Issuu

BAY TIMES S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES Est. 1978 March 12–25, 2026 http://sfbaytimes.com

Realizing a Vision of Oakland Where Everyone Belongs

See pages 2–8

Joe Hawkins & Jeff Myers

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Oakland Inclusivity About Our Cover In November 2016, thousands responded to a call for simple action: “Peaceful Trump Response: Join Hands Around Lake Merritt.” The event took place in Oakland shortly after Donald Trump won his first presidential election and vowed to ban Muslims entering the country, to overturn Roe v. Wade (which happened six years later), and much more. Two of those participating in the demonstration were Joe Hawkins and Jeff Myers. Later, Hawkins was walking down the street and Myers yelled to him from his balcony, “Joe, we need to open the center.” At the time, they were mulling over ways of strengthening the city’s LGBTQ+ community and there was a possibility that the San Francisco LGBT Center could open a satellite location in Oakland. Hawkins replied, “Hell, no, there can be no SF satellite in Oakland. Do you want to open a community

center here in Oakland?” A year later, in September 2017, the two co-founded The Oakland LGBTQ Community Center. They initially just had one office in a coworking space known as Co-Munity at 3207 Lakeshore Avenue. Three months later, Hawkins and Myers were informed that they had to leave because their landlord was getting evicted. Instead, they looked into taking over the landlord’s lease and were given first right of refusal. Hawkins told the San Francisco Bay Times,

“We took it over in January, 2018, and our rent went from $500 to $10,000 a month.” Fundraisers, office rentals, grants, individual donations, and additional efforts met the need. Now, the center is a multimillion-dollar multiservice agency. In November 2023, the Oakland City Council officially established The Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District, which is led by Committee Chair Myers. He is also a longtime surgical technician at UCSF. The cover of this issue of the San Francisco

Bay Times reflects the progress and hope Hawkins and Myers have experienced this past decade, from an early selfie where they were dreaming up possibilities after a relaxing day in Oakland, to their successful realization of the center, district, rainbow crosswalks, and more. As this issue shares, additional growth and progress are on the queer horizon for Oakland, thanks to the galvanizing force of Hawkins and Myers, along with dedicated staff members and volunteers. The Oakland LGBTQ Community Center has taken over Oakland Pride, a new gathering spot called the Lavender Lounge is set to open this summer, and other major projects are in the works. Each step moves the district and city closer to Hawkins’ and Myers’ vision of “a united community where everyone belongs regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.”

Oakland Pride, With New Event Date, Now a Program of the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center

“This was not a sudden decision—it was an inevitable one,” said George Smith III, Board President of Oakland Pride since 2023. “When I took over as president of the pride board, there were major issues that I had to handle including problems with the Department of Justice (DOJ), vendors who had not been paid for years, and poor financial recordkeeping. It was a mess. Although we were able to resolve those issues, years of improper use of credit cards badly damaged Oakland Pride’s ability to access any lines of credit, making it difficult to produce Pride without relying on credit and other financial support from the Center. Bringing Pride fully under the center will allow it to finally have the financial and operational infrastructure it needs to thrive.” Smith also noted that, as early as 2021, previous Oakland Pride leadership approached the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center asking if the center wanted to take it over, exposing long-standing leadership, financial, 2

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and operational gaps. Since then, the center has provided fiscal sponsorship, direct funding, lines of credit, and staff support to ensure Pride events could continue despite multiple leadership turnovers. “Oakland Pride has always been about more than one day,” said Joe Hawkins, CEO and Co-Founder of the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center. “As a Co-Founder of both Oakland Pride and the center, this is a full-circle moment. The original mission statement of Oakland Pride included language that tied the purpose of Oakland Pride to the establishment of an LGBTQ community center in Oakland.” He continued: “The Oakland LGBTQ Center has been in existence now for almost a decade and Oakland Pride, as a program of the center, will for the first time have fulltime staff to provide the operations and oversight support that Pride desperately needs. As a program of the center, Pride becomes part of a year-round mission to support our community—through health services, youth and senior programs, trans wellness services, mental health care, HIV prevention, HIV care & treatment, substance use recovery services, housing assistance, and art and cultural connections. At this moment, when the intersectionality of our LGBTQ community is under serious attack and funding is being pulled, we believe we must unite and return to the roots of Pride.” Hawkins went on to state that center-led Pride event models are not new and have existed for decades here in California and nationwide. “This model will allow our community to both celebrate who we are while sustaining the essential services that our com-

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The Oakland LGBTQ Community Center and Oakland Pride have announced a significant organizational transition that will help strengthen the future of Pride in Oakland and deepen its impact yearround. The Oakland Pride board of directors voted to formally dissolve as a standalone nonprofit and continue forward as a program of the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center. This transition reflects years of collaboration between the two organizations and responds to the growing need for a more stable infrastructure to support Oakland’s largest downtown festival and one of Oakland’s most visible and meaningful celebrations during these challenging social and political times.

munity relies on to support our health and wellness.” As part of the transition, the center announced new leadership appointments to support the management and operations of the Oakland Pride event. Oakland native, Manifair Hwang, is a founding board member of the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center serving as Board Treasurer during the first 5 years and has also been a staple of Oakland’s bar scene working as a bartender for many years. Hwang is excited to be back at the center for this monumental transition in her new role as Director of Sponsorships and Strategic Partnerships. Hwang said that the “Oakland Pride Parade and Festival has always been a uniting event for everyone to come together and celebrate Oakland’s LGBTQ community and its rich diversity. I am honored to help steward the event towards sustainability and an exciting future.” Brandon Harami has been named Pride Director of Operations, bringing deep civic experience and a lifelong connection to California’s LGBTQ+ community. A native Californian, Harami previously served as the LGBTQ+ Liaison in the Oakland Mayor’s Office, co-founded the Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District, and authored Oakland’s

Pro-Choice Sanctuary City ordinance. His work has focused on building durable, community-led institutions that reflect Oakland’s diversity, values, and resilience. “Oakland is one of the most diverse, creative, and politically alive queer cities in the country,” Harami said. “As someone who grew up queer in California, raised by two gay dads, and spent years working inside City Hall to expand protections and recognition for our community, this role feels deeply personal. Pride here should reflect Oakland: bold, inclusive, and rooted in care for one another.” The transition to the center will also bring a date change. The Oakland Pride Parade and Festival 2026 will take place on Sunday, August 16. Oakland Pride has struggled for years between holidays like Labor Day and Mexican Independence Day, making it more challenging for attendance and to secure talent. This new date will help avoid these potential conflicts. Together, the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center and Oakland Pride leadership believe this transition will allow Pride to grow as both a celebration and a vehicle for community care—honoring Oakland’s history while building a stronger future. https://www.oaklandprideofficial.org/

Oakland Inclusivity Lavender Lounge Reimagining Queer ‘Third Places’ in Oakland A “third place” is a social setting outside of home (first place) and work (second place) where people can frequently gather informally to build community, exchange ideas, hang out, or be entertained, fostering a sense of community belonging, and informal public life.

hol-centric spaces (like gay bars) for community, leading to higher rates of hazardous drinking and dependence, though specific demographics like bisexual women, gay/ queer men, and people of color show higher risks and may use alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Bars and nightclubs have historically been third places where queer and trans people have found safety. We have traditionally used these spaces to build community as well. But times are changing.

Places that sell liquor cannot be the only third space options for our LGBTQ community. Queer spaces are not always about nightlife; we also have a day life too! The Oakland LGBTQ Center’s new alcohol-free LGBTQ+ third place will offer dedicated drop-in social hours for LGBTQ elders during the daytime, Monday– Thursday, 9 am–5 pm, and host special events, open to all evenings and weekends.

IMAGE COURTESY OF JOE HAWKINS

According to data from Gallup, people are drinking alcohol significantly less than a decade ago, and, as the federal government becomes more and more hostile towards LGBTQ communities and less likely to provide funding for our causes, LGBTQ nonprofits must find creative ways to engage with the community and raise funds, while carrying out their missions. Welcome to the Lakeshore Lavender Lounge, an alcohol-free social option and third place for the growing and changing LGBTQ community in Oakland.

The Lakeshore Lavender Lounge will also be a place for the quiet queers and will house a lending library. It will also host activities and events like dance events, drag shows, and other events catered to the LGBTQ community and its allies. It will be a place where community members can come to hangout and just be.

their teams hope that the Lavender Lounge will be open by August or September of this year.

Queer people face higher rates of alcohol misuse, often linked to minority stress, discrimination, and historical ties to alco-

The Oakland LGBTQ Center has received the keys to the space and has already started building it out. Joe Hawkins, Jeff Myers, and

https://www.oaklandlgbtqcenter.org/

If you would like to donate or contribute to the development of this project, please call Joe Hawkins at 510-882-2286 or contact development@oaklandlgbtqcenter.org

Additions, Enhancements in the Works for Oakland’s Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District

Myers told the San Francisco Bay Times that a second rainbow crosswalk is being planned. (There is already one, installed last year on Lakeshore Avenue outside the Oakland LGBTQ Center.) It would go across Lake Park Avenue, near where the new Lavender Lounge will be. It is hoped that both the Lavender Lounge and the rainbow crosswalk will be ready before Oakland Pride, which this year will be on August 16. Working with members of the Oakland City Council such as Rowena Brown, Charlene Wang, and Janani Ramachandran, Myers, Joe Hawkins, and their teams are forging a plan for small businesses that will include tax relief. Goals include strengthening the diversity of businesses located within the

Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District, bolstering unique small businesses that often struggle to compete against major chains, and helping foster financial health and stability. A search has been underway for a nightclub or other venue that could serve as another hub for the district, so the door is now wide open for prospective businesses and entrepreneurs desiring that opportunity. Also in the works is a large mural depicting icons of the Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District. Myers said the mural probably will not be created until next year. In the meantime, smaller mural projects are planned for the district. With help from Nikki Fortunato Bass and the Oakland City Council, Myers and his team are also hoping to bolster and expand the district’s events. In the past, these have included art shows, trivia nights, beautification days to assist in keeping the district clean and well maintained, outdoor movie nights, queer fashion shows, holiday observances, and more. Growth is also expected for the district’s business directory. This mirrors both the work of Myers and his team to individually reach out to business owners, and also the overall revitalization of the area. Although there have been some notable closures in the

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Although the Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District is just three years old, it has already helped the neighborhood around Grand and Lakeshore Avenues in Oakland better become a welcoming, vibrant community for, not only queer individuals, but also for all who live around or visit this iconic part of the East Bay city. Led by Jeff Myers, Committee Chair, with the support and guidance of numerous other successful community leaders, the district is working on several projects that will further strengthen and enhance the area.

past few years, those vacancies usually fill quickly. As Peter Gamez of Visit Oakland told Zach Baliva of Hispanic Executive: “Oakland is filled with people who have genuine, authentic spirit and welcoming hearts. It’s a major destination city with a smalltown feel.” That vibe is strongly evident in the Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District, which can be accessed from other parts of the Bay Area by BART and a leisurely walk, bike, or bus ride. From the San Francisco Transbay Terminal, there is also an NL bus that drops riders off just a few blocks away.

remains personally invested in the district and the city as a whole. Thinking of the 2016 selfie showing him and Joe Hawkins on a random, relaxing day in what would later become the Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District with the Oakland LGBTQ Center that they co-founded, he beams. “You never know what your path is going to be,” he told the Bay Times. “I always loved the structure of the building that is now home to the center, and we also always loved this part of the city. It makes me proud to see LGBTQ+ couples here, holding hands, and enjoying the district too.”

Myers is a longtime Oakland resident who

https://www.lakeshorelgbtqculturaldistrict.org/

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Oakland Inclusivity Historic Black Luminaries Recognized With New Markers at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland

Although Massey was from El Paso, she and her three daughters later moved to San Fernando, California, and then, in 1975, to Oakland. The family’s roots in the East Bay city clearly run deep, and friends of both Massey and Lee attended the February 28 event. (Simon also has deep local roots. Like Mayor Lee, she earned her B.A. at Mills College in Oakland. Her late husband, journalist and activist Kevin Weston, is interred at the Chapel of the Chimes, which is next door to Mountain View.)

Glenn Burke baseball card.

A guided docent tour followed the program, allowing guests to walk on the grounds where the stories of the mentioned past Black leaders and other luminaries are preserved, and to honor their legacy, restore history, and reflect on the responsibilities we carry forward. The beautiful and expansive cemetery offers regular docent tours, many with themed history subjects. For more information: https://bit.ly/4s5cI1u And to hear a rare interview with Burke, the first out MLB player, go to: https://bit.ly/4lf5ODX

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Mildred Parish Massey (1924–2015), the mother of Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee

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Flowers and graves at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland

Grand Lake Theatre 100th Birthday Celebration The majestic Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland celebrated its 100th birthday on March 4, 2026, with showings of free classic films all day, multiple organ concerts played in the main theater on the Allen Michaan, Mighty Wurlitzer, and a Owner of The Grand ceremony led by Mayor Lake Theatre, on the Barbara Lee, 100th Anniversary of Councilmember Charlene the theater, March 4, 2026 Wang, and other local community leaders. Mayor Lee presented honors to Grand Lake Theatre owner Allen Michaan, and declared Friday of that week, March 6, to be Grand Lake Theatre Day in the city. Watch the presentation, along with part of one of The Wizard of Oz-themed organ

Photos by the San Francisco Bay Times

concerts, at: https://bit.ly/46Kvtyv Michaan, who was happily buzzing around the theater like a boy on his birthday, clearly takes pride in the venue and his work. Wearing a necktie covered with images of movie theater tickets, he snuck into the main theater to watch the Disney animated masterpiece Fantasia, one of the day’s special featured films. Michaan is largely responsible for the progressive political statements that often appear on the theater’s marquee. (To learn more about his incredible career, involving multiple previous other theaters, check out an in-depth interview Oakland Heritage Alliance did a while back: https://bit.ly/4rnQsyH ) As mentioned in the previous issue of the San Francisco Bay Times, the Grand Lake Theatre was co-founded by Abraham Karski, who also founded The White Horse Inn, which has since become known as the

Stained glass in the lobby of The Grand Lake Theatre

The Grand Lake Theatre

nation’s oldest continuously operating gay bar. (Karski was not gay, but helped create an environment that celebrated diversity.) That feeling of inclusiveness resonates throughout The Grand Lake Theatre, which has hosted everyone from Golden State Warriors great Steph Curry—whose film GOAT has been playing at the theater—to multiple Oscar winner Tom Hanks, who spent some of his formative years in the Bay Area and has fond memories of the theater.

“Happy Birthday” sign at The Grand Lake Theatre on March 4, 2026, the 100th Anniversary of the theater 4

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The recognized pioneers included, in part: Ida Louise Jackson, California’s first Black public school teacher; Bobby Hutton of the Black Panther Party; Marcus Foster, former Oakland Unified School District Superintendent; pioneering attorney Washington Oglesby; Jenny Prentiss,

beloved nanny to author Jack London; Glenn Burke, trailblazing LGBTQ+ Major League Baseball player; and Mildred Parish Massey, the mother of Mayor Lee, who was a courageous civil rights leader and one of the NAACP plaintiffs who helped integrate the University of Texas at El Paso.

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Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, U.S. Representative Lateefah Simon, former Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington, and other local leaders as well as historians led a program on February 28, 2026, at Mountain View Cemetery to recognize 26 Black pioneers buried there. Special new markers were added to several of the burial sites, more clearly identifying them and the achievements of the individuals. The event was part of the commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the national observance of Black History Month.

The venue is also an architectural treasure, with neoclassical, Art Deco, and even Egyptian revival and Moorish elements. There are beautiful stained-glass features in the lobby, along with a collection of vintage projection equipment and other

Vintage projection equipment on display in the lobby of The Grand Lake Theatre

memorabilia. The fact that Michaan insists on real butter for the yummy popcorn sold at the busy snack bar is just icing on the proverbial cake for this Oakland theater beauty that many hope will be around for at least another century. https://www.renaissancerialto.com/

Oakland Inclusivity Betty Reid Soskin (1921–2025) Celebration of Life

IN MEMORIAM

Well over 1000 people gathered on March 1, 2026, at the Calvin Simmons Theater at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts in Oakland for the Celebration of Life of Betty Reid Soskin (1921– 2025), who, until her retirement in March 2022 at age 100, was the nation’s oldest serving National Park Service (NPS) ranger. She previously was the manager of Reid’s Records in Berkeley, a singer and performer, a field representative for California State Assemblymembers Dion Aroner and Loni Hancock, and was an ardent community activist. One of her four children, Di’ara Melite Reid, is a transgender activist, and Soskin was the honored guest of the San Francisco Bay Times Pride Parade contingent in 2022. She was believed to have been the oldest dignitary ever to have been presented in the San Francisco Pride Parade. Another of her children, Bob Reid, sang and spoke tributes at the Celebration of Life, which was also attended by Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee as well as multiple NPS leaders and rangers. Special thanks to Elizabeth Tucker of the NPS for her help with this coverage in the Bay Times.

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH TUCKER

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PHOTO COURTESY OF KIMBERLY TWARDOCHLEB

PHOTO BY LUTHER BAILEY

PHOTO COURTESY OF KIMBERLY TWARDOCHLEB

For information about the documentary, visit: https://bit.ly/4b9sCQT

PHOTO COURTESY OF DI’ARA REID

PHOTO BY SUMMER WILSON KELLOGG

The event was livestreamed and archived by Sign My Name to Freedom: The Lost Music of Betty Reid Soskin, which is a featured documentary about Soskin’s life that is in post-production. The archived livestream may be viewed at: https://bit.ly/40kyFgz

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HONORING LGBTQ+ BLACK WOMEN LEADERS & ALLIES

PHOTO BY JEROME PARMER

Special thanks from the San Francisco Bay Times to Brendalynn Goodall and Lisa Williams for their thoughtful and generous longstanding guidance and support of this event. Thanks also go to Kate Brown, President of the Dykes on Bikes®, with Ellen and Pam for volunteering to keep the door—not a small task, and they handled everything so smoothly. San Francisco Bay Times Volunteer Coordinator Juan Davila also provided extensive support, as did Karen Bardsley, Susan Berston, Judy Graboyes, and photographer Jerome Parmer.

PHOTO BY BFM/NICHOLAS CLEMENTE

Suzanne Ford, the Executive Director of San Francisco Pride, led the live auction, which included a coveted Valkyries jersey and a signed jersey from Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry. DJ Christie James, who attended the event as a guest, won the bidding on both of these items! There was also a raffle. Guests additionally enjoyed a selection of catered dishes, including dessert brought over from Orphan Andy’s in the Castro.

PHOTO BY BFM/NICHOLAS CLEMENTE

Terrance Kelly, the Founding Artistic Director of the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, and friends began the event with a performance and singalong. Music throughout the evening, including during the After Party, was provided by White Horse favorite The Junior.

PHOTO BY BFM/NICHOLAS CLEMENTE

The event was co-emceed by Imani Rupert-Gordon, Executive Director of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, and Joe Hawkins, the Co-Founder and CEO of The Oakland LGBTQ+ Center. Returning as a welcoming host was Judy Young, the Executive Director of the UCSF National Center of Excellence for Women’s Health.

PHOTO BY JEROME PARMER

On February 26, 2026, the San Francisco Bay Times—this year in partnership with the Oakland LGBTQ Center—presented the Fourth Annual Honoring LGBTQ+ Black Women Leaders & Allies. The awards ceremony and event took place at Oakland’s The White Horse Inn, which is the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the nation. It is owned by a queer woman of color, Patty Nishimura Dingle, who was one of this year’s honorees.

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The Fourth Annual Honoring LGBTQ+ Black Women Leaders & Allies

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PHOTO BY JEROME PARMER

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HONORING LGBTQ+ BLACK WOMEN LEADERS & ALLIES

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

Honorees of the 2026 Honoring LGBTQ+ Black Women Leaders & Allies For more information about each of the honorees, please see the February 26, 2026, issue of the San Francisco Bay Times. Dennise Acio Sonya Brewer At-Large Oakland City Councilmember Rowena J. Brown Demisha “Dr. D” Burns Terri Lynn Delk Patty Nishimura Dingle Richelle Evelyn Donigan Dawn Edwards Kin Folkz

PHOTO BY JEROME PARMER PHOTO BY JEROME PARMER

Miranda J. Manning McYb Linda Tillery Cheryl Troup Debra A. Wilson

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PHOTO BY JEROME PARMER PHOTO BY BFM/NICHOLAS CLEMENTE

PHOTO BY JEROME PARMER

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Mayor Barbara J. Lee

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M ARC H 12, 2026

BAY TIMES S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

HONORING LGBTQ+ BLACK WOMEN LEADERS & ALLIES

Thank you

Sponsors of the Fourth Annual Honoring LGBTQ+ Bay Area Black Women Leaders & Allies

Dr. Marcy Adelman

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Carnivale 2026 at Grace Cathedral Photos by Drew Altizer and Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography Grace Cathedral’s annual fundraising gala Carnivale, this year entitled “Noite de Carnaval: A Celebration of Joy,” took place on the evening of February 13, 2026. The event was inspired by Brazil’s Carnival, which began on the same evening in cities such as Rio de Janeiro. For the San Francisco festivities at the cathedral, the pews were removed and the expansive space was transformed for a Previa do Carnaval cocktail party. This was followed by music, dance, and spectacle, then a dinner with live auction, and The Late Night Revelry, which lasted until midnight. More than 450 guests enjoyed the event, with many dancing the Samba well into the night. An online auction also was held, with experiences including a private tasting and tour at ADAMVS winery, San Francisco Symphony tickets, a uniquely Grace experience of a private movie night for 25 in the cathedral, and much more. https://bit.ly/3NhspTY

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While You Were Out ...

hyperdrive: the ongoing siege in Minnesota and elsewhere by ICE agents, huge new detention facilities being built across the country, the disturbing consolidation of large media companies under the ownership of billionaires, the blatant war on transgender people in Kansas and elsewhere, the disastrous slashing of funding for HIV medications and services, the continued suppression of the Epstein files, and now—war. It is overwhelming.

In Case You Missed It Joanie Juster In her book Illness as Metaphor, Susan Sontag wrote, “Illness is the night side of life, a more onerous citizenship. Everyone who is born holds dual citizenship, in the kingdom of the well and in the kingdom of the sick.Although we all prefer to use the good passport, sooner or later each of us is obliged, at least for a spell, to identify ourselves as citizens of that other place.” We’ve all had to use that other passport at some point; I’ve been in that “other place” myself these past few weeks. It has been challenging to sit on the sidelines while the news cycle has been in

But one thing I do know: Speaking out and showing up make a difference. The tide is turning, largely thanks to everyone who does whatever they can to resist injustice and authoritarianism. Contacting your elected representatives is important; they need to know what matters to you. Use your voice in whatever way you can, wherever and whenever you can. Revolutionary leader Rosa Luxemburg’s words are still excellent advice today: “The most revolutionary thing one can do is always to proclaim loudly what is happening.” No Kings Returns on March 28 We showed up by the millions for the first two No Kings protests last year. Let’s triple

those numbers on Saturday, March 28, for the next No Kings nationwide protest. We need to show up in numbers that cannot be ignored. To find a No Kings event near you, or to join organizing calls, visit https://indivisible.org/ Singing Resistance Americans have been stepping up in countless ways to prove that we’re not going to let this regime defeat us. From meal deliveries and school escorts to dancing frogs, people have used creativity and compassion not only to resist authoritarianism, but also to help their neighbors and communities with both practical and emotional support. People are making their voices heard, including in song. In Minnesota, protesters began singing in response to the ICE invasion. Organizers put together a toolkit and training for people to mobilize Singing Resistance chapters across the country. There is now a branch of Singing Resistance in San Francisco, part of a nationwide mass movement to protect communities as they are threatened by rising authoritarianism. They claim that “song is an antidote to fear, song helps us connect with each other.” Learn more

or sign up at https://bit.ly/47AHfvB Coincidentally, the inspiring documentary, Singing for Justice, about trailblazing folksinger and activist Faith Petric, will be shown at the San Francisco Public Library on Saturday, March 14. I wrote a glowing review of this film when it debuted here last year. Do yourself a favor and see this film—and bring friends. It will lift your spirits and inspire you. https://tinyurl.com/SFJ26 The Sisters Are Giving It Away Again In a time when funding for small nonprofits and community projects—especially those serving queer and other marginalized communities—is becoming harder to find, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are once again here to help.

https://bit.ly/4riEQgg

Applications are now open for their annual grants, which focus most on progressive grassroots projects that serve diverse communities by fostering joy, wellness, diversity,

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M ARC H 12, 2026

State Democratic Convention: Spring Training for Political Junkies by Louise “Lou” Fischer

Over the weekend of February 20–22, approximately 3,500 State Delegates attended the California State Democratic (CADEM) Convention at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. Another 1,500 or so friends, fans, and politically-minded folks tagged along for the fun parties, exhibit halls, and free swag. Bay Area-based delegates rejoiced over how much money they were saving on hotels and airfare by not having to schlep out to Anaheim, San Diego, Los Angeles, or Sacramento.

Photos courtesy of Louise “Lou” Fischer

CA gubernatorial candidate Betty Yee with other attendees of the 2026 CADEM Convention Former SF Mayor Willie Brown was among the speakers at the 2026 CADEM Convention

CA State Senator Scott Wiener and Louise “Lou” The official purpose of the convention is for party lead- Fischer ers, activists, and elected officials to network, endorse candidates for state and local offices, set the party platform, and plan strategies for upcoming elections. However, as a season ticket holder to our beloved San Francisco Giants baseball team (Dodgers Suck!) and with a fondness for a good metaphor, I believe that the convention is like Spring Training Anti-ICE activists in front of the 2026 CADEM Convention at the Moscone for Major League Baseball. The mesCenter saging, strategy, and prepping for a Louise “Lou” Fischer” (front) with CADEM Convention long campaign are basically the same CADEM Chair Rusty Hicks attendees, including Representative Lateefah Simon (right) as baseball players getting in shape for paraphrase, was what the to the general election, regardless of the slog of a 162-game season. Pitching to Chair planned to do to party. The two Republicans in the race, voters and having them assess your message winnow the field in the whose names I won’t mention, but will refer is the same as having your pitches or swing governor’s race so we don’t to by cheeky nicknames that I made up, mechanics evaluated by coaches. So, while end up with a Republican “Sheriff White Man” and “Fox News Man February isn’t officially spring, the weather governor. with Hotel Name,” are currently carrying was mild so it could have passed for springapproximately 40% of the vote, while the time in Connecticut (shoutout to my home His messages—“It’s only “9-member baseball team” of Democratic state!). February; we have a few more candidates are splitting the remaining 60% months until June; the field will The prevailing theme, or, more appropriateand no one has a clear majority. The thresheventually coalesce; candidates ly, cloud of potential doom hanging over the old for the CADEM endorsement is 60% will drop out”—didn’t go over convention, was the “mishegoss” (craziness), and no Democratic candidate came well. To describe it in baseball hand-wringing, pearl-clutching, and overall close. The top two were Congressman Eric terms, the press kept throwing angst of having nine Democratic candidates Swalwell (24%) and, in a welcome surprise, the same pitch, and Rusty kept Candidate and former SF Supervisor Jane Kim holding a child and with a running for governor. The “Fellowship of San Francisco native and former State constituent at the 2026 CADEM Convention fouling it off until the inning the Nine” are generally good candidates, but Controller and Board of Equalization Rep, ended. It was like watching the all 9 members of the team crowd the plate, none have “star power” or have, as yet, conBetty Yee (17.3%). longest at-bat in the history of baseball. we’ll hand the game to the other team. So solidated support among the voters. The real draw of the convention is going far, only one candidate has dropped out. It I actually felt sorry for him, so my rescue “on the convention floor” (the only place There is a clear and present danger of two will be interesting to see how this plays out. instinct kicked in, and I lobbed a softball where you need either a delegate credential, Republicans advancing to the General The primary isn’t until June 2, so there’s still over the plate: What is the party doing to or, in my case, a press pass) to hear candiElection in November and effectively shuta lot of baseball left to play. recruit, train, and support viable LGBTQ dates’ 4-minute pitch for delegate support, ting out the Democrats completely. Quick candidates to win elections? He referenced a or, as I call it, “speed dating without cockcivics lesson: California has a “top-two” priAs a reminder, the primary is June 2, and the long history of LGBTQ support through tails.” There are always a few high-ranking mary system, such that the two candidates last day to register to vote is May 18. If outreach and training programs and encourelected officials tossed in to energize the who receive the most votes in June move on you’ve moved or need to update your voter agement LGBTQ candidates to run for crowd, in this case Speaker Emerita registration, do it soon. If you are a U.S. citioffice and work with local electeds to run for Nancy Pelosi and Senator Adam zen and not registered to vote, you should be state-level positions. It was not exactly a Schiff. However, for me, the highlight ashamed of yourself. Our democracy is at homerun hit, but I’ll give him credit for a was being able to attend the “invite stake. Do the right thing and register and solid base-hit, maybe a double if he’s a fast only” press conference for members of make sure to vote on June 2 and November 3. runner. the media hosted by Party Chair Rusty Hicks on Friday. Louise (Lou) Fischer is a former Co-Chair of Since the “Gang of Nine” in the governor’s the Board of Directors for the Alice B. race still hadn’t contracted after the convenMy fancy camera slung over my Toklas LGBT Democratic Club and has tion ended, the Chair invoked the nuclear shoulder and my notepad and pen served as an appointed and elected option and, on March 3 (three days before served as my “newspaper reporter” Delegate for the State Democratic cosplay while I tried to shake off feelings the final filing deadline), sent an open letter Party. She is a proud graduate of the to all candidates with a polite message along of “imposter syndrome” in a room full the lines of: You’re all great, have deep expe- Emerge California Women’s Democratic of award-winning local, state, and Leadership program, was a San Francisco rience, history of public service, and I love national media newspeople who actually Commissioner, and has served in leaderthe enthusiasm, but this isn’t a clown car. It do this for a living. That said, each would be better if a few of you could step reporter asked the same question with ship positions in multiple nonprofit and Louise “Lou” Fischer with CA State Controller Malia Cohen out. Or, sticking with the baseball theme: If slightly different wording that, to community-based organizations. 12

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California law strongly protects the health and wellbeing of transgender and nonbinary school children. As such, it prohibits school districts in the state from forcing school employees to “out” queer students to their parents when the students are open about their sexuality or gender identity at school, but not at home. But last week, the Supreme Court’s Republican supermajority struck down that law until final resolution of a legal challenge to it, by employing its notorious “shadow” docket, which fails to provide enough time for the Court to deliberate and reflect on the consequences of its decision. The effect of the decision is that California school districts can now force school personnel to disclose the sexual orientation or gender identity of students to their parents without the

#FIXSOCIETY

Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis

SCOTUS supermajority Catholics: Top row: Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. Bottom row: Associate Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett

UK: 48% of trans people under 26 attempt suicide (2014) US: 41% of trans people attempt suicide (2014) Canada: 43% of trans people attempt suicide (2012) source: genderagenda.net

student’s consent, potentially putting LGBTIQ+ youth without parental support at great risk. The Court’s supermajority, all of whom were raised Catholic, seemed results driven. The case was brought by two pairs of very

“The only way I will rest in peace is if one day transgender people aren’t treated the way I was, they’re treated like humans, with valid feelings and human rights. Gender needs to be taught about in schools, the earlier the better. My death needs to mean something”

conservative Catholic parents and other plaintiffs, who are represented by well–Leelah Alcorn: (1997–2014) known conservative Catholic attorneys who have vigorously fought against LGBTIQ+ rights in other cases and seek to have conservative Judeo-Christian values dominate American life. The Supreme Court’s decision was based on the parents’ asserted religious rights, as well as overall parenting rights. Justice Elena Kagan blasted the decision, questioning the supermajority’s sincerity and integrity: “The court is impatient: It already knows what it thinks, and insists on getting everything over quickly.” Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the decision was that the Court seemed not to be carefully considering what should have been its paramount concern—the welfare of the two trans and gender nonbinary teens, whose parents put their lives, we’re guessing without their assent, into the center of the lawsuit. We quickly became concerned about their wellbeing as soon as we read the Supreme Court’s decision, as well as the district court’s order in favor of the parents, issued by a conservative George W. Bush appointee. The first red flag was the descriptions of how both sets of parents did not accept the very existence of transgender and gender-nonbinary people, like their own children. The mother of one of the students declared: “As devout Catholics, my husband and I believe that there are only two genders—male and female—and that God made every person as either male or female. We accept the Church’s teaching that nobody can be born in the wrong body, that nobody can change their sex, and that efforts to do so are both sinful and harmful.” The mother of the other student stated: “As the leaders of a devout Catholic family, my husband and I believe the Catholic Church’s teaching that there are only two sexes, male and female, that each one of us was made as male or female by God for a reason, and that one’s sex cannot be changed. We also believe that as parents we have a special duty to protect our children

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EXCESSE/WIKIPEDIA

6/26 and Beyond

CNN SCREEN SHOT

‘Fix Society. Please.’

Candles placed against a wall following the Trafalgar Square vigil in memory of Leelah Alcorn

and raise them according to our faith tradition.” Our minds immediately flashed to the late transgender youth Leelah Alcorn, who twelve years ago took her own life due to the extreme mental distress she experienced, because her parents, their religion and church, and others did not accept her as a transgender person. Leelah left an online public suicide note, which she hoped would help other queer youth. In that note, Leelah recounts how, when she joyfully came out to her mom as transgender because she finally understood who she was after years of suffering, her mom “reacted extremely negatively.” In words that bear a chilling similarity to the way the parents who brought the current lawsuit describe their religious beliefs, Leelah’s mom told her: “I would never truly be a girl, that God doesn’t make mistakes, that I am wrong.” Then Leelah directly implores parents like the ones who brought this lawsuit: (continued on page 15)

GAFFNEY/LEWIS (continued from pg 14) identity is not specified in the Supreme Court decision, but we know that the teen’s parents have placed the teen in therapy.

QUINN BOMBROWSKI/GSA

CINCINNATI.COM SCREEN SHOT

Public health research is crystal clear, as even the district court that ruled in favor of these parents acknowledged based on expert testimony: “the best possible outcome” for trans and nonbinary children is for parents to “fully affirm their child’s new gender identity” and for their “child’s gender identity [to be] affirmed in both school and home life.” The two gender nonconforming kids whose lives are at issue in the current case appear not to have such parental support and show signs they may be suffering the consequences.

“[P]arents, please don’t tell this to your kids. Even if you are Christian or are against transgender people don’t ever say that to someone, especially your kid. That won’t do anything but make them hate them self. That’s exactly what it did to me.” We fear for the two trans or gender nonconforming teens who are at the center of this lawsuit. From sparse information available in the courts’ opinions, one of the queer teens began presenting as a boy, contrary to his sex assigned at birth, and using a typically male name and male pronouns in seventh grade. At some point in middle school, he was president of the PRISM club, a peer support group for LGBTIQ+ students and allies, similar to former GSAs (Gay-Straight Alliances). This teen, whose parents consider trans and gender nonbinary people living in accord their true gender to be “both sinful and harmful,” attempted suicide at the beginning of eighth grade, was hospitalized, and then re-hospitalized because he “was at risk for self-harm.” His parents transferred him to a new school for ninth grade where the parents instructed the school to refer to him as a female. Nevertheless, their child himself “once again began identifying as a boy.” And now the parents have put the child in therapy and under psychiatric care. The other teen, whose gender assigned at birth was female, began identifying as a boy in fifth grade. Based on the parents’ representations to the courts, he apparently continued to do so until the end of seventh grade, stopped for a period of time, and once again began identifying as a boy near the end of eighth grade. The teen’s current gender

Under U.S. Supreme Court precedent, “religious beliefs need not be acceptable, logical, consistent, or comprehensible to others” to receive First Amendment protection. Here lies the real danger when the ideologically driven Supreme Court supermajority elevates parents’ religious views that lack grounding in reality over the best interests of the children from a research-based health perspective, putting vulnerable queer youth at risk. The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus condemned the Supreme Court decision. While recognizing the importance of parents, it declared: “Our commitment is unwavering: California schools must remain safe, inclusive environments where every student, including LGBTQ+ youth, can learn, grow and be the truest version of themselves.” At age 17, Leelah already knew what was needed: “Gender needs to be taught about in schools, the earlier the better.” Trans people need to be “treated like humans, with valid feelings and human rights.” For the sake of the two teens whose parents brought this lawsuit and for the sake of all LGBTIQ+ youth, we all need to respond to Leelah’s final entreaty: “Fix society. Please.” 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. S AN FR ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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2261 Market Street, No. 309 San Francisco CA 94114 Phone: 415-601-2113 525 Bellevue Avenue Oakland CA 94610 E-mail: 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.

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GLBT Fortnight in Review Cruel and Unusual In the last issue we covered several transgender stories, notably the bad bill out of Kansas, as well as the Trump administration’s continuing clampdown on prisoners. Among other things, Kansas invalidated transgender drivers’ licenses from one day to the next (unless the gender marked the driver’s gender at birth). Usually, a law will go into effect several months down the road or even longer. And, usually, a law that would require a citizen to take bureaucratic action—like getting a day off, going to the DMV, taking a number and reading the first eight chapters of War and Peace—usually that kind of law grandfathers current license holders or gives them an extended grace period. Not this time. As for the new Trump prison rules, transgender prisoners are to be denied hormone treatment, a forced de-transition that endangers their health and devastates their souls.

By Ann Rostow

his junk. He would have noticed by now. Indeed, it turns out that the two other penises were hiding in his scrotum. The anomaly was discovered in the cadaver of a 78-yearold man, who was dissected in 2024, which makes this old news. Still, we’re hooked on the story now, right? Apparently, there’s a condition called polyphallia that affects about one in six million births. Rarer still is triphallia. According to the Post, there was only one other such case mentioned in scientific literature between the years 1606 and 2023. (Just a quick complaint. Wouldn’t polyphallia have included triphallia within its definition? Poly means many, while here we seem to be using it to mean just one extra.) Delving deeper into the Post story, we learn that this man’s irregularity developed in utero, when the “genital tubercle” that evolves into genitals accidentally “triplicated.”

Now we have court challenges against both these policies, which we’ll discuss at length after I tell you about the man with three penises. I know! I didn’t believe it either, which is why I clicked on The New York Post article headlined: “How a Man Wth 3 Penises May Have Gone His Whole Life Without Knowing About the Extra Two.”

“The urethra originally developed in the secondary penis,” explained researchers. “However, when this penis failed to develop, the urethra diverted its course and developed in the primary penis instead. The tertiary penis is a remnant of the triplicated general tubercle.” Try saying that last sentence after a triplicated Bloody Mary.

Well, right off the bat I guessed that the guy did not have three normal-sized penises just hanging about down there with the rest of

So, now we know! The article was accompanied by photos of bananas, by the way. Just so you can envision it. And if you’re wonder-

ing why this rare and invisible condition is worthy of our news column, it’s because anything remotely bizarre involving penises fits under the general category of “sort of a gay thing.” We’re Not in My Kansas Anymore I may have mentioned that Kansas is my home state by marriage, and the home state of my extended family. So, I am more than ashamed that the fair-minded, congenial, and somewhat centrist Sunflower State has passed a suite of vicious anti-trans bills, including a two-for-one statute that simultaneously bans transgender driving licenses and forces transgender men and women to use the publicly owned bathrooms of their sex at birth. This includes not just the capitol building or a public library, but any building that is owned by the state and may be leased to a private company. Further, this same bill allows regular citizen who are “aggrieved” by someone in the bathroom to file some kind of civil suit. I’m not sure exactly how that would work, but it evokes the Texas anti-abortion bill that allows third party randos to sue those who facilitate an abortion for $10,000. Also, it’s not clear whether someone who is “aggrieved” that, say, a transman walked into the ladies’ room as required by law, is allowed to sue as well. This particular bill sidled through the legislative muck like a rat snake on its way to your

bedroom. Vetoed by Democratic Governor Laura Kelly, the lawmakers overrode her veto to put it into action with immediate affect late last month. Now, two transmen from Lawrence, home of the University of Kansas, have sued a range of Kansas officials in state court, remaining anonymous in court papers. One man is an administrator at KU. The other man is a PhD student. Both men have used public restrooms at KU and elsewhere for years and drive for work and other purposes. Kansas moved to allow citizens to change their gender markers on various documents about 15 years ago, and up until the recent Trump-led anti-trans crusades, people in the state operated with a live and let live philosophy. I believe that underneath the rot of easy prejudice, they still do. But a silent majority is of little help when a loud minority takes the legislative stage. Filed in state court by a Kansas City attorney and the American Civil Liberties Union, the lawsuit makes six claims for relief on state constitutional grounds. Among them is the right to equal protection, free expression, personal autonomy, individual privacy, and procedural due process. The complaint also objects to the violation of the single subject rule, which—as it sounds— requires a bill to limit itself to one subject that is expressed in the title. It asks the judge (continued on page 20)

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By Donna Sachet

“Laissez les bons temps rouler!” —Unknown

t the risk of sounding like a naive school girl with a childish crush, we report with giddy delight that the Kamala Harris who invited us a few years ago to the Vice President’s Residence in Washington, D.C., for an LGBTQ Pride Party and the most recent presidential candidate for office from the Democratic Party is the same warm, kind person whom we knew here in San Francisco and California! When we noticed that she would be speaking in Oakland last week as a part of her book tour, we snapped up the best tickets we could get. Then, we contacted Matthew Rothschild, the same gentleman and friend who was at the D.C. party a few years ago, to see if he would like to join us. He enthusiastically agreed, and, somehow, when our names were submitted as ticket holders, we were contacted to join in the meet-and-greet preceding the event! Needless to say, we were thrilled. Right away, we began to research the easiest and most reliable way to get to Oakland on a Tuesday night and settled on BART. Even given our mutual unfamiliarity with the BART system, we easily found our way on the Blue Line to Lake Merritt and the Kaiser Center for the Arts. Matthew was the perfect escort as we waited in a long line that eventually wound inside, and, after a little patient conversation, we were on our way to the guest of honor for a photo and greeting. Having done our share of these very structured meet-and-greet events, our expectations were realistic. We welcomed the opportunity for a photo and the chance to thank Kamala personally for the spirited, positive campaign she had waged in 2024. Needless to say, security was tight and last-minute instructions included a caution against anything but standing next to her for a quick photo ... no personal contact, no hug, no lingering. As we waited, we exchanged stories with Matthew of our several decades of friendship with and support of Kamala, which made the long hour of waiting fly by. Finally, we were next and there she was, dressed in an elegant, but simple, dark pantsuit, smiling with recognition, arms open to greet her old friends. Without another thought, we embraced and quickly filled our few seconds together with comments about the book, which we highly recommend, sharing regards from many other friends, and trying our best to express how deeply we had been impressed by her short-lived, but well-executed, campaign and her dignity since. After posing for a second for our photo, we separated, and, as she blew kisses, we couldn’t help but point out the high-heel pumps we had chosen to wear with our red pantsuit for the occasion; she laughed with amusement and gave us kudos for waiting in line with such fortitude. Within those few seconds of contact, it became evident that the flurry of an unsuccessful national presidential campaign has not weakened her resolve, her compassion, or her humility. Kamala Harris is the same genuine person you will read about in 107 Days, the same person who served San Francisco, California, and eventually the nation as vice president, and the same person with whom we have shared laughter, frustration, and guarded optimism. Scoff if you must at our admiration for this individual, whom we have seen work so hard and accomplish so much, but never doubt that Kamala Harris is who she appears to be. We, as a nation, owe her so much and we, individually, will always deeply appreciate her kindness. After a brief break in the social whirl that is San Francisco after Imperial Coronation, we encourage you to join us at one of the most enjoyable events of the spring season. Krewe de Kinque, Gary Virginia and King XXII John Brett & Queen XXII Olivia Hart invite one and all to Bal Masque XXIII on Sunday, March 15, 4–8 pm at The Cafe in the Castro. Imagine a New Orleans type celebration full of rich tradition and bawdy entertainment with costumes and decorations and then layer on the Oscar Ceremony playing live on multiple screens with all the suspense and pageantry of Hollywood. Those who fondly remember the days of the Academy of Friends annual parties will welcome a similar multi-sensory experience, including silent auction, Cajun cuisine, raffle, drink specials, and more. This festive event benefits Openhouse, our local nonprofit addressing the special needs of our aging LGBTQ population. This is one party you don’t want to miss. See you there!

Friday, March 13 Eat the Rich: Should Billionaires Even Exist? Panel discussion with Peaches Christ, Celso Dulay, Michelle Meow Commonwealth Club 110 Embarcadero 6 pm $25 https://www.commonwealthclub.org/ Sunday, March 15 Krewe de Kinque’s Bal Masque XXIII Annual Mardi Gras ball & fundraiser Entertainment, Oscar viewing party, New Orleans-style celebration Benefiting Openhouse The Cafe, 2369 Market Street 4–8 pm $25 & up https://bit.ly/4aLg3uX Tuesday, March 17 Trash Talk With John Waters Screening of Serial Mom Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street 7 pm $30 & up www.frameline.org Friday–Sunday, March 20–22 Mr. San Francisco Leather Contest Ray Tilton & Tracii Ross Contest & other events Benefiting LYRIC SF Eagle and other locations https://mr-sf-leather.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

PHOTO BY SHAWN NORTHCUTT

WHITE HOUSE PHOTO

Donna Sachet (center) and Matthew Rothschild (second from right) with friends at the 2024 Pride Reception hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris at Number One Observatory Circle in Washington, D.C. S AN FR ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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JUSTER (continued from pg 11)

ROSTOW (continued from pg 17)

and human rights. While they fund mostly Bay Area projects and groups, they have also been known to support communities in other parts of the country that are facing major challenges. Grants are typically $250 to $1,000.

to issue a declaratory judgment, dismissing the law as unconstitutional and unenforceable. Failing that, it asks for a temporary restraining order, putting the law on hold until litigation can decide its fate.

crew, the mystery man decided to wait for another car and everyone else got out as well. “You are all ridiculous” is what Geidner had to say as the door closed. Good for him.

Applications are being accepted now through March 22, 2026, and winners will be announced at the Sisters’ annual Easter celebration in Dolores Park, on April 5. For info, or to apply: https://bit.ly/4riEQgg

Meanwhile, these men and their fellow transgender Kansan men must now saunter into the ladies’ room, and present their masculine ID cards, marked as female, to TSA agents or bartenders or whomever, effectively outing themselves as transgender and perhaps having to provide explanations. They may be endangered as well, as you might imagine, and the same goes for the transwomen who will join the guys at the urinal and undergo a Q and A at the airline counter. And for what?

Hey, if anyone really wants to understand what’s happening in Judge Lamberth’s courtroom, sign up for Geidner’s Law Dork.

Town Hall March 15 for the Leather Community The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District holds town halls twice a year to update the community on its activities, and seeks input on the district’s work. The next town hall will be March 15, from 12–2 pm, at the Folsom Street Community Center. This is your chance to learn, share your experiences and feedback, and become a member. Info: https://tinyurl.com/LDTH26 Save the Date This June 5 will mark the 45th anniversary of the first official diagnosis of what would come to be known as AIDS. And while tremendous progress has been made in prevention and treatment since that time, much of that progress is in danger due to this country’s current homophobic, anti-science leadership. The draconian cuts to HIV/AIDS funding, along with cuts to healthcare and research across the board, should alarm everyone. Activist Cleve Jones recently announced that he has been working with organizations across the country to focus attention on the disastrous impact this administration has had on healthcare, medical research, and disease prevention, not just in the U.S., but also around the world. They are asking local communities to mobilize during the first week of June, with a variety of public actions. A website with more details of what is planned, and how to participate, will be posted soon; I will share it here as soon as it is available. But, in the meantime, plan to be part of this nationwide effort during the first week of June. Joanie Juster is a long-time community volunteer, activist, and ally.

Just imagine if all of us were suddenly required to switch genders on all our documents. Cruel and Incomprehensible Let’s move on to the situation behind bars. As we said last week, the Trump administration announced a new prison policy for transgender inmates during a court hearing on February 19. First, in the definition page, “gender identity” is defined as “a fully internal and subjective sense of self, disconnected from biological sex and existing on an infinite continuum, that does not provide a meaningful basis for identification and cannot be recognized as a replacement for sex.” Right off the bat, we know that the policymakers believe gender identity is a purely imaginary status. And can I ask who decided that gender identity existed “on an infinite continuum?” Did Zeno of Elea drop into a task force meeting? As for action points, the federal prisons will no longer offer hormone therapy, although they will “taper off ” those who depend upon it at the moment, and keep an eye out for long-term users registering “acute distress.” There will also be no more “social accommodation,” so no feminine clothing or accessories for transwomen, and no butchy styles for transmen. The new rules found their way into the courtroom of District of Columbia U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth, who has been handling multiple trans prison cases ever since Trump and company began their attacks on trans prisoners in January 2025. During the February 19 hearing, Judge Lamberth also weighed complaints of retaliation from two inmates at a prison in Butner, North Carolina, Grace Pinson and Elmer Moreno, who have issued complaints against the authorities. Lamberth ordered prison officials to show cause why they should not be held in contempt given a protective order issued earlier in Lamberth’s court.

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I have tried repeatedly to clean up that last paragraph, but there are parts of these ongoing cases that elude me. I gather Judge Lamberth, a Reagan appointee, has issued several rulings putting various anti-trans prison authorities on notice and blocking discriminatory actions. Pinson and Moreno filed complaints before the February 19 policy was announced. Judge Lamberth issued a protective order, and it was after that that they were punished, with one official telling Pinson: “I don’t give a f--k what that judge says, I do what I want.” Both inmates are now in solitary confinement for reasons unclear. Reporting on the story, Law Dork Chris Geidner tells his Substack readers that an unidentified man was twice seen sitting close to the government lawyers, who consulted him on a few occasions. Asked his name after the latest hearing, the man refused to answer, even though Geidner was wearing his press pass and identified himself as a reporter. When Geidner got on an elevator with the government

An Insubstantial Court Speaking of Geidner, he wrote a great account of the High Court’s shadow docket ruling that bans California schools from keeping a student’s thoughts on gender identity private. A district court put an injunction on the policy, forcing teachers and administrators to report any variation from the straight and narrow to a child’s parents. I don’t know the exact parameters of the law, only that the schools no longer have the leeway to exercise judgment when it comes to a vulnerable kid, perhaps from a strict family, who might struggle with gender and look to a teacher or a school counselor for help. A group of parents and conservative teachers sued, winning the aforementioned injunction, which was temporarily put on hold by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Now, the Supreme Court has restored the injunction on behalf of the parents, but not the teachers. Two justices, Thomas and Barrett, would have restored the teachers’ claim as well, while the three liberals would have held the injunction pending future legal action. The interesting aspect of the case, as Geidner notes, is that this Court has diminished the idea of substantive due process, the premise that the Constitution inherently protects certain fundamental rights that are intrinsic to a concept of ordered liberty. What rights? Well, the right to privacy, for one, which, in turn, brought us Roe v Wade, Lawrence v Texas, and, of course, the marriage equality cases. You may recall that Justice Thomas argued in his concurrence overturning Roe that substantive due process should be abandoned. Just a few months ago, one of the lawyers pushing the Court to take a second look at Obergefell’s right to marry decision, also condemned substantive due process as an unconstitutional contrivance. In other words, some of these nutcases want to get rid of a long line of legal thought, root and branch. That line includes parental rights, featured in the very case we were discussing so long ago at the beginning of this section! You may recall that, last year, the High Court ruled that parents are owed the right to remove their small kids from part of an ad hoc reading program, where storybooks were picked at random and read aloud. A few age-appropriate gay books were included in the library, and, while precedent indicates that a parent can’t force schools to take into account incidental trespass on religious faith, the Court nonetheless ruled that the parents must be allowed to opt out of exposing a child to a gay book. (Effectively, this took the innocuous books out of the lineup completely since the readings were not scheduled in advance.) In other words, the Court likes parental rights and substantive due process at some points but not others. As Geidner tells us (because he read all the legalize on our behalf), Justice Kagan also noted that the Court accepted only one aspect of the case against transgender healthcare for Tennessee youth last year. It heard the Equal Protection claims, but chose not to hear the arguments that were based on parental rights; this time, of course, it concerned the rights of parents to choose the care for their transgender sons and daughters. arostow@aol.com

Bingo, Bikes, and the Road to 50

Photos courtesy of Dykes on Bikes®

By Kate Brown, Ph.D. afternoon will be Drag Bingo from 4–5 pm, hosted by the incomparable Leggy Pee, an Oakland-based drag and theater artist and proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. With sharp wit, theatrical flair, and a whole lot of sass, Leggy Pee will keep the room laughing while players compete for some fabulous prizes.

Tales From Two Wheels Sometimes the best way to build momentum for the future is to gather, laugh, and celebrate the community that brought us to where we are today. As the San Francisco Dykes on Bikes® (DOBTM) prepares for our historic 50th Anniversary ride at San Francisco Pride this June, we are kicking off the season with an afternoon that promises plenty of laughter, connection, and a little fabulous chaos. On Sunday, March 22, from 3–7 pm, we’ll be hosting a community get-together and fundraiser for DOB at the legendary White Horse Bar, one of the longest-running LGBTQ bars in the country and a beloved gathering place for generations of queer community.

A big thank you to The White Horse, San Francisco Bay Times, Rikki’s, and everyone who has already reached out with an offer to support us in fundraising as we look towards this milestone year. As we approach our 50th anniversary, that sense of connection feels especially meaningful. What began nearly five decades ago as a bold act of visibility by a group of Dykes moving their motorcycles to the front of the parade has grown into an international movement with chapters across the United States and around the world. This June, Dykes from chapters across the United States and as far away as Australia will be traveling to San Francisco to celebrate that milestone with us. When our engines roar to life on Market Street this Pride, they will carry with them the history, courage, and community spirit of everyone who helped

Dykes on Bikes will be hosting a fundraiser at the White Horse March 22nd, featuring drag bingo with Leggy Pee.

make those fifty years possible.

The afternoon will feature music, dancing, games, prizes, and plenty of opportunities to connect with friends old and new. The centerDykes on Bikes and fellow riders from other motorcycle groups at The White Horse. September piece of the 13, 2025

PHOTO BY BROOKE OLIVER

Dykes on Bikes®

And the fun won’t stop there. We’re also excited for another fundraiser on April 24th at Rikki’s in the Castro, timed to coincide with Lesbian Visibility Week. We’re excited to gather in San Francisco for another evening of community, celebration, and support for the work that keeps our organization running strong. Details to come!

Registration to ride with Dykes on Bikes in the San Francisco Pride Parade is now open. For many riders, joining the contingent on Market Street has become an annual tradition and a cherished part of their Pride celebration. For others, this may be the year they decide to ride with us for the very first time as we mark our 50th anniversary. Riders who would like to participate can register by visiting https://sfpride.org/

But before Pride arrives, we hope you’ll join us in Oakland on March 22 at the White Horse. Come, play bingo, have fun, win a prize. And help us build the road toward the next 50 years of Dykes on Bikes. Kate Brown, Ph.D., is the President of San Francisco Dykes on Bikes® Women’s Motorcycle Contingent. https://www.dykesonbikes.org/

Dykes on Bikes® 50th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser! th

April 24, 6–10 pm

Anniversary Friday of Lesbian Visibility Week 2026 Rikki’s in the Castro Music by iHeartRadio BAY TIMES DJ Christie James S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES Est. 1978

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Community Treasures From the GLBT Historical Society Archives

New Exhibition Honors the Lesbian Business Owners and Networks That Sustained a Community This Women’s History Month, the GLBT Historical Society is thrilled to present Directory of Dreams: Bay Area Lesbian Economies and Radical Care, 1970–1995—a new exhibition tracing the everyday efforts of Bay Area lesbians who refused erasure and built community networks rooted in care, solidarity, and economic selfdetermination. Curated and co-presented by the Bay Area Lesbian Archives (BALA), the exhibition documents a remarkable chapter in Bay Area history—one built from the ground up through women-run cafés, bookstores, credit unions, and print shops that became networks of mutual aid sustaining entire communities. “We felt this was a timely exhibition because we are once again living in a moment when queer and lesbian communities are being asked to survive systems that were not built for us,” says BALA Executive Director Kerby Lynch, PhD. “These histories are not just stories from the past. They are blueprints for how we build, care for one another, and sustain our institutions now.” At the heart of the exhibition are self-published directories, photographs, maps, flyers, menus, and ephemera connecting people to jobs, housing, political spaces, and affirming services in a society that often denied them all. “This exhibition offers a vivid picture of how lesbians sustained one another and their communities through ingenuity, collaboration, shared purpose, and care for one another,” says Elena Gross, Director of Exhibitions & Public Programs at the GLBT Historical Society. “Our partnership with the Bay Area Lesbian Archives has been invaluable in surfacing materials that reflect both the everyday labor of these women and their steadfast collective vision for a brighter, more prosperous future.”

Women’s Press Project poster; Marta Wohl Collection, Bay Area Lesbian Archives

Directory of Dreams opens Thursday, March 12, at the GLBT Historical Society Museum in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood. For hours, admission, and visitor information, visit https://bit.ly/3NuCRaJ

WomanCrafts West poster; Pell Collection, Bay Area Lesbian Archives

SF Women’s Yellow Pages poster, 1986–87. Betsy Calloway Collection, Bay Area Lesbian Archives

Upcoming Meetings to Defend Civilian Oversight and Accountability in San Francisco Independent commissions, such as the Commission on the Status of Women, are under threat now in San Francisco. The Commission Streamlining Task Force has been making recommendations about ways to modify, eliminate, or combine the city’s boards and commissions “to improve the administration of city government.” Over 40% of the city’s boards and commissions may be eliminated or consolidated. Sophia Andary of the Commission on the Status of Women, who is also a Co-Founder of the Women’s March, shares that “there is nothing efficient about weakening civilian oversight or eroding Sophia Andary accountability.” She and others are calling attention to related meetings and events over the next several days permitting public input. One of the most important will take place on March 17, when the San Francisco Board of Supervisors will review the Commission Streamlining Task Force (Prop E) recommendations. The public may provide comment at this meeting, which will be held in San Francisco City Hall Legislative Chamber Room 250 at 2 pm. On March 19, there will be a City Hall hearing, from 10 am–1 pm, urging an Executive Directive and Citywide Action Plan to advance women and gender equity. Letters expressing views about any of these matGathering of members and supporters of the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women ters may be emailed to Board.of.Supervisors@sfgov.org 22

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Photos: sf.gov

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Sneak Peek at the New Documentary Hunky Jesus, Which Expiates Stigmatic Guilt and Promulgates Joy By Andrea Chase

Still from the documentary Hunky Jesus.

the first time. I’ve been a Kroot fan since her debut with the sci-fi fable Sirens of the 23rd Century (2005), and have always jumped at the chance to interview her for each of her subsequent films, to get some of her trenchant insight and playful erudition. Andrea Chase: Painfully obvious question to start. How did you discover the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Hunky Jesus? Jennifer Kroot: Oh, my God. Well, I discovered the Sisters way before I discovered Hunky Jesus. I’m a Bay Area native and I’ve lived in San Francisco since 1989, so I don’t remember a time without the Sisters. I probably first heard about the Sisters in Tales of the City, when I was quite young, but I loved the idea CREDIT: JENNIFER KROOT AND GERRY KIM

It was correctly pointed out to me that Jennifer Kroot’s latest doc, Hunky Jesus, can be considered the third part of a trilogy of films addressing the queer experience in these United States from different vantage points. Her first was To Be Takei (2014), in which Star Trek icon and activist George Takei recounted his experiences both as a gay actor in Hollywood, and as a victim of the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. The second is The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin (2017), a survey of the life and times of The Tales of the City author and his triumphs and tragedies as a gay man in the South who found his logical family, and life’s mission, with his serialized story about a wide swath of characters coping with life and love in San Francisco before, during, and after the height of the AIDS epidemic.

CREDIT: JENNIFER KROOT AND GERRY KIM

(Editor’s Note: San Francisco Bay Times former columnists Jennifer Kroot and Robert Holgate gave us a sneak peek at their new collaboration, the documentary Hunky Jesus. The film tells the story of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, which is interwoven with their 2023 Hunky Jesus Easter event. The documentary will have its world premiere next month at BFI Flare 40 in London. An exciting U.S. premiere will be announced later this spring. The Bay Times will let you know as soon as that’s made public.)

of roller-skating nuns. It turned out they didn’t roller-skate. That was just Armistead Maupin taking artistic liberty. However, they might as well have. I mean, they’re just as crazy as roller-skating nuns, right?

Jennifer Kroot: With the Sisters, their focus, like Catholic nuns, is serious, doing charity work and raising money for good causes. Like Jesus, the Sisters walk with the marginalized. And they bring joy while doing the work. [As for] the approach of the film, well, I always thought: Wouldn’t it be cool to just do like a concert-driven film about Hunky Jesus? You know, like Give Me Shelter, but Hunky Jesus. Fellini doing Give Me Shelter. So, I actually tricked myself into like, okay, I’m just gonna make a short about Hunky Jesus.

Hunky Jesus didn’t start until the late 1990s, and I thought that was genius, subversive, but also filled with warmth. It warms my heart to know that the attendance is bigger than ever, especially post-pandemic.

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Still showing members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence from the documentary Hunky Jesus. MA RC H 1 2 , 2 0 2 6

CREDIT: JENNIFER KROOT AND GERRY KIM

Still from the documentary Hunky Jesus.

It was a treat to reconnect with Kroot and to meet Executive Producer and Kroot co-columnist Robert Holgate for

Robert Holgate: I’ve been a fan of the Sisters since I moved here in the 1980s, just before the AIDS crisis. Even in the earliest days of the epidemic, the Sisters were on the ground fighting for us with their irreverent wit and in your face activism, before anyone else took action. Political leaders ignored us and shamed us. The Sisters created the first safe sex guide Play Fair. In addition to being informative, it was done in a funny, playful manner. Andrea Chase: I love the way your film catches the dead serious yet playful way they speak truth to power.

When I moved here, I would go to rallies and politicians would speak, but what was always exciting was when a Sister would speak. They were always so charismatic and just knew how to talk about the issues in such a fun, insane way. You know, punk rock and in your face and no b.s. They’ve always been an inspiring group and I’ve always sort of secretly fantasized about being one. But, you know, I don’t think I could.

Hunky Jesus (2026), with its ebullient celebration of queerness in all its forms, is more than a culmination of what came before; it is the distillation, nay, even apotheosis, of how to channel anger and trauma into a version of a better world that The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and Jesus, envisioned: one of equality, dignity, joy, and, for at least one of those parties, a surfeit of sequins.

Jerry Lewis, in an undated photo, trying to make Andrea Chase laugh. She is, of course, unimpressed. Though still a toddler, her right hand is anticipating the day she would be holding a mic in these situations.

But then it just wasn’t the full thing. I wanted to know, who is Roma (Sister Roma There’s No Place Like Rome)? What are they doing? Why does this mean anything? Let’s get into what’s behind all of the religious stuff, and the trauma that people have gone through. In the film, I talk about not being included in religions, because of sexual orientation, whatever the reason, and it just seemed very important to share that that’s behind this, that it’s a reclaiming of spirituality and in a unique way. Many of these people, the Sisters and people who go to the contest, are Christian, which I was actually surprised about. It seemed important to take that seriously. (continued on page 31)

CREDIT: BRANDON CHASE AND COURTESY OF ANDREA CHASE

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

Powerhouse Play Puts Women’s Sports Center Stage: Flex Performs March 26–May 2 at San Francisco Playhouse In basketball—and theatre—the stakes are high. Climactic action, movement, and emotion escalate to a fever pitch, causing your heart to pound until the final moments.

behind the scoreboard— the humor, tenderness, and fierce loyalty that propel them forward. Flex celebrates young women discovering who they are and who they might become.”

Center court will meet center stage in the upcoming West Coast Premiere of Flex, a thrilling play about women hoping to break into the WNBA.

While basketball is central to Flex, the play also

Margo Hall

Hall works with her husband, Emmanuel Blackwell, as the basketball consultant for this production, in which vital scenes hinge on players scoring (or not). For Hall and Blackwell, the basketball is dramaturgy, not decoration. “Manny has been coaching basketball for over 45 years, so authenticity is key,” said Hall. “The drills, the footwork, the physical conditioning—all of it must feel earned. We’re also shaping the movement language to support character development and emotional stakes. The audience

explores the lives of its young Black female characters and their rich relationships as a team. “What excites me most about Flex is its fierce celebration of Black girls in all their complexity: their ambition, tenderness, competitiveness, and vulnerability,” said Hall. “We so rarely get to see young Black women centered in stories about athletic excellence and interior emotional lives at the same time. Candrice Jones writes these girls with humor, heat, and heart. That combination is what makes theatre extraordinary.”

The all-female cast of this action-packed new play includes Bay Area theatre veteran Halili Knox as the team’s coach, a role she’s been instrumental in developing, appearing in the early readings, the World Premiere, and Off-Broadway at Lincoln Center Theater. The basketball team is portrayed onstage by Courtney Gabrielle Williams, Santeon Brown, Paige Mayes, Emma Gardner, and Camille Collaço. As audiences see the Lady Train take the stage, Hall hopes their stories resonate. “I hope audiences witness the complexity and brilliance of these young women. I hope they understand the weight of what it means to be talented and young, and to be aware that opportunity is limited. And I hope they leave thinking about how we invest in—and protect—the dreams of Black girls.” Flex will perform March 26–May 2, 2026, at the San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post Street. Tickets are available at https://sfplayhouse.org/

“In Flex, the journey of this Black girls’ basketball team to the state finals is thrilling,” adds Artistic Director Bill English. “But what moves us most is the humanity

Camille Collaço, Emma Gardner, Santeon Brown, Paige Mayes, and Courtney Gabrielle Williams are the Lady Train high school basketball team in San Francisco Playhouse’s Flex, performing March 26-May 2, 2026.

PHOTO BY JESSICA PALOPOLI9

Set in 1998 just after the formation of the WNBA, Candrice Jones’ riveting new play follows the Lady Train high school basketball team in Plainnole, Arkansas. Dreams of going pro collide with being young, Black, and female in the rural South. The play also follows its teenage protagonists’ adventures (and misadventures) in young love, including two of the players entering a queer relationship. The New York Times called Flex’s Off-Broadway run at Lincoln Center Theater “a slam-dunk.” The New York Sun proclaimed, “Poignant and humorous, Flex is infused with such a generous, buoyant spirit, you can’t help being uplifted by it.”

PHOTO BY LISA KEATING PHOTOGRAPHY

Tipping off at San Francisco Playhouse March 26, Flex is directed by Bay Area theatre titan Margo Hall, who notes, “Basketball has a musicality and strategic precision that feel inherently theatrical. As a director, I’m fascinated by the choreography of teamwork: the unspoken communication, the shifts in power, the momentum swings. That’s rich dramatic material.”

A former cheerleader, Hall had a front row seat on the action and was deeply invested in the teams she supported. “That experience gave me a real appreciation for the discipline, camaraderie, and emotional intensity of sports,” said Hall.

should feel the pressure of the clock, the physical exhaustion, and the adrenaline of the moment.”

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The Queer-Themed Somersault Is a Worthy Reissue looks at the sky through the scarlet lens, Joe is later seen holding up a wine glass for a similarly diffused perspective. While they have little in common, the film suggests, they perhaps share the same lack of selfworth, and self-awareness.

Film Gary M. Kramer Director Cate Shortland’s spectacular drama, Somersault, remains as potent today as it was on initial release twenty years ago. This incredibly compelling drama, available for streaming March 27, 2026, in a new restoration, features an astonishing performance by Abbie Cornish as a self-destructive teenager struggling with her sexuality. The film is also visually superb, with gorgeous cinematography and impressionistic effects that comment on the thoughts and emotions of the finely drawn characters. The film opens with Heidi (Cornish) leaving home after being caught in bed with her mom’s boyfriend. She heads off to the resort town of Jindabyne to find a man she once knew with the hope that he can provide her with a job. However, as with most of her decisions, things do not quite work out well, or as she planned. Heidi is soon stranded in a strange town in the off-season, and without much money or the prospect of a job. Her only plan for finding a place to sleep is to go home with a guy. After spending the night with someone she met in a bar (who dumps her quickly the next morning), Heidi eventually meets Joe (Sam Worthington), a good-looking guy who tentatively begins a relationship with her. They check into a local inn, and, after a night together, Heidi clings to the connection she makes with this stranger. Craving attention and affection, she is curious about seeing more of Joe—and yet his feelings towards her are not as easily revealed or returned. Like Heidi, Joe is also a bit at sea in his life. He has difficulties communicating with his folks and his friends, and he, too, is searching to find himself. Somersault parallels the two characters’ lives when they are each alone, showing their daily routines, and providing nice visual links that draw these disparate people together. When Heidi picks up a pair of ski goggles and 26

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Shortland is as interested in creating a mood, as she is focusing on plot, and thankfully her mastery at composing shots reveals much about her characters. Shooting Heidi through a glass of beer suggests that she has to get drunk to numb her emotional pain—and perhaps exhibit her sexual promiscuity—and the effect of this narrative shorthand is very satisfying. However, Somersault also provides Joe and Heidi with dramatic outbursts that allow them to define their characters. When Joe tells his best friend why he hangs out with him, his candor is quite shocking. This scene, along with the curious exchanges he has with a gay neighbor, explains how Joe’s self-hatred manifests itself, and his cavalier attitude towards Heidi makes more sense as a result. Likewise, Heidi’s confrontation with Irene (Lynettte Curran), the owner of the inn where she stays, is pretty intense and effective. Lashing out at Irene because she is called on her own bad behavior, Heidi ultimately realizes that she must grow and change. Somersault is a powerful little film that sneaks up on viewers. One of the most disquieting exchanges takes place in a car one night when Heidi is warned by the father of her friend Bianca (Hollie Andrew) to stay away from his daughter. The film has the effect of a sucker punch. (continued on page 31)

Reminiscing About Meeting (and Dating!) Movie Stars From Hollywood’s Golden Age

Photos courtesy of Jan Wahl and Marc Huestis

Jan Wahl: My advice is: When you have fun, the audience has fun. For example, I worked for Rona Barrett at ABC TV before Barbara Walters kicked her out of the network. Mel Brooks was a guest, and he made us all laugh by taking the microphone and farting into it. It sounds disgusting, but when Mel Brooks does it, it’s funny! Rona was wonderful and wanted an all-women crew; she was ahead of her time.

Off the Wahl

Adam Kent: I know you are a fan of musicals.

Jan Wahl

Jan Wahl: I was lucky enough that my father played Big Band drums, so music was alive in our family. I dated two musical stars: Donald O’Connor and Gene Nelson, both amazing dancers. Both were older than me, but old dancers keep themselves in great shape. Marc Huestis did an event at The Castro Theatre with

I worked in TV and radio for 22 years and I had many opportunities to meet stars. The reason why I had access is that they all came through town promoting a book, a record, a TV show, or a movie, and they all wanted to be on TV! My friend and colleague Adam Kent asked me about it.

Jan Wahl: One of my favorite memories concerns one of my favorite actresses, Jane Russell. The strong, sultry brunette

Jan Wahl with Tony Curtis and Marc Huestis

Ann Miller, a wild Texan. I would highly recommend the movie Kiss Me Kate to get a look at this amazing performer. Unlike the crabby Kathryn Grayson, Ann was upbeat and very funny.

Cuisinart 1.7 L Silver Electric Kettle Protect your tea from over-brewing with the PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle and its six preset temperatures optimized for every variety of tea. $199.99 Jan Wahl with Ann Miller

Electric Fireplace Heater with 3D Flame Add warmth and style to any space with this beauty. Only 17 inches tall, this petite heater will also fit into an old bricked-in Edwardian fireplace. Available in black, red, blue and yellow for $199.99 Keep up with Cliff’s Variety news at Facebook ( https://bit.ly/4qh1Xbb ) & IG @hilario_sf 28

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was the most down-to-earth, tough gal I ever met. By the time we did a series of interviews, she was wearing Birkenstocks rather than high heels. Once, we were at The Castro Theatre doing one of Marc Huestis’ wonderful events, and Jane decided she was a born-again Christian. So, every time I asked a question about one of her glamorous films, she would say, “ ... and then Jesus brought me to meet Marilyn, Robert Mitchum ... ” or anyone else. It was hard to keep a straight face. Adam Kent: You often make things that could be awkward look like fun.

Of course, the LGBTQ community comes through with fascinating folks. Jodie Foster was so smart I kept thinking she should leave show business and teach as a professor at Yale. The divine Bob Mackie gave great details on his fashions. For more on this remarkable artist, watch the 2024 documentary Naked Illusion. Adam Kent: Let’s go behind the scenes for LGBTQ producers and directors. Jan Wahl: Yes, I met Ismail Merchant and James Ivory. They made amazing films, including The White Countess, A Room With a View, and Maurice. Ismail made me curry. While he was making Rich and Famous, I met George Cukor. (continued on page 38)

PHOTO BY BRANDON CHASE

Adam Kent: Do you ever look back on experiences you had and just laugh?

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LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

Jewelle Gomez

Unsportspersonlike power, and versatility of the players while on skates is undeniably mesmerising.

Leave Signs Jewelle Gomez Scientists and mothers have proven that males mature more slowly than females, so I guess I’ll assume that the male U.S. Olympic ice hockey team (average age of 28.4 years) can plead immaturity for its lack of spine or sensitivity or sportsmanship when #47 mocked the female U.S. Olympic ice hockey team (average age 25.8). The male team’s adolescent behaviour, along with that of the director of the FBI, is particularly embarrassing in view of how hockey has become such a pervasive social topic because of the hit television series Heated Rivalry. The main characters, Shane and Ilia, are seventeen when they meet and exhibit more maturity than most of the U.S. team members managed. The show’s success is grounded in several things. The approximation of action-packed hockey games is compelling, even though I, despite growing up in Boston, never had any interest in the sport. Hockey fans seem to love seeing players get their teeth knocked out as much as teams making goals. But the speed,

However, it’s the tentative passion that grows between Shane and Ilia that captures the audience. In a sport (like football) known for its pure testosteronic aggression, the experience of growing tenderness between the two boys gives one hope for the male of the species. The young men seem to be working their way to an emotional breakthrough similar to characters in another show about men falling in love: Looking, starring Jonathan Groff and Russell Tovey. That series takes place in a much less intimidating locale than a hockey rink,

Heated Rivalry stars Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie

San Francisco. And the characters are older with actual experiences, which both help and hinder in their search for love. I look forward to a television show that is as successful at portraying lesbian characters. Maybe a producer might create a lez romcom about professional hockey players Anna Kjellbin (Sweden) and her rival and fiancé Ronja Savolainen (Finland). Could it go from meet cute while buying new ice skates to exchanging? I don’t know ... hockey pucks along with their wedding vows? In light of the tragic state of affairs we’ve caused in the world, #47’s dismissive words might seem inconsequential, but his comment is indicative of his presidency and his personality disorder, which have led the U.S. into such ill-considered aggression. But since that locker room incident, some of the

Hilary Knight, Brittany Bowe

members of the male team have reflected and backed away from their complicit laughter at the immature joke. Some of the guys probably remembered their sisters and daughters were watching them and two of them were taught to skate by their mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, who medaled in the U.S. national women’s ice hockey team during the 1992 world championship. The women’s Olympic team has won just as many gold medals as the male team, but in a shorter amount of time since women’s hockey wasn’t permitted in the Olympics until 1992. This year, the women took home their gold medals and their dignity, unlike the male team whose unsportsmanlike betrayal of their sister players will eternally be the story about them. Television is one way in which queer people become visible to ourselves and to others and more than a hateful punchline. I’m especially fond of Deadloch, a murder mystery/comedy TV series about a town in Tasmania that mysteriously attracts lesbians, including the sheriff and her demanding wife. (Season 2 starts March 20.) There’s no steamy sex yet, but one can hope. Maybe U.S. team captain Hilary Knight and her fiancé, medal-winning speed skater Brittany Bowe, could take their honeymoon in Tasmania. I’d watch that. Jewelle Gomez is a lesbian/feminist activist, novelist, poet, and playwright. She’s written for “The Advocate,” “Ms. Magazine,” “Black Scholar,” “The San Francisco Chronicle,” “The New York Times,” and “The Village Voice.” Follow her on Instagram and X @VampyreVamp

Top of your stack Recommendations from Book Passage

The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives (fiction - hardcover) by Elizabeth Arnott Beverley, Elsie, and Margot are the wives of convicted killers. It is the summer of 1960, and a serial killer is on the loose in California. With their vast experience living with killers for all those years, who better to try and solve the case and bring this murderer to justice? Language as Liberation: Reflections on the American Canon (non-fiction hardcover) by Toni Morrison Toni Morrison’s vast scholarship exploring Blackness in the American Canon has been compiled together into one volume. Language as Liberation offers an unrivaled opportunity to delve into the mind of one of the most cherished and intellectual authors. Morrison highlights the relationship between race and the arts as she covers some of America’s most famous works.

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The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (and Other War Crimes) (fiction - paperback) by Tiffany Hunt

The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (and Other War Crimes) is a darkly funny read. The story follows Dark Lord Kazimir Blackrose, who desires world domination. To achieve his goal, he must kidnap Lady Arabella and force a marriage to secure her sacred bloodline. While he expects a compliant bride, Arabella is ready to put up a fight. Upcoming Events Sunday, March 15 @ 4 pm (non-ticketed - Corte Madera store) Amy S. Peele, author of Last Bite Amy S. Peele, known for her mystery novels, has taken a leap into the romcom genre. Last Bite is a lighthearted, joyous story of a widowed forty-something finding her own way in the city of Chicago. Peele will be joined in conversation with Allison Bainbridge.

Wednesday, March 18 @ 5:30 pm (non-ticketed - Ferry Building Store) Bob Crawford, author of America’s Founding Son The bassist of the band The Avett Brothers brings us an engaging biography on John Quincy Adams. America’s Founding Son follows Adams’ rocky political career spanning from the Founding Fathers to the disunion of the Civil War. Crawford will be joined in conversation with Megan Gorman. Saturday, March 21 @ 2 pm (ticketed - Ferry Building Store) Valerie Bertinelli, author of Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect Valerie Bertinelli’s memoir is a reflection on growing older, embracing the past, and learning the art of self-acceptance. Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect is vulnerable, uplifting, and surprisingly funny. https://www.bookpassage.com

HUNKY JESUS (continued from pg 24) I went into it thinking it was really going to be harsher on Catholicism and Christianity. Instead, I met real Christians and Catholics. It was hard to find an actual Catholic sister to speak on camera, but we found Sister Barbara (Battista of The Sisters of Providence). It seemed very important to have the voice of an actual sister who is tolerant to speak about the Sisters in a positive way. Positive to neutral, because I don’t think the whole thing is for her. Andrea Chase: Having worked with, learned from, and documented the legendary Kuchar Brothers, does that sort of prepare you for making this doc? Jennifer Kroot: Yes, yes! I channeled that. The Kuchars’ early melodramas [were] very Douglas Sirkian, vividly colorful, campy before camp was a name. I was really leaning into camp, but a camp where it meets humanity. I wanted it to be open to being as outrageous as it could get. Actually, it could have gotten more outrageous. We did cover up some full frontal. Andrea Chase: Talk about capturing the 2023 contest and perhaps being barked at by the stage manager. Jennifer Kroot: Oh, I love the stage manager, Jimmy (Strano). He’s a wonderful person and he was right about everything he was upset about. He didn’t really bark at us, but there were a lot of Jesuses that year and the people controlling the backstage, they just didn’t want to say no. They got barked at. When I saw Jimmy getting kind of intense as they were hitting their timeline, because they have to get out of the park at a certain time, I told one of the cinematographers who happens to be really good at verité, to follow him. And I’m so glad that that happened. Andrea Chase: The Jesuses were just so much fun. Jennifer Kroot: They really range from fun-loving to totally sordid, to political, to twink to, you know, robust. Andrea Chase: Well, they are celebrating the human experience. And it’s also not just about looks. Jennifer Kroot: There are some nice-looking ones, but, yeah, there’s all different types and people prancing, either, you know, proud of something about them-

selves and wanting to share who they are in more of a very physical way, or people who just want to share a political message, or a message of anarchy. There was an older Jesus, there was the midlife crisis Jesus, who seemed to be more of a genderqueer person, just the whole A to Z. Andrea Chase: Everybody’s invited to be Jesus. And Foxy Mary, too. Jennifer Kroot: Yeah. And, you know, the pregnant one. I mean, [there was] a lot of sexuality in that one, for sure. Definitely some politics, but a lot of really slutty Marys, I’d say, reclaiming that word. And it’s also gender neutral. Women can compete for Hunky Jesus and men can compete for Foxy Mary. And anyone in-between. Andrea Chase: It just reminds us about the sin of putting labels on people. Jennifer Kroot: Yeah, it just represses everyone, not even just queer people. It’s the restrictions, roles, rules that we’re all trapped in that are manmade. Andrea Chase: Why is laughter so dangerous to the hierarchy? Jennifer Kroot: Oh my gosh. Well, radical joy is resistance, right? Laughter is defiant. You’re free when you laugh. I like to infuse my films with humor, even when they’re tough subjects, because otherwise I want to jump out the window. It’s dark out there in a lot of ways. I think that, anytime you laugh, that’s who you are. You’re owning your joy. Sometimes you’re going to see the ridiculousness of all of the constraints or the absurdity of the stuff that we’re trapped in. I don’t think you can move forward or even help other people if you can’t have a sense of humor or see some absurdity. Andrea Chase: Jennifer Kroot, thank you so much for fulfilling the Sisters’ mission of expiating stigmatic guilt and promulgating joy with this film! Andrea Chase has been reviewing movies on radio, television, in print, and via the internet in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 20 years. She has made it her mission to make the world a better place for film lovers and remind everyone that Jason Statham makes every movie better. Follow her on Instagram @KillerMovieReviews.

KRAMER (continued from pg 26) Ultimately, for all of Shortland’s visual splendor, the key reason for the film’s success is Abbie Cornish’s remarkable performance. Her expressions as seen through a window streaked with rain, or while she is silently looking at a unicorn card in her scrapbook, recalling happier times, are absolutely heartbreaking. And while her despair is frequently palpable, it is her seemingly innocent appearance that masks a devious and deeply troubled young girl that is what is so captivating. Cornish’s dazzling performance is wellmatched by Worthington’s more inter-

nalized portrait. While the actor is very appealing here, Somersault is Cornish’s film all the way. She is the reason to see the film, and flip over it. © 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 S AN FR ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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the Grand Marshal; and discover who will be the newest KdK King & Queen XXIII. Net proceeds support the ongoing work of OPENHOUSE, providing housing and community projects for aging LGBTQ seniors since 1998. KdK Queen VII Sister Dana sez, “Come with us, and Let the Good Times Roll!” https://bit.ly/4bNacHU

By Sister Dana Van Iquity Sister Dana sez, “HAPPY MARDI GRAS to one and all! Yes, I know we already had that on February 17 for Fat Tuesday, but we at Krewe de Kinque like to celebrate its spirit on many days!” That’s why we Krewe de Kinque members are urging, “Have a BALL at the OSCARS” at the largest LGBTQ watch party in the Bay Area for the “98th Annual Academy Awards” on Sunday, March 15, 4–8 pm at The Cafe, 2369 Market and Castro streets. Our social and fundraising club, Krewe de Kinque, will present our BAL MASQUE XXIII offering a huge wall of screens allowing check-ins on the Oscars, and enjoy costumed performers, drink specials, and great music for dancing. Join our traditional Second Line Parade all throughout The Cafe, led by

THE RICHMOND/ERMET AID FOUNDATION (REAF) presented “One Night Only Benefit Cabaret” featuring cast members from the Broadway Touring Company of THE NOTEBOOK at Marines’ Memorial Theatre on February 23. REAF Producers Ken Henderson & Joe Seiler spoke of the great works of the foundation and that this was a benefit for REAF and BROADWAY CARES/ EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS. The touring cast was amazing on their one day off, but three stellar guest performers need special mention. Leanne Borghesi belted out “You Can Always Count on Me”; Jason Brock seduced us with “I Put a Spell on You”; and news broadcast anchor Dan Ashley inspired us with his original “Anthem of Your Life.” We need to just be us! From the cast, Jason Corbin delighted us with “The Way You Look Tonight,” but really made us gasp when he snatched Leanne’s red and black boa to do a slight strip act to the repeat of Jason singing a few more bars of “I Put a Spell on You.” Gasp! Delicious! Quite stunning was

the duo of Emily Somé & Sami Ramos doing the famous Streisand/ Garland duet of “Get Happy” and “Happy Days Are Here Again.” So notably nostalgic! And speaking of Barbra, Rayna Hickman really put the Funny Girl in “Don’t Rain on My Parade!” Joe Verga & Nick Brogan stuck a same-sex slant on the flirtatious “Take Me or Leave Me” from Rent. I’ll take ’em both! The Grand Finale was the entire cast and guests moving us all to tears with “Seasons of Love.”

Dennis McMillan (aka Sister Dana) with singer Jason Brock at the Richmond/Ermet Aid

Virginia GovFoundation’s One Night Only benefit “If This Is Love” at the Marines’ Memorial Theatre ernor Abigail on Monday, February 23, 2026 Spanberger such missiles. There was no imminent delivered the perfect captivating speech in threat to the U.S. from Iran. This was a response to Herr Trump’s long, record– war of choice. And WHY has T-rump breaking (one hour and 47 minutes of blath- not contacted Congress first before going ering ego, lies, violence, and hatred) State to this illegal and unConstitutional war? of the Union speech on February 24, when Let’s recall that, long ago, Trump purposely she opened, asking, “Is the president workdestroyed our mutual Iran Nuclear Deal. ing for you?” and closing with the warnWe somehow knew that was a terrible act by ing by President George Washington, an ignorant president. at his farewell address, about the possibility Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in SF of “cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled Bay Area streets on February 28 to protest: men rising to power.” Spanberger emphaNO WAR IN IRAN! sized, “But he also encouraged us—all Americans—to unite in a common cause to Hours later, the newscasts were alive with move this nation forward. We are working the announcement that Iran’s Supreme to lower costs; we are working to keep our Leader for 37 years, Ayatollah Ali Khamecommunity and country safe; and we are nei, was dead. This was good news to the working for YOU!” 90 million people there, but we know there is always a backup authoritarian ready to Meanwhile a viral AI Sci-Fi blog from take his evil throne. (In this case, Mojtaba Citrini Research has painted a bleak future two years from now for those of us who have Khamenei, a son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was selected by an 88-member body of big problems with Artificial Intelligence. clerics in Iran.) Or maybe Dictator DonThe prediction is that white collar incomes nie—who is urging Iranian people to overthat once propped up our economy no lonthrow their government—wants to govern ger can. AI productivity gains are destroyIran himself. Ew. Please don’t visualize that ing more jobs than they create; and the awful picture! financial system built on labor and human intelligence no longer exists. If you eliminate all the humans who spend money, you no longer have anyone spending money— and there goes the economy, in just two years! Sister Dana sez, “AI? Well, as the Spanish scream in disgust, distress, and dismay: ‘Aye-yai-yai!’!”

Why did President Chicken-Hawk just start a war in Iran—expecting a regime change in Iran? Seven months ago, he bragged about his “Operation Midnight Hammer” bombing and “completely obliterating” and “discombobulating” a nuclear war there. Oops, was he lying? Did Iran build back ICBMs (which cannot possibly reach America)? No, and Secretary of State Rubio stated Iran is nowhere close to developing 32

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PHOTO BY SUZIE KAMENY

Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun

Not more than a day after he had declared the U.S. was under NO imminent threat, Secretary of State Marco Rubio changed his tune to insist that—oh, yes, we WERE under imminent threat. Don’tcha just love how this Madministration can keep changing facts and lie to us on a daily basis?! Sister Dana sez, “I might be mistaken, but I seem to recall T-rump promising ‘No New Wars’ in his campaign speeches. What’s THIS then, Dictator Donnie?!” Since Trump does not see value in lost soldiers but calls them suckers and losers, I want to put into print the seven brave men and women and wish them to Rest (continued on page 38)

Oakland Restaurant Week Now Underway Through March 22, 2026, With Deals in the Nation’s #1 Best Food City Oakland Restaurant Week, from today, March 12, through March 22, 2026, invites food lovers from near and far to explore one of the most dynamic culinary scenes in the country. Fresh off being named the #1 Best Food City in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler readers for the second year in a row, Oakland conExterior of The Lake Chalet tinues to solidify its reputation as a mustvisit destination for exceptional dining experiences. “Oakland Restaurant Week is a wonderful way to share our amazing culinary scene with locals and visitors alike,” commented Peter Gamez, President & CEO of Visit Oakland. “Our cultural diversity is showcased as our talented chefs create cuisine inspired by

Pasta at MAMA Oakland

their heritage and family traditions. With 140+ participating restaurants and bars, delicious food and cocktails can be found throughout every neighborhood in The Town. Oakland Restaurant Week is the perfect time to come to Oakland, stay the night, check out several restaurants, and experience the #1 Best Food City in the U.S.!” Peter Gamez

Noodle dish at FOB Kitchen

Entrée at Popoca

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Oakland’s culinary scene continues to earn national recognition, with its chefs and restaurants receiving prestigious awards and accolades. In 2025, Chef Anthony Salguero’s Popoca was named one of the Top 5 Bay Area Restaurants by the San Francisco Chronicle. one of the Best (continued on page 38)

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Bay Times Dines

BAY TIMES S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

Pleasant Ridge, Pleasant Price What does a cheesemonger mean when we say alpine or Alp-style? I could describe it in technical terms that mean little to most cheese eaters, but, generally speaking, it just means made in the style of firm, aged cheese traditionally made in The Alps regions of Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany, and Austria where borders mean little in terms of traditional cheesemaking processes. After all, the borders have moved over the years, but the mountains haven’t.

Over the Rainbow Cheese Counter Gordon Edgar Sometimes we get such a great deal on a great cheese that, when I see a regular coming up to the counter, I just say to them, “Buy this.”

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At that price, it’s an everyday cheese. Put it on a baked potato! I did that the first day we had it at this price. Make a panini! Heck, put it in a mac and cheese! Take advantage of it while you can.

Uplands Creamery Pleasant Ridge Reserve gift box items.

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CREDIT: UPLANDS CREAMERY

Pleasant Ridge Reserve comes from Uplands Creamery in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Uplands makes two cheeses: the seasonal Rush Creek, a raw milk, barkwrapped masterpiece available only in November and December, and Pleasant Ridge Reserve. Rush Creek is exciting because it is limited, unusual, and heralds the coming of the food holidays. Pleasant Ridge, on the other hand, is just quietly the best alpine-style cheese made in the U.S., with the awards to prove it.

Gruyère is the easiest alpine-style comparison because that is what Americans are the most familiar with, but Pleasant Ridge’s best comparison is Beaufort, sometimes referred to as the “King of the Alps.” Both are very special cheeses, less onion-y and spicy, and instead more grassy, nutty, and buttery than a well-aged Swiss Gruyere. Beaufort is pretty rare in the U.S.—we only bring it in once or twice a year when we can bring in the “Alpage” from the highest elevation in The Alps. But Pleasant Ridge Reserve is a great closer-tohome alternative. We often have Pleasant Ridge Reserve, but you know what we don’t usually have? Pleasant Ridge Reserve at 19.99/lb (regularly 38.99/lb).

David Landis, The Gay Gourmet, is recovering from yet another shoulder surgery but will be back with tastebuds tingling later this spring.

We got a deal from a cheese distributor that had bought too many and wanted to sell them before their end-of-March expiration date. To be real with you all, this kind of cheese doesn’t really have a specific expiration date, but we were happy to help out and pass the deal onto you. This price will not last all month though. Once we sell out the wheels we have, the sale will end. Uplands Creamery, by the way, is a seasonally-operated, grass-based cheese plant that only makes Pleasant Ridge Reserve when the cows are grazing in the summer. The last time I stopped by on my way through the Driftless region of Wisconsin, actor (continued on page 38)

Bay Times Dines

BAY TIMES S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

Unapologetically Different: The Spirit That Refused to be Ordinary Cocktails With Dina by Dina Novarr March is a month we collectively agreed to celebrate the women that helped shape this world. So many of these pioneers flourished without waiting for permission, breaking down barriers in conditions that weren’t designed for them.

Diaz, the Co-Founder and Vice President of Sales and Advocacy at Chareau, states proudly in the very first line of her LinkedIn that she is “a mama first,” and not a founder who happens to be a mom. She is a mama first, who also happens to have built a national spirits brand from the ground up, placed in the top 8 nationally at a Speed Rack bartending competition, judged at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, developed bar

programs from the Bay Area to Tokyo, and is now launching a family coffee brand because, apparently, the bar keeps getting raised. None of this happens in a vacuum. In an interview with CanvasRebel, Diaz states that she grew up in a big Latin family, surrounded by Helen Diaz good food, culture, and the kind of beautiful, productive chaos that either breaks you or builds you into someone who can raise a family while running a national spirits company. She moved to San Francisco at 19, landed in a restaurant, and never looked back. The chaos and noise of that world felt like home, and the strangers became like family. That context matters. The spirits world has not historically been a place that rolled out the welcome mat for Latinas, for women who lead, or for founders who put “mama first” in their bio and mean it. When Diaz became the first Latina to win Miss Speed Rack California, it wasn’t just a title. It was a data point the industry had to recognize. When she walked into rooms to build Chareau’s national distribution, she wasn’t just selling a bottle. She was making an argument that the people building the future of this industry may not be whom you expect. Women’s History Month asks us to look backward, to honor the trailblazers, the firsts, the hard-won ground. But history is also being made in real time all around,

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CREDIT: COURTESY OF HELEN DIAZ

Chareau, a plantbased spirit made with California organic cucumber, spearmint, muskmelon, and lemon peel, then finished with fresh aloe, is the first aloe plantbased spirit made in California. It didn’t arrive with a legacy distillery behind it or a celebrity check in front of it. It arrived because Helen Diaz decided that a resilient, sun-loving plant that heals things and breaks down its own barriers deserves to be taken seriously. And she dedicated twelve years of her life to making sure the rest of the country agreed.

by women like Diaz who are doing the unglamorous daily work of growing something new in soil that wasn’t always welcoming. Chareau tastes like proof. It is cool, herbaceous, a little unexpected, and with the kind of finish that makes you pause and reconsider what you thought you knew about spirits. It defies traditional liqueur categories. It just is what it is, unapologetically, which feels exactly right. Pour it over ice with a splash of sparkling water and a slice of cucumber. Keep it simple. Let it be the thing that surprises you. History isn’t only in the archives. Some of it is being poured right now, by trailblazing women who decided the world needed something it didn’t know it was missing. Learn more about Chareau at: https://chareau.us/ San Francisco-based Dina Novarr enjoys sharing her passion for fine wines, spirits, non-alcoholic craft beverages, and more with others.

Bay Times Dines

BAY TIMES S

LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area

Highlighting Women Farmers, Owners, and Chefs at Bay Area Farmers’ Markets

Farmers’ Market Finds Stella Singer

Jamila Hubbard, the owner and farmer of Shindig Home and Garden, started her business out of a spare room in Oakland with the goal of supporting her community by growing healthy local food. One of Hubbard’s favorite parts of selling at the farmers’ market is “being a part of people’s weekly lives, the regulars who show up and are excited to see me and excited to buy microgreens.” She says, “When people come to the farmers’ market, they’re here to support small businesses and local farmers. They’re excited to learn new things. They’re really encouraging and supportive!” Shindig sells their microgreens still growing, so you can snip and eat them when you’re ready, ensuring maximum nutrients, flavor, and freshness. Hubbard’s advice for aspiring women business owners? “Keep at it. And it really does take a while to grow. I’m really trying to find more community within other women business owners because I find that a lot of women business owners want to support each other.”   Chestnut Street Granola is a family-owned small business based in Oakland that makes and sells artisan granola. Rachel Russell spearheads the business along with her husband Tim Lohrentz, with help from their children and extended family. It really is a family effort! They started by sharing their granola with friends and family, who loved it and pushed them to start selling at the farmers’ market.

CREDIT: STELLA SINGER/PCFMA

From managing fields and orchards, to running businesses and spearheading sustainable practices; women are essential in every aspect of our food system. To celebrate International Women’s Day, which was on March 8, we are highlighting the incredible women-led farms and businesses that can be found at your local farmers’ market. Women make up 36% of all agricultural producers in the U.S. and tend to operate smaller farms with more specialized production. We spoke with some of the wonderful hardworking women in our markets about their origin stories, inspirations, and communities.

Russelll says, “What sets us apart from store bought is that our granola is fresh made each week, our flavors are tailored toward what our customers ask for, and based on what’s in season.” For women looking to jump into their own small business, she emphasizes to “have faith in yourself and your community to try something different. Don’t sell yourself short. There are enough noes in the world, so just go ahead and say yes and do it!”   Volcano Kimchi handcrafts smallbatch kimchi using locally sourced organic ingredients that they sell at farmers’ markets and independent grocery stores. Aruna Lee, founder of Volcano Kimchi, grew up in a Buddhist monastery making and eating vegan kimchi. Now she brings those memories and traditions to her business, “Growing up in the temple, we made everything vegan and locally sourced, so my mission is to make vegan kimchi delicious.” Lee’s advice for women starting their own small businesses or selling at the farmers’ market is: “When you have an idea, just do it. That’s my advice!”  Cipponeri Family Farms comes from a history of farming, and Dena and her husband Sebastian have been growing stone fruit themselves since 1992. They pride themselves in taking care of the land and growing some of the finest produce in the area. Dena is always “excited to see people eating a piece of fruit ripened on (continued on page 38) S AN FR ANC IS C O BAY T IM ES

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SISTER DANA (continued from pg 32)

FARMERS’ MARKET (continued from pg 37)

in Peace and Power: Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, Maj. Geoffrey O’Brien, CWO Robert Marzan, Capt. Cody A. Khork, Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, and Sgt. Declan J. Coady. Thank you for your service! Bravo! On February 28, Oakland hosted its 4TH ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR Parade and Festival. More than 45 organizations and groups participated in this “Year of the Horse.” After marching in the Chinatown streets, there was a celebration in nearby Wilma Chan Park with performances, food, activities, and shopping, shopping, shopping! After a wildly successful debut season, The Castro Night Market will officially

return for season two on Friday, March 20. Transforming two blocks of 18th Street into a vibrant pedestrian plaza, the Market will run every third Friday of the month from March through September. This year’s series promises to bring even more fun, blending the neighborhood’s historic charm with a high-energy market atmosphere. It’s sooo gay! The Castro Night Market is made possible through the collaboration of local merchants, community leaders, and generous supporters dedicated to supporting the economic and cultural vitality of San Francisco. Sister Dana sez, “Happy St. Patrick’s Day, March 17! Kiss me, I’m Irish! And ya better wear green, or I’m quite liable to pinch you!” With permission, of course.

OAKLAND RESTAURANT WEEK (continued from pg 33) in California by the Los Angeles Times and Bon Appétit’s Best New Restaurants of 2024. Chef Geoff Davis’ Burdell was named 2024 Restaurant of the Year by Food & Wine magazine. The city is home to 24 Michelin-recognized restaurants, including Burdell, Millennium, Taqueria El Paisa, MAMA Oakland, and Mägo, as well as James Beard-nominated spots like Wahpepah’s Kitchen, and Tarts de Feybesse. From award-winning fine dining to beloved family-friendly casual eateries, Oakland’s diverse culinary landscape is a true reflection of its rich cultural heritage. Launched in 2010, Oakland Restaurant Week is an annual dining promotion presented by Visit Oakland, a nonprofit organization marketing Oakland, California, as a travel destination. The 10-day celebration highlights the flavors of Oakland and is designed to support local establishments, enticing diners with menu offerings and experiences made available only during Restaurant Week. This year, Visit Oakland is inspiring restaurants to think outside the box with the launch of the Oakland Restaurant Week “Idea Guide.” From DJ-hosted dinners and interactive art activations to sip-and-shop

the tree” and she sees “fruit as nature’s candy.” She believes that, to be a successful woman in business, “Passion and love have to be there first. Without passion, you can’t do it.”  Wise Goat Organics is a market superstar, selling a variety of kimchi, kraut, kvass, and tonics. Mary Risavi, the founder of Wise Goat, started her journey selling produce for farms at the farmers’ market. After receiving training in nutrition and Chinese medicine, she began applying her learning to crafting gut-healthy foods. Her greatest pride is the people she works with and customers at the market, “They’re all like family,” Risavi says. “I never want to put myself in a box. Women are just as capable of running a successful business as anyone else. Remember to be confident and take up space!” We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all the woman-led farms and businesses that make up the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association farmers’ markets. All of

events with local retailers and signature Oakland Restaurant Week cocktails, the guide offers endless creative possibilities to elevate the dining experience.

JAN WAHL (continued from pg 28)

Oakland Restaurant Week coincides with several exciting city events, including: the Oakland Roots Opening Game at the Coliseum on March 14 (vs. New Mexico), the Oakland Marathon (March 20–22), and several live concerts and shows at the Fox Theater and Oakland Arena.

There’s a documentary named Hollywood’s Hidden Master: The Truth About George Cukor. And the complicated James Whale, who made The Bride of Frankenstein and The Invisible Man. A partially fictionalized look at Whale’s life is 1998’s Gods and Monsters, starring Ian McKellen.

Participating restaurants will be organized by neighborhood, cuisine, meal type, and price point. Restaurants participating in Oakland Restaurant Week will feature a special offer, and/or experience with traditional lunch and/or dinner menus offered at six different price points:

Bisexual Cary Grant allowed me two interviews when he came to town at the end of his life. At his one-man show, women

Lunch: $15, $25, $35 Dinner: $35, $45, $65 There is no cost for Oakland restaurants wishing to join the promotion. Participating restaurants create new and unique offerings from family-style dinners, special menu items, prix fixe menus, ingredient-driven tastings, and more. For the full list of participating restaurants, hotels, special events, and reservations, visit: https://bit.ly/4s1Vyl2

this is made possible by their hard work and dedication to fresh local food.   Although the Castro Farmers’ Market is closed for the season until April, check out the Divisadero Farmers’ Market, which runs at Fell Street and Baker Street on Sundays, 9 am to 1 pm, the Fillmore Farmers’ Market, at O’Farrell and Fillmore Street on Saturdays, 9 am to 1 pm, or the Inner Sunset Farmers’ Market off Irivng and 8th Street on Sundays, 9 am to 1 pm. Stop by the farmers’ market and support your local woman-owned business or farm! Visit our producer page to learn more about the hardworking farmers and artisans in our markets.   Stella Singer is a recent UC Berkeley graduate who writes and designs for the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association. With a background in environmental journalism and science, she brings a keen interest in food systems and sustainability to her work.

screamed out, “I am young and healthy and I would like to have your baby!” Grant always replied, “I’ll ask my wife!” 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. Learn more at www.janwahl.com

GORDON EDGAR (continued from pg 34) Tony Shalhoub happened to be there filming for his food show on CNN, Breaking Bread. I didn’t make it on film, but it was a great episode. Internationally known, Pleasant Ridge Reserve has won the American Cheese Society Judging and Competition Best in Show award three times. No other cheese has been able to achieve that. It is truly a wonder of good grass, great cows, and exceptional cheesemaking. Gordon Edgar loves cheese and worker co-ops and has been combining these infatuations as the cheese buyer for Rainbow Grocery Cooperative since 1994. He serves on the American Cheese Society Judging and Competition Committee and is a member of the Guilde Internationale des Fromagers. Edgar has written two books on cheese—”Cheesemonger” (2010) and “Cheddar” (2015)—and lives in San Francisco with his adorable white mini schnauzer named Fillmore Grumble. He writes about grief, and sometimes cheese, at https://bit.ly/42IwYf0

As Heard on the Street . . . What is your favorite sport included in the Winter Olympic Games?

Olivia Hart “Bobsled”

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Hot Toddy

“Figure Skating” MA RC H 1 2 , 2 0 2 6

Michelle Jester “Women’s Hockey”

Chris Michaelson “Skiing”

compiled by Rink

Nicole Duminie “Snowboarding”

Let’s Go Home!

A Playful Pup and a Sweet Tripod Kitty Here are two of the many pets now available for adoption at Oakland Animal Services (OAS): Shy is a 46-pound cutie who is just over 1 year old, bursting with youthful energy and playful enthusiasm. She is a toy superstar who absolutely loves chasing balls and happily trades one toy for another. She also adores stuffy toys—tossing them in the air and then chewing contentedly. Shy knows sit and takes treats gently, making training both fun and rewarding. She’s an energetic girl who can be bouncy when excited; it’s because she’s full of joyful puppy enthusiasm!

Take Me Home with You! Cheese! A Dog Who Is Impossible Not to Smile At

Shy

Pastel

Pastel is a sweet tripod girl who gets around beautifully on three legs and must be kept indoors-only for her safety. She can be frightened in new environments, but, with patience and a calm approach, she truly blossoms. Once she trusts you, she is affectionate and engaged, seeking out pets and purring loudly. Pastel would thrive in a quiet, low-traffic home with experienced adopters who will move at her pace and give her time to build confidence. 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

Cheese lives up to her name in the best possible way: impossible not to smile at, universally appealing, and guaranteed to make life better. This Shepherd mix arrives with bright eyes, giant ears, and the kind of joyful expression that makes it seem like every moment is the best part of her day. She is playful, affectionate, and wonderfully smart, with a happy-go-lucky spirit that can turn an ordinary walk or yard romp into the main event. Like many young dogs, Cheese is still learning the finer points of the world around her. She has plenty of energy, lots Cheese of curiosity, and all the makings of a fantastic companion for someone excited to help her continue growing with positive reinforcement, patience, and consistency. She would do best in a home without young children and will shine with adopters who can offer guidance, kindness, and, ideally, a healthy supply of treats. Cheese is the kind of dog who brings levity, fun, and a little extra flavor wherever she goes. Whether she is chasing a toy, showing off her clever side, or winding down for some well-earned affection, she makes it easy to picture a very happy future together. Cheese is now hoping to meet her new family at the San Francisco SPCA. You can visit us Tuesday through Thursday from 1 pm to 7 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. https://www.sfspca.org/