December 14, 2023 edition of the Bay Area Reporter

Castro Theatre to go dark

Holiday delights in Noe Valley

11

'Ruthless!'

ARTS

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ARTS

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Norman Lear

The

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Serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities since 1971

Vol. 53 • No. 50 • December 14-20, 2023

Courtesy Pau Crego

Pau Crego is stepping down as executive director of the San Francisco Office of Transgender Initiatives.

From Substack

Emeryville City Councilmember John Bauters on Monday filed papers to seek an open seat on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.

Crego departing SF transgender initiatives office

Bauters seeks open Alameda supe seat

by John Ferrannini

John Ferrannini

Menorah glows in the Castro

by Matthew S. Bajko

I

n a post on X December 4 gay Emeryville City Councilmember John Bauters had touted he had filed his intent to run for reelection on the 2024 November ballot. As it was also his 44th birthday, he had asked people to donate to his campaign account.

Then came the surprise news December 8 that Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson would not seek reelection next year. His District 5 seat covers Berkeley, parts of Oakland, Emeryville, and Albany in the East Bay. “This decision was not made lightly, but I believe it is the right time for a new chapter for both myself and the district,” Carson wrote in an email to constituents sent after the filing deadline had closed Friday. “While I am physically ready for another term, I believe it is time for new energy that reflects the evolving needs of District 5. The rich diversity of our district, with its blend of urban, suburban, and rural communities, world-class institutions, and thriving industries, deserves fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.”

On Monday, Bauters filed to seek to succeed Carson on the countywide governing body. He told the Bay Area Reporter he was surprised by Carson’s decision to retire at the end of his current term and had spent the weekend talking to supporters about his entering the race.

Calling it an “incredible opportunity” and a position he had long eyed running for, Bauters said, “I made this decision after consulting with many people and giving a lot of thought to my desire to continue serving at the local level and serving the people of Alameda County.”

Should Bauters win, he would be the first out gay man elected as a supervisor in Alameda County. First winning his City Council seat in 2016, he has served as his city’s mayor, is a vocal bicycle advocate, and also is a strong proponent of infill development in his city and others in the Bay Area. Known for his bow ties, Bauters for the past three years has worked as the Arizona state director for the Alliance for Safety and Justice.

See page 9 >>

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ay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, right, steps back on the sidewalk after lighting the annual Castro Hanukkah menorah in Jane Warner Plaza Monday, December 11.

Mandelman was joined by, from left, Cantor Sharon Bernstein and Rabbi Mychal Copeland from Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco’s LGBTQ synagogue, and gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San

Francisco). The two lawmakers, who are both Jewish, also gave remarks. Wiener said that “no matter how dark things are and how much despair we have, there is always hope. There is always light.”

Wiener has been outspoken in recent weeks about rising antisemitism in the U.S. amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The assembled crowd also sang traditional Hanukkah music.

A

fter more than two years of leading the San Francisco Office of Transgender Initiatives, Pau Crego announced Monday he’s leaving his role as executive director. His last day will be Friday, December 15.

In September 2021 upon the departure of his predecessor Clair Farley, a trans woman who had headed the city office since 2017, Crego was named its acting executive director, as the Bay Area Reporter previously reported.

See page 8 >>

San Francisco judicial candidates debate at first forum of 2024 race

by John Ferrannini

T

wo incumbent San Francisco Superior Court judges debated challengers ahead of the March 5 primary at a forum held by community groups, representing contrasting views of salient criminal justice matters.

Judge Patrick Thompson debated Assistant District Attorney Jean Myungjin Roland, and Judge Michael Begert debated attorney Chip Zecher, a gay man. The December 7 forum was moderated

by Stop Crime SF’s Stephanie Lehman.

The event, held at the San Francisco County Fair building in Golden Gate Park, drew over a hundred people. It came as citizen concern over crime and public safety have boiled over just as voters are starting to pay attention to the election.

Thompson and Begert are the only two out of 14 San Francisco judges up for election this year who are being challenged in March, according to Stop Crime Action, (https://www.stopcrimeaction.com/) one of the debate sponsors. On its website, the organization calls Thompson and Begert two of the “worst” judges in the city because of their “track record of releasing serious and dangerous offenders back into the public.”

Because no one challenged the other judges, their names won’t appear on the ballot. Unlike previous elections where sitting San Francisco judges were challenged from the left, in this case

John Ferrannini

San Francisco judicial candidate attorney Chip Zecher, second from left, speaks at a forum featuring two sitting judges and their challengers. From left, moderator Stephanie Lehman from Stop Crime SF, Zecher, Assistant District Attorney Jean Myungjin Roland, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Patrick Thompson (whom Roland is challenging), and San Francisco Superior Court Judge Michael Begert (whom Zecher is challenging).

they are being challenged from the right.

Due to ethics rules the judges and challengers couldn’t discuss how they’d rule on cases, but the two aspirants charged the incumbents with being out of touch with what ordinary San Franciscans are experiencing.

Thompson, appointed last year by Governor Gavin Newsom (D), said he runs his court-

room “by the book.”

“Well-run courts are the foundation of a safer community,” Thompson said. “I believe in that really fundamentally, and I believe in it so much that I run my courtroom by the book. I have respect for the law, the legal process and everyone who comes into my courtroom.”

See page 9 >>

11/14/23 11:53 AM

<< Community News

2 • Bay Area Repor ter • December 14-20, 2023

t

Castro Theatre to start renovations this spring

by John Ferrannini

F

or much of next year and the first half of 2025 the Castro Theatre will be going dark as Another Planet Entertainment undertakes its controversial remodel of the storied movie house. The renovation and restoration project will begin in early spring 2024 and is projected to last until the following summer, according to a news release from the company.

“Another Planet Entertainment is thrilled to begin the work to restore the Castro Theatre to its 1922 architectural glory and ensure its continued place in the hearts of film lovers, music lovers, and the LGBTQ+ community,” stated Mary Conde, APE’s senior vice president, in the December 11 release.

“In addition to restoring the magnificence of Timothy Pflueger’s original design, the Castro Theatre will now be more ADA accessible in the audience, onstage and backstage to all,” Conde added. “Additionally, a state-of-the art heating and air conditioning system will be installed, providing comfort and healthful ventilation. Finally, improved concessions, an expanded lobby, the restoration of the original proscenium arch and new, comfortable and flexible seating will make the Castro a venue that respects its heritage while embracing new, and ever more diverse audiences.”

The flexible seating was one of the main points of contention between APE and several groups that formed to save the fixed orchestra seating, as the Bay Area Reporter previously reported. The flexible seating will enable seating arrangements that can be moved in and out of the venue depending on what programming is taking place.

APE previously announced that while movies will still be shown at the historic movie palace, its community benefits package released

Scott Wazlowski

Renovation work on the Castro Theatre is expected to begin this spring, temporarily closing the movie palace for more than 12 months.

in March revealed that films will be shown about one-third of the time.

APE is best known as a concert promoter, and those types of offerings will also be held at the theater.

For the renovation work, APE has contracted with EverGreene, the largest specialty contractor in the United States, according to the release.

“One of the defining features of the Castro is the tent-like painted ceiling which has been obscured from view for decades,” stated Jeff Greene, EverGreene’s executive chairman and founder. “This element will be conserved and restored, along with the unique sgraffito murals on the side walls, bring[ing] the whole back into harmony with Pflueger’s original vision.”

Sgraffito is a technique wherein layers of plaster are tinted in different colors to a glazed surface.

Programming to temporarily end

The last day of programming at the theater is slated to be February 4, the release stated.

Later this month, the San Francisco Gay Men’s chorus will hold its annual Christmas Eve performances at the theater, which this year are scheduled for 5, 7, and 9 p.m. Sunday, December 24. Tickets are available on the chorus’ website.

David Perry, a gay man who is an APE spokesperson, said that interior scaffolding is slated to go up in March and exterior scaffolding, dependent on weather, will go up in March or early April. He said, “details will be forthcoming shortly” on what that February 4 event is going to look like specifically, but it will be “highlighting the Castro community and the LGBTQ+ community.”

Pro-APE neighborhood group Neighbors for a Restored Castro The-

atre expressed excitement over the news to the B.A.R. Monday afternoon.

“Castro residents want meaningful progress and, despite some opposition, the neighborhood is finally getting the shot of adrenaline we need,” Joe Sangirardi, a gay man who is cochair of the group, stated to the B.A.R. “This restoration and revitalization is essential for our neighborhood’s vibrancy.

“Get ready for the Castro’s second act!” he added.

Getting to this moment took as many twists and turns as the history of the movie house itself.

The imbroglio over the theater began nearly two years ago, when APE, which runs the Outside Lands music festival in Golden Gate Park and the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco’s Civic Center area, was announced as the new operator of the 101-year-old Castro Theatre.

Some Castro neighborhood organi-

zations, and LGBTQ and film groups – such as the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District and the Castro Theatre Conservancy – formed the Friends of the Castro Theatre Coalition in opposition to the proposed changes.

However, during numerous hearings over this spring, summer, and fall, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved the prerequisite ordinances allowing APE’s vision to move forward. The most recent – allowing second-floor alcohol sales throughout the Castro Street Neighborhood Commercial District – was approved October 24, as the B.A.R. reported.

Rob Byrne, a straight ally who is the president of the conservancy’s board of directors, stated to the B.A.R., “The Castro Theatre Conservancy remains engaged and anticipates emerging opportunities for involvement at the Castro Theatre. Collaborating with the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District and key stakeholders, CTC is dedicated to ensuring comprehensive oversight that safeguards the integrity and preservation of this cherished landmark, inside and out.”

Gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman told the B.A.R. that “none of us is thrilled to see the theater closing for an extended period, but the work is necessary and too long deferred.”

“It should be an even more spectacular space when it reopens, restored and ready for its next hundred years,” Mandelman continued.

Tina Aguirre, a Latinx genderqueer person who is director of the cultural district, told the B.A.R. that “the timing of starting [the renovation work] in the spring will reduce the impacts for small businesses that make most of their money in the fall months leading up to Christmas” and that “we look forward to the new and improved version of the Castro Theatre where we can come together as LGBTQ community members and allies in a more splendid space for movies, concerts and events.” t

City College to name building after Britt

by John Ferrannini

T

hree years after trustees first voted on the idea, a building at City College of San Francisco will be renamed for the late Harry Britt, a gay man who succeeded Harvey Milk on the Board of Supervisors following his assassination.

The San Francisco Community

College District Board of Trustees voted unanimously last week to rename the Multi-Use Building at City College’s main campus for Britt.

However, College board President Alan Wong stated that the college “may have to look into private fundraising” for new signage. Wong is not sure of the timeline for when the signage will be installed.

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“I’m not sure what the exact official name will be, but it will include Harry Britt,” Wong stated. “I’m not sure I want to jump ahead of staff on this since it was as thoroughly discussed as we could have.” Wong also said he’d have to check in with staff as to how much needs be raised and whether it is necessary at all.

Back in 2020, the trustees voted unanimously to rename a facility for Britt, as the Bay Area Reporter reported at the time.

Britt died in June 2020 at the age of 82 at Laguna Honda Hospital.

In 1979, then-mayor Dianne Feinstein, who died this year, appointed Britt to the Board of Supervisors following the November 1978 assassination of Milk, the board’s first gay member. Britt won election four times to his seat and served as the board’s first gay president. He opted not to seek reelection in 1992 and stepped down in early January 1993.

The college board’s initial vote to rename a building for Britt came about after his death, but which facility was not specified in the original resolution. The delay was due in part to the board needing to determine a renaming process, officials said.

Wong told the B.A.R. that the resolution “started a whole process at different governance levels of the college to develop a policy for naming a facility after someone.”

“It took three years to get a naming policy developed and receive a recommendation,” Wong added.

“Various trustees, including myself, followed up with our administration to move forward with the naming policy and a recommenda-

Bill Wilson

The Board of Supervisors in 2019 honored the late gay leader Harry Britt, seated, on the 40th anniversary of his appointment to the legislative body.

tion by our college participatory governance groups so that we could make a final decision,” he continued.

Eventually, according to Wong, the participatory governance council “recommended the college name a room or program, such as the Queer Resource Center, in honor of Harry Britt.”

But at the December 7 meeting, the board decided to go against that recommendation and rename the Multi-Use Building for Britt.

The building is at City College’s main campus at 55 Frida Kahlo Way, formerly Phelan Avenue. (The street was renamed in 2018. It had been named for Gold Rush-era real estate tycoon James Phelan but became associated with his son, James D. Phelan, a Democrat who was mayor of San Francisco from 1897-1902 and

was opposed to Chinese and Japanese immigration.)

“I made the motion, which was seconded by Trustee Susan Solomon, to not accept the recommendation by the PGC [participatory governance council] and name the college’s Multi-Use Building (MUB building) after Harry Britt,” Wong stated. “The vote was unanimous.”

Continued Wong: “Supervisor Harry Britt made history as one of the nation’s first openly gay elected officials, an accomplishment that aligns with City College of San Francisco’s historic place as the first queer studies department in the U.S. that started with a gay literature class in 1978.

Britt’s actions and activism embodied a persistent and courageous dedication to our core values and a wish to See page 8 >>

Community News>>

t Merchants endorse street closure for Frameline

December 14-20, 2023 • Bay Area Repor ter • 3

by John Ferrannini

O

ne month after declining to support a broad Castro Street closure next year for a lesbian tech confab, members of the Castro Merchants Association overwhelmingly approved a much shorter one as part of Frameline’s Juneteenth event.

The street closure was proposed by Frameline: The San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Frameline’s 2024 event will be overlapping with Juneteenth, which falls on June 19 and commemorates the end of slavery. It was designated a federal holiday in 2021 following an act of Congress signed by President Joe Biden.

That got Allegra Madsen, Frameline’s interim executive director, thinking.

“It would be unprecedented for a film festival to celebrate Black queerness at this level,” Madsen said at the merchants’ December 7 meeting. “I think that’s a huge statement, particularly in the world right now where legislation is attacking LGBTQ people.”

Frameline annually brings thousands of people to the Castro, anchored as it is at the Castro Theatre. But next year the theater will be closed for renovations and other changes being made by its management, Another Planet Entertainment. The film festival, which runs June 14-24, will be held in various theaters around San Francisco.

“In a year we cannot be in the Castro Theatre, we absolutely want to be in the Castro neighborhood,” said David Warczak, Frameline’s director of marketing and strategic partnerships. “For a lot of people, Frameline is part of their Pride, and so is the Castro. We do want that to be part of the experience.”

Next year’s San Francisco Pride is June 29-30.

Madsen’s proposal is to project films onto the Castro Theatre’s exterior. The closure would only affect the 400 block of Castro Street, from Market to 18th streets. Admission will be free and people will be able to bring chairs and blankets. The event would end “around midnight,” Madsen said.

“Essentially, it’s a block party focused on film and Frameline and Black queerness,” Madsen said. “We’re not bringing in food. We’re not bringing in beverages.

We are really hoping to work with the businesses.”

The merchants voted to approve the street closure with zero no votes and two abstentions.

Last month’s merchants’ meeting also dealt with a street issue as members gave a rebuke to Lesbians Who Tech over a much more extensive, weeklong closure ahead of next year’s conference after there were numerous issues this year, as the Bay Area Reporter previously reported.

The merchants pulled its endorsement from the annual tech confab’s 2024 closure of Castro Street, and Lesbians Who Tech is now considering a move to the Big Apple for next year.

John Ferrannini

David Warczak, left, Frameline’s director of marketing and strategic partnerships, and Allegra Madsen, interim executive director, talked to the Castro Merchants Association about closing a block of Castro Street next June in commemoration of Juneteenth.

Castro Street Fair officials, beneficiaries, and others celebrated the fair’s raising $31,450 for nonprofits.

in North Beach accepted,” Stiehl-Munro said of Norton. “If he printed his own money, why can’t we do it too?”

Enter the Imperial Notes Campaign.

The Imperial Court has printed notes that people can redeem for discounts at participating businesses. The notes cost one for $5, or five for $20.

“The whole idea is for us to sell these notes to raise money for charity,” Chua said. “This isn’t something big and extravagant. Currently, we have the Lookout offering $1 off drinks.”

Street; and Eureka Sky, 3989 17th Street.

Additional participants are Skin on Market, 2299 Market Street; Queer Arts Featured, 575 Castro Street; Auto Erotica, 4077A 18th Street; and the artwork of Nicole Hanusek.

Benefiting charities include the LGBT Asylum Project, the Women’s Building, Community Forward, the Pomeroy Recreation and Rehabilitation Center, the Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation of San Francisco, and the GSA Network.

Other participating businesses include SF Mercantile, 1698 Haight Street; Moby Dick, 4049 18th Street; Welcome Castro, 525 Castro Street; Welcome Haight & Ashbury, 1500 Haight Street; and Hot Cookie, 407 Castro Street.

Chua stated to the B.A.R. after the meeting that the fundraiser has added many other businesses, including Lobby Bar, 4230 18th Street; Last Call, 3988 18th Street; Hernandez Chiropractic, 550A Castro Street; Fabulosa Books, 489 Castro Street; Local Take, 4122 18th

Courtesy Dave Burke

“Our plan is to have a list of the merchants along with their offers,” Chua said at the meeting. “What you would get as merchants would be advertisement, promoting the business with our clientele. The hope is this will drive traffic to your business as well as this halo effect because the people who buy the notes, we noticed, haven’t actually been using them, so you’re kind of getting, in some respects, free advertising.”

See page 9 >>

Imperial Court raising money for charity

In another matter at the meeting, Cameron Stiehl-Munro and Michael Anthony Chua, reigning empress and emperor of the Imperial Court, respectively, came to entreat the merchants’ participation in a new fundraiser.

The fundraiser was inspired by Joshua Norton, the aberrant Englishman who came to San Francisco during the Gold Rush but quickly lost everything.

After a failed run for Congress, Norton declared himself Norton I, Emperor of the United States.

Before José Julio Sarria, a Latino drag queen and veteran, founded the Imperial Court he declared himself Her Royal Majesty, Empress of San Francisco, José I, The Widow Norton. Sarria organized pilgrimages to Norton’s grave in Colma – where he himself is now buried. Sarria died in 2013.

“He went from a rich, eccentric guy to impoverished, so one of the ways he kept himself fed was he printed his own currency, which the local businesses up

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<< Open Forum

4 • Bay Area Repor ter • December 14-20, 2023

Volume 53, Number 50 December 14-20, 2023 www.ebar.com

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Becerra’s HHS is moving on health equity E

arlier this week, Xavier Becerra, the Health and Human Services secretary in the Biden administration, held a meeting with leaders from LGBTQI+ civil rights organizations. He discussed actions the department has taken to advance health equity, increase access to health care, secure non-discrimination protections, and increase access to behavioral health services for the LGBTQ community. Judging from a readout of the meeting, HHS has continued to take proactive steps that benefit the community. Overall, we believe Becerra, a longtime ally and former California attorney general, and Admiral Rachel Levine, the assistant secretary for health and a trans woman who also attended, have worked to make changes within the department since taking over after the Trump administration.

Becerra highlighted the importance of sexual orientation and gender identity data collection, or SOGI, which, as we have been reporting for years, is crucial to determining how many LGBTQs access services, what services they are provided, and where the federal government comes up short in its pursuit of health equity. For example, we know that disparities remain among men who have sex with men in getting on PrEP, an effective HIV prevention medication, particularly gay and bi men of color. And with the recent San Francisco Department of Public Health report showing Latino men have the highest rate of new HIV cases in the city, it’s clear that more needs to be done to reach these populations. There’s also an effort underway among California health officials to better collect SOGI data after a scathing audit earlier this year found stark deficiencies.

The Healthy People 2030 plan, which contains HHS’ goals for identifying disparities in health and human services, was also discussed, Becerra’s office stated in a news release. According to its website, it sets data-driven national objectives to improve health and well-being over the next decade. It includes 350 core – or measurable – objectives. Under HIV/AIDS, the goals so far are mixed. The website indicates that there’s little to no change in the “Increase knowledge of HIV status,” which is key to preventing spread of the disease. (Research has shown that if a person

Rick Gerharter

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra

achieves and maintains an undetectable viral load – the amount of HIV in the blood – by taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) daily as prescribed they cannot sexually transmit the virus to others. This is called Undetectable=Untransmittable, or U=U.) On the other hand, the Healthy People 2030 goal to increase linkage to HIV medical care is improving, according to the website.

Becerra also discussed supporting LGBTQI+ youth (ages 10-24), the release noted. The HHS’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation has released a new brief titled “Emerging Practices for Supporting LGBTQI+ Young People Across Human Services Programs.” Its website notes that five LGBTQI+ young adults served on a steering committee for the project, each with lived experience navigating human services programs. An infographic for the brief showed that services should be centered on LGBTQI+ young people’s needs and intersecting identities. That is crucial and something that many providers should strive for. Additionally, the infographic noted the importance of creating safe spaces, including the use of a person’s preferred name and pronouns, as well as understanding and strengthening familyyouth connections and providing training for staff.

This is a good resource for nonprofit organizations that serve queer youth, and includes a webi-

A holiday wish

by Gwendolyn Ann Smith

T

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t

he holidays were different when I was younger.

Lacking the internet, one would eagerly anticipate the arrival of the Sears catalog at your front door around August or September. This particular catalog, known as the “Wish Book,” would hold in its many pages a treasure trove of toys your family could buy for the holidays.

The Wish Book, of course, was the basis of your letter to Santa.

I thought I was sneaky. Every year, I would comb the pages of the Wish Book, crafting a list for Santa of all the toys I might want. There was some of the usual fare, like Hot Wheels cars and whatnot, but I would always try to sneak something in.

One year, I tried requesting a Barbie playlet among the Big Jim dolls, but this was denied. Another year it was a Jaime Sommers Bionic Woman doll to go with the masculine variety, Steve Austin.

That one time, amazingly, I was successful.

I knew, though, that my likelihood of success was pretty slim, of course. I also knew what my real big ask was, and that it was the one thing I knew Santa could not bring me. It was the same thing I concluded my nightly prayers with, and what I might wish upon a star for more times than I might admit.

I wanted to wake up a girl, as if none of my past mattered, and just be myself.

I was, I suppose, fortunate. Even in my younger years, I knew trans people existed. While some will try to tell you that transgender people somehow only emerged in the 1990s, fully realized, I recall hearing about Renee Richards, Wendy Carlos, and others in my youth. While I may not have known all the ins and outs of being transgender, I definitely knew it was a possibility.

Of course, it was this knowledge that also informed me that a gender transition wasn’t likely to show up under the slowly dying Douglas fir in the front room on December 25. I knew that my parents would never approve of such a request anyway, so I really didn’t feel I had many options open to me. I went through some very dark times.

I began to transition in my 20s, many years after I had given up on Santa for his gender reassignment prowess.

Christine Smith

There are a lot of people out in the world today who will try to tell you that transgender people are somehow coerced into transition. They may call it some sort of “contagion,” even. What’s worse, some of those same people pressure their lawmakers and others to shut down transgender clinics and outlaw trans care. Why, some of those people are lawmakers themselves, and directly work against the needs of transgender people young and old.

I will sound like a broken record: these are hard times for transgender people.

Hundreds of bills were introduced in 2023 to try to take away trans rights across the United States. Entire states have become all but uninhabitable for trans youth, with more poised to do the same in 2024. A presidential election comes next year, too, and nearly every candidate in the Republican primary contest is busy trying to be more transphobic than the others.

During the Republican National Committee’s last scheduled debate of the year on December 6, former United Nations ambassador and South Carolina governor Nikki Haley said that the biggest issue for women is trans women competing in sports, as the Washington Post noted.

But neither she nor the other three candidates on stage, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, mentioned the real top

nar and recording of a panel discussion of youth, and a caregiver of LGBTQI+ young people.

Becerra also discussed how the department has issued multiple landmark proposed regulations to protect LGBTQI+ individuals and families from discrimination. For example, HHS’ Office of Civil Rights issued a proposed rule that would protect LGBTQI+ people from discrimination in health and human service programs by clarifying and reaffirming the prohibition on discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in certain statutes. The office also issued a proposed rule that would update implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to protect against discrimination based on an individual’s HIV status or diagnosis of gender dysphoria. A proposed rule from HHS’ Administration for Children and Families would ensure LGBTQI+ youth in foster care receive safe and appropriate placements, the release stated.

These policies are important because in too many places, people are still discriminated against based on their HIV status. Regarding foster youth, there is an effort underway in some places that put religious beliefs ahead of other considerations. In 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the city of Philadelphia, which has an ordinance prohibiting discrimination and wanted to deny an independent contractor providing foster placement services from operating in the city because it had a policy of denying service to same-sex couples.

More recently in California, Governor Gavin Newsom earlier this year vetoed a bill that would have required state judges to take into account parental support for their transgender children during custody disputes.

Overall, HHS is continuing to build on the progress it has made on LGBTQI+ issues. It’s crucial that the department’s personnel continue to support trans youth and their families as hostile laws in red states serve to disrupt their lives by banning gender-affirming care for youth and other prohibitions. National LGBTQ organizations that had representatives at the meeting, such as the Human Rights Campaign, The Trevor Project, and AIDS United, need to work with local LGBTQ nonprofits across the country to help disseminate HHS’ various policies so that health equity can be furthered.t

issue for many women – reproductive freedom, including access to abortion services.

I know there are kids out there today who are just like I was and, even though the Sears Wish Book is a part of history, these same kids are making their own lists today. In spite of everything, they are trying to give voice to their own gender, their own yearnings, and their own needs.

Not all of them may make it like I did. Not in these times. Quite simply, we need to be there for each of them, and help see their own wishes come true.

This is the holiday season, and I want you to think about every young trans kid out there, making their own wishes this holiday season, and hoping that they, too, will be able to wake up some day and embody the genders they know themselves to be. I want to join in that wish, and hope they will be able to feel that joy I felt when I realized that my own wishes as a child had, finally, come true.

I want to call on us all to do what we can, during the holidays and any day, to make this world a better one for each of them. Push hard for trans acceptance in a rapidly crueler world. Speak out on their behalf.

Give to trans accepting shelters and charities. Donate your time and money, when you can, to organizations that may be able to help.

What’s more, if you have a trans kid in your family – or a trans person of any age, for that matter – reach out to them. Be their friend, their ally, and their champion. Show them that they matter to you, and that you are willing to help them survive. Because that’s what this comes down to.

To my trans siblings: you have got to do all you can to survive. I know these are hard, hard times, but there are a great many people – many of whom you’ve yet to meet – who are out there cheering for you. We love you and, no matter what, we want you to be able to live a full and happy life.

This is my wish this holiday season: that we shall meet here again at the closing of next year, and for many, many years to come.t Gwen Smith still believes. You’ll find her at www.gwensmith.com

Politics >>

t Out Sausalito councilmember Kellman runs for CA lt. gov

by Matthew S. Bajko

G

ay Sausalito City Councilmember Janelle Kellman has her eyes set on making political history in California come 2026 with her bid for lieutenant governor. Should she win the race, Kellman would be the first LGBTQ woman to hold statewide office in the Golden State.

But in order to smash through that pink ceiling in the state’s politics, Kellman knows she has to significantly boost her name recognition with voters throughout California. It is why, after quietly launching her campaign website over the summer, Kellman is now rolling out endorsements and hosting campaign events three years before her name will appear on the ballot for the state’s second-in-command position.

She is scheduled to be at a San Francisco fundraiser shortly after the new year on January 4 and in Oakland on January 20. Kellman told the Bay Area Reporter this week that she is also looking to line up events in Southern California in early 2024.

“I need as much help as I can get to boost my name recognition with voters,” Kellman acknowledged during a phone interview December 12.

A resident of Sausalito since 2001, Kellman won election to her council seat in 2020 and served as the bayside city’s ceremonial mayor last year. She helped launch the city’s first Pride event last summer, which also saw it unveil a rainbow crosswalk ahead of the event, as the B.A.R. reported in June.

Kellman told the B.A.R. she will not stand for election next fall for a second council term due to her running for statewide office.

“I want to stay wholly focused on this race,” explained Kellman.

In early December she held an event in Mill Valley to tout early endorsements she has garnered from Marin County officials. They include Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters; Mill Valley City Councilmember Caroline Joachim; and San Rafael City Councilmember Rachel Kertz.

“I want to show my commitment to the role and my commitment to the state and doing the hard work to get my name and my platform out in front of as many people as possible. It is why we started early,” said Kellman.

Her recent gathering with her early endorsers netted Kellman a lead item by Marin Independent Journal columnist Dick Spotswood, long a chronicler of the North Bay’s political scene, in Tuesday’s paper. Not only noting how “unusual” it is for a first-term officeholder in the county to seek statewide office, Spotswood also pointed out the challenge Kellman faces seeking an elected office few people outside of politics pay attention to.

“Ask yourself the name of California’s current lieutenant governor. I award a blue ribbon to readers who, without Googling, know that it’s Eleni Kounalakis,” wrote Spotswood.

Kounalakis is running for governor in 2026, one of several statewide officeholders facing term limits that year who have already launched bids for higher office. The state’s executive officeholders can only serve two four-year terms.

Gay Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara will also be termed out in 2026 and has also pulled papers for a lieutenant governor bid that year. He was the first LGBTQ person to win statewide office in California with his election to a first term in 2018.

The first LGBTQ person believed to have held statewide office was Tony Miller, a gay man and Democratic lawyer who was appointed to the vacant secretary of state position in 1994.

Miller, however, lost his bid that year for a full term in the position, and in 1998,

Courtesy the candidate

Sausalito City Councilmember Janelle Kellman has announced she’s running for California lieutenant governor in 2026.

he again came up short in his bid for lieutenant governor.

It remains to be seen if Lara officially launches a campaign for lieutenant governor, or if his pulling papers for the race is just a way to park his campaign contributions until he decides what his next political bid will be. State Treasurer Fiona Ma, a former San Francisco supervisor who will also be termed out in 2026, is actively campaigning and raising money for a lieutenant governor bid that year.

According to the secretary of state’s office, 27 political leaders have so far filed their intention to run for the position, with most doing so in order to raise funds likely for bids for other positions.

Among them are two lesbian state legislators who will be termed out in 2024, Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) and Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego). Atkins is highly expected to jump into the 2026 race to succeed termed out Governor Gavin Newsom (D).

It is what Kellman told the B.A.R. she expects when asked if she would drop her candidacy if Atkins decides to run for lieutenant governor. (Already in the gubernatorial race with Kounalakis is State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.)

“My understanding is that Toni Atkins, who is so accomplished and so impressive, … is running for governor,” said Kellman, adding that she has no plans to drop out of the race no matter who opts to run to succeed Kounalakis.

“You never know. I am sure many wonderful people will come to the table. I can only focus on what I can bring to the state of California.”

Kellman, 50, has a history degree from Yale and a master’s in environmental management from Oxford.

She graduated from Stanford Law and clerked for a judge in San Diego.

She spent time at the Woodrow Wilson Center at the Smithsonian, focused on how issues like water scarcity and civil unrest impact national security. She had her own private practice as a land use and environmental attorney then joined the Environmental Protection Agency working on water quality and species issues in its Region 9 office that includes California along with other western states.

She has also worked in the private sector at firms focused on renewable energy. Two years ago she founded, and serves as CEO of, a global nonprofit called the Center for Sea Rise Solutions.

Her educational, professional, and political background make her well qualified to be the next lieutenant governor, argued Kellman. The position requires the officeholder to serve in a number of roles overseeing issues Kellman noted she already has experience tackling.

The lieutenant governor serves on the oversight bodies for the state’s community colleges, four-year colleges, and university system. The person also sits on the powerful California Coastal Commission and shares chairing of the State Lands Commission.

“When I was mayor I was dealing with issues that are of statewide importance, like homelessness, like affordable housing, like aging infrastructure and climate change,” said Kellman. “One of my very big wins was we went to the state of California and got $1 million to do a sea level rise vulnerability assessment for Sausalito. We just retained our consulting group to commence that in early 2024; I think they are saying it will take two years to complete it.”

To learn more about Kellman, and for information about her campaign events in early 2024, visit her website at https:// janellekellman.com/

EQCA endorses Low’s House bid

Statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization Equality California Wednesday endorsed gay Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Cupertino) in his bid for an open South Bay House seat. He is seeking to succeed retiring Congressmember Anna Eshoo (D-San Jose) in 2024.

Also in the race are fellow Democrats Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, former San Jose mayor Sam Liccardo, Palo Alto City Councilmember and author Julie Lythcott-Haims, and former Marine Peter Dixon, a tech executive. Only the top two vote-getters will advance out of the March 5 primary to compete head-to-head for the congressional seat next November.

Low, a former council member and mayor of Campbell, California, would be the first out House member from the Bay Area if elected. The national LGBTQ Victory Fund earlier this month had endorsed his House candidacy.

“His experience and strong record make him the ideal candidate to represent California’s 16th Congressional District,” stated EQCA Executive Director Tony Hoang. “We are eager to work to elect Evan Low to Congress in 2024, alongside our largest-ever slate of pro-equality endorsees up and down the ballot.”

December 14-20, 2023 • Bay Area Repor ter • 5

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San Leandro councilmember Reynes resigns

Less than a year into her first term, bisexual San Leandro City Councilmember Celina Reynes has announced she will be resigning her seat. Her last day in office will be December 31.

Elected in 2022, Reynes was the first out woman to serve on her city’s governing body. A third generation resident of San Leandro, where she lives with her husband, Ted, Reynes holds the council’s District 1 seat.

A teacher pursuing a law degree at UC Hastings, Reynes had been a certified law clerk this fall in the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office. Next When you plan your life celebration and lasting remembrance in year the council will appoint someone advance, you can design every detail of your own unique memorial to serve out her term through 2026. and provide your loved ones with true peace of mind. Planning ahead “Each individual deserves care and When your celebration lasting protectsyou your plan loved ones fromlife unnecessary stress and and financial burden, our well-being necessitates it. To better When you plan your celebration and lasting in allowing themlife to focus on what will matter most at design that remembrance time—you. remembrance in advance, you can every serve my community, I must now take advance, you can design every detail of your own unique memorial time to prioritize my own well-being detail ofusyour owntheunique memorial andlegacy provide Contact today about beautiful ways to create a lasting and that of my newborn daughter,”and stat- provide atyour the San Francisco Columbarium. loved ones with true peace of mind.

Planning ahead your loved ones with true peace of mind. Planning ed Reynes in announcing her decision protects your loved ones from unnecessary stress and financial ahead protectsProudly yourserving loved onesCommunity. from unnecessary burden, last week. “I hold nothing but the highest the LGBT allowing them focus on whatburden, will matter most them at thattotime—you. regard for the San Leandro community, stresstoand financial allowing which has been my family’s home since focus on what will matter most at that time—you. my grandparents immigrated here nearContact us today about the beautiful ways to create a lasting legacy ly eighty years ago. I express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has served at the San Contact FranciscousColumbarium. today about the beautiful ways to create this community with kindness and a lasting legacy at the San Francisco Columbarium. courage, regardless of the scale of their One Loraine Ct. | San Francisco | 415-771-0717 contributions.”

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<< Business News

6 • Bay Area Repor ter • December 14-20, 2023

t

Checking off the gift list at Noe Valley shops

by Matthew S. Bajko

J

ust over the hill from San Francisco’s Castro district is another neighborhood long a welcoming home to the city’s LGBTQ community. In recent years Noe Valley has also seen several gay-owned stores open along its commercial corridors.

They have joined a number of mainstays owned by lesbian proprietors in addition to the other unique shops and restaurants that make the neighborhood an enjoyable outing to check off one’s holiday gift list. Strolling along 24th Street or Church Street is also more relaxing than dealing with the crowded streets of the city’s Union Square shopping district this time of year.

Starting near the intersection of 28th and Church Street is Maxwell’s Pet Bar at 1734 Church, opened by Jen and Kristi Maxwell in late 2020. A hot item this year has been a board game the entire family can play together, both pooch and people, called The Dog’s Best Friend Game ($30). When the Bay Area Reporter stopped by the store last weekend, a person had called to inquire about the game and asked for one to be set aside for them to purchase.

Created by West Paw, it can be played with just one dog or several dogs as part of different teams.

It comes with several toys and 72 minigame cards aimed at teaching tricks and other abilities to the canine participants.

In addition to being a place where dog owners can bring their pooches in for a wash, Maxwell’s has become known for its unique dog treats, like lamb and emu nuggets ($14) and cod skin chews ($2 each).

For Christmas it has put together a special seasonal box ($30) of dog treats that includes a large turkey wing, frog legs, beef jerky slab, chicken feet, quail egg, and either a turkey or duck head. More traditional holiday gift items include Good Boy Elf Hats ($8 for a small, $9 for a large) and different Christmasthemed dog toys like a plush Santa with toy sack ($20) or a shakable elf figure ($16).

A few blocks away is the Noe Valley Pet Co. at 1451 Church Street that couple Paula Harris and Celia Sack have owned since 1999.

Matthew S. Bajko

Christmas-themed doggie toys are available at Maxwell’s Pet Bar.

(Right behind it at 3885A Cesar Chavez Street is Omnivore Books on Food https://omnivorebooks. myshopify.com/ that Sack oversees.)

During this time of year the pet store is packed with seasonal gifts for both dogs and cats. Feline Christmas-themed toys run the gamut from gingerbread figures ($9.99) and stockings ($4.99) to penguins adorned with Santa hats ($8.99) or candy canes ($10.99). There is also a comical fish taco toy ($3.99) with a dead fish wrapped in a taco shell.

The shop also stocks knitted dog sweaters in various sizes ($36) year round perfect for the city’s foggy climate. But at Christmastime it carries ones with special holiday designs featuring Santa or candy canes, plus it stocks a reindeer headband ($9.99) for dogs.

It also has special Yuletide dog toys like a plush moose ($14.99) or candy cane bone ($10.99), and a small Santa squeeze toy ($7.99).

Along with its usual selection of treats and pet foods are specialty dog cookies for the holidays ($2.99) shaped like Christmas trees, stockings, and festive llamas.

Easy-to-care-for houseplants are the focus of Urban Scout, which owner Santiago Esparza opened at 3848 24th Street last year.

The shop carries a wide variety of succulents in various sizes ($10-$14) and has a unique collection of pots, such as ones with painted faces ($68) from queer-owned Bowl Cut Ceramics based in San Francisco. It also carries the company’s lip-adorned cups ($48) and pots ($60).

There are also pots fashioned to

look like naked torsos ($20) that can fit a two-inch plant, such as a Christmas cactus ($10). Plant-like figures made from growing crystals ($8) on forms resembling a cherry tree, giant sequoia or saguaro cactus make for fun stocking stuffers.

On a larger scale is a 10-inch Norfolk pine tree ($110) for sale that can be decorated for the holidays. It can then be kept year-round in a sunny spot of an apartment, as it does well in direct sunlight.

Across the street at 3845 24th Street is another gay-owned store with household items, Stephen Moore Home. Since 2015 it has been selling dishware, personal care products, and other items interior designer Stephen Moore personally enjoys. For example, square butter dishes ($55) come topped by a fox, rabbit or cow.

There are candles in unique designs, such as striped tapered ones ($38) that come in several colors, Greentree beeswax candles ($38), or ones resembling hickory sticks ($45). For the season are holidaythemed boxes of matches ($15) featuring deer, bears, and other creatures.

The shop stocks handmade paper greeting cards and different sized notebooks made in Japan ($4-$6). It has a nice assortment of cloth napkins ($45-$50 for sets of four) and packaged cocktail napkins ($9) in various designs.

Around the corner at 304 Vicksburg Street is lesbian-owned Olive This Oil That, where olive oil sommelier Janell Pekkain has been selling her olive oils and balsamic vinegars for 11 years. She works with olive growers mainly in Madera County and local pressers

Matthew S. Bajko

Gift sets are available at Olive This Oil That in Noe Valley.

Matthew S. Bajko

Matthew S. Bajko

Cat fish taco toys are very popular and available at Noe Valley Pet Co.

Perfectly Seasoned offers spices and other items at its shop in Noe Valley.

to produce her olive oils, while her balsamic vinegar she mostly sources from producers in Modena, Italy.

Her Olio Nuovo, meaning new oil, made from the 2023 fall harvest is now available ($32 for 12.7 ounce bottle) right in time for Christmas.

She is also selling gift sets combining her 2022 vintage olive oils and vinegars ($52 for two 375 ml bottles and $79 for three 375 ml bottles, or $65 for a trio of 250 ml bottles) that are pre-packaged.

Pekkain also likes to partner with other queer-owned businesses, so she is carrying boxes of bonbons from Michael’s Chocolates ($22) and dish towels from The Heated ($18) made from repurposed flour sacks that feature San Francisco landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and the F-line Muni trolley cars.

She also teamed up with the gayowned spice shop Perfectly Seasoned at 4017 24th Street for the

holiday shopping season. Couple Phuong Mai and Matthew Green opened it last December a week shy of Christmas.

This year they are selling bread dipping sets that feature Pekkain’s olive oil with their spices. The Olive Oil Bread Dip Set ($39.99) comes with picual olive oil and jars of Harissa, Morrocan rose, and Zatar spices. The Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Bread Dip set ($44.99) includes roasted garlic olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and jars of Italian and Champs de France seasonings.

For bakers there are various extracts that can be hard to find, such as Brandy ($13.99 for 2 ounces) or peppermint ($9.99 for 2 ounces) flavors. The shop also carries its own tea blends, a spice starter set ($40.39) with six different varieties, and a popcorn seasoning set ($33.39 See page 7 >>

Let’s talk cannabis.

Upper Market mural shines CASTRO • MARINA • SOMA C10-0000523-LIC; C10-0000522-LIC; C10-0000515-LIC

T

he restoration of the mural on upper Market Street near the intersection of 18th Street, titled “The Chant of the Earth, the Voice of the Land” by acclaimed muralist

Rick Gerharter

Betsie Miller-Kusz, has been completed. The Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association helped fundraise for the restoration, and Miller-Kusz was on hand to oversee the project.

t

Obituaries>>

December 14-20, 2023 • Bay Area Repor ter • 7

Musician and gay cruise stalwart Matt Yee dies

by Cynthia Laird

M

att Yee, a gay man who performed on gay cruises and in other venues, including San Francisco LGBTQ nightclub Oasis, died December 2 at Queens Medical West in Oahu, Hawaii. He was 64.

Mr. Yee had suffered from liver cancer for the last year, friends said.

Mr. Yee was a well-known fixture on Atlantis gay cruises for more than a decade, where he entertained and played the piano. Monica Mapa, a longtime friend and the sister of gay actor and comedian Alex Mapa, said she misses Mr. Yee. “He was an exceptional musician,” Mapa said in a phone interview with the Bay Area Reporter, adding that his singa-longs were “outrageous.” Indeed, that was the name of one of his acts.

Mapa, a lesbian, said she first met Mr. Yee when she was her brother’s plusone on an Atlantis cruise around 2008.

There was a camaraderie between all the performers, she said, and they would often meet in the ship’s cafeteria after all the shows at around 1 a.m. for what was known as “French fry o’clock.”

One of Mr. Yee’s gifts was his humor, Mapa said, and his trademark outfits were muumuus from Hawaii.

“He was not self-conscious about making people laugh,” she said.

She said that over the last year, Mr. Yee tried to do as much as possible.

“He went to his college reunion at Dartmouth, he went to Vegas to see Katy Perry,” Mapa said. “He kept on sampling life until the end.”

<<

From Matt Yee

Entertainer Matt Yee joined some of his fans on a cruise.

Entertainer Matt Yee loved boas and muumuus.

Mr. Yee “sailed around the world many, many times,” Mapa added. “He also performed on land at Oasis and Martuni’s.”

D’Arcy Drollinger, the owner of Oasis and San Francisco’s first drag laureate, said that Mr. Yee had performed at the club over the years.

“Matt was one of a kind,” Drollinger wrote in a text message. “His enthusiasm and high-camp esthetic could turn even the most conservative audience into a raucous party.”

Mapa said she last saw Mr. Yee earlier this year.

“I had an unexpected reunion with him in April when I was in New York City and he was there with his husband,”

“He was a man of many appetites, but he was hungriest for genuine camaraderie,” Gladstone added. “He made life on the road into a moveable feast of friendship.”

Mr. Yee grew up in Honolulu where he began playing piano at age 3. He went to Dartmouth College on a vocal music scholarship and then went on to earn a law degree at the University of Pennsylvania, according to information from friends. He practiced as a corporate and real estate attorney briefly before deciding to pursue a career as an entertainer.

“Law practice was about fixing other people’s problems,” Yee told the B.A.R. in a 2015 article by reporter David-Elijah Nahmod.

From Matt Yee

Mapa said. “I spent two hours with him in Times Square.”

Jim Gladstone, a friend and freelance arts writer at the B.A.R., described Mr. Yee as a “community builder.”

“Matt didn’t really draw a line between his fans and his friends,” Gladstone wrote in an email. “He was a community builder. If you took the time to engage with him between his performances on a cruise ship, there was a good chance you’d become pals for life. Matt would introduce you to other folks in your city, he’d hang out with you if you visited Honolulu when he was in town, and he’d hit you up for restaurant recommendations when he was headed somewhere he knew you’d visited.

Business Briefing

From page 6

for four small jars or $46.39 for four large jars) with flavors like pesto, tikka, and beer and cheese.

Customers can also create their own gift boxes with the shop’s spices and seasoning blends. Those who bring back their used spice jars receive a 10% discount on their next purchase.

A block away at 3980 24th Street is the jewel box of a store for out clothing designer Basil Racuk. Known for his leather handbags in various designs, Racuk also sells men’s shirts in addition to his dresses and jackets for women, (prices vary) which routinely sellout via his online store.

Gay vintners open Napa events space

Husbands Joe Wolosz and Jeff Durham have opened their new events space in Napa County where they will be hosting meals paired with their Gentleman Farmer wines. They held a ribbon-cutting ceremony December 8 for The Bungalow: A Studio for Gustatory Well-Being at 1564 First Street in downtown Napa.

As the Business Briefing column reported in May, the couple had been hosting at their Yountville home special wine-pairing meals for members of their wine club and other guests since 2018. Those will now move to the 1926 California Craftsman bungalow they bought and remodeled in the county seat.

“It has long been a dream of ours to offer a lunch pairing in Napa Val-

Matthew S. Bajko

Urban Scout focuses on small houseplants and other items.

ley that’s as thoughtful and memorable as the experiences we’ve shared in Europe,” stated Wolosz. “Jeff and I have been using family recipes to prepare lunch experiences for friends and family out of our home for years. People often say it’s the highlight of their stay in Napa Valley, so we thought – let’s take this a step further and open it up to the public?

The Bungalow is a place where we will share our wines alongside great home cooked food and wonderful stories.”

The couple started making wine in the garage of a friend shortly after meeting in 1999 while living in the Castro. They relocated to Yountville in 2003 and released their first public vintage in 2005.

A certified LGBTQ business

enterprise by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Gentleman Farmer is the only gay-owned family winery in the Napa Valley. Next up for the couple is opening their Gentleman Farmer Guest House in a five-room 1888 Victorian building they bought next door to the bungalow space.

For more information about their new event space, visit https://gentlemanfarmerwines.com/experiences/

October 30, 1957 – October 7, 2023

Our brother and friend, Tom Florek, died suddenly in his sleep at his San Francisco home on October 7, 2023.

Tom was born in Warsaw, Poland on October 30, 1957.

He spoke four languages and was proud of his Polish heritage. After his parents immigrated to the U.S., Tom

joined them at the age of 8. Tom lived with his family in Palo Alto, Dallas, and Newton, Massachusetts, where he graduated from high school. He moved from Boston to San Francisco in 1984. He worked at the San Francisco Visitors Bureau for many years, and most recently at The Home Depot.

Tom enjoyed travel, scuba diving, his motorcycle, and relaxing at his vacation house in Clearlake Oaks, California.

Tom was fiercely loyal to family and friends. He was intensely private,

Pezzullo, who has family in the area of the burn scar, has pledged to pay for another 500 trees via a social media campaign that kicked off December 10 and runs through December 20. Every tag or mention of Sincere Cider via Instagram and TikTok during that time will result in a tree donation until the goal is met.

“I’m happy we can make such a meaningful impact in just seven months,” stated Pezzullo. “We’ll continue this campaign to reforest the Dixie area in 2024.”

To learn more about Sincere Cider, or to order its ciders online, visit its website at sincerecider.com. t Got a tip on LGBTQ business news? Call Matthew S. Bajko at (415) 829-8836 or e-mail m.bajko@ebar.com.

DISPLAY OBITUARIES & IN MEMORIAMS

Pour a cider on behalf of trees

In another update on a business profiled in the monthly column this year, Sincere Cider has extended its partnership with nonprofit One Tree Planted (https://onetreeplanted.org/) to plant trees in the burn

Obituaries >> Tom Florek

scar of the Dixie fire, which ripped through several counties of Northern California in the summer and fall of 2021. For each case of its fall/ winter seasonal Blood Orange cider sold, Sincere will pay for the planting of a tree in the fire area.

As noted in the September column, queer California native Bex Pezzullo launched their cider brand in March 2020. With the COVID pandemic raging then, Pezzullo gave up their apartment in Oakland to live out of a van as they traveled across California promoting Sincere Cider.

Living again in the East Bay, Pezzullo had first teamed up with One Tree Planted in June. With the latest promotional effort an additional 713 trees are set to reforest the Dixie area, bringing the total 2023 reforestation effort to 1,300 trees due to the partnership.

“I don’t even like having problems of my own, so fixing other people’s problems wasn’t my cup of tea. I’d much rather make people happy by what I do now, creating that environment where people laugh, sing, and just be themselves with everyone else.”

In addition to Atlantis cruises, Mr. Yee performed on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Princess ships.

One of his signature performances that he headlined was the campy, adultsonly “Outrageous Sing-Along Show” on cruise ships, where his performances often featured drop-in appearances by show business friends including Chita Rivera, Idina Menzel, Patti LuPone, and out comedian Margaret Cho. In a 2021 B.A.R article by Gladstone, Mr. Yee reflected on how the COVID pandemic brought an abrupt end to his performing because cruise ships were not sailing. That July, Mr. Yee performed at Oasis.

Mr. Yee is survived by his husband, Paul Hannigan, and two younger brothers and their families.

On Facebook, Hannigan posted: “Matt’s family and I shall devote the coming days and weeks to quiet remembrance and recovery. In due time we will organize a larger remembrance that we all can share together.”

Mapa said she will long treasure her friendship with Mr. Yee. “His show was about embracing the moment and to be happy, and I think he went out that way,” Mapa said. t

innately intelligent, and didn’t suffer fools gladly. Never sentimental, Tom enjoyed small gatherings over good food and conversation. Leaving us too soon, Tom would have been pleased to die quickly, without any memorial fuss.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Vladimir; his mother, Eva; and his brother, Peter. He is survived by his sister Kathryn, of Concord, California; and his nephew, Robert, of Thailand. His friends and family mourn him deeply.

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<< National News

8 • Bay Area Repor ter • December 14-20, 2023

t

High court rejects appeal of conversion therapy ban

by Lisa Keen

in Washington state and 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected ADF’s arguments. ADF appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The six justices in the majority did not provide any explanation; they do not have to and they typically do not. Two of the three dissenting justices did.

Thomas’ dissent said he would have taken the appeal because a number of lower courts had issued conflicting opinions on the issue and because the case “strikes at the heart of the First Amendment.”

“There is a fierce public debate over how best to help minors with gender dysphoria,” wrote Thomas. Washington

state, he said, “silenced one side of this debate by enacting” the ban against use of conversion therapy on minors.

Thomas said the state ban on conversion therapy, which he said was “conducted solely through speech,” had the effect of barring a therapist from helping a young person to “accept their biological sex.”

The American Psychiatric Association, in a position statement released in 2018, urged therapists to “refrain from attempts to change individuals’ sexual orientation.” The American Psychological Association and 27 other major mental health organizations endorsed a “United States Joint Statement Against

Conversion Efforts” position statement in August. The Bay Area Reporter noted the statement in an October article.

“Most major professional associations already have position statements about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Queer, and Nonbinary (LGBTQ+) health and/or the ineffectiveness and potential harms of conversion efforts. …,” the statement reads.

“Research and experience shared by scholars, clinicians, and patients have shown conversion efforts have not changed sexual orientation or gender identity/expression (SOGIE) and are harmful.”

GLAD attorney Jennifer Levi said the

Supreme Court’s rejection of the Tingley’s appeal came as a “huge relief.”

“Conversion therapy bans have been an important step in ensuring that young people do not have to suffer through these harmful practices,” said Levi.

“Conversion therapy bans,” she added, “reflect the state’s appropriate regulation of mental health treatment, as the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rightly determined. There was no reason for the Supreme Court to review that decision.

Today’s denial of [the appeal] allows Washington’s important law to stand.”

Mathew Shurka of the San Francisco-based National Center for Lesbian Rights also called the Supreme Court’s denying appeal in Tingley a “huge relief.”

Laws banning conversion therapy, stated Shurka, “play a critical role in protecting LGBTQ minors and their families from this dangerous practice….”

Shurka added that conversion therapy “drives LGBTQ youth to self-hatred and despair ... which tragically isolates LGBTQ youth from their families. As a survivor of this damaging practice, I know firsthand how damaging these practices can be.”

Shurka is co-founder of NCLR’s “Born Perfect” program, a survivor-led campaign created by the legal organization in 2014 to end conversion therapy by passing laws across the country that protect LGBTQ children and young people.

In his dissent, Thomas called the Washington law a “state-approved message of encouraging minors to explore their gender identities.” He predicted another case presenting the same issue would again reach the high court.

Alito’s dissent said the case presented “an issue of national importance,” noting that D.C. and many other states have laws banning conversion therapy. t

San Franciscans of all backgrounds, especially our transgender residents.”

Added Breed: “We thank him for his tireless work and dedication to ensure our city can continue to remain at the forefront of expanding LGBTQ rights and policies.”

Sofía S. Ríos Dorantes, the deputy director of El/La Para Trans Latinas, pointed to Crego’s work on behalf of trans Latinas, which included an economic development fellowship program the two of them worked on.

“His experiences and insights were instrumental to the success of this program,” Ríos Dorantes stated. “As a beloved leader in our community, his legacy will inspire future generations of young trans leaders.”

The mayor’s office has yet to announce who will be taking over the office, either on an interim basis or permanently, as of next week.

Gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman thanked Crego for his service in a statement.

“Pau Crego has worked for nearly two decades to advance equity for LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender and nonbinary communities,” Mandelman stated. “As executive director, Pau has been instrumental in expanding transgender rights and resources in San Francisco, increasing city funding for critical transgender community services, de-

signing a professional development program for transgender immigrants, and spearheading the passage of transgender inclusion policies both at the city and at City College.”

In 2020, the San Francisco Community College District Board of Trustees, which oversees City College of San Francisco, passed a gender diversity and inclusion policy authored by the City College Queer and Trans Inclusion Project. One of the project’s members was Crego, who at the time was director of policy and programs at the city’s trans office.

The policy allows a formal complaint process for those who believe they were mistreated. It also makes the use of chosen names mandatory except for certain financial and legal documents, and came on the heels of the implementation of gender-neutral bathrooms, as the B.A.R. reported at the time.

City Administrator Carmen Chu praised Crego.

“Through his leadership, the city has moved forward tangible strategies to end trans homelessness, to create more economic stability and opportunities for the trans community, and to advance awareness and training for our citywide workforce,” Chu stated. “I will miss working with Pau – his ability to build champions and partners throughout our city, and his dedica-

tion and selfless support and advocacy for the transgender and gender nonconforming community is inspiring in the midst of increasing discrimination and violence against the TGNC community across the country.”

It was on homelessness that Crego said he had the biggest impact, touting he helped get “a commitment to end trans homelessness by 2027” from Breed.

Last year, as the B.A.R. reported, Breed budgeted $6.5 million in the city’s two-year spending plan toward that goal.

According to a news release from Breed’s office at the time, the plan to end trans homelessness will be a collaborative effort between the Mayor’s Office on Housing and Community Development, the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, the Department of Public Health, the Office of Transgender Initiatives, and nonprofit organizations serving transgender and gender-nonconforming people experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness.

Shireen McSpadden, a bi woman who is the executive director of the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, agreed that Crego has made his mark.

“Pau’s legacy will continue to shape our work for years to come,” McSpadden stated. “We are committed to

building upon the foundation Pau has laid and prioritizing the needs of transgender individuals experiencing homelessness. Pau’s work will serve as a guiding light as we continue our mission to create a more inclusive homelessness response system for all.”

As the B.A.R. reported earlier this month, a conservative group has filed suit against the city for a pilot program providing a minimum guaranteed income to some transgender adults, alleging it violates the Civil Rights Act. Crego was hesitant to talk about the program, saying at first that “the extra publicity has caused more threats to our organization,” but went on to say there are 55 people in the program who are receiving $1,200 a month for 18 months.

The program is in its second year and ends in August 2024.

Crego also touted working on trans-inclusive employment policies for the city.

As the B.A.R. previously reported, Crego has lived in San Francisco since 2008 after moving from Barcelona, Spain to study queer studies at City College on a student visa. He later received a green card then became a U.S. citizen during the Trump administration. Prior to joining the trans office he worked at Larkin Street Youth Services and was the first case manager for El/La Para TransLatinas. t

he often confessed his first love was classroom teaching.”

Britt taught at the former New College of California, which closed in 2008.

Tim Wolfred, a gay man who was on the City College board from 1981-1995, becoming its first LGBTQ member, and was its first gay president, told the B.A.R. that he was pleased with the college board’s recent vote.

“I’m thrilled that City College has chosen to honor Harry by putting his name on a building,” he wrote in an email. “As is City College, Harry’s focus as a leader on the Board of Supervisors was always on the welfare

of those on the outside in our society. He was our champion and our mentor. He would be very pleased that his memorial presence at City College might inspire its students to become engaged advocates for causes important to them.”

The resolution had originally been introduced by Trustees Shanell Williams, Tom Temprano, and Alex Randolph. Williams is a bisexual woman who is a former president of the board; Temprano and Randolph are both gay men who are no longer on the board. (Temprano is managing director for external affairs at Equality California, the statewide LGBTQ organization, and Ran-

dolph moved to Oakland where he is on the planning commission.)

Randolph told the B.A.R. that he wanted to thank Ammiano “for bringing this to the board when I was president, and getting it done.”

“I’m very happy that the board of trustees approved the long process we started down the road over three years ago now,” Randolph said in a phone interview. “I think it’s important to go through the regular process and this was one of the first times the college community proposed renaming a building after someone, so I understand it had to go through the different bodies and communities for feedback.”

Temprano stated to the B.A.R. that it is “an appropriate and fitting honor for a renowned educator, San Francisco leader, and LGBTQ+ community icon.”

“I’m grateful to everyone at City College who helped move this process along over the past several years since we passed our resolution, and am especially grateful to the current board for sticking to the initial vision of naming a building after Harry,” Temprano stated in a text message. “I can’t wait to be there when we cut the rainbow ribbon on campus!” t

L

GBTQ legal activists expressed relief Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the appeal of a therapist who challenged Washington state’s law prohibiting conversion therapy for minors.

The December 11 vote was 6-3 and was issued with dissents written by Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. The third dissenting justice was Brett Kavanaugh. At least four justices must agree to hear a case before an appeal is accepted for argument.

Conversion therapy attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The practice is widely debunked by medical associations around the world. Washington, D.C. and 22 states, including California, have banned the practice for minors, according to the Movement Advancement Project.

The case originated PDF/22/22-with the anti-LGBTQ legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom, which challenged the constitutionality of a 2018 law in Washington state.

The law prohibits licensed therapists from using conversion therapy on anyone under 18. A therapist using conversion therapy would be deemed as engaging in “unprofessional conduct” and would lose their license to practice.

ADF filed its lawsuit on behalf of Brian Tingley, a family therapist in Tacoma. According to ADF’s briefs, the ban violates the therapist’s First Amendment rights to free speech and freedom of religion.

Washington state Attorney General Robert Ferguson defended the law, and Equal Rights Washington joined the defense. Both the federal district court

<<

Crego

From page 1

He became the permanent executive director of the office in April 2022.

A trans and nonbinary Spanish immigrant, Crego has been with the office since 2017. When asked why he is departing, Crego told the B.A.R. by phone in an exclusive interview, “I’ve been really grateful and thrilled to be able to do the work I’ve done over the last six years.

I’ve gotten a lot done and I’m ready for the next professional challenge.”

When asked where that will be, Crego said he is not sure. He did say he is weighing a future in the field of public health.

“I’m actually taking a couple months off just to rest and have time for myself,” he said. “I have not had the opportunity to do that in my entire working life.”

Crego said he did not expect budget cuts to impact the office; last week Mayor London Breed announced cuts as the city stares down a $1 billion budget deficit. Breed approved midyear budget cuts of 3% of the city’s general fund.

“We’ve shown our value over the years,” Crego said.

In a statement, Breed said, “Pau has dedicated his career to serve our diverse, vulnerable communities and I know he will continue to be a fierce advocate for

<<

Britt

From page 2

uphold these values for ourselves, our students, and the City College of San Francisco community.”

Tom Ammiano, a retired gay educator who also served on the school board and later the Board of Supervisors and state Assembly, stated that “Harry was a humble man who accomplished much for issues of social justice without fanfare.”

“For the legions of those he helped and inspired, this naming is a welcome tribute,” Ammiano continued.

“As committed as he was to carry through with Harvey Milk’s legacy,

Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal of a Washington state law banning the practice of conversion therapy on minors.

t <<

Community News>>

Bauters

From page 1

“I feel privileged to live in a place where I may be an openly gay candidate for public office and my community affords me the same opportunity as any other person,” said Bauters.

“That opportunity has been shaped by more than 40 years of local leaders before me, LGBTQ and allied, and I am indebted to them for the sacrifices they made to make this race possible.”

Also pulling papers Monday to seek Carson’s seat, according to the Alameda County elections office, were Republican Gerald Pechenuk and Lorrel Plimier, an attorney and computer scientist who co-founded Step Forward Tech and serves as president of the League of Women Voters of Piedmont, California. Also named on the county registrar’s candidate list is Berkeley City Councilmember Ben Bartlett, who like Bauters was first elected to his council seat in 2016.

The race will be on the March 5 primary ballot, and if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in order to win outright then the top two vote-getters will square off again on the November 5 ballot. Because it is an open seat, candidates have until Wednesday, December 13, to file.

No matter who else files to seek the supervisor seat, Bauters told the B.A.R.

<<

Merchants

From page 3

Chua stated after the meeting, “The notes can be purchased at any Imperial Council fundraiser where the Emperor or Empress is present. We expect to expand this to online orders in the future, but for now it’s only direct.”

People can find fundraisers where Chua and Stiehl-Munro will be in attendance on the Imperial Court’s website.

<<

Judicial forum

From page 1

Thompson said he’s had a lifelong desire to serve. In his 20s, as he climbed the legal ladder at the prestigious Pillsbury firm, he “started out on a low-income housing board in the Mission – working … to make life better for the elderly poor.” He also served on the board of the American Conservatory Theater and as chair of the board of Grace Cathedral.

“I run my courtroom by the book and some people don’t like that,” Thompson said. “I don’t coddle the defense counsel and I don’t coddle the prosecutors.”

Roland, who has worked in the San Francisco District Attorney’s office since 2001 and is currently managing attorney of the general felony trial unit, is challenging Thompson.

Roland said she decided to have a career in the criminal justice system when, as a teenager, her grandparents were the victims of a bloody home invasion robbery.

“I went in my car across the Bay Bridge and I went home,” she said. “They could not effectively communicate with the police so I did what I’d done growing up; I went in and I translated and I knew in that moment I wanted to be a voice for victims. People see me as an Asian woman and expect me to be quiet, submissive, and take a back seat. Not this Asian woman.”

Roland said she is running because she is concerned about violent crime and street conditions in the city.

“I’ve been lunged at in court,” she said.

“My life has been threatened. None of that scares me – what does is the condition of San Francisco. My mother can’t walk down the street because she is afraid.

he intends to remain in the race.

“I am running. I am in no matter what,” he said.

Vying to also become one of the first LGBTQ people to serve on the Alameda County board is gay nurse Jennifer Esteen. She is running to oust from office longtime Supervisor Nate Miley from his District 4 seat that includes East Oakland, Montclair, Castro Valley, Ashland, Cherryland, Fairview, El Portal Ridge, and Pleasanton.

Equality California, the statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization, endorsed Esteen in November. It also early endorsed gay former Vallejo city councilmember Michael Wilson in his bid to be the first out supervisor in Solano County.

His race to succeed his boss, District 1 Supervisor Erin Hannigan, who opted not to seek reelection, will also be on the March primary ballot.

Also seeking the seat is Vallejo Housing and Community Development Commissioner Cassandra James, who grew up in San Francisco and now works for the city’s mayoral office of housing and community development as a senior community development specialist.

Preparing for tough campaign

Bauters hasn’t faced a contested election since he first won his coun-

Castro fair raised $31K this year

Fred Lopez, a gay man who is the executive director of the Castro Street Fair, attended the meeting and said that the event held October 1 raised $31,450 for its community stakeholders.

These included Buen Dia Family School; Everett Middle School; Freedom Place Church; Haight Ashbury Community Nursery School; the Imperial Council of San Francisco; the Si a la Vida program at Instituto Familiar de la “This is not the city I remember growing up,” the Lowell High graduate said.

Begert, appointed by Republican former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, is supervising judge of the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment, or CARE, courts (https://sf.courts. ca.gov/divisions/civil-division/care-actcourt) established by Newsom. The goal of the program is to get people in crisis off the streets. According to a fact sheet from Newsom’s office, CARE court connects a person struggling with untreated mental illness – and often also substance use challenges – with a court-ordered Care Plan for up to 24 months.

“These courts have allowed me to change lives, hold people accountable, and make our community safer,” Begert said. “Through more than a decade on the bench I’ve learned ... to see the humanity in everyone.”

Zecher, who was appointed by Newsom to the board of directors of UC Law San Francisco (formerly Hastings) in 2019 and is its vice chair, attacked Begert for living in the East Bay city of Piedmont; Zecher said he himself lives in the Sunset neighborhood on San Francisco’s westside. (Judges do not have to live in the county to which they are appointed.)

“They don’t have 3,000 people dying on the streets,” he said of the small affluent town that is surrounded by Oakland. “They don’t have gunshots on the streets.”

He also attacked San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, who, as the San Francisco Standard (https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/09/ san-francisco-lawmaker-denounces-judicial-challengers/) reported last month, was critical of the judicial challenges at a City Hall news conference.

“The reason we are here today is be-

KEEP UP! EMAIL STRIP.indd 1

December 14-20, 2023 • Bay Area Repor ter • 9 cil seat seven years ago. He told the B.A.R. he is prepared for what is sure to be a tough campaign for the supervisor seat, which the winner could hold for years to come since there aren’t any limits on how many terms Alameda County supervisors can serve.

“In 2016, I had five opponents,” recalled Bauters. “It is part of the assessment you make when you decide to run. I understand what is required of it. It will take a lot of time and energy. When you want the privilege of serving people that is the work you have to do.”

As for taking a leave of absence from his job with the Arizona nonprofit, which for the most part he can do remotely, in order to focus on his supervisor bid, Bauters told the B.A.R. he would make such decisions once he qualifies for the ballot. He opted to enter the race due to his desire to address at the county level the various issues he has been working on as a city and regional leader.

“Alameda County is currently facing a number of challenges similar to other places in the Bay Area. We need to address housing, homelessness, unmet mental health service needs, and public safety,” said Bauters, who chairs the Bay Area Air Quality Management District board and serves on the Alameda County Transportation Commission. “Those are the pri-

mary functions and responsibilities of county government. I have more than 20 years of experience working in direct services and advocacy leadership roles on those topics.”

Formerly director of government relations for the nonprofit Californians for Safety and Justice, Bauters demurred when asked if he supported the recall effort underway against Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. He told the B.A.R. he is more focused on his role as an elected official.

“I am focused on accountability for myself and the office I am pursuing, and I trust the public will hold me to the same level of accountability as any other elected official,” said Bauters.

Currently dating someone who prefers to remain out of the public spotlight, Bauters has two dogs, 4-year-old German Shepherd Husky mix Miss Reyna and 7-month-old Sir Nugget, a mixed breed. Despite being a resident of a city with a population of less than 13,000 people, compared to Berkeley’s more than 117,145, Bauters told the B.A.R. he doesn’t see it as being disadvantageous for his supervisorial bid.

“Voters in Alameda County are smart people. I trust that their number one priority is the qualifications and competency of the candidates they will have to choose from and not

be limited or separated by their city of residence,” he said. “What I would say is I do not believe the size of my city inherently creates a disadvantage for my candidacy. I believe the work I have done as a regional leader on transportation, air quality, and housing issues has already shown I am a capable and competent leader for people across Alameda County.”

Of the nine counties that make up the Bay Area region, just Contra Costa and San Francisco counties have LGBTQ representation on their boards of supervisors. With the various issues facing LGBTQ people in Alameda County, whether it be trauma, mental health challenges, suicidal ideation, homelessness or income inequality, Bauters told the B.A.R. it is important to have LGBTQ community representation on his county’s board due to it overseeing many programs and services that address the myriad concerns.

“County government is imperative to meeting those service needs and creating a space that holistically cares for all people, including LGBTQ people,” he said. “County level representation establishes visibility that reassures those receiving our services that people who understand or can otherwise relate to their own lived experiences are making decisions that will best reflect their needs.” t

Raza; Queer Life Space; San Francisco Spikes; and SF Court Appointed Special Advocates.

The fair has raised over $1.6 million since the late 1990s, Lopez said.

The fair currently receives $18,000 from San Francisco’s Grants for the Arts program, but that may be in jeopardy due to city budget cuts. San Francisco is staring down a $1 billion deficit, and Mayor London Breed has recently approved midyear budget cuts of 3% of the city’s general fund.

The fair did not receive any money from the city’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development this year, Lopez said, asking the merchants themselves to make donations.

“Some of the money from the city might be drying up, and it’s challenging, so even a couple dollars always helps,” Lopez said.

The fair’s board will be going on retreat in January, at which time it will contemplate making changes, but Lopez said that “the consensus is this year’s

footprint was really successful.”

As the B.A.R. previously reported, the fair expanded its footprint this year to include 18th Street from Diamond to Noe streets and Castro Street between 18th and 19th streets.

“If anything, we may not necessarily add square footage but we may add staging, et cetera,” Lopez said. t

cause a rare thing is happening in San Francisco where a number of incumbent judges are being challenged,” Peskin said at that event. “This is a phenomenon that is sweeping our country. It has swept the states of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama. Thankfully, California has thus far been immune from that kind of behavior. … It is misplaced, it is dangerous, and we cannot allow it to happen in San Francisco.”

Zecher said he was subjected to a “rant and a rave by Aaron Peskin.”

“It’s your constitutional right to vote on judges,” Zecher said. “You should vote on judges and you should look at judges’ records and decide if it hurts or helps public safety.”

Of Zecher, Peskin stated to the Bay Area Reporter, “I have no idea what he’s talking about and have only met him in passing.”

“Judge Begert is very experienced and highly qualified,” he continued.

included and what evidence is excluded as well.”

Zecher turned around Thompson’s “by the book” comment, saying that can lead to “throwing the book at people” and “missing” what’s going on with the case.

“We need to consider victims, that they have a need to feel heard and part of the process is being able to help them heal,” he said.

Thompson said he only said that because “I’m a book nerd” and because “I have respect for the law.”

“I see about 25% of the felonies that happen in San Francisco,” Thompson said. “I get to grapple with those questions and sometimes I get to hear the stories. … I believe that fundamentally we do those right things, applying the law to the facts and circumstances of the case and respect that and respect each other.”

He also said he would do what he could to combat discrimination in the justice system.

Zecher agreed with that.

“As a gay man, I am particularly cognizant of the fact that discrimination happens,” Zecher said. “Discrimination happens all the time with gender, color, and sexual orientation. Those things should not happen, ever. You litigants, people involved in the community, get a fair hearing.”

Thompson concurred “as a Black person who has been singled out because of an immutable characteristic.” He said he wanted to make the legal system accessible and helpful to everyone involved.

“I try to make it that I don’t traumatize someone,” he said. “I want to make sure interpreters are available; I want to ensure they are in a situation where our support doesn’t reinforce the trauma.”

Zecher attacked Begert for remarks he made in the press.

“I heard Judge Begert say he always follows the law,” he said. “I did see him in a media thing the other day – that statement isn’t exactly true. He doesn’t always follow the law; he defers to other individuals in the process. If you’re charged with a fentanyl drug crime … you should follow the health and safety code section with requirements for two to four years in prison.”

Begert clarified his remarks.

“I did make a regrettable statement to a reporter about when it is time to terminate someone from a treatment program,” he said. “I said, ‘I would listen to what the treatment provider said about whether the person would be susceptible to treatment.’ I should’ve said, ‘I’d listen to them but ultimately the responsibility lies with me,’ which is true.”

Begert said that to address juvenile crime, he wanted to “build relationships” with disaffected youth to prevent recidivism. Roland agreed and said, “it’s important to have restorative justice.”

Zecher said he felt everyone learned from the forum.

“Judges feel like they’re immune from the electoral process,” he said. “I’ve had a couple judges come up to me and tell me I’m really wrong to run against a sitting judge. I view this as an exercise in democracy.”

In addition to Stop Crime Action, the forum was sponsored by the Chinese American Democratic Club, Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods, Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District, West of Twin Peaks Central Council, D2Unite, SensibleD7, Hi5D5, and the Golden Gate Heights Neighborhood Association, among others. t

Judicial discretion

During the debate, Begert said that he doesn’t have as much discretion as people think.

“The work I’m doing is in four different treatment-based courts,” he said. “It [a case] doesn’t get to those courts except by statutory authority or agreement between the defense attorney and district attorney. If you don’t respond or engage in the program, there you are subjected to sanctions, including being terminated from the program.”

Roland said her opponent, Thompson, was bucking responsibility.

“There is a lot of discretion that judges have so balancing the rights of the defendant, the rights of the victim, and all of that is extremely important,” Roland said. “Judges decide what evidence is

Full disclosure: Reporter John Ferrannini works part-time at Moby Dick.

Stay up-to-date with late breaking news, online extras and our weekly email recap of the most comprehensive Bay Area, state and national LGBTQ news.

Sign up today at ebar.com/SUBSCRIBE 6/19/19 11:29 AM

<< Legals

10 • Bay Area Repor ter • December 14-20, 2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23558372

In the matter of the application of BATMUNKH GERELMAA, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner BATMUNKH GERELMAA is requesting that the name BATMUNKH GERELMAA be changed to BATMUNKH NOMUNKHAN. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 23th of JANUARY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

NOV 23, 30, DEC 07, 14, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401883

The following person(s) is/are doing business as NINA MARION, 45 SURREY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed NINA YHAP. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/09/2023.

NOV 23, 30, DEC 07, 14, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401923

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CITY CHIK ENTERPRISES, 751 GRAFTON AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JEANETTE WRIGHT. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/05/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/14/2023.

NOV 23, 30, DEC 07, 14, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401725

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CAPTAIN MOLLY’S SF BOAT COMPANY, 160 CENTRAL AVE #4, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MOLLY BREIVIS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/26/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/26/2023.

NOV 23, 30, DEC 07, 14, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401948

The following person(s) is/are doing business as HEATER MEDIA, 1638 LARKIN ST #7, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MIRANDA HEATER. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/13/2023.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/20/2023.

NOV 23, 30, DEC 07, 14, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401673

The following person(s) is/are doing business as R&R SMART FIX, 2770 MISSION ST SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed RAMON MARTINEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/12/2022.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/18/2023.

NOV 23, 30, DEC 07, 14, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401849

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DOMINO’S PIZZA, 5200 GEARY BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed AHI FOODS INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/08/2023.

NOV 23, 30, DEC 07, 14, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401846

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DOMINO’S PIZZA, 728 GEARY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed ARI FOODS INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/08/2023.

NOV 23, 30, DEC 07, 14, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401844

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401911

The following person(s) is/are doing business as TRAVEL A GOGO, 3739 BALBOA ST #235, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed SOL LEGACY VENTURES (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/15/2023.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as PROJECT COMMOTION, 2095 HARRISON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed PROJECT COMMOTION (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/04/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/15/2023.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23558379

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401956

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401935

NOV 23, 30, DEC 07, 14, 2023

In the matter of the application of MOHAMMED MAKSAOD ABDUL MAJID SHAIKH, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner MOHAMMED MAKSAOD ABDUL MAJID SHAIKH is requesting that the name MOHAMMED MAKSAOD ABDUL MAJID SHAIKH AKA MOHAMMED MAKSUD ABDULMAJID SHAIKH AKA MOHAMMED MAKSUD SHAIKH be changed to MOHAMMED MAKSUD SHAIKH. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 1st of FEBRUARY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

NOV 30, DEC 07, 14, 21, 2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23558371

In the matter of the application of PETERS CLAUDE LOUIS GISSELERE, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner PETERS CLAUDE LOUIS GISSELERE is requesting that the name PETERS CLAUDE LOUIS GISSELERE be changed to PETERS CLAUDE LOUIS MALHERBE. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept.

103N, Rm. 103N on the 20th of FEBRUARY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

NOV 30, DEC 07, 14, 21, 2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23558361

In the matter of the application of KEVIN WILLIAM RUDER, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner KEVIN WILLIAM RUDER is requesting that the name KEVIN WILLIAM RUDER be changed to NICOLAS KEVIN CANALES OUIMETTE. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 15th of FEBRUARY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

NOV 30, DEC 07, 14, 21, 2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23558388

In the matter of the application of LEE DUPONT MAYEUX, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner LEE DUPONT MAYEUX is requesting that the name LEE DUPONT MAYEUX be changed to LEE MAYEUX ANDERSON. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 9th of JANUARY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

NOV 30, DEC 07, 14, 21, 2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23558389

In the matter of the application of MELISSA TIFFANY HUNG, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner MELISSA TIFFANY HUNG is requesting that the name MELISSA TIFFANY HUNG be changed to MELISSA KWANG ANDERSSON. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 9th of JANUARY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

NOV 30, DEC 07, 14, 21, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401960

The following person(s) is/are doing business as 4 THE LOVE OF DOG, 1450 SUTTER ST #223, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JAMES JASMIN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/21/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/21/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401848

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401857

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DOMINO’S PIZZA, 3116 NORIEGA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed ASI FOODS INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/08/2023.

NOV 23, 30, DEC 07, 14, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401906

The following person(s) is/are doing business as THE UPPER HAND NAIL SPA, 3836 24TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed THE UPPER HAND NAIL SPA (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/10/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/10/2023.

NOV 23, 30, DEC 07, 14, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401931

NOV 30, DEC 07, 14, 21, 2023

The following person(s) is/are doing business as SOLECITOS FAMILY HOME DAYCARE, 4480 MISSION ST #B, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed OSIRIS ALVARADO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/08/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/08/2023.

NOV 30, DEC 07, 14, 21, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401901

The following person(s) is/are doing business as BED AND BREAKFAST JAM, 830 EDDY ST #702, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed GABRIEL DAVID CHEUK. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/07/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/10/2023.

NOV 30, DEC 07, 14, 21, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401975

The following person(s) is/are doing business as MAGIC PLUMBING HEATING & COOLING, 1455 BANCROFT AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124.

This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed MAGIC PLUMBING INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/01/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/15/2023.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as CONCEPTM; RINCON HOUSE OF BABEL, 1592 UNION ST #387, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed STEVE MORIN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/28,2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401814

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401840

NOV 23, 30, DEC 07, 14, 2023

The following person(s) is/are doing business as GREENTREE MAINTENANCE, 1398 BRYANT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed GTM WORKS, LLC (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/03/2023.

NOV 23, 30, DEC 07, 14, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401933

The following person(s) is/are doing business as LUNETTE CAMBODIA, 1 FERRY BLDG STE 33/47, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed NYUM BAI (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/13/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/13/2023.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DOMINO’S PIZZA, 320 BAYSHORE BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed AAI FOODS INC (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/08/2023.

NOV 23, 30, DEC 07, 14, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401934

NOV 30, DEC 07, 14, 21, 2023

The following person(s) is/are doing business as DESIGN BLITZ; BLITZ; STUDIO BLITZ; BLITZ ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN; BLITZ SF; BLITZ SAN FRANCISCO; ALPHAPUP OFFICE, 435 JACKSON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed DESIGN BLITZ (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/11/2022. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/08/2023.

NOV 30, DEC 07, 14, 21, 2023

NOV 30, DEC 07, 14, 21, 2023

DEC 07, 14, 21, 28, 2023

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402019 The following person(s) is/are doing business as JEANNETTE’S, 1950 MISSION ST #701, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LEONTINE COLLINS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/06/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/04/2023.

DEC 14, 21, 28, 2023, JAN 04, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402046

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ZUPERPET, 819 BOSWORTH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed MIGHTYREAL LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/20/2023.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as NEPALESE INDIAN CUISINE, 1298 MARKET ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed USA NEPAL CORPORATION (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/15/2023.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/15/2023.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as GOLDEN GATE MAINTENANCE CO, 723 23RD AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JIN HO SONG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/06/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/06/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401835

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401972

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402052

NOV 30, DEC 07, 14, 21, 2023

DEC 07, 14, 21, 28, 2023

DEC 14, 21, 28, 2023, JAN 04, 2024

The following person(s) is/are doing business as THANK YOU SAINT, 2377 SAN JOSE AVE #18, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed THANK YOU SAINT LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/20/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/07/2023.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ANAN’S DELI KITCHEN, 6900 GEARY BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed BEIJING TOKYO BISTRO LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/27/2023.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as MARINA AESTHETIC DENTISTRY, 2001 UNION ST #355, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SONAL R. PATEL-NOVAKOVIC. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/08/2023.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23558376

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401971

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402057

NOV 30, DEC 07, 14, 21, 2023

In the matter of the application of KATERINA HELMN, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner KATERINA HELMN is requesting that the name KATERINA HELMN be changed to KATERINA COMING. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 6th of FEBRUARY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 07, 14, 21, 28, 2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23558408

In the matter of the application of ALI ASSY, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner ALI ASSY is requesting that the name ALI ASSY be changed to ALEX ALI ALASSI. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 5th of MARCH 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 07, 14, 21, 28, 2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23558409

In the matter of the application of STEPHANIE JAQUELYN LEON, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner STEPHANIE JAQUELYN LEON is requesting that the name STEPHANIE JAQUELYN LEON be changed to KITTY JACQUILYN LEON. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 5th of MARCH 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 07, 14, 21, 28, 2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23558396

In the matter of the application of STEVEN PAUL MUSARRA, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner STEVEN PAUL MUSARRA is requesting that the name STEVEN PAUL MUSARRA be changed to STEFANO PAOLO MUSARRA. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept.

103N, Rm. 103N on the 9th of JANUARY 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 07, 14, 21, 28, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401970

The following person(s) is/are doing business as POPPY REAL ESTATE; VERSO HOMES; 1 PERCENT LISTS SOCAL; 1 VISION REAL ESTATE; AR REALTY; COAST TO COAST LIVING, 1160 BATTERY ST EAST #100, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed AGENTDESKS INCORPORATED (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/01/2023.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/24/2023.

DEC 07, 14, 21, 28, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401987

The following person(s) is/are doing business as SABOR GUATEMALTECO, 4384 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JEFFERSON GOMEZ CHAVEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/20/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/29/2023.

DEC 07, 14, 21, 28, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401969

The following person(s) is/are doing business as EP PLUMBING SERVICES, 1285 PALOU AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ERSON PEREZ GALVEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/27/2023.

DEC 07, 14, 21, 28, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401980 The following person(s) is/are doing business as IF A THEN B, 3150 18TH ST #546, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ANIA F. BRZESKI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/03/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/28/2023.

DEC 07, 14, 21, 28, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401996

The following person(s) is/are doing business as SANA THERAPY, 2142 SUTTER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LIZETTE GABRIELA MARTINEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/15/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/29/2023.

DEC 07, 14, 21, 28, 2023

DEC 07, 14, 21, 28, 2023

DEC 14, 21, 28, 2023, JAN 04, 2024

The following person(s) is/are doing business as REKNDLE, 1350 REVERE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed REKNDLE LLC (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/27/2023.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as PARADISE RUG & CLEANING, 900 CABRILLO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MAHNDZ SHAYESTEH. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/01/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/11/2023.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF BELEN PATRICIA BARRERA IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-23-306603

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402013

DEC 07, 14, 21, 28, 2023

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of BELEN PATRICIA BARRERA. A Petition for Probate has been filed by BELEN SANTOS BARRERA in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that BELEN SANTOS BARRERA be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: JANUARY 08, 2024, 9:00 am, Rm. 204, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined by section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: ANDREW K. CALVERT (SBN 283563), POGUE CALVERT LLP, 373 MERIDIAN AVE #B, SAN JOSE, CA 95126; Ph. (408) 352-5470.

DEC 14, 21, 28, 2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23558417

In the matter of the application of ANH PHAN HO, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner ANH PHAN HO is requesting that the name ANH PHAN HO be changed to ANTHONY ANH PHAN. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 12th of MARCH 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 14, 21, 28, 2023, JAN 04, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23558401

In the matter of the application of ANATALIA DANIELLA HORDOV, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner ANATALIA DANIELLA HORDOV is requesting that the name ANATALIA DANIELLA HORDOV be changed to ANATALIA ST. CLAIR. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N on the 5th of MARCH 2024 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 14, 21, 28, 2023, JAN 04, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-23558004

In the matter of the application of MOLLY IULIO-UFAU, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appears from said application that petitioner MOLLY IULIO-UFAU is requesting that the name TESSA AUDRIANA LILLILANI LEWIS be changed to TESSA LILLILANI UFAU. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept.

103N, Rm. 103N on the 20th of JULY 2023 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 14, 21, 28, 2023, JAN 04, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401920

The following person(s) is/are doing business as APPRAISE SAN FRANCISCO, 36 THOR AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LORIN S. GEORGE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/14/2023.

DEC 14, 21, 28, 2023, JAN 04, 2024

DEC 14, 21, 28, 2023, JAN 04, 2024

The following person(s) is/are doing business as YAKITORI EDOMASA, 1581 WEBSTER ST #270, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed EK FOOD SERVICES, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/13/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/04/2023.

DEC 14, 21, 28, 2023, JAN 04, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0402032

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ORDINARY PSYCHIATRY, 166 GEARY ST STE 1500 #1444, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed KETETHA OLENGUE MD INCORPORATED (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/05/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/05/2023.

DEC 14, 21, 28, 2023, JAN 04, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401970

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ARCHIMEDES INTEGRAL SOLUTIONS LLC, 1145 E OZBOURN CT #E, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94130. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed X. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/05/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/27/2023.

DEC 14, 21, 28, 2023, JAN 04, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-0401902

The following person(s) is/are doing business as HULA HOOCH, 1868 GOLDEN GATE AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed HULA HOOCH LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/10/2023.

DEC 14, 21, 28, 2023, JAN 04, 2024

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-0392203

The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious busine–ss name known as PHILOSOPHERS CLUB, 824 ULLOA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127. This business was conducted by a corporation and signed by PHILOSOPHERS INC (CA).

The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/05/2021. The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/08/2023.

DEC 14, 21, 28, 2023, JAN 04, 2024

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Melissa Momboisse, J. Conrad Frank, and Mary Kalita in ‘Ruthless!’

‘Ruthless!’

NCTC musical comedy is dressed to kill

by Jim Gladstone

S

Peter Yang

trike up the brash band!

Amidst this season of red and green comes a gag gift-wrapped in the loudest of yellows. When the curtain rises on NCTC’s camptastic, “Ruthless,” even the most jaded audience members will find their outlook involuntarily brightened by the production’s screaming unmellow zonker of color-coordinated design.

Matt Owens’ set, Wes Crain’s costumes and Jenna Forder’s props come at you like a sugarand-acid squirt of lemonade in the eye.

The show’s first act – which, in deference to hue, should perhaps be referred to as Act Num-

ber One – takes place in the suburban home of the Denmark family where several somethings are rotten.

Eight-year-old Tina (played by full-grown Melissa Momboisse) is prepared to murder her classmate Louise (Lucca Troutman) to win the lead role in her grammar school production of “Pippi in Tahiti.” Her poison penned theatercritic grandma (Jacqueline de Muro) declares her hatred for musicals (Her big solo number is “I Hate Musicals”), and her sweet-as-pie homemaker mother Judy has a twitch beneath her docile crust that suggests a short-circuited Stepford wife.

As Judy, Mary Kalita makes her NCTC debut in a beautifully calibrated comedic turn that

Norman Lear and the gays

The pioneering TV producer’s legacy

by Victoria A. Brownworth

O

urs was not a TV household. A few thousand books lined bookcases in our household growing up and we were constantly told to read, read, read, which we loved, so it was not a punishment. We were only allowed a few hours of TV each week, much of which sat us and sibs in front of a TV monitored by a hyper-intellectual Socialist mother who thought educational TV, not fun stuff, is what we should be watching.

How lucky were we that she thought Norman

Lear and his politics were educational? Lear created, developed or co-produced some of television’s most beloved sit-coms; “All in the Family,” “Maude,” “The Jeffersons.” “Sanford and Son,” and “One Day at A Time” among them. He died on Dec. 5 at the age of 101.

Some people leave a legacy so vast, so encompassing, that it’s difficult to delineate a time when that person’s vision did not have influence. Lear’s legacy is like that. In a week that saw the deaths of two centenarians, war criminal Henry Kissinger and beloved creator Norman Lear, what a blessing to have Lear subsume the narrative.

should be seen by everyone who does casting in the Bay Area.

Hayley Lovgren is also outstanding as incredulous third grade teacher Miss Thorn, an exasperated eye-rolling role that recalls peak Edie McClurg. (Wig designer Deon Christopher Glass tops the schoolmarm off with a honey of a beehive that does double-duty as her pencil case).

Also on hand in this collaged pastiche of stage mom and diva rival chestnuts (“Gypsy” meets “All About Eve” meets “The Bad Seed” meets “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?”) is local actor and drag doyenne, J. Conrad Frank aka Katya SmirnoffSkyy, as talent scout and agent Sylvia St. Croix.

Standing a head – sometimes two! – above his castmates in a series of stunningly tailored out-

fits, Frank gives the kind of tart, starchy turn for which he’s beloved. But surrounded by an otherwise all-female cast, each member of which demonstrates her own expertise at exaggeration and caricature, his presence feels superfluous, and is even distracting at times.

“Ruthless!” is already a layer cake of spoofery.

Why stick on a stratum of drag?

While a man has routinely been cast in the role of Sylvia since the Off-Broadway premiere production of “Ruthless!” in 1992, playwright and lyricist Joel Paley originally wrote the part for a woman (Though as director of that first production, he did cast a man).

The human story

Another groundbreaking spin off was “The Jeffersons,” a story about Black ascendancy, which starred a closeted gay actor, Sherman Hemsley, as George Jefferson.

Carroll O’Connor’s Archie Bunker was a classic bigot. He’s racist, he’s sexist, he calls his wife Edith (Jean Stapleton) a “dingbat” and calls all women “girls,” much to the consternation of his feminist daughter, Gloria (Sally Struthers), and of course he’s homophobic.

But Archie’s view of gays is put to the test in an early episode, “Judging Books By Their Covers.”

In the episode Steve (Philip Carey), an old friend of Archie’s who shares his right-wing politics and is a macho ex-football player, is revealed as gay.

The two men arm wrestle – forever a trope of toxic masculinity – and Steve wins. It’s a revelation for Archie.

Lear’s impact on TV is reflected in the accolades. Lear received many awards, including six Primetime Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, the National Medal of Arts in 1999, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2017, and the Golden Globe Carol Burnett Award in 2021. He was a member of the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

But awards don’t tell the human story, and of Lear’s legacy; that he absolutely altered the TV landscape. The same week Lear died was the 71st anniversary of Lucille Ball’s groundbreaking pregnancy storyline on her sit-com “I Love Lucy.” In 1952 you could not say the word “pregnant” so the French word “enceinte” was used. Ball’s real-life pregnancy being written into the popular series was shocking.

Pregnant women were not shown on TV. This was the world that Lear traversed, one that didn’t mention race or religion or pregnancy, let alone dicey topics like divorce, abortion or being gay. Yet Lear did all of that. He made stories about class and race. He put older women on screen who were funny, in charge and still sexual and who made the jokes instead of being the butt of them.

Lear thought Black families deserved to be in the foreground, not adjuncts to whiteness. He thought mothers could raise kids alone and that prejudice and bigotry and hatred were best challenged with humor, not ignored.

In 1976, “60 Minutes” profiled Lear in a segment with Mike Wallace, who said Lear had “changed the face of television.”

See page 13 >>

See page 12 >>

Carroll O’Connor and Philip Carey in “All in the Family”

Family show

In 1971 Lear put gay people on screen in his iconic series about class and politics, “All in the Family,” which still resonates today. Lear was the first to put gay people on screen at a time when most Americans were still largely hating us.

From 1971 to 1976, “All in the Family” was number one in the Nielsen ratings, the first series to have a five-year streak. The show addressed a panoply of social issues: racism, antisemitism, infidelity, homosexuality, women’s liberation, rape, religion, miscarriages, abortion, breast cancer, the Vietnam War, menopause and even impotence.

“All in the Family” was the flagship series from which Lear spun off “Maude,” the first series to make a middle-aged woman, played by Bea Arthur, the centerpiece and star. The acid-tongued Maude, beloved by gays everywhere, would break ground with her gay friends and then having a late-in-life abortion.

Jean Stapleton and Don Seymour McLean (aka Lori Shannon) in “All in the Family”

Katherine Elizabeth Callan and Jean Stapleton in “All in the Family”

<< TV

12 • Bay Area Repor ter • December 14-20, 2023

‘Archie’

t

Miniseries explores the life of film icon Cary Grant

by Laura Moreno

T

o this day, Cary Grant is the man many men aspire to be. Articles still appear offering advice on how to dress like him, be self-assured and charming like him, and even do your hair like his.

His version of masculinity is as nuanced as his acting performances: “Sexy but never brutish. Graceful without being delicate, and dashingly handsome, suave and sophisticated,” according to press notes that accompany the new four-part miniseries.

“I’m not Cary Grant. But he wasn’t Cary Grant, either. That’s the point,” said self-deprecating actor Jason Isaacs, who aces his role as Cary Grant in the limited series, “Archie.”

Although hesitant to take such an iconic role at first, Isaacs was reassured once he got the script by Academy Award nominee Jeff Pope.

The series does not shy away from depicting the discrimination he faced at first due to his British accent, and how he worked to sound American.

As the title suggests, Cary Grant, born Archibald Alec Leach, is a look behind the scenes at the man himself, warts and all. Cary Grant’s fourth and final wife Dyan Cannon, played

by Laura Aikman, and his only child Jennifer Grant, wrote the two books “Archie” is based on, Cannon’s “Dear Cary: My Life with Cary Grant” and Grant’s “Good Stuff.”

Mother and daughter also gave extensive interviews to guide the production, and executive-produced the project. So while the miniseries is satisfying to watch, there is an argument to be made that it’s not exactly a balanced picture of Cary Grant’s life.

The gay question & Mr. Dyan Cannon

The question on many people’s mind is how “Archie” deals with

All photos: Matt Squire/ITV

Left: Jason Isaacs as Cary Grant in ‘Archie’ Middle: Laura Aikman and Jason Isaacs in ‘Archie’ Right: Harriet Walter and Jason Isaacs in ‘Archie’

Grant’s long-assumed bisexuality. In short, the mini-series portrays Grant with the same ambiguity with which he ultimately portrayed himself.

The most difficult part of the miniseries to write, says Jeff Pope, was when young Dyan Cannon, 33 her husband’s junior, asks him if he is gay.

With characteristic charm, he replies, “I have loved many people, and married a few of them.”

The scene, however, is symbolic.

In real life, his ex-wife says the topic never came up, as with many bi men of his generation. But the series does not shy away from this part of his life.

The public sees exactly what the public saw during his lifetime, including the domestic bliss and frolicsomeness Cary Grant had found with actor Randolph Scott. The famous friends lived together throughout most of the 1930s. But the series dispenses with that part of his life in a few minutes.

“Archie” doesn’t shy away from the fact that as his star rose, the rumor mill was abuzz with gossip about him being gay. Neither does it delve into it.

Never one to be bothered by rumors, Grant always denied he was gay, even as he was amused.

In 1980, he sued comedian Chevy Chase for libel for painting him as gay.

Far more conclusive is information Scotty Bower, Hollywood pimp to the stars, gives on the sexual escapades of Cary Grant and Randolph Scott with him personally in his 2018 book “Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood.” But the series has been called sterile and unbalanced for omitting information like this.

Cannon can vouch for the fact that he was definitely attracted, and in fact faithful to her. The film makes clear that Grant was the devoted father and husband he never had. No doubt, however, the show would have been more interesting had it elaborated on his sexuality.

A difficult upbringing

The series explores the impact the poverty of his childhood had on darker aspects of his personality, like his fear that women would leave him as his family had, and his inability to

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Born in Bristol, UK in 1904, young Archie’s family was broken by the heartache of losing his older brother to disease, his father’s uncaring unfaithfulness, and then losing his mother. His father lied to Archie, telling him she was on an extended holiday and then that his beloved mother had died.

His fortunes change when he saw the Bob Pender Troupe of acrobats in his hometown, taught himself to walk on stilts, and joined the troupe. After successful performances in New York City, the future star decided to stay, believing he had no family to go back to.

It may be hard to believe that such a graceful light-hearted gentleman could have ever known real hunger, but he was still quite skinny when he arrived in the US. For the rest of his life, he would go anywhere for a free meal.

Decades later, he discovered his mother (Harriet Walter) had been put into a mental institution by his father.

One of the most touching scenes of the series is when he springs her out of the mental institution after decades,

and she recognizes him as Cary Grant, the star.

Playing Cary Grant

The series begins in 1961 at the height of Grant’s fame. Despite huge box office success, he was miserable in his private life at home in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles. This is when he decides to woo and marry Dyan Cannon.

Many leading men of the era have a rough-hewn quality about them, like Robert Wagner, but Cary Grant’s princely features have no such quality.

He nearly married Sophia Loren and always called her “the one who got away,” but she is barely mentioned in the series. Instead, the series includes co-stars Mae West, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Alfred Hitchcock, and Randolph Scott.

While the series only covers part of his life, without a doubt, Cary Grant will long be remembered in the pantheon of cinematic greats.t ‘Archie,’ on BritBox (free 7-day trial). www.britbox.com

Norman Lear

From page 11

Subsequent episodes of the series over several years introduce a recurring character, Edith’s “transvestite” friend Beverly LaSalle.

Beverly was played by gay San Francisco drag queen Lori Shannon, who was associated with the drag revues at Finocchio’s nightclub. Lori Shannon, aka Don Seymour McLean, wrote a column for the Bay Left: The cast of “The Jeffersons” Right: Bea Arthur as Maude Finley Area Reporter.

In “Archie the Hero” (1975), Archie gives Beverly ass” when he was a bomber pilot. “through People For the American mouth-to-mouth resuscitaLear wrote, “Racial and religious Way, I partner with fellow Americans tion. In “Beverly Rides Again” (1976), nationalism, nativism and authoritarito defend our freedom wherever and Archie uses Beverly to play a practical anism are seemingly on the rise everywhenever it is at risk.” joke on a friend that’s also about genwhere. It is deeply discouraging to this In a tribute on the People For the der confusion. But in “Edith’s Crisis of member of what has been called ‘the American Way website, the group Faith, Part 1” (1977), Beverly is killed Greatest Generation.’” wrote, “For more than 40 years, Lear off in a hate crime, which puts Edith He then says, “But do you know worked with People For the Ameriin an emotional spin that even has her who else was part of the Greatest can Way to mobilize public support questioning her religious faith.

Generation? Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou and activism on behalf of freedom Another episode of “All in the FamHamer and Thurgood Marshall. And ily” has Edith facing the death of her of expression, religious pluralism, think of the greatness demonstrated cousin Liz, during which she realizes and equality and justice for all. He by generations that followed us: Jorthat Liz’s “roommate” Veronica (Kathcelebrated People For the American dan, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. erine Elizabeth Callan), is in fact her Way’s contributions to advances like and John Lewis, and millions of notlife partner. marriage equality and the historic famous people who risked everything confirmations of Supreme Court to claim the right to vote.”

The American Way Justices Sonia Sotomayor and KetLear ends the long op-ed with In his life away from TV, Lear was anji Brown Jackson, and he raised his this dictate: “Protecting voting rights known for his political activism. He voice against censorship, antisemishould not be today’s struggle. But it funded a myriad of liberal and protism, and the rising threat of authoriis. And that means it is our struggle, gressive causes as well as politicians. In tarianism.” yours and mine, for as long as we have 1980, he founded the political and sobreath and strength.” cial advocacy organization People for Lear the antifascist Could there be a more compelling the American Way to counter the influLear was a World War II combat argument for our queer and trans ence of the Christian right in politics. veteran who dropped out of colvotes next year from the man who was “Pushing back on bigotry, resisting lege to fight fascism, which he never first to put LGBTQ people on TV a voter suppression, exposing extremstopped doing. In a Washington Post mere two years after Stonewall? ism, making our communities safer; op-ed published on his 99th birthday, www.normanlear.comt these are not things I can do effectitled “As I begin my 100th year, I’m tively on my own,” Lear wrote in 2022 baffled that voting rights are still unin a post to People for the American Read the full column, with video der attack,” Lear wrote about the Black clips, on www.ebar.com.

Way membership. But, Lear added, Tuskegee airmen who “likely saved my

t

Drag>>

December 14-20, 2023 • Bay Area Repor ter • 13

Lady Bunny

by Christopher J. Beale

D

rag icon Lady Bunny is on her way to San Francisco to present her show “Lady Bunny: A Very Blue X-Mas” at Oasis on Christmas Eve Eve. Lady Bunny first came to prominence in the 1980s when her roommate RuPaul first put Lady Bunny in drag. That was in Atlanta where the pair first met. RuPaul and Bunny moved to New York City together and the rest, as they say, is drag herstory.

In the time since, she has made a name for herself both in the traditional club-based drag scene, as well as creating the long-running Labor Day Weekend Wigstock (19842018), as well as a continued association with the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” empire.

But her politics!

Lady Bunny said she kept largely quiet on political topics most of her adult life, at least publicly. Growing up, politics always seemed like a man’s thing.

“My Dad was the local liberal in Chattanooga, Tennessee where I grew up,” said Bunny, “but I identified more with my Mom. She was only

<<

Drag star & political pundit returns with a spicy holiday show

somewhat political.” It was the horror of September 11, 2001 and its aftermath that sent Bunny into the sphere of outspoken political activist, a trend that has only intensified through the Trump and now Biden presidencies.

“Democrats are unable to follow through on their promises,” said Bunny matter-of-factly. When pressed about her outspoken criticism of President Biden, Bunny cited the lack of progress on issues like the Equality act, affordable housing, Medicare For All, the cancellation of student debt, an increased minimum wage, and a ceasefire in the Gaza strip.

“I’m third-party for life now, “ she said.

A Very Blue X-Mas

You’ll find all of Lady Bunny’s humor and politics present in her satirical holiday show as it rolls through San Francisco this Christmas.

“It’s raunchy,” Lady Bunny bragged to the Bay Area Reporter. “There are about 30 Christmas songs parodied in this show, plus some originals.

There are the ‘The 12 STDs of Christmas,’ and ‘Rudolfo The Uncut Reindeer,’” Bunny bragged, “as well as a Scrooge skit where I have ghosts popping in and out.”

In between shows Lady Bunny

said she’ll spend her free time in San Francisco seeing her friend Coco Peru in “The Golden Girls Live.”

Peru is playing Dorothy, the role once played by the late Heklina.

“I’ve waited years to see it,” Bunny pauses, “because I didn’t want to see it with Heklina in it!” Bunny added, laughing. “No, but I love Heklina. Really, I just want to give those girls a hug.”

The first thing Lady Bunny is going to do when she arrives in San Francisco is eat.

“Pancho Villa in The Mission for burritos and aqua fresca!” Bunny said of the place she cannot miss when she’s here, “Sometimes I drop my luggage off at my hotel and get a cab straight to Pancho Villa.”t ‘Lady Bunny: A Very Blue Xmas,’ December 23, 7pm. $30-$50.

Oasis, 298 11th St. www.sfoasis.com www.ladybunny.net

Steven Menendez

Lady Bunny

Ruthless!

From page 11

Given the changing take on gender roles and “female impersonation” in America over the past 30-plus years, drag as a gag isn’t particularly funny anymore. Particularly so in a showcase for female comedic talent like “Ruthless!”

Director Dyan McBride does a terrific job at choreographing the script’s chaotic cascade of reveals and makes sure every performer gets big moments to shine. But one wishes she’d been willing to break with this particular casting tradition along with realizing that a child actor need not play Tina (That was also the precedent set by the premiere, in which both Britney Spears and Natalie Portman had their first professional jobs understudying the role).

Oh! I almost forgot: The show is a musical. The tunes, composed by Marvin Laird, are, well, forgettable.

Honestly, I can’t remember even a few notes of a single song. But no matter.

What sticks is the schtick, the actresses and the spectacular design work.

This is the rare show from which you really can leave humming the scenery.t ‘Ruthless!,’ through Jan 7. $40-$52. New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness Ave. www.nctcsf.org

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Mary Kalita, Melissa Momboisse and J. Conrad Frank in ‘Ruthless!’

Major funding for First Light: Rituals of Glass and Neon Art is generously provided by Grants for the Arts, Dorothy Saxe, Anita Wornick, Carla and David Crane, and David Saxe. In-kind support is graciously provided by Loquat Bakery.

Image: Mollie McKinley, Sunrise Over Resting Body, 2022.

<< Music

14 • Bay Area Repor ter • December 14-20, 2023

Personals 2023’s six best LGBTQ albums Massage>> EDUARDO

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hen it comes time to compile a “best of ” list for the year, it’s a relatively simple process. I ask myself what albums I kept returning to time and time again. Beginning with Brandy Clark’s eponymous fourth album

(which got the most spins of all) and concluding with Man On Man’s sensational second album “Provincetown,” it was a very queer year. While I did everything in my power to limit the list to five, I had to make an exception so you, dear reader, can learn about the great LGBTQ music put out in 2023.

Jake Shears kept us waiting five years for “Last Man Dancing” (Mute), the follow-up to his 2018 solo debut. An entirely different animal from its predecessor, the music is joyful, youthful, exhilarating, and forward-thinking. And, yes, dancing is required. “Too Much Music” is both retro and of the moment, while “Do The Television,” co-written by Shears, and Scissor Sister bandmates Scott Hoffman (aka Babydaddy) and Ana Lynch (Ana Matronic) is mesmerizing.

Kylie Minogue duets with Shears on the irresistible “Voices” and we get a good measure of Big Freedia on “Doses.” Shears makes use of the old-school continuous mix groove from “8 Ball” through “Devil Came Down The Dance Floor,” giving listeners the feeling of being at their own private dance party or club. www.jakeshears.com

It was only a matter of time before two of the biggest queer 12/11/23 11:01 PM names in Americana/Country crossover collaborated, but we’re glad that Brandy Clark and Brandi Carlile did. Clark’s eponymous Warner Records album was produced by Grammy-winner Carlile, who plays on all but one of the 11 tracks. While Carlile’s presence is felt, the album is pure Clark.

From her celebrated turn of phrase and distinctive sense of humor and perspective to her easily recognizable vocal style and delivery, the album is all hers. Unforgettable tunes include “Tell Her You Don’t Love Her” (on which she’s joined by Lucius), the gorgeous duet with Carlile on “Dear Insecurity,” “Best Ones,” “Ain’t Enough Rocks” (featuring Derek Trucks), “Northwest,” “Take Mine,” and “She Smoked in the House.” www.brandyclarkmusic.com

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The signs were there all along when it comes to Sufjan Stevens’ official October 2023 coming out. What straight man could possibly write a song about serial killer John Wayne Gacy and his victims, and make it as gorgeous and chill-inducing as “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.” (from 2005’s “Illinois”)? Would a straight man have been able to create a song as sensitive as “Mystery of Love,” Stevens’ Oscarnominated tune from the gay film “Call Me By Your Name?”

His 2023 masterwork “Javelin” (Asthmatic Kitty), featuring the dedication to his late partner Evans Richardson (who died in April), feels less like a surprise, and more like a confirmation. The music is everything we’ve come to expect from Stevens, and more. From the alternately exquisite and jarring opener “Goodbye

Evergreen,” to the lush choral vocals on “A Running Start” and the potential hit single pop of “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?,” Stevens continues to merge queerness and faith. www.sufjan.com If you’ve been listening to and following queer musician Meshell Ndegeocello’s compelling music career, from her early 1990s hit single, “If That’s Your Boyfriend (He Wasn’t Last Night),” the political statement of “Leviticus: Faggot,” and the breathtaking “Bitter” album, through her vast and varied 21st-century sonic explorations, you know that her output is anything but predictable or dull.

“The Omnichord Real Book” (Blue Note), Ndegeocello’s first album of all original tunes since 2014’s “Comet, Come To Me,” continues her longstanding tradition of being musically daring. The roster of guest musicians, including Joan As Police Woman, Jason Moran, Jeff Parker, and Josh Johnson, is mind-blowing. The sound throughout is equal parts timeless and forward-thinking, soulful and soulstirring. www.meshell.com Anohni has long been a transformational artist. From performing “Cripple and the Starfish” on 1996’s various artists compilation “God Shave The Queen” to leading Antony and the Johnsons in the early years of the 21st century to going solo on

2016’s “Hopelessness,” Anohni has always remained their distinctive creative vision.

Now, coming full circle as Anohni and the Johnsons, this has proven true once again on the stunning “My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross” (Secretly Canadian). Beginning with “It Must Change” (a song with an environmental message on par with Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”), Anohni makes a statement to which we should listen. The R&B vibe on “Can’t,” “It’s My Fault” (featuring the lines, “It’s my fault/The way I broke the earth”), and “Why Am I Alive Now?,” also make these among Anohni’s most accessible songs. Even the jarring “Go Ahead,” with its Yoko Ono-style arrangement and delivery, doesn’t feel out of place here. www.anohni.com/latest When queer musical duo Man On Man – Roddy Bottum and Joey Holman, whose partnership is both creative and romantic – released its eponymous debut album in 2021, it was as if someone opened a gallon drum of poppers, and we were all experiencing the same thrilling head rush. Man On Man effortlessly avoids the dreaded sophomore slump with the incredible “Provincetown” (Polyvinyl). Not shying away for a moment from its sexy subject matter, Man On Man is in peak condition on songs including “Take It From Me,” “Gloryhole,” “Piggy,” “Showgirls,” “I Feel Good,” and “Kids.” www.manonmanmusic.comt

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Holiday Fun>>

December 14-20, 2023 • Bay Area Repor ter • 15

Drag Queens on Ice Photos by Steven Underhill

O

n December 7, Drag Queens on Ice featured a bevy of queens and kings, and hosts Donna Sachet and Christie James, performing to an appreciative crowd. Make your own ice capades at the rink. $15-$20 includes skate rental, with optional locker, gloves, rentals; thru Jan. 15. 333 Post St. www.unionsquareicerink.com For more event photo albums, visit https://www.facebook.com/ lgbtsf.nightlife

Santa Skivvies Run Photos by Steven Underhill

T

he annual festive fundraiser for the SF AIDS Foundation, where dozens of participants strip down to holiday undies for a brisk run around the Castro, was followed by an outdoor party on Noe St. on December 10. www.santaskivvies.donordrive.com For upcoming nightlife and arts listing, see Going Out, online each week on www.ebar.com.

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Holidays are her Photo Captions

Above: Harvey Milk addresses the crowd at the 1978 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade;photo by Marie Ueda, Marie Ueda Photographs (2006-12), GLBT Historical Society.

Upper Left: Women posing in San Francisco’s Castro district, ca. 1978; photo by Crawford WcayneBarton, Crawford Wayne Barton Photographs (1993-11), GLBT Historical Society.

Center Left: Inside Gene Compton’s Cafeteria in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood, ca. 1966; photo by Henri Leleu, Henri Leleu Papers (1997-13), GLBT Historical Society.

Lower Left: Disco singer Sylvester performs at the 1980 Castro Street Fair; photo by Robert Pruzan,Robert Pruzan Collection (1998-36), GLBT Historical Society.

Preserving Show you care by always wearing a mask LGBTQ+ History:

Thirteen the death of Bob Ross, the Bay Area Reporter's Join theyears Fightafter Against Discrimination publisher and founder, the foundation bears his name, established and Support the GLBT Historicalthat Society. in 1995, continues to support a diverse range of local arts, HIV-related, LGBT, and other nonprofit organizations. During this time, these Your Donation Doubled Until December 31. organizations need our support, and yours, more than ever.

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San Francisco Giants Community F KDFC Classical Music Support from the Bob Ross Foundation allowed the GLBT Historical Society to createPride (Pink Triangle) San Francisco Larkin Street has Youth digital copies of decades of Bay Area Reporter coverage, and has allowed thousands of people to Meals on Wheels access their history through monthly free days at the Society’s museum.Shanti Tenderloin Tessie Holiday Dinner T New Conservatory Theatre Center Explore your history by visiting the GLBT Historical Society Museum or making an Rhinoceros Openhouse appointment to visit their archives. More information is available at www.glbthistory.org.

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Bob Ross (1934–2003), a founding publisher of the Bay Area Reporter, America’s longest continuously- published LGBT newspaper, was also a gay community leader and philanthropist. *APR is determined by credit to score, loan terms, mileage, age of collateral andSociety’s amount borrowed. for terms up toappeal.

12 months. Offer applies to 2020 The Bob Ross Foundation is proud sponsor this GLBT Historical year0.99% endAPR fundraising vehicles or newer with less than 5.000 miles. Other terms available for older autos. Rates and terms are subject to change. Federally insured by NCUA.

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