter-Amer26

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She moved to California to attend law school at the University of California at Davis (UC Davis). In 1973, Price created the lesbian caucus, which was the first and, for some time, only lesbian caucus on campus for graduates and undergraduates. While at UC Davis, she was introduced to what became known as “women’s music,” referring to music performed by, about, and for women. In 1974, still in law school, she produced her first concert. It was a political fundraiser to support opposition to what would become a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, which concerned discrimination in college admissions. The concert featured multiple artists including Cris Williamson, Margie Adam, and Vicki Randle, who all went on to successful careers. Soon Price was juggling attending law school with producing women’s music concerts and raising her young son. After earning her J.D. in 1976, she established a sole practitioner law practice focused on family law, custody, entertainment law, and small business support for women. Price in 1979 co-authored the legal treatise “Trial Strategy in Lesbian Mother Custody Cases: The Use of Expert Testimony” (published in the Golden Gate University Law Review) alongside then attorney Donna Hitchens, founder of the Lesbian Rights Project. (Hitchens later became the first openly-gay elected female judge in the U.S. and co-founded the National Center for

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PHOTO BY IRENE YOUNG

Barbara “Boo” Price

Her early public service efforts included work at the State House in Boston, and, later, in Washington, D.C., for several years in the Senate and White House. She was involved in at least two major federal initiatives: the international Food for Peace Program and the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (Kerner Commission). This commission was the first major federal government entity focused on investigating the root causes of urban civil unrest and systemic racism in the U.S. In 1972, she participated in a pivotal American Psychiatric Association (APA) panel discussion in Hawaii on homosexuality with psychiatrists and gay activists, which directly set the stage for the APA Board of Trustees’ historic vote the following year to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.

Boo Price with Mayor Libby Schaaf’s proclamation declaring Barbara Price Day in Oakland, California

PHOTO BY IRENE YOUNG

Barbara “Boo” Price (on top) at Camp Ogontz in the White Mountains of New Hampshire

Development of Litigation Strategies to Counter Anti-Lesbian Judicial Bias

Margie Adam and Boo Price at Folk City

Lesbian Rights, which is now the National Center for LGBTQ Rights.) During an era when courts routinely denied custody or visitation rights to openly lesbian mothers, their work provided litigation strategies and psychological expert testimony frameworks to counter anti-lesbian judicial bias. Co-Founder of Pleiades Records and Co-Producer of the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival

Sändra Washington, Leslie Ann Jones, Boo Price, and Kathryn Willmore at the Farewell Celebration for the Montclair Women’s Cultural Arts Club (2015)

In 1975, Price co-founded Pleiades Records with singer-songwriter Adam, establishing an independent platform designed to circumvent mainstream corporate labels and safeguard complete artistic and financial autonomy. Together, they championed a guiding ethos of women’s music: “Women’s music by women about women for everyone.” Price additionally spearheaded efforts to dismantle gender barriers behind the scenes. Founding her venture Women in Production in 1976, she actively trained women in audio engineering, lighting, stage production, and event logistics, equipping them to thrive in male-dominated technical fields. Price’s operational talent proved pivotal to the growth of the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, the largest and most influential gathering of its kind in North America. Beginning with stage production in 1976, she later served as co-owner and co-producer from 1983 to 1994, helping secure the festival’s permanent 650-acre home near Hart, Michigan. In addition to securing land, she engineered complex production systems that elevated the festival’s scale, placing a signature emphasis on creative presentation and immersive (continued on page 27)

Boo Price led group scuba diving adventures for women to international locations.

Boo Price (right) with friends (l-r) Linda Tillery, Melanie DeMore, Ru San Francisco Pride Parade in the Bay Times contingent with the th

IN MEMORIAM (continued from page 26) sound design for the festival’s iconic Night Stage. Highlights from this period include her production of the landmark Women on Wheels Tour in 1976, coordination of a 50-city national tour for Adam that culminated at the historic 1977 National Women’s Conference in Houston, and production of numerous high-profile political arts events. These included the opening celebration in 1979 for Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party and the close of the Equal Rights Amendment Campaign at Constitution Hall in 1982.

On Sunday, April 29, 2007, Boo Price (front row, left), hosted a book launch party at the Montclair Women’s Cultural Arts Club celebrating author Barbara Love and the release of her anthology Feminists Who Changed America 1963–1975.

Price’s law practice in San Francisco ended in 1986 after a decade of pioneering work. She began to lease the former Montclair Woman’s Club in the Montclair District of Oakland for concerts and other gatherings for lesbians and allies. In 1996 she eventually purchased the Spanish Colonial Revival building, located at 1650 Mountain Boulevard, and renamed it the Montclair Women’s Cultural Arts Club. Until its closing in July 2015, the club served as a crucial brick-and-mortar sanctuary for women’s culture, spiritual practice, and LGBTQ+ community building. By transforming a historic 1920s venue into an accessible performance space, salon, and education center, Price through the club filled a vital void left by the closure of earlier feminist physical spaces across the Bay Area. It established an inclusive home where women, regardless of sexual orientation, could gather to attend concerts by iconic female musicians, host progressive political discussions, engage in artistic expression, and participate in classes offered through its School of Women’s Mysteries.

PHOTO BY JANE HIGGINS

Boo Price with Little Bear

Boo Price and her son, Andrés García Price; daughter-in-law, Katie García; and granddaughter, Tallulah Katherine García; joined the San Francisco Bay Times contingent in the SF Pride Prade (2015)

uth MacGregor, Margie Adam, and Leslie Ann Jones at the 2015 heme 45 Years of Women’s Music.

Beyond serving as a local gathering spot, the venue functioned as an enduring cultural incubator that bridged grassroots activism with professional production standards. Designed with dedicated performance staging, library facilities, and community meeting areas, it regularly hosted prominent lesbian and feminist performers, acoustic showcases, comedy acts, and spiritual activist workshops. In doing so, the club preserved the independent,

Producer of Record-Breaking Gathering of Women’s Music Stars at SF Pride Parade Just a month before the club closed, Price with the San Francisco Bay Times produced the largest-ever gathering of women’s music stars at the San Francisco Pride Parade. The assemblage, within the Bay Times contingent, followed that of Community Grand Marshal Judy Dlugacz, who was then the president of Olivia Records (now Olivia Travel). Among those who participated were Linda Tillery, Leslie Ann Jones, Melanie DeMore, Carolyn Brandy, Mary Watkins, Jen Foster, Karen Williams, Woody Simmons, Anna Maria Flechero, Ellen Seeling, Sharon Washington, Jean Fineberg, Afia Walking Tree, and Page Hodel. Holly Near, Barbara Higbie, Adam, and Williamson also helped with this Bay Times commemoration of 40 years of women’s music. Following the club’s closure, Price continued to enjoy time with her son; the Bay Times publishers often saw them at local events and neighborhood hubs. An animal lover, Price in 2009 entered a treasured pup, Little Bear, in the Montclair Village “Pet Mayor” contest, and won! She beamed at the event, which was a fundraiser for animal welfare efforts that earned close to $20,000. A Bay Times video of her and Little Bear at the event is at https://bit.ly/3St9DLM Boo and Little Bear enjoyed many adventures together, including walking together in local parades. For several years, he was her constant companion, except for when she traveled abroad. An expert swimmer and diver, Price organized scuba diving trips for women that took place all around the globe, from the Caribbean to the Solomon Islands. When her health began to decline, she moved to an East Bay assisted living center where she continued to hold court with friends and to contribute her production savvy to events. She remained committed to inspiring and empowering women to be their fullest selves. Price died of heart failure on August 4, 2026, in Alameda, California. She is survived by her son Andrés “Drew” GarcíaPrice; daughter-in-law Katie García; granddaughter Tallulah Katherine García; nieces Melissa Price and her husband Donal, and Cynthia Price Czabala, and her husband Tom; her closest lifelong friend, Kathryn Willmore; and numerous chosen family members and other friends.

PHOTO BY SANDY MORRIS

PHOTO BY MARTHA STEINHAGEN

PHOTO COURTESY OF FWCA

Founder of the Montclair Women’s Cultural Arts Club

community-driven spirit of women’s music within a year-round, permanent urban setting, ensuring that feminist arts and culture remained deeply rooted and accessible in the Bay Area. The May 14, 2015, issue of the San Francisco Bay Times highlighted Price and the Montclair Women’s Cultural Arts Club: https://bit.ly/4zsYI5F

Singer-songwriter Alix Dobkin and Boo Price

The former Montclair Women’s Cultural Arts Club, 1650 Mountain Boulevard, Oakland

A celebration of life is being planned. Details will be shared as soon as they become available.

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AUGUS T 27, 2026

IN MEMORIAM

Left to Right: Barbara “Boo” Price, Margie Adam, and Sally M. Gearhart

Abby Abinanti (California’s first Native American female lawyer) “Miss Boo invited me into her world, made sure that people she knew, people in various movements of the 1970s, most for the first time ever, sought to include in the ‘family’ a young Native girl who had never really been seen by others as an asset. She supported my efforts as an individual and defended me when people would try to ‘other’ me. Thank you forever, my friend. As you journey to the Ancestors, know I shall always appreciate you and pray for your journey to be peaceful and loving.” Margie Adam (singer, songwriter, pianist, and activist who co-founded Pleiades Records with Price) “As it became clear to Boo that Women’s Music could be an organizing tool for feminist activism, our work together became more complicated in fascinating ways. Aesthetic choices had political content, supporting women’s communities while reaching out to women tethered to mainstream culture. Take Pleiades Records’ first recording, Margie Adam. Songwriter. After Boo visited several record stores, we chose a cover photo that fit in with the current in-store ‘display’ style: head-shot photos. That photo also conveyed that the music was friendly even if we called it ‘Women’s Music.’ The double cover made room for sixteen photos surrounded by lyrics: musicians (including my mother!), the graphic designer, engineer, photographer, and producers ... all women, intensely engaged with the music and each other. Here was a graphic display of sisterhood.” Lynn Breedlove (musician, writer, and performer; founder of the nonprofit Homobiles) “First time I saw Boo, she was backlit, gliding downstage to say good-bye to a crowd of ten thousand. I asked someone, ‘Who’s that?’ Years later she told me it was her idea to invite our scrappy punk band because the festival needed shaking up. Sini Anderson had the two of us co-host an intergen28

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erational conversation at the Brava. I badgered Boo into letting me work at the Montclair Women’s Cultural Arts Club. She said nope, but finally caved. Thus started philosophical discussions that revealed our common drive to connect people through performance. We held a spoken word event with Sisterspit and mainstream writers. Besides being able to get a fainting couch and a grand piano onstage, most impressive was how she opened her mind to new ideas and got vastly different performers to play together, crossing lines of class, race, gender, sexuality, age, and style to create a more powerful community. She liked to quote Rita Mae Brown’s Sappho’s Reply, ‘An army of lovers cannot fail,’ always pushing to expand her own ideas of queer forces to create an unstoppable one. Her memorial promises to be the production of a lifetime.” Leslie Ann Jones (multiple Grammy Award-winning recording engineer) “It is difficult to separate all the ways Boo and I interacted over the years: lawyer, friend, concert producer, best pal, dinner hostess, fellow traveler, confidant. I was never in the ‘feminist circle’ or early lesbian activist groups, so when I read all that she accomplished I am amazed. But her fearlessness, her tenacity, her love of music, family, her chosen family, and just putting all the right people together for whatever was needed was ever present in her life. Whether it was Calabria, Lucca, Venice, or the Northern Lights, her sense of just being there and enjoying life was a through line. I treasure our time together and all the joy and light she brought to my life.” Retts Scauzillo (stage manager and digital creator) “In the mid 1980s I received a call from Boo at my home on Long Island. I was nervous to take the call. It was a few months before Michigan. She called to tell me Tibbs, the current day stage manager, was moving to the Night Stage. My mind was racing ahead: Is she going to ask me to be the stage manager? I’d been working on the day stage crew for two years, but had lit-

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PHOTO COURTESY OF FWCA

Recollections of Barbara ‘Boo’ Price tle stage-managing experience. But, no, she called to tell me she hired Mary M. also a crew member. She explained Mary wanted to make sure I would be there to support her. My answer was: of course. But, Boo, did you know I was a stage manager? (I think I stage managed one show in New York City.) Boo seemed surprised, but said she would keep that in mind. Well, that year was called the Shigella Year, as many workers got sick. And, yes, Mary the new stage manager of the day stage was sick and could not work. So, who had to take over? Yes, yours truly. The next year, Boo called and offered me the position. She took a chance on me and I’d say it worked out well for both of us. Boo, I know you are producing a big show wherever you are. Say hello to Alix for me.” Martha Steinhagen (author and outdoor adventurer) “Boo Price was often at her happiest in the depths of the ocean—logging more than 1500 dives throughout her lifetime. She spent over forty years encouraging scores of women to become divers and join her on trips she organized: first in the Caribbean, and then throughout the Indo-Pacific, where she led both land- and boatbased trips in Indonesia, Tahiti, Fiji, the Maldives, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. She was always eager to show other women the joys and excitement of being able to ‘fly’ underwater and to interact with creatures ranging in size from half-inch sea horses to 30-foot whale sharks and everything in between. Boo leaves a legacy of confident, adventurous women divers who mourn her loss and carry memories of her surrounded by swooping giant manta rays or floating out over thousand-foot drop-offs into the deep blue. We will always be looking for her across the bubble trail.” Robin Tyler (comic, activist, and producer) “Two ‘miracles’ happened at the 1977 National Women’s Conference in Houston, Texas. ‘Sexual Preference” was included in the platform. And the second miracle was that I met Boo Price. Boo was producing the ‘lesbian’ music show, and Jean O’Leary, one of the conference co-organizers, asked Boo if she could squeeze me (a comic) in (the show, not personally). We did not become lovers until two weeks later, when she flew to Los Angeles to be with me. And I would fly to Oakland to be with Boo. Back and forth, back and forth. Months later, Boo told me she had to go to Michigan. ‘Who goes to Michigan?’ I asked. ‘Thousands of lesbians,’ was her reply. So, the following August I boarded a plane headed toward Michigan. Once I got on ‘the land,’ two lesbians volunteered to put up my tents. (Yes, tents. One for sleeping, or not, and one filled with canned meat and champagne.) I guess the women (excuse me, womyn) were compassionate when they saw a grown dyke sitting in the dirt crying. Boo

asked her co-producer if I could emcee or perform on the Main Stage. She answered, ‘Music and comedy do not go together.’ Obviously, she had never seen Martin & Lewis. By Saturday, I was on the Main Stage doing jokes about tofu. ‘I hate tofu. I did not give up men to eat tofu! It slithers down your throat!’ And a politically incorrect joke: ‘I wanted to transition to a man, but I did not know how to take 20 points off of my IQ!’ Apparently, lesbians had a sense of humor, as long as the joke wasn’t on them. I returned to California and started The West Coast Women’s Music & Comedy Festival and then to White (you better believe it) County, Georgia, to start the Southern one. I can’t remember how long we were lovers or what happened (to be honest, it will be in the book that is being written about my life, and why should I give it away for free?). Boo was a butch magnet. Like the other lovers in her life, once we recovered, we managed to survive while still loving her. Boo was ‘The Mother of Women’s Music,’ an icon in the movement. There will never be another Boo.” Sharon J. Washington (member of the performing duo the Washington Sisters with her twin Sändra) “Some of you know that Boo moved to an assisted living community in 2021 due to progressing dementia. In many ways, living at Carlton was a familiar place: She and my mom sat at the same dining table, where I would join them a few times a week, and there were frequent live music performances. Almost daily she would place some of her favorite family photos in public spaces, including on the mantel in the main living room. It’s no surprise that she remained a producer: supervising the decorating of the main Christmas tree, and the set-up of music performances. It was a blessing to witness the quintessential Boo, even as the dementia advanced. On two occasions, she called me from the Carlton with an urgent question: ‘Where are you?’ I could tell from her no-nonsense tone that something was up. ‘The band is here, the lead singer is sick, and I’m going to need you to sit in.’ Still producing.” Barbara ‘Boo’ Price, in her own words, reflected on the Montclair Women’s Cultural Arts Club for the San Francisco Bay Times in 2015, upon the club’s closing: https://bit.ly/4hKM0sx

GGBA (continued from pg 11) Kai DeMoss: I spent years cleaning professionally before I ever started my own company, and I saw firsthand how impersonal and transactional the industry could feel, especially for clients who already carry the weight of being misunderstood elsewhere. I wanted to build something different. Kai Cleans exists because I know what it’s like to want a clean, cared-for home and not want to explain your identity, your family structure, or your brain to get it. So, I built the business I wished existed, for the community I’m part of. GGBA: What is your vision for Kai Cleans? Kai DeMoss: I want Kai Cleans to become the trusted name for values-aligned home care in the Bay Area, and eventually beyond it. That means growing beyond individual homes into commercial spaces like gyms and studios that share our community-first values, building out a team that reflects the clients we serve, and creating systems so reliable that a Kai Cleans booking feels exhaling. Long term, I’m placing all my bets on building something that outlasts me: a company where “judgment-free” isn’t a slogan, it’s just how we operate. GGBA: Why did you decide to join

GGBA and how long have you been a member? Kai DeMoss: I joined GGBA because I wanted to be around other entrepreneurs and changemakers who are building something bigger than just a business. As a founder in the LGBTQIA+ community, I was looking for a space where community-minded, values-driven work is the norm rather than the exception, where people are trying to build businesses that actually make life better for the people they serve, not just chase growth for its own sake. GGBA felt like the natural home for that. Being part of the first LGBTQIA+ Chamber of Commerce means being surrounded by people who understand that business and community aren’t separate things. They build each other. GGBA: How has being a member of GGBA helped your business so far? Kai DeMoss: Being part of GGBA has helped Kai Cleans in ways that go beyond typical networking. There’s something genuinely energizing about being part of the first ever LGBTQIA+ Chamber of Commerce. It’s historic, and being in the room for that feels different. I’ve also been inspired by how much passion our CEO and president brings

to strengthening the chamber. That kind of leadership sets the tone for the whole community, and it shows in how welcoming and driven everyone in the network is. Beyond the inspiration, GGBA has given me real opportunities to connect and build relationships with other like-minded entrepreneurs, people who understand what it means to build a business rooted in community and identity, not in spite of it. Those relationships have already started shaping how I think about growth for Kai Cleans. GGBA: Do you go to the GGBA monthly Make Contact networking events? Have they benefited you and your business, and would you recommend them to others? Kai DeMoss: I joined GGBA more recently, at the beginning of 2026, so I’m still in the process of getting to know everyone and easing into the community. I’ve made it to Make Contact when I can, and, even in that short time, I’ve really enjoyed having access to other entrepreneurs who are further along on their own journeys. There’s a lot to learn just from being in the room with people who’ve navigated the same kind of challenges. Beyond the events themselves, opportunities like this member spotlight have given

JUSTER (continued from pg 14) also criminalizes promotion of LGBTQ+ activities, so that anyone who identifies as an ally can also go to jail. And, here in the U.S., a recent candidate for office in Connecticut called for the execution of homosexuals. While I’m happy to say he received bipartisan criticism for his extremist views, we must always be vigilant against those who spread hate. Stay tuned for more suggestions in our next issue. Leather Month September is Leather Month, and the local leather community has a full calendar of events coming up, culminating in the Folsom Street Fair. The LEATHER and LGBTQ Cultural District has been working hard to preserve and share the history of their district, including their walking tour, “SOMA Origins: Bars, Bathhouses & Beyond.” The tour dives into the history of SOMA and its raucous history in the 1970s. This free tour will be available Saturday, September 19, 11:30 am—1:30 pm, with guide Wylde Honey. The District held a Gear Swap ‘n Shop and Outreach at the Up Your Alley Fair in July, and is planning two

GGBA: What other advice would you give to someone who is thinking of starting their own business? Kai DeMoss: Build something rooted in who you are, not just what’s trending. I didn’t start Kai Cleans by chasing a gap in the market. I started it because I understood a specific community’s needs from the inside, and that made every decision after easier, from pricing to marketing to whom I will hire. My other advice: don’t wait until everything feels ready. I treated my first year of being officially in business (2025) as proof of concept, not a finished product, and that gave me room to learn without the pressure of pretending I had it all figured out from day one. You’re not just building a business. You’re placing a bet on yourself. Make it count. https://www.kaicleans.com/

LEWIS/GAFFNEY (continued from pg 16) more, on Sunday, September 13 at the Eagle Beer Bust, and Sunday, September 27, at the Folsom Street Fair. Volunteers will earn $25 credit for each shift worked. And, of course, LeatherWalk is coming up on Sunday, September 20. Their new starting location will be Eagle Plaza. Check in at 10:30 am, step off at 11. The Walk will include 11 iconic stops, ending at Eagle Plaza for the ceremonial raising of the Leather Pride Flag. Register now to be an individual fundraiser, join a team, or walk for fun. For information on all these events, or to register, go to: https://tinyurl.com/sfldo The Golden Girls Live is Returning Get Your Tickets Now! Let’s look forward to happier times—the Golden Girls are coming back to the Curran Theatre to brighten the holiday season with new episodes! Get your tickets now before they sell out: https://tinyurl.com/GGL2026 Joanie Juster is a long-time community volunteer, activist, and ally.

and is very carefully preserved and protected at the museum, just as many people still hold strong to the vision of a peaceful world. There is yet another place where I had a profound experience of feeling enveloped by the powerful electric hum of cicadas: Nagasaki itself. By chance, we visited that city in early August several years ago. At exactly 11:02 am, the minute the bomb had exploded, a bell rang out over the sound of countless cicadas buzzing in the summer heat and humidity. It was then I realized that cicadas were very likely buzzing loudly on the morning of August 9, 1945—stillness, just before everything changed forever. Class reunions represent a coming together of people who shared something deeply meaningful together, but whose lives diverged over the years in myriad ways. Could the sense of wholeness that my class reunion evoked for me and many of my classmates suggest a way forward for the broader world? I will continue to contemplate this question in stillness. (English translation of the Bashō haiku by Robert Hass, The Essential Haiku, Versions of Basho, Buson, & Issa.) John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney, together for over three decades, were plaintiffs in the California case for equal marriage rights decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008. Their leadership in the grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA contributed to making same-sex marriage legal nationwide in 2015. Today, they continue to educate and advocate for marriage equality and LGBTIQ+ rights worldwide.

Oakland. To learn more about Bennie and the other animals available for adoption, visit Oakland Animal Services or email adoption@oaklandsanimals.org

Let’s Go Home! Bennie Is Ready for His Next Chapter Some dogs seem to take the shelter in stride, and Bennie is one of them. At just 2 years old, this energetic, curious pup has already spent more time at Oakland Animal Services than anyone would like. He has been in and out of the shelter while waiting for the right person to come along, but Bennie hasn’t lost his enthusiasm for life or his desire to be part of a family. He loves to explore his surroundings and, perhaps most importantly, stay close to his people. Once he has your attention, he is quite happy to keep it.

Kai Cleans visibility I wouldn’t have had otherwise, and that kind of exposure matters a lot for a business still building its name in the community. I’d absolutely recommend Make Contact to other members, especially newer ones. It’s a low-pressure way to start building real relationships.

Bennie is an active young dog with a resilient spirit, a tremendous love for life, and an easygoing attitude. He is Bennie the kind of companion who would thrive with someone ready to keep him busy and include him in their adventures. After all this time, Bennie deserves the chance to settle into a home where his curiosity, energy, and affectionate nature can truly shine. Could that home be yours? Oakland Animal Services (OAS) is the City of Oakland’s open-admission animal shelter, located at 1101 29th Avenue in

The OAS adoption process focuses on matching you with a pet who is a good fit for you and your family. Come by during open adoption hours Thursdays 12–7 pm and Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays 12–3 pm to adopt your new best friend, or to learn more about the OAS adoption process. Please see the OAS website to learn more about how you can help by adopting, fostering, volunteering, and donating: www.oaklandanimalservices.org S AN FR ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

AUGUS T 27, 2026

Sports

BAY TIMES S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING SIX DECADES Est. 1978

The Bay Area’s Global Sports Stage Keeps Growing

If 2026 has proven anything, it’s that the Bay Area’s moment on the global sports stage isn’t ending anytime soon. With a victory over the Dallas Wings at Chase Center, the Valkyries clinched their second consecutive WNBA playoff berth, and this time they did it with plenty of season still ahead. What a difference a year makes! After fighting for the final playoff spot during their historic inaugural season, the Valkyries became just the third team to clinch a postseason berth this year. My favorite moment came just before halftime, when Tiffany Hayes launched a three-pointer from near the midcourt logo and—swish! The crowd erupted, and so did I watching from home. It felt like one of those moments that completely changed the energy heading into the second half. Adding to the excitement was Stephen Curry cheering courtside alongside several of his Warriors teammates. Watching the celebration on television, you could feel the energy coming through the screen from another sellout crowd at Chase Center. Congratulations, Valkyries. Bring on the playoffs!

Cricket’s California Moment Last month, I promised I’d come back to cricket—and after Major League Cricket’s historic 2026 season, there’s plenty to talk about. California played a starring role this year, with matches held at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and the new Knight Riders Cricket Ground at Fairplex in Pomona, the future LA28 Olympic cricket venue.

Noted activist Olga Talamante was the invited drummer for the Valkyries’ Latino Heritage Night at Chase Center.

The season culminated right here in the Bay Area, as the Los Angeles Knight Riders defeated Washington Freedom to capture their first Major League Cricket championship before a record crowd of nearly 11,000 fans at the Oakland Coliseum. It was a milestone season for Major League Cricket, filled with record-breaking performances and growing American talent. But what excites me most is seeing the sport continue to take hold here in the Bay Area.

San Ramon, in particular, has become a hotbed for cricket, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity throughout the region. This November, fans will have another opportunity to experience the game and see some of its up-and-coming talent at a major cricket tournament in San Ramon. And the momentum is only building. When the Games arrive in California in 2028, cricket will return to the Olympic stage for the first time in 128 years, having last appeared at Paris 1900. I’ve already secured tickets to the women’s cricket bronze medal match at LA28, so I’m excited to see this historic Olympic return firsthand.

And then came another milestone. The very next morning, the WNBA announced that the Valkyries and the San Francisco Bay Area will host the 2027 WNBA All-Star Weekend, culminating with the AllStar Game at Chase Center on Saturday, July 31. It will mark the first time the WNBA’s premier midseason event has been held in the Bay Area. San Francisco was also recently awarded the 2028 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, bringing baseball’s Midsummer Classic back to Oracle Park for the first time since 2007.

From a championship at the Oakland Coliseum to grassroots growth in San Ramon

SAN F RANCISCO BAY T I ME S

BETH SCHNITZER PHOTO

From the Valkyries and WNBA All-Star Weekend to MLB’s biggest stars, the Bay Area’s sports calendar keeps getting bigger. And another global sport is already building its own California momentum: cricket. AU GU ST 2 7 , 2 0 2 6

and an Olympic future taking shape in Southern California, cricket is clearly having a Golden State moment. Elegance Takes Center Stage at Pebble Beach From cricket’s Golden State moment, my sports journey took a decidedly more elegant turn this month. For the second consecutive year, I attended the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and this year was particularly special as the legendary event celebrated its 75th anniversary. With my sister visiting from Madison, Wisconsin, we headed down to Monterey for an unforgettable day. There really is nothing quite like the Concours. Set against the spectacular backdrop of Pebble Beach Golf Links, it sits at the intersection of sport, automotive history, art, design and luxury culture, bringing (continued on page 31)

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Valkyries Keep Raising the Bar

GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES PHOTO

Beth Schnitzer

GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES PHOTO

Beth’s Bay Area Sports Beat

Sports

We arrived early and immediately found ourselves immersed in a fascinating mix of past, present, and future. Futuristic concept cars offered a glimpse of what may be coming next, while some of the world’s rarest collector cars were close enough to admire every detail. We passed the very exclusive Ferrari House, where we saw an impressive car collection. Many of the major automobile sponsors create their own “houses” to entertain clients and VIP guests. And then there was the fashion! From the moment we stepped off the shuttle, it felt a little like the Kentucky Derby had arrived at Pebble Beach. Men sported beautiful blazers and hats, while women wore elegant dresses, fascinators, and fabulous hats. With sleek vehicles everywhere we turned, the entire experience was a celebration of artistry, craftsmanship, and style. We watched collector cars being auctioned for millions of dollars before making our way to the famed 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links. Champagne in hand, we watched the procession of extraordinary automobiles from around the world. This is serious competition. An international team of expert judges evaluates these automobiles for their elegance, technical merit, authenticity, and history. The audience was equally impressive. We heard languages from every direction and met fellow attendees from Norway and Italy. It truly felt like a gathering without borders. The Diamond Jubilee concluded with a 1935 Duesenberg SSJ Special Speedster, once owned by Hollywood legend Clark Gable and presented by Harry Yeaggy, earning the ultimate honor: Best of Show. The event’s rich heritage was also reflected in the official 75th anniversary poster col-

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING SIX DECADES Est. 1978

lection. For the first time, one of the three commemorative works honored the Pebble Beach Road Races, which began in 1950 and ultimately gave rise to the Concours itself—a wonderful reminder of its sporting roots. And there’s plenty more ahead at Pebble Beach. The Concours d’Elegance will return August 15, 2027, while, next June, the world’s best golfers will take to these same legendary grounds when PebBeth and Kris Schnitzer at Pebble Beach ble Beach Golf Links will host the 2027 U.S. its Olympic debut at LA28, with Open Championship. 32 athletes competing July 15–24 From priceless automobiles on the 18th fair- at Universal Studios, against the unforgettable backdrop of the iconic Courtway to championship golf on one of the house Square made famous by Back to the world’s most iconic courses, Pebble Beach Future. remains in a class all its own. World-Class Squash Returns to Silicon Valley And from one iconic California sporting destination to another sport with its sights set on the future, the global spotlight turns next to Silicon Valley. The 2026 Silicon Valley Open Squash Championships will return to Squash Zone in Redwood City October 20–24, bringing some of the world’s top men’s and women’s players—and future Olympians—to the Bay Area. The Gold-level Professional Squash Association World Tour event offers $260,000 in equal player compensation and continues the tradition of the groundbreaking Oracle NetSuite Open, which brought world-class squash to San Francisco from 2013 to 2022.

After watching cricket build momentum toward its Olympic return earlier in this column, it seems fitting to close with another international sport whose Olympic story is just beginning. Bay Area fans will have the opportunity to see some of the players who could be part of that his-

BETH SCHNITZER PHOTO

With wildfires burning near Big Sur, we weren’t sure what to expect, but, thankfully, the smoke didn’t impact the air quality. Instead, we were greeted by a cool, foggy Pebble Beach morning that somehow made the entire setting feel even more dramatic.

BETH SCHNITZER PHOTO

(continued from page 30) together remarkable cars and enthusiasts from across the globe.

BAY TIMES

tory right here in Redwood City. Squash is also high on my LA28 wish list, and I plan to try for tickets in an upcoming Olympic ticket drop. The road to LA28 is getting more exciting by the day! Signing off from the Bay, where passion meets the play. Beth Schnitzer, is the Co-Founder and President of Spritz and the former President of WISE (Women in Sports and Events).

And, this year, there’s another reason to pay attention. For the first time in the sport’s more than 200-year history, squash is headed to the Olympic Games. The sport will make

BETH SCHNITZER PHOTO

In August 2026, artist Akila “Kiki” Monifa received a Certificate of Recognition from Congressmember Lateefah Simon for the debut of Monifa’s show, Blessings From a Blesbian Boomer, which runs through the end of the month at the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. For more information: https://bit.ly/4ipwRNt

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AUGUS T 27, 2026

MILLER (continued from pg 10)

GREENE (continued from pg 12)

4. Your family may not match the legal template. The law has not evolved past the eighteenth-century nuclear household, which is a polite way of saying it was not written with many families in mind. This reaches well beyond who inherits what, into who is allowed to visit you in the hospital and who signs off on your care when you can’t speak for yourself. Naming those people now is how you keep the default rules from naming someone else. How Brio’s Integrated Estate Planning Works Your Brio advisor and Miguel coordinate directly on titling, beneficiary designations, and legal structures, which means you aren’t the one carrying messages between us. Mention an out-of-state home purchase to Miguel and your advisor hears about it and looks at the financial side. Tell your advisor about a major life change and Miguel refreshes the documents that need refreshing. Attorney-client privilege stays fully intact. You’ll have a separate contract with Miguel, and while Brio pays for his services, you control what he shares with us and what we share with him. If you’d rather keep something private, you put it in writing and it stays private. Meet Shannon Alongside Miguel, you’ll also work with our amazing Shannon Kennedy, Brio’s Director of Community Engagement and Life Plan Specialist, as well as a Certified Senior Advisor®. Consider Shannon your go-to-guide for putting all the non-paperwork pieces into your real life. Shannon will talk with you about what retirement looks like day to day, what your support system looks like now and how to make it sturdier, where home might be tomorrow, and what would make that home safe. When you nominate an executor, she calls that person to make sure they’re comfortable with the job, because it’s kinder for everyone to know in advance. Then everything gets stored centrally, so the details sit in one place instead of scattered

across a lifetime of accounts and passwords. The Hard Part Isn’t the Paperwork Nobody arrives at estate planning conversations excited. People do it because they love somebody, and because somewhere in the back of their mind is an image of their family at a kitchen table guessing what they would have wanted. You can trade that image for a much better one, and you don’t have to do it alone.

often override what a will says and can move assets outside probate. Retirement accounts and life insurance commonly pass by beneficiary form, not by will. California estate planning guidance says beneficiary designations are a critical part of the plan because they control where significant assets go and whether families face probate. That is why a complete plan is really a coordinated system. The documents have to match each other, not just exist on paper. Steps to Take Now

Book a complimentary Make It Happen meeting to learn more.

Start by checking whether your documents, account titles, and beneficiary forms still match your wishes.

This material presented by Brio Financial Group (“Brio”) is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for personalized investment advice or as a recommendation or solicitation of any particular security, strategy, or investment product. Facts presented have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however, Brio cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, and certain information presented here may have been condensed or summarized from its original source. Brio does not provide legal or tax advice, and nothing contained in these materials should be taken as legal or tax advice. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Brio and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advice may be rendered by Brio Financial Group unless a client service agreement is in place. For more information about our advisory services and fees, please refer to our ADV brochure found at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/

- Review your will, trust, powers of attorney, and health care documents together. - Confirm that real estate and major accounts are titled correctly. - Update beneficiary designations after major life changes.

Brandon Miller, CFP®, is a financial consultant at Brio Financial Group in San Francisco, specializing in helping LGBT individuals and families plan and achieve their financial goals. For more information: https://www.briofg.com/

Flexible meeting options are available for Bay Area clients who need a convenient way to review their estate planning documents. A complete estate plan is less about collecting forms and more about making sure each piece works when it is needed. If your plan has not been reviewed in a while, a quick check can prevent bigger problems later. Contact Greene Law Firm, P.C. today. Call 415-905-0215 or email info@greenelawfirm.com for a free initial assessment. Statements in Compliance With California Rules of Professional Conduct The materials in this article are for educational purposes only and are not legal advice. Consult an estate planning attorney for personalized guidance. Attorney Jay Patrick Greene, Esq., CPA, founded Greene Law Firm, P.C., which is licensed in California, Alabama, and Florida. He has over 15 years of experience concerning wills, trusts, probate, elder law, and asset protection. For more information, visit: https://assetprotectionbayarea.com

LENOBLE (continued from pg 20) have really tried to do, and this happened when I first got here and it was also during the pandemic when we were sheltering in place, is I try not to say “no” to myself when there’s something I’m interested in. I went down this rabbit hole about watches and timepieces, and it was just so much fun to learn about these things and re-fall in love with watches, because it’s something that I’ve loved since I was a kid. Then I fell in love with guitars and how they’re made and what they’re made of. Right now, I am building a lot with Legos and having a lot of fun with that, too. Tom LeNoble: If you had a totally unexpected, out-of-the-blue day off in San Francisco, where would you go? Imani Rupert-Gordon: I don’t have a whole lot of those, but if one just were to materialize, I’d end up at a museum. meet up with a friend, and see something we didn’t expect. That is always a fun thing to do. I know there’s a ramen tasting menu where it is very hard to get a reservation; but, if I could, I’d love to go. And I’m always going to give a shout out to the Valkyries. I just love watching them play. It has been so much fun, but also, I just really appreciate their gameplay, too. Tom LeNoble is an international speaker, confidential advisor, and resilience strategist who works with leaders navigating meaningful inflection points in life and leadership. He has held senior leadership roles at MCI, Walmart.com, Palm, and Facebook, and high growth startups. He is the author of the award-winning memoir “My Life in Business Suits, Hospital Gowns, and High Heels.” Through speaking, coaching, and writing, he explores resilience, leadership, and the choices that shape how we show up for others and for the communities we serve. https://www.tomlenoble.com/

ROSTOW (continued from pg 23) rubric, which Russia’s highest court said back in 2023 would encompass GLBT advocates. I used to report these stories out of Russia as outlandish attacks on our community, but under Trump 2.0, they resonate as precursors to our own fate. Finally, I noticed in checking out the Democratic Socialists that they oppose aid to Ukraine and are against sanctions on Russia. Do they really think Putin’s Russia represents a Marxist utopia? arostow@aol.com 32

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Le Creuset 4.5-Quart Dutch Oven in New Color, Nectar Warmed by the sun and sweetened by nature, Nectar evokes the honeyed warmth of a late summer harvest. The iconic Le Creuset Dutch oven is indispensable in the kitchens of home cooks and professional chefs alike. $419.99

Mahogany 100% Indian Cotton Table Linens Beautiful hand-screened prints are on tablecloths in two sizes with matching placemats, table runners, and napkins also available. 60”x90” $59.99 and 60”x120” $67.99 Keep up with Cliff’s Variety news at Facebook ( https://bit.ly/4qh1Xbb ) & IG @hilario_sf

As Heard on the Street . . . What is a favorite film?

Kiki Krunch

“The Shape of Water”

Monica Rose Brennan “Hamnet, which is visually gorgeous and magnificently acted. Everyone connected with that movie deserved an Oscar.”

Chuck Bierwirth

“Skidoo, which is Otto Preminger’s wet kiss to SF’s hippie culture of the 60s with an all-star cast and music by Harry Nilsson”

Linda Summers

“To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. It gave me a new outlook on life.”

compiled by Rink

John Daniel

“Dark City, with every scene an art piece, with mythic, philosophical and psychological themes. It has great acting and an unexpected hero at the end. Plus it stars Kiefer Sutherland and William Hurt.”

Visit the New Castro Street Cam #5 Presented by the San Francisco Bay Times in partnership with Cliff ’s Variety, Orphan Andy’s, and SoulCycle

Watch 24/7 livestreaming views of The Castro Theatre, along with other landmarks. www.sfbaytimes.com/castro-street-cam/ S AN FR ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

AUGUS T 27, 2026

BAY TIMES S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING SIX DECADES Est. 1978

San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Announces Season 49: RISING The nationally acclaimed San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) and The Chan National Queer Arts Center (The Chan) this week announced programming for Season 49: RISING, an exuberant 2026–27 season celebrating the power of music to bring people together, lift spirits, and raise voices. Single tickets for all concerts and events will go on public sale beginning Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at https://www.sfgmc.org/

has shown what can happen when LGBTQ+ people refuse to be silent—and choose instead to raise our voices together. At a moment when our rights, our stories, and our communities are under attack, we are not shrinking from the world. We are rising to meet it—with joy, courage, and song. As we begin our 49th season and look toward our 50th anniversary, we are not simply celebrating a remarkable history. We are singing the future into being.”

The new season spans SFGMC’s signature Holiday Spectacular concerts in four Bay Area theaters—including a return to the historic Castro Theatre for the first time since 2023 with Home for the Holidays—to a mainstage celebration of the unforgettable songs and artists behind One-Hit Wonders, culminating just in time for June Pride with DIVAS!, a joyous tribute to the legendary voices, larger-than-life personalities, and music that have inspired generations and become part of the soundtrack of LGBTQ+ life.

Artistic Director Jake Stensberg said, “We live in a time that asks a great deal of us. Season 49: RISING is our answer. Across three mainstage concerts, an intimate cabaret, and a season rooted in community, we lift ourselves and each other, because rising to meet this moment, together, is exactly what music is for. The world needs art like this. Joy like this. Resistance like this. We’re here for it, and I’m so glad you are too.” San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Concerts SFGMC will usher in the December holiday season with Artistic Director Jake Stensberg on the podium, leading the

Let your spirits soar with music, laughter, and a healthy dose of holiday sparkle! Whether you’re humming along to “Sleigh Ride,” singing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” or grooving to holiday hits from Elton John, Ariana Grande, and Celine Dion, SFGMC has your soundtrack to the season covered. Throw in a diva medley that will have you dancing to “all the jingle ladies,” and you’ve got the recipe for holiday cheer. Heartfelt, hilarious, and fabulously festive, these holiday performances bring families, friends, and chosen family together for a tradition that shines brighter every year. December 4–5, 2026 - Holiday Spectacular at the Golden Gate Theatre December 19, 2026 - Holiday Spectacular at Cal Performances, UC Berkeley December 20, 2026 - Holiday Spectacular at the Green Music Center, Sonoma State University December 24, 2026 - Holiday Spectacular at the Castro Theatre: Home for the Holidays

One-Hit Wonders What’s that one song that gets you moving? The one that brings you back to latenight drives, packed dance floors, or the moment you finally felt like yourself. The best songs don’t just top the charts. They become part of our story. Through unforgettable anthems, personal stories from SFGMC singers, and plenty of heart and humor, those memories come to life. Come along on this feel-good ride through music’s greatest one-hit wonders. March 20, 2027 - One-Hit Wonders at the Curran Theatre DIVAS! The divas who raised eyebrows, broke rules, and gave us permission to be unapologetically ourselves take center stage in a Pride celebration like no other. These are the women whose voices didn’t just rise—they raised generations of listeners along with them, giving queer communities a soundtrack for survival, protest, joy, and self-expression. From show-stopping anthems to boundary-breaking performances, these songs have kept us dancing, dreaming, and rising for generations. Let’s turn the volume all the way up for the icons who helped us find our voice. June 5, 2027 - DIVAS!

Chief Executive Officer Lane Sugata, who begins their first season leading SFGMC, said, “RISING is both a celebration and a call to action. For 49 years, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus

Chan Center Performances Make Them Hear You, October 17, 2026

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DAVE ANDRADE/SFGMC

BREE ROSSI/SFGMC

DAVE ANDRADE/SFGMC

Every voice has a story worth hearing. SFGMC brings Broadway’s most powerful moments into an intimate cabaret setting with songs of courage, longing, and self-discovery. Through unforgettable (continued on page 50)

DAVE ANDRADE/SFGMC

A vibrant lineup of special events and community programs will also animate The Chan throughout the season, including a high-energy Queer Lunar New Year celebration welcoming the Year of the Goat, a spirited Britpop Sing-Along, an intimate Broadway cabaret, and more.

powerful 250 voices of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, joined by a dozen dancers and a virtuosic eight-piece band for this year’s Holiday Spectacular.

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Charlie Barnett Talks About Dreams in Nightmares Benton was attached to it. I was a huge Gilded Age fan. And it was something I had never done. It is important to me to show the queer experience. Gary M. Kramer: Whereas the main characters are slightly adrift in life, Reece is a very caring, loving, and supportive partner for Z. What appealed to you about his character and what backstory did you give him?

Film Gary M. Kramer Out gay actor Charlie Barnett has a supporting role in Dreams in Nightmares, an engrossing drama opening September 4, 2026, about a group of queer friends, Z (Denée Benton), Tasha (Sasha Compère), and Lauren (Dezi Bing), who go on a road trip to find their missing friend, Kel (Mars Rucker). Barnett plays Reece, Z’s partner, who is in a polyamorous relationship that includes Dionne (Malek Mouzon). He supports Z as she calls Reece from the road. Barnett delivers a warm, assured performance that is a nice contrast to the main action. Dreams in Nightmares also benefits from letting the audience sit with the film’s characters as they grapple with their emotions and determine how to move forward. Barnett spoke with me for the San Franscisco Bay Times about playing queer characters and making Dreams in Nightmares. Gary M. Kramer: How did you get involved in this film? Charlie Barnett: I just finished Star Wars, and I told my team that I really wanted to do something that had a little bit of grounding and was pushing the boundaries of storytelling. I wanted to experience a different kind of environment than Star Wars, which is so epically built. I wanted something homey. Shatara [Michelle Ford, the director] reached out to my team, which is so incredibly heartwarming and humbling, because they are an incredible artist. When I read the script, I was already sunk. Denée

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Charlie Barnett: He’s sturdy. The academia was a big trigger. I love to work on characters beforehand, and I also love throwing things away—this isn’t serviceable; let’s lose it. Because Reece works so closely with students and is an educator, there is a patience and understanding and a willingness. In a class, each person learns a different way. If a teacher can teach one lesson, but tap into each student’s muscles, they become a powerful source of education and communication and community. That was something for Reece I wanted to initiate through all aspects of his life, both in his relationships at home and at work. I love exploring femininity and masculinity and on the page the character and the environment of the piece are truly beautiful. People think it is a women’s story, so it’s feminine, but there is a lot of masculinity, and having a tinge of seeing someone strong in a soft way has always been of interest to me as an artist. Reece felt like a perfect embodiment of that. Gary M. Kramer: Reece and Z are polyamorous. Can you share more about his relationship with both Z and Dionne? We get glimpses of it and what I like is how viewers can fill in their own thoughts about their relationship. Charlie Barnett: Playing any sexual orientation or relationship structure, it’s “lead with love.” I talked with friends in either open or in poly relationships, and that is where I got a lot of inside information. The scenes we were playing, detail work wasn’t necessary. It was more showing on screen that we can all love each other in different (continued on page 44)

Deciphering Movie Credits Lingo Gilbert loved working with Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe because they were friendly to the crew. But when working with Alan Ladd on Boy on a Dolphin, he had to make sure that no background extras were taller than Ladd, who was 5 feet 6 inches tall. He had to make sure that the ramps all worked to make Ladd look taller.

Off the Wahl Jan Wahl

At last, all of your questions about what the credits at the end of a movie refer to are answered. The answers are in a great book: The Film Crew of Hollywood: Profiles of Grips, Cinematographers, Designers, Gaffers, Stuntmen, and Makeup Artists (McFarland, 2013). Author James C. Udel—who is also a grip (more about that later), archivist, and union call steward— gives us an in-depth look at ten individual career paths that make the art of film possible. Each professional’s entire career is catalogued and turned into a timeline so we all understand exactly what they do. The Odyssey can be a window into this world, because the most important aspect of it for me is how the movie has excited a new generation of people about the art of filmmaking. I have heard that most audiences wait to read the credits after the film. So, if you are wondering what the lighting, the camera, the makeup, and other behind-thescenes positions specifically refer to, The Film Crew of Hollywood is a book for you. I get asked at least once a week what the word “gaffer” means. When we talk about the collaborative effort of making movies, one irreplaceable craft is that of lighting. The largely unsung individual who uses lights as a painter uses brushes is the gaffer. From pulling cables to directing stars where to hit their lighting mark, gaffers go everywhere from wide shots to film noir. The gaffer they interview in this book, Earl Gilbert, worked on big movies such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and The King and I. Because of the hot lights on the set, Gilbert had to make sure sprinklers didn’t trigger and fires didn’t start.

Among the myriad of crafts that converge to bring a movie to life, few are more demanding than the profession of makeup. A face-fixer requires a mix of colorist, painter, sculptor, and psychologist, all in the same day! Makeup artist Dan Striepeke toiled on big movies like Around the World in 80 Days, The Ten Commandments, and Giant. He made up extras, stuntpeople, and stars. Running Universal Pictures’ makeup department, he was responsible for the bloodletting process and formulas, prosthetics, bald caps, and hair. On Spartacus, Striepeke was chosen to accentuate all the gladiators’ perfect muscle tone. Much of the amazing cinematography in the movie The Odyssey was done with cranes and dolly shots. The person who puts this specialized equipment together, working as what they call “The Extra Hammer,” is the key grip. They are also known for rigging drag lines behind horses, such as those for Clark Gable, who insisted on doing his own stunts in The Misfits. From rough-and-tumble stuntmen and stuntwomen to cinematographers who lensed close-ups and long shots, from automotive designers to production designers, this is a book with more information than you will ever need about behind-the-scenes Hollywood. The personal stories about working on the films from the point of view of these specific professionals make it a fun and informative read. Learn more at the publisher’s site: https://bit.ly/4qDj6x1 While not as fun to read, the International Federation of Film Archives has created an extensive, detailed “Glossary of Filmographic Terms” at https://bit.ly/4xkihLO Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian and film critic on various broadcast outlets. She has two Emmys and many awards for her longtime work on behalf of film buffs and the LGBTQ community. S AN FR ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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PHOTO COURTESY OF JUAN R. DAVILA

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PHOTO COURTESY OF DILIGENCE SECURITY

Oakland Pride 2026

PHOTO BY JERRY PARMER

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PHOTO COURTESY OF JUAN R. DAVILA

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Oakland Pride 2026

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BAY TIMES S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING SIX DECADES Est. 1978

Top of your stack Recommendations from Book Passage

Morning in Marin: Zen, Drugs, and Ewoks on the California Coast (nonfiction - hardcover) by David Perlis

Blending pop culture, biography, and a deeply affectionate sense of place into an immersive narrative history, Morning in Marin traces a movement of Zen thinkers, Beat poets, mystic feminists, and psychedelic rockers from their radical beginnings through their crises and contradictions. Forging an unbroken chain from bohemians and Beats to New Age and New Hollywood, Perlis reveals how the people, places, and ideas of Marin combined to create a lasting American mythology. The Disappearers (fiction - hardcover) by Marlon James In 1988, eight men in Kingston, Jamaica, begin rehearsals for a play. The men are strangers to one another and each has a different reason for being involved. But they all share one inescapable truth: All of them are gay, and all of them must contend with the dangers that such a truth lays bare. This stunning, can’t miss novel is gaining widespread acclaim, and was recently longlisted for the Booker Prize.

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A Life in Lyrics: The Official Creative Legacy of Freddie Mercury (nonfiction - hardcover) by Freddie Mercury with Mary Austin

An essential book for fans of Freddie Mercury, A Life in Lyrics is a collection of stories, memories, and anecdotes gathered from Freddie’s lifelong companion, Mary Austin. A collection of lyrics, drafts, and ephemera, illustrated with photographs from Freddie’s personal collection, many of which have never been published before, this is the definitive creative record of one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Upcoming Events Tuesday, September 1 @ 6 pm (non-ticketed - Corte Madera store) David Perlis, Morning in Marin David Perlis joins us at our Corte Madera store to discuss his revelatory cultural history of free spirits and wild ideas, ranging from

Alan Watts to George Lucas and far beyond.

Wednesday, September 9 @ 7 pm (ticketed - Dominican University) Angela Duckworth with Steve Kerr, Situated: Find the People and Places That Bring Out Your Best Experience a conversation between Steve Kerr and psychologist, MacArthur Fellow, and professor Angela Duckworth about her new book, Situated. Saturday, September 19 @ 11 am (ticketed - Corte Madera store) Isabel Allende, Story Telling: A Writing Life This unforgettable talk explores the profound exploration of the art and magic of writing from a friend of Book Passage and one of the best-selling authors of all-time, Isabel Allende. https://www.bookpassage.com

Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb From a Fun Nun

Sister Dana sez, “Happy LABOR DAY! And I don’t really care if you wear white after Labor Day!” The rule against wearing white after Labor Day started in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a mix of practical weather habits and strict upper-class social signaling by the elite. That ain’t us! This year, Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7, 2026, which is the latest possible date the holiday can occur. This is the unofficial end of summer and a federal holiday honoring the American labor movement. FABULOSA BOOKS presented yet another of their informative, inspirational Author Talks (they don’t call it Fabulosa for nothin’) at 498 Castro Street on August 16. We truly enjoyed the Q&A with Dr.

gelicalism has been less dominant and more vulnerable than previously thought, Stell describes a network of authors, ministers, and professors—all veterans of major evangelical institutions— who worked in the 1970s and 1980s to persuade Christians that their churches should affirm the relationships and ministries of gay and lesbian members. By the late 1970s, some even thought that these activists might shape the future of evangeli- Dennis McMillan (aka Sister Dana Van Iquity) with author Dr. William Stell at Fabulosa Books on August 16, 2026 calism. That specroadblocks to potential oversight efforts. ulation proved mistaken, and the anti-gay Executive privilege is NOT absolute! Conevangelical majority eventually overpowgress should be able to override it as part of ered the gay-affirming minority. Stell’s book the legislative branch of government with its shines a brilliant light on this largely forlegitimate function showing a demonstragotten chapter in American evangelicalism. bly critical need for oversight. Sister Dana Drawing on extensive archival research and sez, “Unfortunately, under this awful interviews, Stell documents the work of four autocratic, imperialistic government, prominent activists: the founder of a prethe prez and HIS butt-smooching Condominantly LGBTQ denomination called the Metropolitan Community Churches, the gress have the last say. But WE the people say, ‘Down with Trump and leader of a gay advocacy organization called his monstrous minions!” Evangelicals Concerned, and the evangelical feminist coauthors of the influential book According to PolitiFact on August 14, Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? By recoverTrump devoted 45,000 words since Januing the successes of evangelical gay activists ary to construction on such projects as the and the struggles of their opponents, Stell’s Reflecting Pool and the Golden Ballroom. account transforms how we think about He mentioned these at 84 events across 66 evangelicalism, how we talk about the culdays, more than a quarter of all his pubture wars, and how we approach both relilic events during that period. He has talked gion in queer movements and queer activism more about them than topics that we citin religious movements. As a former memizens truly care about, such as the econber of an anti-gay Xtian cult in Redwood omy and immigration. Sister Dana sez, City for seven years, 1972–1979 (where they “We know that talkative Trump can preached, “Homosexuality is the same as be wordy, but why is this windbag so murder in the eyes of God,” to which I tried loquacious and gabby about the same to disagree and then got an exorcism on the stupid issues about which we citizens church floor), I really identified with this could care less?!” exceptional book. Buy it at Fabulosa!! In the upcoming midterm elections, we San Francisco queer artist June Petrie need to flip four MAGA-held states: Monexhibits her layered acrylic and mixed-metana, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Wiscondia abstract paintings at Fabulosa Books. sin. As President Barack Obama says, Landscapes, animals (especially the glit“A House majority will be the first line of tered roosters), figures, and cosmic imagery defense and first step forward in protectemerge. Catch her statement: ing our democratic system!” Sister Dana Instagram:@junepetrieartist. sez, “Oh how I wish Obama was OUR On August 11, just hours after Todd Blanche president—or maybe in the future ... a judge in the Supreme Court!” was sworn in as Trump’s Attorney General,

PHOTO COURTESY OF DYLAN LALANNE-PERKINS

By Sister Dana Van Iquity

William Stell who has written “BORN AGAIN QUEER,” which was presented by Metropolitan Community Church SF (MCC) and was beautifully moderated by Senior Pastor Rev. Daniel Borysewicz. MCC provided free pink stickers stating, “God Thinks You Are Fabulous.” Well, no wonder MCC boldly states on its free pink cards, “We are a home for Queer Spirituality” and “Where Your Queerness Is Not Only Welcomed But Celebrated!” Way back before I became a nun, I used to volunteer as a ball-caller for Bingo as a fundraiser at their church just three blocks from my home. Then, in 1985, when I became a nun, it was only natural to fundraise there in total Sister drag and makeup. But MCC has now moved to 1620 Gough Street. From where did all this evangelical homophobia come anyway? Most evangelicals feel entitled to hate LGBTQ people and deprive us from our civil rights—backing their bigotry with supposed Bible verses. Side note: Didn’t Jesus say there is only one commandment, to love thy neighbor as thyself? Hello!? We queers are your neighbor! This book shows the history of evangelical gay activism versus the making of anti-gay Xtianity. Evangelicals claim that their opposition to homosexuality is an inherent feature of their faith, rooted in their unchanging beliefs about the Bible. Most scholars, journalists, and observers have accepted this account; in Born Again Queer, Stell upends it. Arguing that the anti-gay majority in evan-

the Department of Justice moved to shield “Dear Leader” from accountability. Releasing a memo from the Office of Legal Counsel, this act expanded the scope of executive privilege. The new guidance would extend privilege to communications with “private advisors so long as they relate to official presidential decision-making, involve or reflect communications with the president or his direct advisors, and are confidential.” This matters because it may curtail 42

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Tyrant Trump plans to send 1,000 poll monitors nationwide. Sister Dana sez, “More like election HARASSERS!”

According to Queerty, Republicans were just busted creating fake “local news” outlets online to deceive swing state voters. Looking into a network of seemingly independent news sources in key battleground states, they uncovered a common thread: sites like “Iowa Voice” and “Maine Policy (continued on page 44)

KRAMER (continued from pg 36) and equal ways. That was the core that was special to me. Gary M. Kramer: Do you gravitate to playing nice, stable queer guys, or are you concerned about being typecast in these types of roles? Charlie Barnett: I get to balance between playing straight roles that are very different and a project where I am playing queer—a variety of queer; sometimes I’m bi. Then I will play something straight. I never really put it together that many of my queer characters are soft and gentle like me. In Orange Is the New Black, I played a lover of one of the guards and that role is very different. It is hard not to be typecast. People know what you do, [so] they will put you in a similar vein, but I really try to reach the Viola Davis, Meryl Streep, and Jessica Chastain that each person you put on screen is different without putting on a body suit and a fake nose. Gary M. Kramer: Do you aspire, as many actors do, to write and direct your own films or series? Charlie Barnett: I fight it. I am a true believer in not investing deeper into this industry. I love many parts of this industry, but I despise the business side of it, even in selling yourself. As a producer, you are selling yourself and your project. As a director, you are still auditioning, and you have to earn your place—which I have a difficulty with. But from a creative sense, I cannot turn away from the fact that I feel a calling towards directing. I’ve dabbled with it, but not enough to put any titles out there yet. I don’t want to be a mogul. I am not interested in creating an empire. As much as I respect people who are doing that, I do not see that in my future, and it is not something I need. I want to have enough money to buy a farm and do some fun art and invite friends. Maybe I’m a hippie. Gary M. Kramer: You have appeared in many queer films and TV series in the past 20 years since I first saw you in Alan Brown’s film Private Romeo fifteen years ago. Can you talk about the importance of taking on projects like Dreams in Nightmares and making Black queer art? Charlie Barnett: It is why this script, this story, was a huge pull for me. I was adopted and I’m biracial. It presents a complicated relationship with myself and the commu-

nity. Even being mixed race is incredibly beautiful. It’s an amazing blessing but it can leave [you] feeling on the bounds and not feeling you fit it. A lot of people feel that way, but it has different contexts and different lenses—that you are not accepted or can’t find your place. This project, being so deeply infused, was like alarm bells going off in my mind. This is what you have been wanting and calling for—to be seen as part of the community and reflect in that positioning, truly, and be honored to be there and celebrate it. But also, that I do not have to work for this. That was special for me to be able to work with people and being surrounded by that. As a bigger scope it is incredibly important to me, because it is part of my life and to see those stories as reflected from a place of representation and acceptance and loving myself and the community as a whole. And as much as it is a huge part of it, we are not surrounded by it at all times. We see the darkness but also experience life instead of having to proclaim it. Only by widening that voice do we get to playing those corners. Gary M. Kramer: While Z, Tasha, and Lauren embark on a “quintessentially American road trip,” your character stays home. Charlie Barnett: You can call it a road trip movie, but it is so much more than that—creatively, artistically, story-wise. That’s what I love, love, love about Shatara. Gary M. Kramer: What is a memorable road trip that you have gone on? Charlie Barnett: I’ve been driving across this country since I was 15. I love to drive across this country, and I suggest it to people often. So many people don’t get to see the inner guts of America and I think it’s worth a visit. What’s my most memorable? The ones with my family. My sister once hit me in the face with a seatbelt and cracked a tooth! That was a memorable one. © 2026 Gary M. Kramer Gary M. Kramer is the author of “Independent Queer Cinema: Reviews and Interviews,” and the co-editor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina.” He teaches Short Attention Span Cinema at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute and is the moderator for Cinema Salon, a weekly film discussion group. Follow him on IG @garyemkramer

SISTER DANA (continued from pg 42) Updates” might seem like places you can turn to for actual policy updates. But, when you start reading some of the (almost certainly AI-generated) articles, something doesn’t quite add up. That is because they are all funded by the same dark money group One Nation. And that money leads straight to a Senate GOP Super PAC. The sites feature articles tailored to foster a favorable opinion of Republican lawmakers in states like Ohio, Alaska, and Georgia, where Trump-aligned figures predict a tougher-than-usual midterm battle. It’s not a simple case of touting the accomplishments of Republicans and putting down 44

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their Democratic opponents. These sites peddle in utter falsehoods, giving GOP candidates credit for changes they had nothing to do with, and falsely accusing Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff of wanting to “gut” a child tax credit initiative in Georgia. Sister Dana sez, “It’s so typical of Repugnicans to lie and cheat whenever they can!” To those folx wondering why I suddenly have a big, black eye and cheek, I will explain. After the SF Pride Parade, I fell to the asphalt. And a week later, I tripped and fell in my home. Sister Dana sez, “Now you can call me ‘The Fall Guy’!”

Katrina Blackstone and the Long Arc of Love in Practice

Photos courtesy of Katrina Blackstone Katrina Blackstone

she performs with them. She listens deeply, lifts others up, and treats every rehearsal, every gig, every community moment as an opportunity to make someone feel seen. That’s PMLE (Practice Makes Love Easy) in action.

Practice Makes Love Easy Kippy Marks

As an artist rooted in resilience and joy, Katrina reminds us that love is not soft; it’s steady. It’s the courage to show up with your full voice, even when the world feels loud. It’s the choice to create beauty, connection, and belonging wherever you go.

The heart of the Bay Area has a sound, and, if you listen closely, you’ll hear Katrina Blackstone right at its center—a vocalist whose voice doesn’t just fill a room; it warms it. As the nineteenth individual to be profiled in this column, Katrina embodies love as a daily discipline, artistry as service, and community as a living, breathing rhythm.

Katrina Blackstone practices love the way she sings: boldly, generously, and with a devotion that transforms everyone lucky enough to be in the room, and I am honored to call her a friend.

Katrina sings the way some people pray— with intention, with generosity, and with a tenderness that invites you to exhale. Whether she’s onstage weaving jazz, soul, and electronic textures into something unmistakably her own, or offstage mentoring young artists and uplifting creatives, she practices love the way musicians practice scales: consistently, consciously, and until it becomes second nature.

Katrina Blackstone: Loving people and themes of the heart have always come naturally to me, and have been present in my music through fifteen-plus years as a professional vocalist. Really practicing that love toward myself is something that’s deepened over the last eight years as I’ve moved through an inner healing journey. For the past three years, that journey has informed my vocal activation work, helping people move from head to heart.

Our story together stretches back to the early days of my artistic becoming, when her voice first struck me as something both celestial and grounding, a sound that could hold a room steady while lifting every heart inside it. That bond deepened profoundly during my second CD project, The Arrival, where Katrina became the featured performer on my track “In All Ways.” She didn’t just sing the song; she completed it. Her vocals gave the piece its emotional architecture: the tenderness, the ache, the quiet triumph. That collaboration remains one of the most defining creative moments of my career. Her collaborations across the Bay—from grassroots stages to internationally touring projects—reveal a truth about her artistry: Katrina doesn’t just perform for people;

Kippy Marks: How long have you been involved with the practicing of PMLE values in your work?

Kippy Marks: Who or what motivated you to become the community activist you are today?

hasn’t come easily for so many people, often stemming from childhood. It’s become a big part of my mission to help people tune into their heart and liberate their unique voice, because I really believe that it has the power to unlock everything else in their life.

say it definitely started about eight years ago, when I began the inner healing work that eventually helped me realize I wanted to use my voice as a tool for healing myself and others ... and for helping them reclaim their voice too.

Kippy Marks: How old were you when you made that decision?

Kippy Marks: What advice would you give to others on how to practice love on the daily?

Katrina Blackstone: You’re putting me on the spot ... your girl is ageless, after all! [Laughs] But if we’re talking about a decision point, it wasn’t really one moment; it’s been a lifelong journey. In the way I show up on this current trajectory, though, I’d

Katrina Blackstone: Connecting more to ourselves and to each other, this is definitely where it’s at. It starts with ourselves, taking a moment each morning to set the (continued on page 50)

Katrina Blackstone: I wouldn’t necessarily call myself an activist in the traditional sense, but I do think of myself as an advocate for love, and for seeing the threads that connect us rather than what separates us. I really saw this firsthand a few years ago, when I began facilitating group experiences at an international yoga school in Bali, working with people from many different countries and cultures. What I saw, over and over, is that, no matter someone’s background or identity, we mostly want the same things: a sense of belonging, to be heard and understood, and to express ourselves with ease. That last one

Katrina Blackstone guiding “Sing Yourself Free - Vocal Activation” at Mindvalley University S AN FR ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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BAY TIMES S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING SIX DECADES Est. 1978

Get to the Point: Point Reyes Is Worth A Visit reach an idyllic paradise.

David Landis Aren’t we lucky to live in the Bay Area? There are so many destinations within reach: Napa/Sonoma, Tahoe, Carmel/ Monterey, Santa Barbara, Yosemite, Mendocino, and more. But there’s one that’s even closer, yet often overlooked: namely, Point Reyes. Back in the day, my husband and I used to hike the Point Reyes National Seashore and then chow down at a number of homey cafes in Point Reyes Station, as well as the iconic Manka’s in Inverness. But truth be told, I haven’t been there in at least 20 years. So, when I heard about the opening of the Olema House in Olema, as well as a new place to check out in Point Reyes Station, I thought, “Well, it’s high time!” Olema is only a bit over an hour away from San Francisco in West Marin, but it is a world away. Once you leave our urban enclave, you traverse rolling hills, redwood groves, farmland, and more to

When you arrive at the property, you’re immediately captivated by the gorgeously landscaped grounds that sit on several acres adjacent to a gurgling stream. The building is more than 100 years old, but looks and feels contemporary. That’s due to a recent re-do that feels, as the inn describes, “luxurious without the formality.” And great news for dog folks: Olema House welcomes your canine friends! The genial General Manager Frank Caiazzo is a welcoming host who grew up in West Marin and clearly knows the territory. Our well-appointed suite boasted: a marble bathroom with an expansive shower, an ample living space with both a fireplace and a big-screen TV, a small but inviting deck overlooking the grounds, and a separate sleeping area. My only caveat for older guests like me is that the sleeping area is up a staircase in a loft-like setting (and hard to maneuver for those late night visits to the bathroom). So, when you reserve, you may want to look at other options that are on one level. I toured a deluxe

king terrace room on the first level with a very large deck that would serve that purpose well. Visiting the Olema House is all about relaxation. You can head up to Point Reyes National Seashore (a 5-minute drive away) for a meandering walk or more intense hike; or you can just sit and read a book while reclining in an Adirondack chair by the brook. When you’re ready to dine, the property’s Due West Tavern is a historic bar/restaurant that is just steps away from your room. The old timey bar has a West Marin vibe (think friendly hippies), with the kind of saloon where you want to talk with your neighbors. The drinks are a heavy pour (a plus!), and Ben the bartender is on top of his game. For dinner, we sampled the chicken pot pie served on a flaky crust (better than The Big Four) and the homemade cioppino, which had the right amount of spice and is an appropriate portion for one. Service was informal, efficient, and cordial, with the right amount of fun. Next time, we’ll have to try the local Tomales Bay oysters. Don’t miss the Blue Plate specials Monday– Friday, where you get a complete meal for $29.95. I’d go back any day. At the Tavern X Market next door, you can load up on provisions for lunch or breakfast, with specialty items like farmers’ market quality blueberries and breakfast burritos, as well as an expansive selection of wines and liquors. The market also has its own espresso bar, a real plus to help you ease into the day.

Entrée at Due West Tavern, Olema House 46

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Dishes at Due West Tavern, Olema House

A server at Due West Tavern, Olema House, with cocktails

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Another winner is Giaco’s Valley Roadhouse, about a 10-minute drive away in San

PHOTO BY ROXANNE MCCLURE PHOTOGRAPHY

The Gay Gourmet

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Our “home away from home” for the weekend was the beautifully remodeled Olema House, with its resident bar/ restaurant, the Due West Tavern, as well as its own wellstocked market.

Geronimo. This down-home eatery offers terrific al fresco dining on an expansive deck smack dab in the middle of a forest; or you can choose the wood-paneled cozy interior. This chef clearly knows what he is doing; ingredients are fresh and seasonal. We sampled a great lunch: for me, that was a sesame crunch salad with chicken, romaine, purple cabbage, almonds, wontons, and a peanut-ginger-sesame dressing that hit the spot. My husband had the Cobb salad, which, in addition to the expected ingredients, also included escarole, cucumbers, and carrots. Both were so delicious we decided to return for brunch. The Mexican omelet with pasilla peppers, roasted corn, and jack cheese, as well as the green shakshuka in a tomatillo sauce, were major hits. After hearing all the buzz about the new Bar Auklet in Point Reyes Station, we gave it a whirl. My assessment: it’s got great intentions and possibilities, but it’s not ready for prime time yet. On the plus side, the spareribs with miso glaze were tender and juicy, and the sauce added an Asian contour to the traditional American dish. Also, the grilled mortadella with hot honey was delish—a creative approach (continued on page 47)

(continued from page 46) that worked, with the right amount of sweet and tart. Service was excellent (although, like many California restaurants, we waited a long time to get a drink). I’d avoid the duck liver mousse: the accompanying huckleberries were too vinegary, the fried onions that topped the dish are cooked in advance and not crispy, and the mousse itself was way too salty. The stone fruit poke is another innovative idea, but the fruits weren’t ripe enough. With the immense and attractive farmers’ market across the street, I was perplexed by this choice. Another recommendation to the owners: it’s too cold on the outside deck (which does allow dogs), so heaters are a must, and in short supply. I’d wait another couple of months and then perhaps try this eatery again. Another mainstay in town is the Station House Café. I’d been going there for years when it was at its former location. The new location (about a block away) has a contemporary feel, with décor to match. The upscale diner has a full bar and some creative cocktails to boot. Eggs benedict had a piquant hollandaise sauce with a kick, and my husband enjoyed his flank steak salad, cooked perfectly and served with a proper steak knife. But, sadly, the “seasonal fruit” (an added charge) was so bad that we sent it back. (Note to restaurant: as I said before, the farmers’ market is across the street!) Point Reyes Station itself is a cute town filled with galleries, shops, and restaurants, as well as the aforementioned excellent weekend farmers’ market. It’s worth a stroll to meander through its many offerings. Also recommended: a drive up to Marshall along Tomales Bay. You’ll let go of all your urban stress while enjoying the views. If you have extra time, you can sample the local oysters (raw or barbecued) at Tony’s Seafood Restaurant (part of the Hog Island

family), The Marshall Store, or the original Hog Island General Store itself. All in all, the Gay Gourmet favors getting to the Point: Point Reyes, that is. You’ll have a lovely weekend. Bits and Bites As part of Emeryville Pride, Public Market Emeryville will transform into a colorful celebration of queer joy, culture and community on September 20 with Sunday Funday, a free, all-ages festival featuring drag performances, live music, cultural showcases, a queer quiz show, and family-friendly activities. The lineup will bring together some incredible Bay Area talent, including the Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus, Parangal, Folklorico Colibri, Gloomy June, and more. Olema House and Due West Tavern: https://olemahouse.com Giaco’s Valley Roadhouse: https://www.giacosroadhouse.com Bar Auklet: https://www.barauklet.com Station House Café: https://stationhousecafe.com Point Reyes National Seashore: https://bit.ly/4hU8cR6 Tony’s Seafood Restaurant: https://bit.ly/4wRWAC2 The Marshall Store: https://themarshallstore.com Hog Island General Store: https://hogislandoysters.com Public Market Emeryville: https://publicmarketemeryville.com David Landis, aka “The Gay Gourmet,” is a foodie, a freelance writer, and a retired PR maven. You can email him at: davidlandissf@gmail.com Or visit him online at: www.gaygourmetsf.com S AN FR ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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Happy Birthday, BJ Hartley! Resilient Matriarch Inspires Generations of Leaders Beverly Jo “BJ” Hartley is a cornerstone of strength and resilience. Raised in the Midwest, she built a bustling household with her husband, Captain Tom D. Hartley, who was a United Airlines pilot. The couple raised five children: Lisa, Linde, Leslie, Lauren, and Tom. On May 13, 1976, Captain Hartley went to work on a routine flight and tragically died that fateful day at age 46 from a heart attack. BJ was left as a 40-year-old mother with five children ranging in age from 10 to 20 who were largely dependent on her. Rather than giving in to despair, she re-entered the workforce, stepped up as the center of her family’s universe, and guided her children through their formative years with unwavering love and courage.

Throughout Leslie’s successful career and personal journey— including her own battle as a cancer survivor—she often credits her fighting spirit, signature warm optimism, and bright smile directly to the example set by her mother. Leslie’s daughter Grace is out and proud, as are other members of the extended Hartley/Sbrocco clan, and all are supported and loved by BJ. In fact, Grace honors BJ’s influence in a particularly personal way: with a permanent tattoo of BJ’s original wedding day photo inked on her arm. The extended family remains deeply connected, supporting each other through life’s triumphs and tribulations with the same fierce loyalty that BJ modeled for them decades ago.

Her nurturing spirit and resilient outlook profoundly shaped the prominent accomplishments of her five children. For example, Lisa is an influential community leader in Normandy, France. Linde, who sadly passed from cancer over a decade ago, was the Executive Vice President and COO of SunGard Insurance and a tireless fundraiser for animal rights groups. Leslie (Sbrocco), a San Francisco Bay Times columnist, is a nationally recognized wine expert, author, and the Emmy Award-winning longtime host of PBS’s Check, Please! Bay Area and other popular series. She is also a regular guest on the Today show.

In September, BJ will turn 91. 2026 has been a particularly challenging year for her, with several serious illnesses leading to multiple hospitalizations and setbacks. Throughout it all, BJ has maintained extraordinary grace under pressure, proving that a life built on unconditional love and positivity leaves a legacy that can span generations.

BJ Hartley and daughter and Bay Times columnist Leslie Sbrocco in Hawaii

BJ and Tom Hartley’s five children from (L-R) - Lauren, Leslie, Linde, Tom, and Lisa

Captain Tom D. Hartley

BJ Hartley at home

BJ Hartley with her granddaughter Grace (Leslie Sbrocco’s daughter), who has a tattoo of BJ on her arm BJ Hartley enjoying the view during a walk on the Golden Gate Bridge

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KIPPY MARKS (continued from pg 45) tone for our day, whether that’s meditation, or moving and singing to feel good in our bodies. From there, it’s noticing how we speak to ourselves and to others. Are the words we’re using uplifting? Then I’d say, it’s the seemingly small stuff that’s actually way more impactful than one would think. For example, I love seeing someone at the store and being like, “Hey, girl, you’re rocking that outfit,” or, “Wow, cool style!” It’s such a quick way to make someone’s day, and it can make you feel just as good for bringing that love in. Kippy Marks: If you were granted two universal wishes, what would you wish for? Katrina Blackstone: My wish would be that children never have to experience the shutdown so many of us did, being made to feel too much or not enough by the people meant to protect us. And, since so many of us already have, my wish is that we find it within ourselves to heal, so the cycle stops with us instead of passing it forward. My second wish is that the world starts awakening to the lies we’ve been fed, that we stop believing the story that “the other” is somehow separate from us. At the core, we’re all far more alike than we’ve been led to believe, and, energetically, what affects one of us affects all of us, whether we realize it or not. Kippy Marks: Please share any current practices that our readers may find useful, and update us on what you are doing now. Katrina Blackstone: For current practices, I do my best to come back to gratitude daily, or as much as I can remember to. I feel like there’s always something to be grateful for, and tuning into that can really

help put things in perspective, especially when things are feeling crazy in the world. I also highly recommend putting on some affirmation music you can dance to and really get into your body: singing, moving, gratitude, and even EFT tapping. These are all practices I love and recommend to help you shift into a higher state. They naturally help you practice love for yourself and for others a little more easily each day. Currently, I’ve been leading group vocal activations around the world, most recently at Mindvalley University in Tallinn, Estonia, a really exciting step onto more transformational stages. I’m also working 1:1 with people, helping them liberate their voice, and, this fall, I’m excited to launch my first online group program. On the music side, I’m working on my soulful heart anthems, along with an exciting collaboration, which I plan to begin releasing by the end of the year. For More Information About Katrina Blackstone https://www.thesingingoracle.com/ IG @KatrinaBlackstone Spotify: https://bit.ly/4xkeA8Z Dubbed San Francisco’s “King of Strings”, Kippy Marks is a spirited solo entertainer whose shows are permeated with an infectious joy. His distinctive sound arises from his heart, through his 1822 violin consort, Izabella. Marks’ rare talent, broad smile, and radiant warmth will brighten any event to create lasting impact. He is also Grand Duke XL of The Grand Ducal Council of San Francisco. He is the first ever elected African-American Grand Duke.

SFGMC NEW SEASON (continued from pg 35) solos, duets, and ensemble moments, these songs reveal the power of speaking up, standing tall, and finding strength in vulnerability. Lean in, listen closely, and be moved by the voices that remind us that one song can spark momentum. Holiday Sing-Along, December 10, 2026 Calling all carolers! SFGMC invites voices of all ages for a festive sing-along filled with familiar favorites, unexpected twists, and plenty of sparkle. Led by Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, this annual tradition brings friends and families together to sing loud, laugh often, and share the joy of the season. Don your gay apparel, warm up those vocal cords, and get ready to sleigh the season with song. Queer Lunar New Year Celebration, February 19, 2027 Ring in the Year of the Goat with an evening, presented in partnership with GAPA (GLGBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance), honoring community, creativity, and connection. Inspired by the Goat’s spirit of peace, harmony, and compassion, this special gathering brings together music and culture that reflect the beauty and resilience of QTAPI (Queer and Transgender Asian and Pacific Islander) communities. Gather together for joyful performances, meaningful connec50

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tions, and a high- energy celebration of the voices that make our community shine. Britpop Sing-Along, March 11, 2027 Zig-a-zig-ah! Get ready to sing along to the greatest hits from across the pond! Hosted by the ever-fabulous Lady Camden, we’ll belt out favorites from Adele, Elton John, Queen, the Spice Girls, and more. We’ll bring the lyrics—you bring your best mates, your biggest sing-along energy, and your inner pop star. It’s going to be gloriously loud. Sing it loud, sing it proud! Divas Sing-Along, June 17, 2027 Unleash your inner diva! Step into the spotlight for a night of powerhouse vocals, iconic anthems, and unapologetic fun. Belt out the songs that defined pop music, shaped generations, and gave us the confidence to shine a little brighter. Whether you’re a casual crooner, karaoke legend, or lifelong pop fan, grab your friends and get ready to sing, dance, and serve your biggest superstar energy. Crescendo - Annual SFGMC Benefit Gala Saturday, April 17, 2027 at 5 pm Westin St. Francis Hotel 335 Powell Street, San Francisco Tickets and complete event details to be announced

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We will always love you, Dolly & Tim!

Dolly Parton (1946–2026) Tim Curry (1946–2026)