tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306126802024-03-05T14:04:17.289-08:00Rink Foto(Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-70775599127462036382018-02-27T23:27:00.000-08:002018-02-27T23:48:44.117-08:00Dennis Peron Memoir<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Dennis
Peron Memoir</span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS9UaI11sF4caa24TQPVpM1lYbYb1GlPqlpMKtrPgv3pTDF5T3aHA_WrL3v8hGpeA_LecugG07t5t2n1B43owMNHb9frffDkvfMjxxp849KdiYdGRX07cXLeC9LsgNbhs02Eu6w/s1600/IMG_1564_20D_fixed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS9UaI11sF4caa24TQPVpM1lYbYb1GlPqlpMKtrPgv3pTDF5T3aHA_WrL3v8hGpeA_LecugG07t5t2n1B43owMNHb9frffDkvfMjxxp849KdiYdGRX07cXLeC9LsgNbhs02Eu6w/s400/IMG_1564_20D_fixed.jpg" width="379" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Well known
as a determined medical and recreational marijuana activist for decades, Dennis
Peron was also a gay activist, a civil rights activist, and a patron of the
arts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">This
journalist met Dennis when he had left the US Air Force, and had moved into a Haight-Ashbury
commune where my boyfriend Monte also lived. Dennis was ecstatic to meet an
openly-gay couple who did not hesitate to hold hands</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on the street and kiss in theaters and
restaurants. This was risky behavior in 1969, even in the Haight, and we liked
being joined by Dennis and friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> </span>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Dennis
invited us to a party, and we noticed an intense man playing a guitar</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> and
serenading some young women. We found out later that the intense man was
Charles Manson, and that his "family" was also at the party.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Two women
coordinated the commune and a food conspiracy, and we found Dennis in the
kitchen many times, watching them load bright green marijuana into gelatin
capsules. Dennis asked them many questions, which later helped him in his
restaurant and club enterprises. Communal dining was a major attraction for the
commune, and for other nearby linked communes, which belonged to the Kaliflower
Collective. The collective promoted vegetarianism, sex without shame, expanding
consciousness, altruism, and love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Dennis
climbed into bed with Monte and I sometimes, but there was not much climbing,
since beds were actually king-size mattresses on floors, with Indian bedspreads
for sheets. There was a communal consciousness and the hope that the counterculture could create a better world. Studying Hinduism was popular, since it
offers reincarnation. The feeling was that maybe our families and friends would
be more supportive and caring in future lives. We wore clothing and sandals
from </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">India</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">, but we could not figure out Indian
wrap-around underwear, which is now explained in online videos. Everyone knew
not to knock on bedroom doors if they heard sitar music or George Harrison's
"Inner Light." That was code for sex was Happening, so do not disturb.
Dennis was shocked one afternoon, after we voted him off the bed. He had tried
to bring a kitten with him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Dennis,
Monte, and I and about a dozen LGBTs <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>joined a crowd of over 200 counterculture
Love-In celebrants in June 1970, to enjoy our own first Gay Pride party on
Hippie Hill in </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Golden
Gate</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Park</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">. It was a first </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">San Francisco</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> event to mark the Stonewall Riots
that started on </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">June 27, 1969</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> in </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">New York City</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">, the year before. My boyfriend Monte
and Dennis and some lesbian and gay couples were in the midst of the throng on
blankets, and on alert for very possible harassment. Instead young men who
passed by said, "Cool."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of
the lesbians in my photographs said that she<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>thought that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they wanted to
impress their girlfriends with their liberal attitudes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Dennis and
I met to discuss the organizing of a San Francisco Gay Liberation Front group,
and he was excited to hear about Black Panther Party women and men appearing at
a small gay meeting in 1971 in </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Oakland</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">, to invite us to a Black Panther
convention in </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Washington</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">DC.</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> He also enjoyed hearing about a
large Berkeley Gay Liberation Front meeting that was hosted by women from the
Symbionese Liberation Army. We spoke later, and Dennis said he was too busy
with his business interests and romances, but that he would support gay groups,
and he did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Dennis and
I had a connection even before we met. One of his jobs while serving in </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Viet Nam</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> was shipping coffins back to the </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">US</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">. Unlike many of my friends and
cousins, I was not spoiled and had to buy my own car, so I worked at Federal Express
until coffins arrived from </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Viet Nam</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Dennis
owned a series of marijuana clubs, where he combined a welcoming presence with a
quality product. He also endured a series of law enforcement raids, and he was
shot in the leg in one incident. When I complained that people were pressing
him to sell them marijuana while we spoke at Café Flore,</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> with him
still in pain and leaning on a crutch, with a Long Island accent similar to Harvey
Milk's he let me know that he wanted to sell them the contraband, and that he
had a stash under his bed in the hospital, and made sales there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudG93O9uFgR69al-0520O5To4Y_ejocB4vFI6n_vXPcrWmZiXrB7-Tezav0DmFRY647Urn1EoowZa4EEHJKygfBttTyLiWN1oVG8vtzWTXSohbJwbBGVQs4SiR0jjFqMsdxBciw/s1600/BT+Dennis+Peron+Crutch+d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudG93O9uFgR69al-0520O5To4Y_ejocB4vFI6n_vXPcrWmZiXrB7-Tezav0DmFRY647Urn1EoowZa4EEHJKygfBttTyLiWN1oVG8vtzWTXSohbJwbBGVQs4SiR0jjFqMsdxBciw/s400/BT+Dennis+Peron+Crutch+d.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Dennis
instantly bonded with </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Harvey Milk</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">, since they had similar
politics and a need to help people. Dennis financed </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Harvey</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">'s political campaigns, and also his
successor Harry Britt's, and many other LGBT candidates and allies' campaigns.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">The multi-floored Peron home on </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">17th Street</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> was a fine TV viewing spot to watch</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> Lyndon
Johnson announce that he would not run for re-election and see Richard Nixon
take his last official helicopter ride from the White House lawn. The home was
a hotbed of anti-Viet Nam War organizing and anti-conservative Nixon
legislation politicking, and the crowds at such special events felt like real
San Francisco progressive values in action.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2McH6c3TiEWPEMzMf1Fjhd42hSFRZAHBs_8xbnmr_X_ds4M-n-qG_BgBCdFvEWgfQDm1Gbv0nUUkgsSV_cQIyKK0TbDqCSP8rIaNGTKj1ppiZAwyNGy5ElhT8t1ReCXC9MVGkUg/s1600/1978_Dennis-Peron-Island-Restaurant.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="800" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2McH6c3TiEWPEMzMf1Fjhd42hSFRZAHBs_8xbnmr_X_ds4M-n-qG_BgBCdFvEWgfQDm1Gbv0nUUkgsSV_cQIyKK0TbDqCSP8rIaNGTKj1ppiZAwyNGy5ElhT8t1ReCXC9MVGkUg/s400/1978_Dennis-Peron-Island-Restaurant.tif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Dennis' Island
Restaurant was a boost to businesses near its location at 16th and Sanchez
Streets, and more than 60 people were employed there. It drew a continuous
stream of guests, and many also patronized the marijuana supermarket upstairs.
My German relatives were astounded when they looked into the kitchen one afternoon
to see that the stoned and bleary-eyed staff were naked and mixing main courses
on a table. That explained our chili merged with lentil soup lunch, and coffee
blended with tea.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkvPvtJPClG_2VVis2Cg3ubTC_C8wyBfjg1W3Fw3VCzsNgz9zN3_8DzmDzymuu8YBAIiupVL5basx1yBuihckNxOpDL0EM3YaTdM_7gzZXL51qerdnLy24j9T5z-vy_wRgCUrKg/s1600/BT+Dennis+Peron+Office.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="800" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkvPvtJPClG_2VVis2Cg3ubTC_C8wyBfjg1W3Fw3VCzsNgz9zN3_8DzmDzymuu8YBAIiupVL5basx1yBuihckNxOpDL0EM3YaTdM_7gzZXL51qerdnLy24j9T5z-vy_wRgCUrKg/s400/BT+Dennis+Peron+Office.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Dennis'</span> largest
and most successful medical marijuana club was on </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Market Street</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> at </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Van Ness Avenue</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">, on 4 floors with a large elevator,
that employed more than 80 people. The elevator made the club accessible to
disabled and ill people, and it drew many wheelchair users. They are vulnerable
on streets and in parks, while seeking pain relief, and the large club had
greeters helping them on every floor. It was appreciated, as was Free Dope Day
on Thursdays. Grateful guests fell at Dennis' feet and kissed his hands in
gratitude while standing in that special line, and they helped him when he ran
a campaign for governor as a Republican, to stir things up. Gagging sounds were
heard in the background while I posed him in front of an American flag for the
campaign promotions.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ylPcKRlb06YyV2IqNEvk98Q4aQT3vKLn1ko-xCekPdiUUzp5QnTA6n2eZzEXNdfuj_sAHkidBBYxA-7wAizqZhFuyaq2xa-S3IxotAuoJptMytUpjbvvY1OM5kc4w35Z84_fwQ/s1600/BT+Dennis+Peron+Governor+e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1327" data-original-width="801" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ylPcKRlb06YyV2IqNEvk98Q4aQT3vKLn1ko-xCekPdiUUzp5QnTA6n2eZzEXNdfuj_sAHkidBBYxA-7wAizqZhFuyaq2xa-S3IxotAuoJptMytUpjbvvY1OM5kc4w35Z84_fwQ/s400/BT+Dennis+Peron+Governor+e.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Dennis was
the center of attention at many events, even at weddings and funerals, where
mostly young people gathered around him. My lover Beau and I celebrated our 8th
anniversary at the Valencia Rose nightclub. Jose Sarria performed
"Madame Butterfly" on stage. In attendance was famous erotic film star Scott
Anderson ("Boys of San Francisco"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">—</span></span>the filmmaker thought it would be funny to include me in a parade
scene, and I never asked Dennis how he knew so many of the film's stars). Owners Hank Wilson and Ron Lanza helped serve shark dinners and the large cake
that we brought was served. All through the event Dennis was the center of the overflow audience's
attention, even when Jose drew the film star Scott on stage to join the
opera actors and be mauled. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUqFJEt9y4gzmXNIExv75It5HoC-AKPr368lnuXDaICiKY47HoZPyiBHKZa2-QQNW_3_0S8QnqMrJfGVpJxxHIQuhsva8Mj98oaY4_40rB2ccKhs1pYs4mwW1HXNokbXpPOnjNQ/s1600/A+Dennis+Peron+Jose+Sarria+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUqFJEt9y4gzmXNIExv75It5HoC-AKPr368lnuXDaICiKY47HoZPyiBHKZa2-QQNW_3_0S8QnqMrJfGVpJxxHIQuhsva8Mj98oaY4_40rB2ccKhs1pYs4mwW1HXNokbXpPOnjNQ/s400/A+Dennis+Peron+Jose+Sarria+b.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">What drew people to Dennis was his promotion of
freedom to indulge in marijuana and sexual freedom. He also gave away joints, sometimes
throwing handfuls from stages into enthusiastic crowds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">A large
encampment of tents welcomed friends at a Summer of Love anniversary near </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Ocean</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Beach</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">, and as they walked closer to the
tents they saw huge glittering carved marijuana leaves, and Dennis waving to
them. He had a grand presence with activist followers at street fairs, parades,
the Rainbow Gathering, and </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Burning</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Man.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wCKt9rf5psl5aMiau3APuLpA9-Xjoxv4tdUzbDBEpnMXztg5-M3zIe-09nMmaLfT2VUaSiAKwbOS-U4563pyUkLNzMlwmHsse40HpohtloynBj2B3FwyFZHoQZzcDVjn_BbqxQ/s1600/A+Dennis+Peron+Jo+Daly+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="800" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wCKt9rf5psl5aMiau3APuLpA9-Xjoxv4tdUzbDBEpnMXztg5-M3zIe-09nMmaLfT2VUaSiAKwbOS-U4563pyUkLNzMlwmHsse40HpohtloynBj2B3FwyFZHoQZzcDVjn_BbqxQ/s400/A+Dennis+Peron+Jo+Daly+c.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Some of
Dennis' TV appearances included his friend Jo Daly, the first lesbian police
commissioner, appointed by Mayor Dianne Feinstein. Jo told multiple audiences
that she lost her appetite during breast cancer treatment, and that medical
marijuana had revived her interest in eating, and saved her life. Physicians
and other caregivers recommended their clients to Dennis' clubs, and his
warmth and caring was on view every day. He spotted people with gray or green
skin tones, and others walking with difficulty, and he seated them, and brought
service guides to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">His large
office at his </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Market
Street</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">
club was a whirlwind of activity. Bay Times journalists joined CNN and CBS news
crews on couches, watching giant duffle bags and suitcases of product hauled in
the door, along with a huge man wearing a horned helmet and biker gear who
carried THC-infused Rice Krispies squares. He introduced himself as a Hells
Angels Motorcycle Club baker. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Dennis
dedicated himself to helping people with HIV/AIDS after his lover Jonathan
died. Jonathan and I discussed his condition one afternoon, while Dennis placed
morphine from an eyedropper onto Jonathan's tongue to alleviate the pain of Kaposi
Sarcoma in his mouth. Rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker stopped on his way to
the hot tub, listened to us, and then dropped his towel to break the tension in
the room and get a laugh. Then I saw that people seated behind Jonathan,
including Dennis, were crying. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzVTheC9uzSk3FG_yLqZ8b7nKEGeSmalBbcsZ8qrJ2Bh7ReR_E7h5Pt62u78tFjXXqei8OjAqyvjAs8ws3xRiBU-aujmFNKWrRNr_II7Wud3jGGv0pO5svrQdEJYejdhBkE0X1g/s1600/1998_Dennis-Peron-Prop-215-Rally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="800" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzVTheC9uzSk3FG_yLqZ8b7nKEGeSmalBbcsZ8qrJ2Bh7ReR_E7h5Pt62u78tFjXXqei8OjAqyvjAs8ws3xRiBU-aujmFNKWrRNr_II7Wud3jGGv0pO5svrQdEJYejdhBkE0X1g/s400/1998_Dennis-Peron-Prop-215-Rally.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Dennis
sponsored my photography show at A Different Light Bookstore, which was also
sponsored by James Hormel. Mayor Willie Brown spoke and gave me a </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">proclamation for </span>Rink Foto Day in </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">San Francisco</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">. Dennis asked to see
it and spoke about his many awards over the years from thankful leaders in the
political and art spheres.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Gilbert
Baker was a longtime friend of Dennis' and was given a free hand to
redecorate </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Dennis' </span> home, clearing away </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"><span class="st" data-hveid="142" data-ved="0ahUKEwik78Wl88fZAhVB3WMKHXhlALcQ4EUIjgEwAQ">macramé</span>, hanging bedspreads, and potted
plants.</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> It was a
lavender wonderland when Gilbert was finished, and guests said that it had a new
feeling of joyousness. Dennis funded Gilbert's flag and costume creations, and
his art work. Gilbert provided lavish decorations for many benefits</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";"> for a variety of causes</span> hosted by
Dennis.</span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Dennis
welcomed the founder of Gay Liberation Harry Hay and his lover John Burnside to
live in the home, as refugees from </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Southern California</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">. More than a dozen Radical Faeries
stepped forward to serve as caregivers for the thankful couple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Wonderful
events were a part of Dennis' activism, including the time that he was invited to
debate with </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">Australia</span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">'s prime minister. He staged
impressive gatherings all over
the world, with overwhelming press coverage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">My last
visit to see Dennis was a Prop 215 anniversary party at his home, which is now
a B&B, and it was filled with friends of many years smoking Dennis' dope and
reminiscing about his generosity. Dennis was in his bedroom, and as he had said
many times before, progress has been made in furthering civil rights, women's
rights, LGBT rights, anti-war activities, and many other worthwhile causes,
but marijuana was still seen as a threat instead of a national treasure in too
much of the </span><span style="font-family: "microsoft sans serif";">US.</span></div>
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Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-44331527578604108372011-10-20T22:39:00.000-07:002011-10-29T23:32:16.729-07:00Gay 9/11 Hero Mark Bingham Remembered: An Audacious Gay Jock Became a Hero<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span id="goog_425498749"></span><span id="goog_425498750"></span>With the ten-year commemoration of one the most horrible tragedies in American history being marked on Sept. 11, 2011, a remarkable gay hero is also being honored. Mark Bingham was a passionate San Francisco rugby player and a charming public relations executive who found himself on hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 over the state of Pennsylvania. He led three other men into the cockpit to prevent the plane being used to attack a target in Washington, D.C. His cell phone conversation with his mother Alice Hoagland, the flight data recordings, and the calls of other passengers confirm that Bingham rose to the occasion. He had wrested a gun away from a criminal who was threatening his boyfriend on the street, and he used his 6'-4", 220-pound physique to play a determined and aggressive rugby game. Shouts of “Let's roll!” are heard on the cell phones from the doomed
flight, as it is heard when a rugby team charges at a game. <br />
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Bingham played for the <a href="http://www.sffog.org/">San Francisco Fog</a> rugby team, and they are well known as formidable, but also as uninhibited and fun-loving. They barely blinked when emcee Donna Sachet cut off their jockstraps and they danced naked with their soccer balls at a <a href="http://www.biggayfrathouse.com/">Big Gay Fraternity House</a> charity benefit in the Castro. The <a href="http://www.binghamcup.com/">international gay rugby championship</a> is named in Bingham’s honor, the gym at the Castro’s Eureka Valley Recreation Center features a large plaque honoring him, and his mother is adored for questioning any family’s separation from their children because of their sexual orientation.<br />
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"<a href="http://www.withyoufilm.com/">With You</a>", a fascinating documentary film about Bingham, was screened to great acclaim at this year’s <a href="http://www.frameline.org/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=2379&FID=48">San Francisco Int'l LGBT Film Festival</a> at the Castro Theatre. It was heart-rending to hear Bingham’s mother speak about her loss and to see multiple videos of Bingham with her, his boyfriends, his team, and his relatives. More than 1,200 people rose to their feet and applauded as Alice Hoagland walked down the aisle to ascend the stage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDczChsdLzXYFL-wpF8rIyErY8c-aM-rchvVistz8mI23NDfaiAR_8aVKaZ9EGR4I9vZv6AnAm3-dh2q47sfBpJ3KLKPu6JQy0kaG5VDCvHcjYdOi3RHw1sIUCtj8n51LwDksFw/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDczChsdLzXYFL-wpF8rIyErY8c-aM-rchvVistz8mI23NDfaiAR_8aVKaZ9EGR4I9vZv6AnAm3-dh2q47sfBpJ3KLKPu6JQy0kaG5VDCvHcjYdOi3RHw1sIUCtj8n51LwDksFw/s400/IMG_0614.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoSKAE9LN96gqwXPycpPi1ofsWkHOT2ENlvDOTIzD9z3XzxpqzT6UYRIcTt24rsPWFDMqtq6sjSwlzYaQn8AcZNiTrD36HrYiqnF57kycmP4G9BxUi2cumHRXuzCjKJ7YanecdQ/s1600/IMG_0618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoSKAE9LN96gqwXPycpPi1ofsWkHOT2ENlvDOTIzD9z3XzxpqzT6UYRIcTt24rsPWFDMqtq6sjSwlzYaQn8AcZNiTrD36HrYiqnF57kycmP4G9BxUi2cumHRXuzCjKJ7YanecdQ/s400/IMG_0618.JPG" width="400" /></a><i>Mark Bingham's mother Alice Hoagland on stage after the screening of "With You" at the Castro Theatre</i></div>
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The film’s message and the knowledge of Bingham’s actions have been a notable answering point to bigots who question the lives and morality of the LGBT community. Members of San Francisco’s congressional delegation and Senator John McCain have credited Bingham for possibly saving their lives. This journalist (and his extended family) is thankful because Flight 93 flew over his family’s farm 20 miles from the crash site when it was swarming with young relatives, and his father was at the U.S. Capitol that morning.<br />
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For more information on the Mark Bingham Foundation, visit <a href="http://www.markbingham.org/">markbingham.org</a>. </div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-20747204221358458552011-10-09T22:49:00.000-07:002011-10-30T03:25:49.797-07:00The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Crescendo Fundraising Gala: A Unique Musical Artistic Event<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkN5_tUY5ysyhIRqhnYThjm_IC14kXn2dknjEyhJkaiU_VVUtrvEyocLoVCJgqdmfMmBusX1Ugqpwazp3PwUO2-54U2kACrcP4skFF-SSFVt2bxcpb1eyDWI-77k2iDnwH7cW0g/s1600/IMG_0261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkN5_tUY5ysyhIRqhnYThjm_IC14kXn2dknjEyhJkaiU_VVUtrvEyocLoVCJgqdmfMmBusX1Ugqpwazp3PwUO2-54U2kACrcP4skFF-SSFVt2bxcpb1eyDWI-77k2iDnwH7cW0g/s400/IMG_0261.jpg" width="400" /></a><i>Conductor Timothy Seelig, Grand Duchess Kylie Minono, and executive director Teddy Witherington</i></div>
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A unique brunch was hosted by the <a href="https://www.sfgmc.org/index.shtml">San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus</a> at the Four Seasons Hotel on Oct. 9: The annual Crescendo fundraising gala in one of the city’s most stylish hotels started at noon, a time of the day on Sundays when many are nursing hangovers at home. The chorus drew an amazingly large turnout for a quiche and fruit parfait brunch, with accomplished musical performances and awards for the organization’s supporters.<br />
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Chorus guests who arrived early enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the hotel terrace that overlooks the Contemporary Jewish Museum’s huge tilted blue cube. The chorus’ two ensembles, the Lollipop Guild and the Vocal Minority, performed to kick off the party and they projected the positive mood of the party and enhanced the admiration of the gathered donors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfh3ekktrgcSaxvVAZ8WBrTIi9kNsyfga6CObwJ-K82IcMfl7DnuotJHpxIMIYK728ghsFGcCjyxV11zCLt_vE_bJ-8mWg86FgQnsozpPSgZbZ0i3C4VTWA_ZNkOtXUUXLBmdY4Q/s1600/IMG_0269.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfh3ekktrgcSaxvVAZ8WBrTIi9kNsyfga6CObwJ-K82IcMfl7DnuotJHpxIMIYK728ghsFGcCjyxV11zCLt_vE_bJ-8mWg86FgQnsozpPSgZbZ0i3C4VTWA_ZNkOtXUUXLBmdY4Q/s400/IMG_0269.jpg" width="400" /></a><i>Board president Michael Tate, executive director Teddy Witherington, and honoree Stuart Milk</i></div>
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The chorus’ new Human Rights Champion Award was given to Harvey Milk’s nephew Stuart Milk by chorus board president Michael Tate and executive director Teddy Witherington for his advocacy of LGBT rights worldwide. Milk’s day job is working with at-risk youth and he founded the <a href="http://milkfoundation.org/">Harvey Milk Foundation</a> to fight hate and discrimination. From his base near Ft. Lauderdale, Milk researches and then visits communities where he can do the most good—from Spain to Turkey to San Jose Pride.<br />
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The new link between the Chorus and Harvey Milk was revealed when a “Dear Harvey, We’ve Got Hope” project video was screened, and then described by Witherington. Young people are being asked for their feelings about Milk and their submissions will be formed into musical creations for the Chorus’ upcoming 35th anniversary season. Impressive board president Tate then spoke about funding for the organization for the future.<br />
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A unique talent, counter-tenor Jacques Snyman, then performed, and the expressions of surprise on faces around the ballroom has been seen before, when other blatantly masculine looking countertenors reach high notes. Diageo Americas’ Phillipa Jones (of subsidiary Sterling Vineyards) said that their commitment to the LGBT community is sincere when she accepted a Corporate Champion Award. The <a href="http://ebar.com/">Bay Area Reporter</a> (BAR) received a Media Champion Award, though the decade-long LGBT press boycott of the Chorus led by the BAR’s publisher after a controversial Chorus dinner incident was not mentioned.<br />
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The guests were thanked by event co-chairs Paul Olsen and Sean Livingston, and there was talk from table to table about the Chorus’ altruistic tours through small California cities that also finance their local LGBT groups. Providing role models and self-esteem is an important side benefit to areas of the state where that can be lacking.<br />
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The Gay Men’s Chorus has managed to prosper during a time of financial uncertainty and much of the credit is due to not only the staff and board, but also the advisory board which includes Molly McKay of <a href="http://www.marriageequality.org/">Marriage Equality USA</a>, Dr. Betty L. Sullivan of <a href="http://www.bettyslist.com/">Betty's List</a> and the <a href="http://www.sfbaytimes.com/">San Francisco Bay Times</a>, Devesh Khatu of the <a href="http://www.horizonsfoundation.org/">Horizons Foundation</a>, and Cecilia Chung of the <a href="http://www.sf-hrc.org/">San Francisco Human Rights Commission</a>. Hardworking artistic operations manager Mike Holland also deserves credit for presenting professional light and sound in spaces where it never existed previously.<br />
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Artistic director and conductor for the last ten years Dr. Kathleen McGuire was remembered fondly, and her replacement Dr. Timothy Seelig has been embraced by the chorus after changes were made to the repertoire.<br />
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The Chorus is also thriving thanks to the monumental talents of Paul Saccone, the music director of the Lollipop Guild ensemble and Carl Pantle, the Chorus' associate artistic director, principal pianist, and the musical director of the Vocal Minority ensemble.<br />
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A wonderful event ended with musical interludes from the Lollipop Guild and the Vocal Minority.</div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-4578877538498208292011-10-01T15:05:00.000-07:002011-10-30T03:56:02.044-07:00The Berlin and Beyond Film Festival: A Daring, Shocking, and Lyrical Film Festival<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILSL0Lanwo4Tv_ZRIxJAutZ6jdbrS1PVn0-725RcAKyb-mwXE8RkZ1UbJUgHNzzJOt4qhsY6wNbFAgdU0IDVJLDc71dcbovj983Ox_Sslwt8tUDjU-xE4CiSCsZtbtq2Yf8zQzg/s1600/IMG_0142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILSL0Lanwo4Tv_ZRIxJAutZ6jdbrS1PVn0-725RcAKyb-mwXE8RkZ1UbJUgHNzzJOt4qhsY6wNbFAgdU0IDVJLDc71dcbovj983Ox_Sslwt8tUDjU-xE4CiSCsZtbtq2Yf8zQzg/s400/IMG_0142.jpg" /></a><br /><i>Berlin and Beyond Festival President Sabine Erlenwein and Festival Director Sophoan Sorn</i></div>
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The 16th annual <a href="http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/saf/prj/bby/enindex.htm?wt_sc=berlinbeyond">Berlin and Beyond Film Festival</a> is opening Oct. 20 at the Castro Theatre, and this celluloid gift has been eagerly anticipated by film fans. San Francisco has always had a vibrant German-American community, and the Castro District was the home and business site for dozens of ethnic German families from the late 1800s to the post-WWII era. When homes and garages on Collingwood Street are renovated, German-language newspapers used as insulation are found in the walls. San Francisco boasts some of the Bay Area’s best array of German restaurants, including the high camp decorated East German restaurant <a href="http://walzwerk.com/">Walzwerk</a> that has catered the festival with its superb goulash. <br /><br />The media was invited to a Sept. 29 promotional press conference where conversations with Festival Director Sophoan Sorn and Festival President Sabine Erlenwein developed over pastry and coffee. Erlenwein is also the Director of the San Francisco branch of the <a href="http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/saf/enindex.htm">Goethe Institut</a>, the German Cultural Center that is located in large cities worldwide. Sorn and Erlenwein then mounted the movie palace’s stage to discuss the films, lead a Q&A, and introduce the excellent festival closing night film “<a href="http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/saf/prj/bby/fil/ofs/en8161550.htm">If Not Us, Who</a> (Wer wenn nicht wir).”<br /><br />That closing night film is an inspiration to activists as it introduces the intense, young, disenchanted characters who would become members of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Army_Faction">Baader-Meinhof Group</a>, an urban terrorist gang also known as the Red Army Faction that was active in the 1970s. Their dysfunctional personal lives are on display, and the movie complements the numerous other films about the gang, such as the award winning “<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765432/">The Baader Meinhof Complex</a>” of 2009. Germans are still confounded by the gang, since its members were privileged youth who did not just attack government and business officials with handguns, they attacked relentlessly with machine guns. The message of the film and its title is to not be complacent, but to be become activists and form groups to make changes, though not necessarily as extremely as the subjects of this cinematic expression. <br /><br />The festival is about films, but it also is well known and admired for its high-energy parties. The mezzanine of the silent film era Castro Theatre is the venue for the opening night and closing night soirées where Blue Angel Vodka and Spaten beer will be served with treats from the Castro’s Hot Cookie and <a href="http://castrosausagefactory.com/">The Sausage Factory</a> (where this journalist shared meals with Harvey Milk). <br /><br />The festival depends on volunteers, its publicist Jackson Scarlett, and on gay lovers Alex Randoph and Trevor Nguyen, who solve problems and enhance the event using their experience with government service and group dynamics. <br /><br />The consulates of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland have generously supported the festival since its founding, and their gatherings throughout the year advertise the festival and its rich cultural significance. German culture is celebrated in San Francisco and a central focus of that culture is philosophy, art, and music. That essence is captured by the festival film “<a href="http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/saf/prj/bby/fil/ofs/en8181808.htm">Young Goethe in Love</a>.” Unfortunately that film will only be screened in San Jose because the filmmakers and distributors have restricted its viewing to theaters of 500 seats or less so it can remain eligible for awards. Controversy may emerge after the film is mass released because recently discovered letters suggest that Goethe was gay or bisexual.<br />
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The other unique and stimulating film only being screened in San Jose in the festival is “<a href="http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/saf/prj/bby/fil/ofs/en8161418.htm">3 (Drei)</a>” which is a rarely shown scenario of a man and his wife sharing another man, and it was a hit at <a href="http://www.frameline.org/festival/">San Francisco Int'l LGBT Film Festival</a> this year. <br /><br />For more information: <a href="http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/saf/prj/bby/enindex.htm?wt_sc=berlinbeyond">www.BerlinBeyond.org</a></div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0429 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA37.762013 -122.43469637.760444 -122.4371635 37.763582000000007 -122.43222850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-31015284286945830052011-08-25T16:11:00.000-07:002018-02-23T18:30:38.411-08:00The Bare Chest Calendar Auction: A Night of Restrained Debauchery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_m0K8ul3b-0RNGJfHEJWejgDm5TtsKnysX2qs242SgTYBNJ567quiBOLNTgh-pZ_YEatiXx1UuVHc50CXvCmbkqXTdKPzBlrQGJkuxNq3ufD53NAEqMsNLpPNza4MonfIxQbmQ/s1600/DSC_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_m0K8ul3b-0RNGJfHEJWejgDm5TtsKnysX2qs242SgTYBNJ567quiBOLNTgh-pZ_YEatiXx1UuVHc50CXvCmbkqXTdKPzBlrQGJkuxNq3ufD53NAEqMsNLpPNza4MonfIxQbmQ/s400/DSC_0419.JPG" width="400" /></a><i>Mr. February Michael Rubinstein with hostess Donna Sachet</i></div>
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"Visual splendor" and "fine altruism" best describe the array of handsome men, generous donors, and resourceful party coordinators who enjoyed the <a href="http://barechest.org/">2012 Bare Chest Calendar</a> Men auction benefit for the <a href="http://www.aef-sf.org/">AIDS Emergency Fund</a> (AEF) and the <a href="http://www.positiveresource.org/">Positive Resource Center</a> (PRC) at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel on August 23. <br />
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Distinctive men included handsome filmmaker <a href="http://barechest.org/years/2012/2012_12_december.html">Philippe Gosselin</a>, whose movie "<a href="http://www.frameline.org/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=2366&FID=48">The Rescue</a>" was a hit at this year’s San Francisco Int'l LGBT Film Festival, and the devilish young <a href="http://barechest.org/years/2012/2012_06_june.html">Seth Watkins</a>, who has overcome numerous obstacles to reach a new healthy point in his life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVv7dIpvbgqKBbh3Cf80f_N34u9V9lLpoqgd64GOO740QvjxTKoMCL_AEBYH0hFB1H304cSglIA8rmU_UP47BaMpdF7_qlpmwGHiW4d5INO3OgVRBsuAcC8UigQvuI_7hgFWXTw/s1600/DSC_0453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVv7dIpvbgqKBbh3Cf80f_N34u9V9lLpoqgd64GOO740QvjxTKoMCL_AEBYH0hFB1H304cSglIA8rmU_UP47BaMpdF7_qlpmwGHiW4d5INO3OgVRBsuAcC8UigQvuI_7hgFWXTw/s400/DSC_0453.jpg" width="400" /></a><i>Mr. December Philippe Gosselin</i></div>
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Guys chosen for the Calendar must agree to spend an enormous amount of time and effort at events where they promote the sale of the Bare Chest Calendar. Some guys such as <a href="http://barechest.org/years/2012/2012_08_august.html">Christopher Humphreys</a> and <a href="http://barechest.org/years/2012/2012_13.html">Jay Laude</a> have had extensive experience volunteering with non-profits. Humphreys is famous for going shirtless to make quick sales of Jello-O shots for charity. <br />
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Each of the men was lavishly presented by emcee Donna Sachet, who wore a golden goddess gown. Then masterful tuxedo-ed auctioneer Lenny Broberg pitted fans and the besotted in the audience to bid on the guys. They appeared first in hilariously boyish ensembles donated by Citizen/Body. And then Anya Montiel and Gerri Beauvais—helpful women who were beautifully gowned and accessorized—stripped off the Calendar men's shirts. There was a moment for the yelling-and-applauding crowd to run their eyes across the expanse of gym-toned muscles before a red bow tie and a leather vest from sponsor Miller Beer were slid onto the men's sweating bodies.<br />
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<i>Lance Holman, Troy Anicete, [name and likeness removed by request] and friend</i></div>
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The competition was fierce, but also fun. Last year it was guided by the blinding fear that a magnificent and predatory Mr. SF Leather was trying to “buy” non-single studs. It went smoothly this year until the overtly primal <a href="http://barechest.org/years/2012/2012_10_october.html">Will Swagger</a> assumed an athlete’s pre-pounce position and a seemingly mesmerized Sachet mounted the stage in response, but she was expertly led back to her seat by auctioneer Broberg. Stunning <a href="http://barechest.org/years/2012/2012_05_may.html">Andy Cross</a>’ friends, a straight couple, astounded the other donors with a $10,000 winning bid, the highest of the evening.<br />
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The event featured two stylized climaxes. The first was when the winning bidders were joyfully invited onto the stage to join the Calendar men. The second climax shocked and pleased the audience, and only a glamorous Donna Sachet could seize the moment so well when she glided down the runway to Broberg in a luxurious satin bridal gown and veil. <br />
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<i>Mr. October Will Swagger and Mr. December Philippe Gosselin</i><br />
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It was the best of San Francisco with the professional fundraising talents of Donna Sachet and Lenny Broberg and the expert guidance of coordinators <a href="http://barechest.org/years/2007/december2007.html">Thom Grant</a> (Mr. December 2007) and <a href="http://barechest.org/years/2006/2006_06_mark.html">Mark Hollenstein</a> (Mr. June 2006), along with the good-natured and alluring 2012 Calendar men in the historic and accommodating <a href="http://www.sirfrancisdrake.com/">Sir Francis Drake Hotel</a>, all for two wonderful charities.<br />
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For more information, visit <a href="http://barechest.org/">barechest.org</a>.<br />
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<!-- <i>NOTE: Names and likenesses have been removed from this article due to
requests from participants in this charity event who years later
feel ashamed to be associated with the Bare Chest Calendar. Rink Foto
has obliged these requests, but in no way endorses the idea that gay
culture (or shirtless men) is a source of shame, embarrassment or
dishonor. Since 1985, Rink Foto has proudly covered Bare Chest Calendar
events, which raise vital funds for the <a href="http://prcsf.org/">AIDS Emergency Fund and Positive Resource Center</a> (now merged).</i> --></div>
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Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0450 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA37.7889946 -122.408528137.787426100000005 -122.41099559999999 37.7905631 -122.4060606tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-19661111497732116282011-08-10T18:23:00.000-07:002011-10-28T18:28:24.373-07:00The Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club’s Three Commemorations of Their 40th Anniversary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There was a historic meeting of the <a href="http://www.alicebtoklas.org/">Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club</a> and the San Francisco Police Department on July 11 during a forum at the <a href="http://www.sfcenter.org/">San Francisco LGBT Community Center</a>. <br />
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Alice’s founder, Jim Foster, partially conceived of the political club as an activist group to oppose police raids and threats. Foster got an eyeful of what less affluent gays faced at the <a href="http://www.gmax.co.za/think/history/2004/040330-SFriscoRights.html">Society for Individual Rights</a> (S.I.R.) headquarters on 6th Street in San Francisco, and he thought that a more political organization would help when he founded Alice 40 years ago. Raids on gay bars and hang-outs such as Compton’s Cafeteria in the Tenderloin were common. A lesbian bar named Peg’s Place was attacked by an inebriated bachelor party that included police officers as late as 1979. The Alice Club was quick to denounce these outrages and local politicians heard loud and clear that this kind of behavior would not be tolerated. <br /><br />Club co-founders included lesbian pioneers Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, who founded the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daughters_of_Bilitis">Daughters of Bilitis</a> (DOB) in 1955, and their house party guests feared a police raid every time the doorbell rang. Lyon and Martin were active with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_on_Religion_and_the_Homosexual">Council on Religion and the Homosexual</a> which hosted the “Meet the Lesbian and Gay Community Weekend” events at Glide Memorial Church. Social workers, physicians, psychiatrists, attorneys, priests, family planners, and police officers met lesbian and gay couples and were invited to join them in their homes and restaurants. In the early 1970s a passionate gay teenage couple was introduced to the Weekend conference attendees, and this journalist and his boyfriend were that couple.<br /><br />From a time when LGBT police officers had to be closeted to the present when open recruitment of out-of-the-closet officers has resulted in increasing numbers of police who have an insight into alternative lives. LGBT-friendly San Francisco Chief of Police Greg Suhr joined three lesbian police commanders at the Alice meeting: Lea Militello, Sandra Tong, and Denise Schmidt.<br />
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Alice member Terry Gauchet coordinated the panel and there was a lively Q&A. Over and over both Suhr and the commanders stressed that bring a police officer is the best job in the world because they can help people and see their positive impact on people's lives. Recruitment, maybe possibly from the ranks of the Alice members, was an ongoing theme of the evening. Another was the importance of police academy classes to add new officers that will replace retiring members of the department, and that the city budget should include funding for the classes. <br /><br />The big news of the evening was that the SFPD will make an “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=it+gets+better+project">It Gets Better</a>” video to join the thousands that columnist Dan Savage and his lover Terry Miller inspired.<br />
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During a dialogue with Chief Suhr this journalist spoke about the early years in San Francisco when upfront gays were harassed by the police and when they were bashed by others, instead of helping them, law enforcement arrested them. The Frank Sinatra film "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062883/">The Detective</a>," which Suhr said he had seen, was cited as a view of that era. In contrast, now police officers are trained well in settling LGBT lovers’ and roommates’ disputes, and other sensitive situations.<br />
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Police deployment at Halloween in the Castro and Pink Saturday was discussed, and Suhr stated that he liked both events, but back when they were a few thousand neighborhood people and their visitors. Curtailment of publicity for Pink Saturday was mentioned as a logical action for 2012. <br />
<br />The Alice Club is also celebrating its “40 Years Together, 40 Years Strong” with a <a href="http://www.glbthistory.org/museum/">GLBT History Museum</a> exhibit opening on August 1 which includes a visual history of the Alice Club and a recording of Jim Foster giving a lesbian and gay liberation speech at the Democratic Party convention that nominated George McGovern for president in 1972. Curator Nathan Purkiss’ phenomenal commentary about the Club’s history strongly affected the packed museum, and the people admired the event program which is crammed full of photographs and historical descriptions.<br />
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The following week there was a panel discussion about the Club’s history on Aug. 8, led by activist Phyllis Lyon, who spoke in detail about the founding of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daughters_of_Bilitis">Daughters of Bilitis</a>, and about how its members were blue- and white-collar workers. She revealed that the group had been secretive during its early years,—they were more open later,—thanks to powerful political friends, some of the same friends that supported the Alice Club since its founding.<br />
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The courage of early lesbian and gay activists is astonishing, considering how much they had to lose, and Alice founders Foster, Lyon, and others deserve credit for their efforts.<br /><br />For more information: <a href="http://www.alicebtoklas.org/">www.alicebtoklas.org/</a><br /></div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com01800 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA37.7717399 -122.423903537.7701709 -122.42637099999999 37.7733089 -122.421436tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-88834746336203976752011-07-28T19:56:00.000-07:002011-10-28T20:03:53.181-07:00The 2011 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival: Uplifting and Serious Films for Discerning Fans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
More than 58 films from 16 countries are being screened at this year’s <a href="http://www.sfjff.org/">San Francisco Jewish Film Festival</a>, and the variety of celluloid offerings is sure to please the most discerning film fans.<br />
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The festival opened in San Francisco at the Castro Theatre with "<a href="http://www.sfjff.org/film/detail?id=1655">Mabul (The Flood)</a>" which meshes the biblical story of a great flood with a modern-day dysfunctional family. Yoav Rotman, the young Isreali star of the film, was congratulated over and over at the opening night party at the Swedish American Hall, while his mother stood nearby beaming. The hors d’oeuvres were superb and the cocktails were stiff, and the large crowd moved from room to room for taste treats and to chat up fellow filmerati.<br />
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Executive Director Peter Stein was joined by his partner Brian Freeman, and Corey Tong, Jenni Olson, Dan Wohlfeiler, and San Francisco Pride Grand Marshal Aaron Belkin made up some of the LGBT film contingent. <br />
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Actor Kirk Douglas was honored with the festival’s Freedom of Expression Award on July 24 for his brave action in demanding that blacklisted "Spartacus" script writer Dalton Trumbo be given credit in 1960. Douglas’ philanthropy was praised, as was his brilliance at playing forceful characters in such films as "Out of the Past," "Paths of Glory," and "Lust for Life" which were on display on film clips. Douglas also played an over-the-top Viking in "The Vikings" that seethes with authentic violent excesses and bold histrionics.<br />
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What was largely missing from the ceremony is that Douglas not only re-learned to speak after a stroke 15 years ago, but he is also an inspiration to the tens of thousands who suffer strokes every year. Douglas seemed to be enjoying himself and he was buoyed by the 1,400-person standing ovations to and from the stage. Too many people do not pursue a life as a stroke survivor and isolate themselves in their homes. Douglas not only speaks in public, he was a witty and clever presenter at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony. He was equally witty and clever on the Castro Theatre’s stage at the Jewish Film Festival.<br />
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The festival ends on July 28 with the closing night film "<a href="http://www.sfjff.org/film/detail?id=5543">100 Voices: A Journey Home</a>" and live performances should not be missed. Think Al Jolson’s dramatic singing finale in the first sound movie "The Jazz Singer," and this will be ten times more intense with four singers and the Castro Theatre’s organ.<br />
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Most of the best festival films will be screened after July 28 in Berkeley, San Rafael, and Palo Alto. Checking www.sfjff.org will help in locating these movies.<br />
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LGBT themes can be found in "<a href="http://www.sfjff.org/film/detail?id=4876">Mary Lou</a>" and "<a href="http://www.sfjff.org/film/detail?id=5666">The Queen Has No Crown</a>." Both films were endorsed by celluloid connoisseurs. One film that delves into the betrayal of French Jews by their fellow citizens who collaborated with the occupying Nazis is "<a href="http://www.sfjff.org/film/detail?id=5181">The Roundup</a>." There are films for young adult viewers and even Israel’s first horror film. Israel has achieved more Academy Award nominations for its films than any other Middle Eastern country, and now it can claim a cinematic experience of movie characters yelling for help in Hebrew while facing a mindless bloodfest. <br />
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Karen Larsen and her publicity associates Ani Klose and Leo Wong again achieved a successful festival, and the only cloud in the cinematic sky was that Executive Director Peter Stein is retiring and he will be greatly missed. Hopefully his sensational award winning documentary "<a href="http://www.kqed.org/w/hood/castro/">The Castro</a>" will now be followed by equally fine future film projects.</div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0429 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA37.762013 -122.43469637.760444 -122.4371635 37.763582000000007 -122.43222850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-90412247515933863282011-07-24T19:14:00.000-07:002011-11-22T18:46:12.352-08:00The Jean Harris Memorial at Delancey Street: A Fearless Activist, and a Hell of a Friend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCNnG0Zcz0xcnR7qAAcGbbMFb-MDGhvHg9mA4P1YQq3j1trNHTVyJ-UcxnFIyHq4knYwyDsMlzw7dOBeATSZ9OoM5xxrbHR2us1_7zSGXVXj1C1J6iO3E3ILmJGyCiva9CXbBLg/s1600/Jean-Harris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCNnG0Zcz0xcnR7qAAcGbbMFb-MDGhvHg9mA4P1YQq3j1trNHTVyJ-UcxnFIyHq4knYwyDsMlzw7dOBeATSZ9OoM5xxrbHR2us1_7zSGXVXj1C1J6iO3E3ILmJGyCiva9CXbBLg/s400/Jean-Harris.jpg" width="400" /></a><br><i>Lesbian activist Jean Harris speaking about Domestic Partnership legislation in October 1999</i></div><br>
The cover of the Jean Harris memorial program featured an eye-catching portrait and a quote from California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton: “A fearless activist, and a hell of a friend.”<br />
Burton joined more than forty political activists and friends of Harris at Delancey Street in San Francisco on July 21 to present a tribute to the tireless promoter of LGBT rights. Burton said that he received numerous complaints about Harris being a “pain in the butt” when she was working for the Democratic Party. He said that “A pain in the butt that gets the job done is better that someone who does not do the job.” <br />
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Harris lost her two daughters to an ex-husband in a custody battle. That set her on an activist course that would lead to other lesbians and gay men not losing their children to ex-partners, and multiple other rights now taken for granted. She co-founded <a href="http://socialarchive.iath.virginia.edu/xtf/view?docId=Lesbian+Agenda+for+Action-cr.xml">Lesbian Agenda for Action</a>, the first lesbian political action committee (PAC) in the U.S., steered San Francisco’s domestic partner legislation to victory when she was an aide to San Francisco Supervisor Harry Britt, and co-produced the “Lavender Sweep” that elected several lesbian and gay candidates. Harris also instigated needle exchange while working for San Francisco Mayor Frank Jordan, became the executive director of <a href="http://www.basicrights.org/">Basic Rights Oregon</a> to take on homophobic bigots, and the first executive director of the organization that became <a href="http://www.eqca.org/">Equality California</a> (EQCA). <br />
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Harris was front and center at a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queer_Nation">Queer Nation</a> marriage equality protest at San Francisco City Hall, and she shooed the San Francisco Police Department Tactical Squad away after a storming of the City Clerk’s office and a mock wedding for eight couples. Her small army of domestic partnership campaigners easily overwhelmed local and bussed-in fundamentalists who tried to stop her. She met her match during the Rodney King protests in San Francisco when she was clubbed along with many others, and a huge angry cry went up when her clubbing was screened at the Roxie Theatre. Harris was decked out in a tuxedo and thoroughly enjoyed herself as the host of an election night celebration when Harry Britt became San Francisco Board of Supervisors President with over 110,000 votes.<br />
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Notables who attended the event at <a href="http://www.delanceystreetfoundation.org/facsf.php">Delancey Street</a> included: Kate Kendell, Roma Guy, Eileen Hanson, Happy Hyder, Dianne Jones, Dana Van Gorder, Geoff Kors, Ken Jones, Rafael Mandelman. Leslie Katz, Sharon Johnson, Kate Monica Klein, Lea Militello, and Melinda Paras. The reception was coordinated by Carol Stuart, and the choice of space and catering was impeccable.<br />
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Democratic Central Committee member Carole Migden passionately and eloquently summed up Harris and she received sustained applause:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYBSmj8orf3U3v7uNmOgdT1TiyCwDci9S0eT4yZgWFg4T-6QDrHxorkV8I3auTNJl9c57YO2zeWt-WBiWAQ-99YZ_01TOPwqAd_zj_Nx1ljrRt1jQ3WeiYuIdaUkkfgAfpTnBew/s1600/IMG_0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYBSmj8orf3U3v7uNmOgdT1TiyCwDci9S0eT4yZgWFg4T-6QDrHxorkV8I3auTNJl9c57YO2zeWt-WBiWAQ-99YZ_01TOPwqAd_zj_Nx1ljrRt1jQ3WeiYuIdaUkkfgAfpTnBew/s400/IMG_0196.jpg" width="300" /></a><br><i>Democratic Central Committee member Carole Migden</i></div><br>
“Jean Harris was an absolutely original person, a harbinger ahead of her time. Coming from an awful life, Jean blasted into town in the mid eighties with a fierce agenda and a razor focus. She quickly gained access to important people. She intuitively understood the levers of power and how to use them. She was intense and charismatic and she cared nothing about status or personal gain. She provoked and prodded, dressed like a man and took the bullet that came with that. She was cool, older than us, attracted women like a magnet and usually traveled in a pack. Jean was confident, and you knew when she entered the room. Many times over the years Jean would stop by my office unannounced. In came Jean, in came the most important issue of all time. To experience Jean Harris was like being caught in a tidal wave. You are awestruck and transfixed. You know you are witnessing something profound and encompassing. The force was stronger than you, you stopped resisting for the best and knew here there’d be a lot of mopping up later. Jean invented a social media way before Zuckerberg and way before texting and tweeting took hold. I love Jean Harris. She made me shine and she gave me many good times. I hope her profound contributions to LGBT equality get the recognition they deserve.” </div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0600 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA37.784615 -122.38838237.783046500000005 -122.39084949999999 37.7861835 -122.3859145tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-88413830236221049102011-07-24T17:19:00.000-07:002011-11-22T19:17:44.917-08:00The Trikone Protest at the Indian Consulate: Protesting Bigotry in San Francisco<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Members of <a href="http://trikone.org/">Trikone</a>, an LGBT organization of people of South Asian descent in the San Francisco Bay Area, converged on the <a href="http://www.cgisf.org/">Consulate General of India</a> in San Francisco on July 22 to protest homophobic bigotry. An official in a position to help or do harm, Indian Minister of Health and Family Welfare <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghulam_Nabi_Azad">Ghulam Nabi Azad</a>, had claimed that men who have sex with men are committing unnatural acts. <br /><br />
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Trikone drew about two dozen members and supporters to the protest. Success was achieved when Deputy Indian Consul General Kumar Tuhin agreed to receive a letter of grievance from Trikone’s Susmita Thomas and Harsha Mallajosyula. The letter condemned the health minister’s bigoted statements, and it will be seen and hopefully commented on by the Consul General based in San Francisco. There were also complementary protests in New Delhi, Mumbai, and other Indian cities. <br /><br />
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The last LGBT protest at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco was a few years ago, when there was a strident reaction to some hospitals in large Indian cities that chained people with AIDS to beds.<br />
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For more information: <a href="http://www.trikone.org/">www.trikone.org</a>.</div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0540 Arguello Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA37.780492 -122.45847537.778923500000005 -122.4609425 37.7820605 -122.45600750000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-49187462780859977312011-07-23T18:39:00.000-07:002011-11-22T19:38:37.291-08:00The GAPA Happy Hour at the Lookout Bar: Cocktails and a Runway Pageant Kickoff<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyyamDRMdCpH2-5ZMVP3LGvXcduh6ulVVG3pQxvCz7ahynzm2I9vhtBe1rxqmT7HmsXtAyOCl-uhZ8Uob-mIHEhqTygQ9EBPPAWtmQinxiIBdRRBcsi0IHBakJeFCF8fv4ULx_A/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyyamDRMdCpH2-5ZMVP3LGvXcduh6ulVVG3pQxvCz7ahynzm2I9vhtBe1rxqmT7HmsXtAyOCl-uhZ8Uob-mIHEhqTygQ9EBPPAWtmQinxiIBdRRBcsi0IHBakJeFCF8fv4ULx_A/s400/IMG_0202.JPG" width="300" /></a><br /><i>Chi Chi la Woo (out of drag) and Keri Hanna</i></div><br />
The <a href="http://www.gapa.org/">Gay Asian Pacific Alliance</a> (GAPA) hosted a crowded and friendly gathering for their <a href="http://www.gapa.org/gapa-happy-hour">Happy Hour</a> at the Lookout Bar across the street from Café Flore in the Castro district on July 21. Promotion of <a href="http://gapa.org/gapa-runway">GAPA’s Runway Pageant</a> was a key impetus for the event, and the complexities of the pageant’s production was a leading topic over cocktails and complimentary pizza.<br />
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Glamorous Keri Hanna, the partner of popular South Bay comic Marty Grimes worked the room to get a feeling for her possible competition for Miss GAPA this year. Former Miss GAPA Chi Chi la Woo appeared out of drag in a sleek suit and he conferred with GAPA Second Princess Marijoy Tabatsoy, who also skipped his drag but he did wear his sash with some highly elevated masculine attire. <br />
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One of the most experienced GAPA party promoters and hosts, Ken Hamai, was the party's center of attention. Again this year he will be hosting the GAPA Runway VIP Reception, which is a wondrous hour of exciting guests both in and out of thrilling drag, fine liquor and wine, and gourmet fusion taste treats that starts at 5:45 PM on Aug. 13. The show starts on time at 7:00 PM. <br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOX_fIiwqpDhrHzbVzurYyPkrsa4IZsWYPuqf20-KYTN0Tj0dRxY0B56gcRpxTJpvM6722eXh4E6HLBGZHO1lS1bmi0gQEaNwVOXB9aKmwGyPyhfmowytifVCnL0rEqUzff0eIA/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOX_fIiwqpDhrHzbVzurYyPkrsa4IZsWYPuqf20-KYTN0Tj0dRxY0B56gcRpxTJpvM6722eXh4E6HLBGZHO1lS1bmi0gQEaNwVOXB9aKmwGyPyhfmowytifVCnL0rEqUzff0eIA/s400/IMG_0203.JPG" width="300" /></a><br /><i>Marijoy Tabatsoy (out of drag) and Keri Hanna</i></div>
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Runway is a unique pageant because of emcee Tita Aida’s talent for drawing out the best of the Miss and Mr. GAPA contestants, and because of the almost continuous, hilarious situations that have the audience laughing with the title-seekers. It is a fantastic pageant experience for a good cause that should not be missed.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.apiwellness.org/">Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center</a> is the event beneficiary.<br />
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More information at <a href="http://www.gapa.org/">www.gapa.org</a><span id="goog_471595048"></span><span id="goog_471595049"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a>. </div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-44114805554641229112011-07-19T20:37:00.000-07:002011-10-28T20:42:06.007-07:00AIDS Walk’s 25th Anniversary: 3 Million Dollars Raised to Support HIV/AIDS Services<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On July 17 more than 25,000 people gathered in Golden Gate Park for the 25th <a href="http://www.aidswalk.net/sanfran/">AIDS Walk San Francisco</a>. More than 3 million dollars was raised for the <a href="http://www.aidswalk.net/sanfran/">San Francisco AIDS Foundation</a> (SFAF) and HIV/AIDS programs and services throughout the Bay Area.<br />
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The SFAF is well known for its excellent <a href="http://www.sfaf.org/client-services/for-our-community/black-brothers-esteem/">Black Brothers Esteem</a>, the <a href="http://www.magnetsf.org/">Magnet</a> clinic that is the medical and cultural center of the Castro, and <a href="http://www.sfaf.org/client-services/for-our-community/latino-programs/">El Grupo</a> that serves Latinos. It is the 30th year of the HIV/AIDS scourge and the SFAF has battled it since it was founded in a two-man office space on Castro Street by Cleve Jones.<br />
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There was a steady roar of voices in the audience and around a couple acres of booths and check-in stands at one end of the huge space and music from the stage coming from the other direction. More than a thousand volunteers registered and coordinated the walkers, recycled throwaways, and handed out bananas, yogurt, health bars, and drinks.<br /><br />The event began with a bang when Culture Shock dancers joined by former San Francisco City Supervisor Bevan Dufty led the crowd in a warm-up and motivational exercise. SFAF CEO Neil Giuliano inspired with his comments: “The funds raised by AIDS Walk San Francisco play a vital role in our efforts to radically reduce new HIV infections in San Francisco, ensure everybody knows their status, and make sure all people living with HIV/AIDS get the care they need. And AIDS Walk San Francisco is about a community of people coming together not only to create something special, but also to make a substantial impact in the fight against HIV/AIDS across the Bay Area.” <br /><br />More than 74 million dollars has been raised by AIDS Walk San Francisco in the last 25 years. 48 organizations receive funds from the event. It is an optimistic and positive experience balanced by the knowledge that almost a thousand people sero-convert every year in San Francisco. The SFAF is working to half the infection rate by 2015, assure HIV+ individuals receive proper care, and just about everyone know their HIV status. <br /><br />Emcees and celebrities included ABC 7’s Dan Ashley, Michael Urie ("Ugly Betty"), Alan Cumming ("The Good Wife"), and Cloris Leachman ("Raising Hope"). San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee spoke and gave a proclamation to Giuliano, praising the vast scale of the fundraiser. Notables included State Senator Mark Leno, Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, Supervisors Scott Wiener and Ross Mirkarimi, Treasurer Jose Cisneros, and Police Chief Greg Suhr.<br />
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Actress Leachman is a polarizing figure in many groups in San Francisco. Her inexcusable behavior at Donna Sachet and Gary Virginia’s Pride Brunch a few years back undoubtedly limited her public appearances, but there were a few people who delighted in her AIDS Walk mooning, leaping onto the lap of Foundation Board Chair Tom Perrault to swig water, and grabbing the sign-language interpreter on stage. <br /><br />Mary Birdsong from Armistead Maupin’s “<a href="http://www.act-sf.org/1011/talesofthecity/">Tales of the City: A New Musical</a>” performed a sublime “Bridge Over Troubled Water” with four smiling backup singers. Judy Kale, also from Maupin’s show, sang an uplifting “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as the 25,000 began their several-mile trek. <br />
<br />Concerned volunteers mentioned that the SFAF had taken over the former California AIDS Ride to establish <a href="http://www.aidslifecycle.org/">AIDS/LifeCyle</a> to deny a producer a large amount of the funds raised, and asked why they have not taken the AIDS Walk San Francisco production away from Craig Miller’s MZA company. A boost to the funds available for fighting AIDS would result, and AIDS/LifeStroll was a popular proposed name for a re-named event. </div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA, USA37.76904 -122.483519337.756488 -122.5032603 37.781591999999996 -122.4637783tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-33187315639316435332011-07-11T21:36:00.000-07:002011-10-28T21:39:45.724-07:00Magnet Anniversary: Eight Years of Medicine and Culture in the Castro<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Most of the <a href="http://www.magnetsf.org/">Magnet</a> staff made an appearance at the eighth-year anniversary party on July 9 at their beautifully designed space. On Magnet's inauguration day, Mayor Willie Brown exclaimed that it “looks like the W Hotel!” The design is a combination of blue and a shade of green not favored by many outside of art schools, with clear and colored plastic panels. The ceiling panels appear like they will fly out onto the street momentarily.<br /><br />Steve Gibson, Magnet’s director, spoke about the clinic before it opened, and as he gathered support its importance became known when community activists realized that the San Francisco LGBT Community Center would not be hosting men and women’s health clinics. The Los Angeles and New York City centers provide HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, and other health services for people who would rather be at an LGBT center to receive those services. Those centers receive millions of dollars for those clinics, and millions more for youth services. <br /><br />Initially conceived as the health place for 1,500 clients, now Magnet sees more than 9,500 clients yearly. There are special flu shot opportunities, and considering the city’s charges for Hepatitis A and B shots, Magnet is the preferred location for those all-important injections. STD and HIV/AIDS testing and treatment is the clinic’s main function, and its most noticed difference from other clinics is the friendly staff and volunteers. Many of the clients are agitated and distraught about a sudden change in their health, and the Magnet greeters and treaters are able to provide an educational and calming experience. An array of young men and more seasoned gay and bisexual men are sprawled daily on modern seating, and the tension level rises and subsides with the glances and the music.<br />
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There is a monthly art or photography display, and on the evening of each month’s first Friday there is an opening party that draws a varied audience of sometimes intense locals and also friends of the presenter. <br /><br />Cupcakes from Luna Bakery, a mother-and-son business, were served instead of the traditional anniversary cake, and Steve Gibson’s eloquent comments about the future for the health center drew the attention of San Francisco Human Rights Commissioner Mark Kelleher and psychiatrist and sex therapist David Ortmann and three dozen other guests. </div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com04122 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA37.7608659 -122.435627737.759296899999995 -122.43809519999999 37.7624349 -122.4331602tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-73281632129595914302011-07-01T21:12:00.000-07:002011-10-28T21:25:07.768-07:00Three Extraordinary Directors: Frameline Festival Treasures Revealed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Frameline's <a href="http://www.frameline.org/festival/">San Francisco Int'l LGBT Film Festival</a> is over for 2011, but its best directors and their films are still being discussed by the filmerati and people who just love the movies. Documentary filmmaker Debra Chasnoff, gay romance filmmaker David Lewis, and gay short film director Philippe Gosselin presented some of the festival’s finest moments.<br />
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Chasnoff mentioned from the stage at the Castro Theatre that her latest film, "<a href="http://www.frameline.org/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=2419&FID=48">Celebrating the Life of Del Martin</a>," is her ninth film to premiere at the Castro Theatre. Del Martin was the partner of Phyllis Lyon for more than 50 years, and they are the founders of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daughters_of_Bilitis">Daughters of Bilitis</a>, the first modern lesbian activist group. Martin and Lyon are shown brilliantly in the film as intuitive activists, knowing when to push forward with their lesbian, human rights, and senior issues, and their book "Lesbian/Woman," is given the prominence that it deserves as a groundbreaking conscious-raising educational tool. <br />
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<a href="http://www.newday.com/filmmakers/Debra_Chasnoff.html">Debra Chasnoff</a> is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker who was able to capture the risk-taking, the community service, and also the fun that Martin and Lyon have provided as an inspiration for future leaders.<br />
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<a href="http://longhornsmovie.com/about/creative-team/">David Lewis</a> has infused his newest film "<a href="http://longhornsmovie.com/">Longhorns</a>" with some of the easy-going romance of his popular earlier films "<a href="http://www.rockhavenmovie.com/">Rock Haven</a>" and "<a href="http://www.theredwoodsmovie.com/">Redwoods</a>." "Longhorns" may not have the sheen of the other two films, but considering its home-movie texture and the raw gay-on-straight sexuality in the first half of the film, a romantic sheen would be out of place. His films have a theme of timing and missed opportunities, and they should be screened together for their full visceral and primal impact. The nudity in his films is not gratuitous, but natural, which is surprising compared to the panorama of gay films shown at festivals. <br />
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Lewis received invaluable producing assistance from filmmaker H.P. Mendoza ("<a href="http://www.fruitflyfilm.com/">Fruit Fly</a>" and "<a href="http://www.colmafilm.com/">Colma: The Musical</a>") and editing and music from Lewis Tice. <br />
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Philippe Gosselin’s new short film "<a href="http://www.frameline.org/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=2366&FID=48">The Rescue</a>" drew shouts and loud laughter of pleasure as the guide at The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Boyfriends led an attractive man from viewing room to viewing room to check out a possible future mate wearing just underpants. The scene was filmed at the famous Wag Hotel in San Francisco, which is an internationally known as the place to park your canine. Gosselin’s earlier film that was shown at film festival, "The Window," is still talked about for its humor and sexual audacity. "The Rescue" went way beyond inventive in its creativity, giving actress Cynthia Seats as the guide, and infamous actors Steven Satyricon as the bear-otter mix and Michael Soldier as the pig bottom a opportunity to maximize their verbal and visual impact in just a few moments.<br />
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All three filmmakers surpassed themselves in their latest films, and their fans are looking forward to future projects. </div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0429 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA37.762013 -122.43469637.760444 -122.4371635 37.763582000000007 -122.43222850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-60967035472181095752011-06-25T21:55:00.000-07:002011-10-28T21:58:53.791-07:00A Fundraising Party for Assemblyman Tom Ammiano: Great Fun and Food at a Political Party<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
California State Assemblymember <a href="http://asmdc.org/members/a13/">Tom Ammiano</a>, who served with distinction and humor on the San Francisco School Board and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, was the center of attention at a fundraising party in North Beach on June 17. Ammiano was one of first teachers to come out in San Francisco, and he and other out teachers became an activist core for future progressive change.<br />
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His other career as a comic—from the days of the Valencia Rose Nightclub in San Francisco, around the Bay Area, and across the U.S—comes through when least expected, and it is appreciated in the legislatures where he has served.<br />
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The event’s big draw was the hors d’oeuvres by gourmet chef Esther Marks, an Ammiano campaign operative and co-host of the event. There were suspected Republicans at the event, and donor Hank Donat said that “when Esther Marks is catering, even Republicans will turn out for Tom Ammiano.”<br />
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It was also Democratic Party Chair Aaron Peskin’s birthday, and there was a large, heavily-scented dome of a cake being hungrily eyed by guests. Neighborhood women at the party spoke in reverential tones that it was from <a href="http://www.stellapastry.com/">Stella Bakery</a>, and even in the North Beach area of excellent bakeries, it stands out. The <a href="http://www.stellapastry.com/bakery/sacripantina-cake.aspx">Sacripantina</a> birthday cake is a fine, vanilla rum, sponge treasure, inducing a couple guests to ask for a second slice of the award-winning specialty of dessert pleasure.<br />
<br />Ammiano spoke about the Governor’s lack of communication before his budget veto, and co-host Dick Grosboll drew laughs when he said that the money raised may be needed for food and transportation for Anmiano, since the budget battle may lead to legislators being cut off from their paychecks. And a week later Ammiano was in fact cut off financially by the State of California.<br /><br />
Most of the guests were from the North Beach area, and others included Women’s Building founder Roma Guy, former Democratic Party Chair Jane Morrison, attorney Paul Melbostad, Sparc Club’s Erich Pearson and David Owen, Maurice Belote, and Joe Grubb. <br />
<br />Ammiano acknowledged that he can be seen in the online and TV video showing a near-fist fight in the California State Assembly chambers, and he said he yelled out “Now girls!” to cool them off. Openly-gay Assembly Speaker John Perez is also shown on the video doing much of the persuading for the men to cool off and sit down.<br />
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There was a thrilling view of Alcatraz and Marin from the condo windows at the party and Ammiano welcomed guests, going from room to room at his happy fundraiser.<br /></div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA37.7991431 -122.408347137.796006600000005 -122.4132826 37.8022796 -122.4034116tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-13093438628499728242011-06-13T22:12:00.000-07:002011-10-29T02:06:47.364-07:00Bevan Dufty’s Mayoral Neighborhood Gathering: A Pancake Breakfast Rally in the Castro<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A large crowd that rivaled the mass rallies against Proposition 8 that met in the same former Tower Records site space near Café Flore welcomed San Francisco mayoral candidate <a href="http://www.bevandufty.com/">Bevan Dufty</a> on June 11. It was promoted as a pancake breakfast that was prepared by <a href="http://donramons.ypguides.net/">Don Ramon’s Mexican Restaurant</a>, which is highly regarded by many of the <a href="http://www.alicebtoklas.org/">Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club</a> members at the Saturday rally from the days when Robert Barnes was the club president and he presented meetings and parties at that popular South of Market venue.<br />
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Dufty wore an apron to join City Treasurer Jose Cisneros, activist Roberta Achtenberg, and the BART Board’s Lynette Sweet to serve a pancake treat to hungry precinct walkers. Many of the people who gathered to hear community leaders announce their support for Dufty knew each other from Dufty’s two supervisor campaigns and were happily greeting each other. Dufty’s communications director Roby Chavez coordinated the event and there was a smooth transition between the introductions and stage events. <br />
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Treasurer Cisneros acted as the event’s MC and introduced Achtenberg and Sweet, who glowingly spoke of their approval of Dufty as San Francisco’s next mayor, mostly as a hands-on people pleaser who has had the necessary experience while working for Mayor Willie Brown and also as a City Supervisor.<br />
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Dufty was then introduced to loud applause and he expanded on his years of service and his expectations as the city’s chief executive. He said that the event was a chance for his supporters to meet the campaign team. He introduced communications director Chavez and a dynamic young man named Joseph Rocha, who is working on the campaign. Rocha had a critically important job with the military and he was relieved of his duties because of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT). As he told his story, the audience was moved when they realized that he was an explosive detection canine handler, but his positive message that drew smiles was that he expects to return to service when DADT is ended. Astute audience members realized that a canine commando like Rocha was the first of the Navy Seals team to enter Osama Bin Laden’s lair during a recent incursion into Pakistan. <br />
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Prominent activists who attended the event included Cisneros’ partner Mark Kelleher, Audrey Joseph, Rafael Mandelman, Bob Dockendorff, Rebecca Prozan, Rebecca Goldfader (the mother of Dufty’s child Sidney), Michael Costa, and Bob Mitchitarian.<br />
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There were discussions in the crowd about Dufty’s chances for victory. As mentioned in a Dec. 30 San Francisco Bay Times article, Dufty has new traction in the race for mayor because State Senator Mark Leno likes his commission appointment in Sacramento and chose not to run for mayor. Since then, however there is chance that his Senate position will be eliminated and that decision is just a few days away from the deadline filing for mayor.<br />
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Candidate Dufty is know for his June Pride party floats which are more of an outrageous traveling dance party than the usual sight of a politician progressing slowly down Market Street in a car. A hint of how extreme this year’s Dufty Experience will be were the huge masses of blue and yellow balloons mounted in doorways, the kind that are worn at carnivals. </div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com02284-2288 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA37.7648288266142 -122.4325847625732437.7616903266142 -122.43752026257324 37.7679673266142 -122.42764926257324tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-44597587217016002082011-06-04T23:41:00.000-07:002011-10-29T00:05:06.318-07:00The RADAR Reading Series Eighth Anniversary: Michelle Tea Gets What She Wants<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The RADAR Reading Series, which for eight years has presented a cavalcade of literary artists for the enjoyment of their fans and the curious in search of new writers, is the wondrous creation of unique writer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Tea">Michelle Tea</a>. Tea is best known not only for hostessing the queercore RADAR Series, but also as a co-founder of the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sister_Spit">Sister Spit</a> traveling spoken word tour and also her novels "<a href="http://books.google.com/books/about/Valencia.html?id=Oli8PYNAjgsC">Valencia</a>" and "<a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=r08EHwAACAAJ&dq=The+Chelsea+Whistle&hl=en&ei=u6GrTvXIMqjciALmqKmJCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAA">The Chelsea Whistle</a>."<br />
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The special anniversary night at the San Francisco Main Public Library on June 1 featured performers that Tea had fantasized about introducing for years and all four were there, and they came on strong. Renee Gladman is a poet and professor, Chinaka Hodge is a playwright and poet, Jonathan David Katz was the co-curator of the recent National Portrait Gallery Hide/Seek exhibit, and Catherine Opie is a world-renowned photographer with a unique eye for high-impact images. <br />
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Karen Sundheim, of the library's <a href="http://sfpl.org/index.php?pg=0200002401">James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center</a>, warmly greeted the sizable audience and announced the upcoming events for June, then Tea invited the throng to pick up a piece of eighth anniversary cake. <br />
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Renee Gladman is highly regarded for her novel "<a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=OmSnSgAACAAJ&dq=Event+Factory&hl=en&ei=66GrTruJC-eniQKU0sWOCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAQ">Event Factory</a>," which is the first in a trilogy about a city in a foreign land that is undergoing crises similar to what is happening in America today. She is the author of four books of prose and her goal of enlarging the definition of what is poetry and what is prose is admirable and is reaching national readership.<br />
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<a href="http://chinakahodge.com/">Chinaka Hodge</a> is riding high since the East Bay Express awarded her a Best Poet title in 2008. Her most recent book "For Girls With Hips" is in its third publication, due to heavy demand. She read others works that had meaning for her, but then she stepped away from the lectern and performed one of her own spoken word confections, with great physicality and she was met with sustained applause.<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_David_Katz">Jonathan David Katz</a> drew his former students, political operatives who have been following the censorship media coverage of the Hide/Seek show at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C., and activists who knew him when he co-founded San Francisco’s Queer Nation. Katz taught at Yale University and he is the first tenured faculty member of a lesbian and gay studies program in U.S. history. He showed slides of images that were in the D.C. show and he discussed their Sapphic and homoerotic symbolism. Tea interjected that the attentive crowd was being treated to a Yale-level art lecture and that it should be inspirational and enlightening.<br />
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Photographer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Opie">Catherine Opie</a>’s slide show raised the tension level measurably in the auditorium with <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=Catherine+Opie&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Vxi&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvnso&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=CaCrTp6OJajaiQLc0qyHCw&ved=0CDAQsAQ&biw=1151&bih=629&sei=%20D6CrTvqREcHZiAKEo8T-Dw">images</a> of what she said was her type of butch lesbian. S&M scars were another subject of the slides, and her new expansion into photographs of male high school football players made it possible for more of the diverse audience to appreciate the subjects of her work, which she said is influenced by the photography of Robert Mapplethorpe. Opie is a professor of photography at UCLA, and it was evident that about half the crowd came by to see her when Tea announced that the June 17 benefit for RADAR at the Verdi Club will not have Good Vibrations sex toys as raffle prizes, since each audience member already owned all of them. There was a loud roar of laughter in a room with almost every one of the 200+ seats filled. <br />
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The event did not end when the library closed because a large number of the audience members crowded the sidewalk outside to meet and mingle and discuss what they had seen and heard, long after the RADAR anniversary was over. Coordinator Tea and the Hormel Center deserve multiple compliments for a superb event. </div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0100 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA37.778864 -122.41578337.777294999999995 -122.4182505 37.780433 -122.41331550000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-4292439086145022362011-06-02T00:24:00.000-07:002011-10-29T00:26:37.145-07:00Racing to Benefit the Castro Country Club: Running in Heels for a Good Cause<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Four hysterically screaming drag queens ran down Castro Street on May 30, Memorial Day, to the delight of locals, tourists, and a neighborhood street cleaning crew. It was a race from Jane Warner Plaza to the beneficiary, the <a href="http://castrocountryclub.org/site/">Castro Country Club</a>, which is a living sober space that has saved lives for more than 28 years. More than $2,500.00 was raised by contestant registrations, sale of raffle tickets, online donors, and barbecue contributions for the <a href="http://castrocountryclub.org/site/?page_id=55">Keep the Steps in the Castro</a> campaign to raise funds to make a downpayment on the building. There has been accelerating anxiety among members and supporters caused by the Club building being listed for sale in an economic downturn. The steps in the campaign title refer to the steps in front of the Club, which are known for an array of attractive shirtless men on sunny days. <br /><br />Race contestants Hi Colonic Anderson, Landa Lakes, Randy Randi, and Olivia Heart are unique characters and each brought a special exuberance to the event. Anderson was the race winner and raised the most money and sported a large white wig, expressive makeup, cobalt blue short shorts, and a red shirt to complete an all-American look. Lakes is the organizer of the Brush Arbor Gurlz,<br />a Native American Two Spirits drag group, and an admired former Grand Duchess who came in second in the race in a rhinestone-studded black stretch dress inspired by Madonna. Randi wore a hot pink shirt, sparkle shorts, and a feather boa topped with a plumed hat. Heart, the race coordinator who came in last because of a broken heel, wore a red and white dress adorned by a Queen of Hearts sash, and heart-topped tiara.<br />
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In past races two large men ran alongside the runners, but this year the contestants simply signed a liability statement. One runner playfully mentioned that they should ask San Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener if they should sign the statements, since he was nearby and he is an attorney. Lakes was clever enough to wear elbow and knee pads, and he had a cheering section led by his lover Hung Phan, who does drag as Miso Hornay, and Phan’s adorable young niece Emelie.<br /><br />
Charming barista Matt served Peet’s coffee, which is considered the best brew offered in the Castro, while a hot dog barbecue filled the distinctive garden. Notable guests included striking King of <br />Hearts Patrick Bondreaux, who found himself being enticed to share Hi Colonic Anderson’s hotdog after he had cast off his drag to become Jason. Grand Duke Jason Husted was there with his consort Christopher Humphries who is Mr. August on the 2012 Bare Chest Calendar that benefits the AIDS Emergency Fund and the Positive Resource Center. Comic Nick Leonard stopped by with his lover Sandra O, and photographers Mike Shriver and Michael Kerner captured images for club members. <br />
<br />Race winner Anderson and best drag winner Randi received generous gift bags with books and gift cards for Foot Worship, Payless Shoes, Orphan Andy’s and AMC Theaters. <br /><br />For information about the Club: <a href="http://castrocountryclub.org/site/">www.castrocountryclub.org</a></div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com04058 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA37.7610825 -122.43413837.7595135 -122.4366055 37.762651500000004 -122.43167050000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-19495774967528409912011-05-30T00:40:00.000-07:002011-10-29T00:44:42.555-07:00The Elizabeth Taylor Party at the Lookout: A Spectacle Benefit to Honor a Great Star<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There was a spectacle to honor actress Elizabeth Taylor at the <a href="http://www.lookoutsf.com/">Lookout</a> bar on May 27 that rivaled their other raucous events. The Lookout is not a part of the Castro Triangle of bars that rarely allow fundraisers, and their tempting bartenders sometimes leap from behind the bar to become pageant contestants.<br />
<br />The party was a benefit for <a href="http://www.aidslifecycle.org/">AIDS/LifeCycle</a> and <a href="http://www.projectinform.org/">Project Inform,</a> and both are worthy charities that need support. AIDS/LifeCycle is an event sponsored by the <a href="http://www.sfaf.org/">San Francisco AIDS Foundation</a>, and their Executive Director Neil Giuliano conferred with co-host Donna Sachet, while the other co-host Sister Pat N Leather MC’ed. The event was sponsored by Stoli Vodka and the Lookout and a large crowd yelled enthusiastically for the performers. Sachet wowed the audience with a dance in a shimmering golden gown and a Pharaoh’s flail and shepard’s crook, that echoed dancing scenes in Taylor’s monumental film "Cleopatra."<br />
<br />Hunky bare-chested Stoli Men Brandon, Devin, Chad, Evan, and Bunny were persuasive at selling Jello-O shots and raffle tickets. DJ John LePage put out cools sounds and the drink specials were popular. Guests gathered around champion fundraiser Deana Dawn in awe, because of her convincing illusion of Taylor when she was at the height of her beauty. Stunning Dawn wore a faux diamond-studded white gown, with glittering bracelets on her long white gloves, with more sparkles around her neck and dangling from her ears. Café Flore manager Gary Virginia hovered nearby to protect Dawn from possibly infatuated straight men, and gay men approached reverentially to compliment her for her total effect, from her silver heels to her Hollywood fluff hairdo. Former Empress Cockatelia came out of her usual exquisite drag, as if in a tribute to Dawn, and he also commented on the fine impersonation.<br />
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Lots of much needed funds were raised for the two beneficiaries and it was an all around good time for everyone. </div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com03600 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA37.7642483 -122.433240437.762679299999995 -122.4357079 37.7658173 -122.43077290000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-75541859674109577362011-05-29T01:07:00.000-07:002011-10-29T01:10:27.574-07:00A White Diamond Tribute for Elizabeth Taylor at the Castro Theatre<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Elizabeth Taylor had not received much in the way of thanks from the HIV/AIDS community in San Francisco that she helped so much until the night of May 27 at the Castro Theatre. Taylor Juel conceived of the benefit for Project Inform and Aaron Baldwin worked with him to coordinate the stage presentation to honor Taylor and commemorate the 30th year of AIDS.<br />
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Usually shirtless with muscles bared at street fairs and leather parties, Baldwin causes almost pathological staring by gay men and the air pressure around him seems to triple.<br />
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<a href="http://www.projectinform.org/">Project Inform</a> works to find better treatments and a cure for HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C, and helps people access information to make decisions about their health care. <br />
<br />The event was called a White Diamonds Tribute for Elizabeth Taylor, which referred to her White Diamonds perfume. Ads for the scent featuring Taylor in moody tropical scenes are shown in TV ads every December holiday season for the last couple years. Juel let some guests know that love was in the air at the event. His new lover was pouring the champagne that was raised in toasts to actress Taylor and he was taking Juel away to live in a Seattle love nest the next day. <br />
<br />Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Pat N Leather spoke about his despair when he found out that he had AIDS. His despair changed to hope when Elizabeth Taylor spoke out for a cure for AIDS and for compassion for infected people. Leather challenged the large audience to be the activist that Taylor was and make a difference. Then Project Inform Executive Director Dana Van Gorder spoke about an upcoming concentrated drive to find cures for HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C in the next ten years. He said that the infections that enter 59,000 people's bodies in the U.S., and 1,000 in San Francisco every year, have to be stopped and the technology to do that is becoming possible. <br />
<br /><a href="http://openhouse-sf.org/">Openhouse</a> Executive Director Seth Kilbourn spoke about the overwhelming persuasive power of Eliabeth Taylor at his organization’s recent luncheon. He was a young Capitol Hill intern who watched Taylor approach curmudgeon homophobic legislators in the early 1980s and saw that their opposition to her requests for AIDS melt as she shook their hands and smiled at them. That is the kind of personal attention that Pat N Leather and Dana Van Gorder expressed when they looked out into the theater throng and spoke optimistically of a better future. </div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0429 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA37.762013 -122.43469637.760444 -122.4371635 37.763582000000007 -122.43222850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-37720801098546678032011-05-25T01:40:00.000-07:002011-10-29T02:08:59.740-07:00The Project Inform Spring Brunch at the Federal Building: A Dramatic Observation of AIDS at 30 Years<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.projectinform.org/">Project Inform</a> is the non-profit agency that provides information for people with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C to keep them alive through awareness of drug treatments, monitor funding for health needs, and alleviate suffering. Their commemoration of the 30th year of AIDS was observed at the San Francisco Federal Building Sky Garden on May 22nd, Harvey Milk’s Birthday. The Sky Garden is a huge 3 floor maw of an opening in the structure that is keyed into the building’s green technology that uses natural light and solar power to use less fossil fuel than buildings of comparable size. The agency prefers to choose unusual and outstanding venues for their events, and the second annual Spring Brunch was at a dramatic locale with spectacular North and South views. <br />
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Project Inform’s Executive Director Dan Van Gorder and Deputy Executive Director for Development Henry Lucero greeted early guests in the immense lobby where the agency’s name and radiating spoons and forks party symbol was backlit on a wall panel. Development Manager Taylor Juel, who made a provocative fashion statement at the recent Suzan Revah-sponsored Nasty Party at the Powerhouse to benefit Project Inform, welcomed party-goers at the venue foyer. <br />
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The bright Sunday morning light combined with many of the guests’ memories of over-indulgence on Saturday night drew them to order stiff Bloody Mary cocktails. Global Gourmet Catering provided delicious made-to-order South of the Border cuisine that had diners coming back for seconds. <br />
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Executive Director Van Gorder spoke about the expansion of the agency’s mission from HIV/AIDS to include Hepatitis C and that the goal is not only to devise treatment for the two infections, but also find cures. This tied in with the people who were being honored at the event.<br />
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There was a surprise change in the program when Van Gorder introduced special guest Cleve Jones, who founded the <a href="http://www.sfaf.org/">San Francisco AIDS Foundation</a> and co-founded the Names Project.<br />
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Jones had met with Van Gorder at Supervisor Harry Britt’s office in 1981 to tell him about a new disease that had been observed infecting gay men in Los Angeles, and that an alarm needed to be sounded. This was the beginning of the AIDS epidemic that has ended so many lives and dominated so many others for three decades. Shortly afterwards it was observed in San Francisco, and a Black Dawn bacchanal benefit was staged for GRID (what AIDS was called then) to help raise funds for men who had become ill with something that doctors knew little about.<br />
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Jones stated that Project Inform had kept him alive, and he thanked the agency’s founder Martin Delaney, John James and others, and said that his position at Leo McCarthy’s Sacramento office in 1981 helped him to access Centers for Disease Control documents to try to understand what was happening. Jones passionately described the huge number of deaths and the despair that it caused when the epidemic appeared to be a pandemic in the mid 1980s, and how men and women in the LGBT community and its allies rose to the occasion to help the suffering and try to treat the manifestations of the HIV/AIDS. People were falling to the ground with convulsions from brain tumors, dying days after a diagnosis of lung congestion in terrible pain, and making a last visit to a favorite café in a wheelchair while other coffee drinkers quietly noticed the Kaposi Sarcoma lesions on their faces and hands. He also said that after all of the horrors that the community has endured, no one should dare to deny equal rights of same-sex marriage and military service to LGBT citizens. <br />
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The honorees chosen by Project Inform were the <a href="http://www.hepcsf.org/">San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force</a> and its members Alex Randolph, Dominique Leslie, and Emalie Huriaux.<br />
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Alex Randolph founded the Hepatitis C Task Force while he was Mayor Gavin Newsom's Special Assistant of LGBT Affairs. He is now the Deputy Director of Community Affairs in the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. Randolph brought his devoted lover Trevor Nguyen who is active with the Berlin and Beyond Film Festival and the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance.<br />
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Dominique Leslie is the Task Force’s co-chair and a secretary at their meetings. She has worked on a program for new inventive awareness and treatments for Hepatitis C.<br />
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Emalie Huriaux has worked for a decade as a public health educator and is an expert on reproductive and sexual health, HIV, drugs, and homeless needs. She is involved with street outreach to homeless women and she set up a needle exchange for women.<br />
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There was detailed information throughout the event for guests, and many are generous donors. The only factor that seemed to be missing was a mention of what is a leading cause of HIV and Hepatitis C infection, which is the continuing scourge of crystal meth addiction. <br />
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Project Inform’s Director of Public Policy Ryan Clary is greatly admired for his work. He spoke about the growing need to add Hepatitis C to HIV/AIDS as a target for better treatments and eventual cures. Many clients have both HIV and Hepatitis C and the combined treatments are a devastating anguish for many of them. There is to be a narrowing of focus with medical and research experts toward cures, though the results so far have been discouraging.<br />
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The non-profit’s Director of Health Care Policy Anne Donnelly recently received a well-deserved honor at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation Dinner and it was made clear that she is effective while drawing the best from her co-workers. <br />
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Prominent guests included donor Bob Dockendorff, former San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty with his mayoral campaign communications director Roby Chavez, Hothouse Entertainment’s Sister Roma and her smiling entourage, and the Drug Policy Alliance’s Laura Thomas who was a vision in a dress, jewelry, and buccaneer boots out of a Johnny Depp film in shades of bronze. <br />
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The next event to benefit Project Inform is A White Diamond Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor at the Castro Theatre on May 27. Taylor is being honored for her strong advocacy for AIDS awareness, funding, and compassion.<br />
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For more information: <a href="http://www.projectinform.org/">www.projectinform.org</a></div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com090 7th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA37.7792942 -122.411068637.7777252 -122.41353609999999 37.780863200000006 -122.4086011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-33442773223838801392011-04-06T01:56:00.000-07:002011-10-29T02:01:32.056-07:00The Imperial Court Investiture at the Infusion Lounge: The Beginning of a Glorious Reign<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
More than 100 elegantly dressed <a href="http://www.imperialcouncilsf.org/">Imperial Court</a> members and supporters appeared at the futuristic <a href="http://sf.infusionlounge.com/">Infusion Lounge</a> on April 3 to celebrate the investiture of the new Empress Saybeline and Emperor Frankie. Colorful, rich brocades competed with shimmering satins and organza for attention.<br />
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Infusion has been the striking site of many recent remarkable LGBT community events thanks to Michael Costa, who helps manage the venue. There was a bountiful buffet and guests enjoyed meeting the attractive young man who surprisingly directs traffic in the ultra modern unisex bathroom. <br />
<br />Former Empress China Silk kept track of the performers list and graciously introduced MCs Jason Ladd and Collette Le Grande. Former Emperor Berlin sang the national anthem in his own unique style—he and former Emperor John Weber are well known for singing professionally from the back of the annual Leatherwalk truck. Rev. Lyle Beckman gave a blessing for the new empress and emperor. Weber was dressed in grand Mardi Gras style in a brocade frock coat and bowler.<br />
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The Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco was represented by their new cute artistic director William Sauerland and hunky board member Jim Oerther, and they were quick to promote their upcoming concerts and future musical creations.<br />
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Chanel Cologne was surrounded by her escorts George Langford and David Newberg. Mr. Golden Gate State Gay Rodeo John Paul Soto arrived with his Baron Chris Benson. Besotted couple Grand Duke Jason Husted and Christopher Humphreys spent much of the evening wrapped around each other as the enjoyed their first year together, and took breaks to greet friends.<br />
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Grand Duchess Cookie Dough and performer Steven Satyricon were on stage with Bebe Sweetbriar in a hooker and john drama, as was Landa Lakes with Miso Hornay, U-Phoria, and Becky Motor Lodge, in a stylish and animalistic high-energy dance.<br />
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Sleek Patty McGroin paraded through the afternoon f<style>
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</style><span>ê</span>te in a red and silver sparkled gown, and Stockton’s Empress Uneke Chanel joined China Silk at her stage show command table. Former Emperor Stephen Dorsey and former Empress Renita Valdez spoke with fans and enjoyed the stage show.<br />
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A high point of the show was when young shirtless stud Maxwell Lynch danced gracefully with ostrich plumes while former Empress Chablis lip-synched. Elaborately dressed Empress Saybeline and Emperor Frankie bestowed certificates of honor on their subjects throughout the afternoon, and all were appreciative of being recognized.<br />
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The next big Imperial event is the Sacramento Coronation on April 16, and that will give anyone who feels that they were short-changed because they have not received an invitation to the British Royal Wedding a chance to be submerged in pomp. Gold crowns, velvet robes, Elizabeth Taylor-sized jewels, beautiful men dressed in glamorous drag, handsome men dressed in heavily-medaled uniforms, and stunning women wearing drag and uniforms await guests to an event that will have a sizable San Francisco Imperial presence.<br />
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Information is at: <a href="http://www.imperialcouncilsf.org/">www.</a><a href="http://www.imperialcouncilsf.org/">imperialcouncilsf.org</a></div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0124 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA37.7855468 -122.408351537.7839783 -122.41081899999999 37.787115299999996 -122.405884tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-70837998143521566362011-04-01T18:01:00.000-07:002011-10-25T13:08:25.758-07:00Dan Savage and Husband Terry Miller at SF State University: The Climactic It Gets Better Anti-Bullying Event<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terry Miller and Dan Savage</td></tr>
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Controversial sex advice columnist Dan Savage and his husband Terry Miller attracted a crowd of more than 300 enthusiastic students and curious visitors to the César Chavez Student Center at San Francisco State University on March 25. It was unique in many ways. Savage is loved and hated for his sometimes black-and-white take on hot-button issues. He baits the far right whenever he can, but his appearance was to promote his new book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gets-Better-Overcoming-Bullying-Creating/dp/0525952330/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1302484283&sr=8-3">It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living</a>." <br />
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Savage walked out onto the stage smiling and wearing his customary T-shirt and dark jeans. His charismatic personality and pumped-up arm muscles took over. He is a trouper since he has been on a grueling book tour while inflicted with influenza.<br />
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Savage told the audience how he was horrified by the surge of reported LGBT teen suicides last summer. Realizing that parents would not let him speak to middle school and high school students, he decided to use YouTube to contact at risk LGBT youth. He used an edgy tone of voice and grinned when he said that some parents wanted to keep him away from their daughters, but the young women could check out the videos under their bed covers on their iPads.<br />
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The first <a href="http://youtu.be/7IcVyvg2Qlo">It Gets Better video</a> was posted on Sept. 2010. It was a message from Savage and Miller telling queer and questioning youth that things will get better, that they should be patient and, if possible, move to a larger, more liberal locale. Numerous youth have messaged that the videos have given them hope and deterred their suicides. The campaign has become a huge phenomenon with more than 10,000 videos reaching over 15 million viewers. <br />
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The campaign has been profiled in <i>Time Magazine</i> ("<a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2059604,00.html">10 Questions for Dan Savage</a>"), on TV’s <i>Nightline</i> ("<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/savage-sex-13217219">Savage Love</a>"), in the <i>New York Times</i> ("<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/us/19video.html">Campaign Offers Help to Gay Youths</a>"), on <i>CNN</i> ("<a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2010/11/23/nr.gays.victims.of.hate.crimes.cnn?iref=allsearch">Gays targeted for hate crimes</a>"), and on <i>NPR</i> ("<a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/03/23/134628750/dan-savage-for-gay-teens-life-gets-better">For Gay Teens, Life 'Gets Better'</a>"). <br />
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President <a href="http://youtu.be/geyAFbSDPVk">Barack Obama</a>, Secretary of State <a href="http://youtu.be/zXBpW8GCDtY">Hillary Clinton</a>, celebrities like <a href="http://youtu.be/_B-hVWQnjjM">Ellen DeGeneres</a>, <a href="http://youtu.be/l3Y52kD0G2c">Neil Patrick Harris</a>, and <a href="http://youtu.be/9GGAgtq_rQc">Tim Gunn</a>, as well as diverse individuals, groups, schools, businesses and non-profits have all produced It Gets Better videos. <br />
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Terry Miller, Savage’s rarely seen partner, was a revelation with biblical blond good looks that rival idealized actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar during his period of flowing golden locks. Miller wore a plaid shirt and a whimsical bow tie surprisingly matched with a hunky physique inside tight, worn, fantasy-inducing jeans. Miller had a strong command of the serious nature of the project. There was low-level guttural murmuring about him and some appreciative growling later during the book signing. <br />
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The agreement between Savage and Miller was that Miller be kept out of Savage’s career, but Miller made an exception for the It Gets Better campaign. They were married in Canada, but since they live in Seattle there is noticeable resentment throughout Savage’s nationally syndicated column <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/SavageLove">Savage Love</a> that he cannot marry in the State of Washington. <br />
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Savage is increasingly relentless in his disgust for people who continue to say that they “Love gays but hate their sin.” The columnist says that such an attitude is a source of potential suicides. He is widely known for linking the messy residue of a sex act with rabidly homophobic former senator Rick <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santorum_%28sexual_neologism%29">Santorum</a> (R-PA), and it is believed to have helped defeat the bigot at the ballot box. <br />
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The production of a book version of the It Gets Better campaign is important since some reactionary parents place the family computer in the living room and monitor it closely. And like some schools, some parents block YouTube videos. Savage said that students could do what he did in the library when he secretly looked at gay books by hiding them inside another book. <br />
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A <a href="http://youtu.be/M77Pvgw3odg">video produced at SF State</a> was shown, and then <a href="http://www.eqca.org/">Equality California</a> (EQCA) Executive Director Geoff Kors spoke eloquently about three anti-bullying bills being placed before the California state legislature by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, State Senator Mark Leno, and the EQCA. Kors also announced two lobbying days in Sacramento. The one on April 4 traditionally draws a huge turnout of high-energy queer youth who eagerly walk the Capitol corridors and offices. <br />
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Then contributors to the <i>It Gets Better</i> book read from their portions. <a href="http://youtu.be/ttpc56zHxsQ">Anthony Antoine</a> flew in from Atlanta, and <a href="http://youtu.be/Zb_lAEHESfE">Taylor Bailey</a>, Joe Mastro, Kristen Rivers, and Tamsyn Waterhouse also read and spoke about how they became involved in the campaign to save lives. The profits from the book go to the <a href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/">Trevor Project</a>, the <a href="http://www.glsen.org/">Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)</a>, and the ACLU's <a href="http://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/youth-schools">LGBT Rights | Youth & Schools</a> project. <br />
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A potential flash point occurred at the beginning of the Q&A when a sarcastic voice yelled out the common criticisms of Savage’s sometimes outrageous column, led by his alleged bi-phobia. The columnist acknowledged the accusation and said that he thought that he was a bisexual before he accepted his homosexuality after a few years. He thought that other men who say that they are bisexual will eventually accept their gayness just as he did. It was mentioned later that Savage could spend some time in San Francisco and meet some happy bisexual men who have alternated in their dating between the genders for decades. <br />
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And it was repeated that Savage could spend some time in therapy in the Bay Area to overcome his Catholic guilt and need for punishment, which he spoke about. But this need for punishment wonderfully demolishes any pleasure his critics could seek when they've attacked him with hate mail over the course of his 20-year career. And his critics are ferocious because he can criticize them in his column and it can involve their sex lives. <br />
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Young people can be seen around town on Wednesdays reading the latest column of <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/SavageLove">Savage Love</a> in the <i>SF Weekly</i> aloud to friends and laughing, gagging, or staring at each other in amazement depending on the subject. <br />
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Savage is despised for announcing that if men want oral sex, then their female partners should receive equal oral sex. The reported increasing need of men to try anal sex with women not only has Savage suggesting that the men be equally penetrated with dildos, but also with strap-on dildos, as seen in Good Vibrations’ iconic hit film <i><a href="http://www.goodvibes.com/search/super_search.jhtml?query=Bend+Over+Boyfriend&searchType=Movies">Bend Over Boyfriend</a></i>. Messages seething with anxiety pour in to the columnist from men begging him to say that such acts will not make them gay. <br />
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One of Savage's most admirable messages is to his straight readers warning them that the authoritarian far right not only opposes queer sex, but also alternative non-queer sex. Savage has even fearlessly taken on possibly the most fanatical group in our culture — the anti-circumcision crew who threatened his life when he said that maybe his son would be circumcised since there is a perceived “ick” factor from many people who are prejudiced against foreskins. <br />
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Savage is a sexual liberationist in the tradition of gay rights founder <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Hay">Harry Hay</a> and the 1970’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_Liberation_Front">Gay Liberation Front</a>, and he is carrying on a valuable tradition. <br />
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Links:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=it+gets+better+project&aq=f">YouTube It Gets Better Project</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gets-Better-Overcoming-Bullying-Creating/dp/0525952330/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1302484283&sr=8-3">It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/SavageLove">Savage Love</a></div>Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-28012371423442440612011-03-02T01:45:00.000-08:002011-03-09T17:56:34.049-08:00The Lyon-Martin Academy Awards Benefit Party: Glamor and Caring at Trigger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboconuHy0RSeT3flaN7q-tG8grvun5n0dHdZEPA5NC6JT1Sn8mymC9Xkgu-vlul6qRwrUFYcPyO0wy3inc7gbBghoO6UnlBCho_XZQNJumT7huF9Fp47e1ezqYsU5ToodZrbYiA/s1600/DSC_0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="291" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboconuHy0RSeT3flaN7q-tG8grvun5n0dHdZEPA5NC6JT1Sn8mymC9Xkgu-vlul6qRwrUFYcPyO0wy3inc7gbBghoO6UnlBCho_XZQNJumT7huF9Fp47e1ezqYsU5ToodZrbYiA/s400/DSC_0343.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>Phyllis Lyon, Rebecca Prozan, Dr. Betty L. Sullivan, and Scott Wiener</i></div><br />
Some of the glamor on the Academy Awards’ red carpet was matched, but with a uniquely San Francisco edge and lesbian-chic flavoring at the <a href="http://www.lyon-martin.org/">Lyon-Martin Clinic</a> Academy Awards benefit at the Trigger Lounge in the Castro on Feb. 27. The event drew a large, diverse group of lesbians and their friends to a sumptuous setting to insure the future of the treasured community clinic, which is a source of low cost and free health care for women and transgender clients. <br />
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Lyon-Martin board chair Lauren Winter favored a <i>Lara Croft: Tomb Raider</i> ensemble and the clinic’s interim executive director Dawn Harbatkin matched her with a slinky <i>Gilda</i>-inspired gown and long gloves. <br />
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<a href="http://www.bettyslist.com/bio.php">Dr. Betty L. Sullivan</a> of <a href="http://www.bettyslist.com/">Betty’s List</a> and Greg Bronstein of <a href="http://flavorsyoucravesf.com/">Flavors You Crave</a> presented the second annual awards that coincide with the overwrought Hollywood event. Bronstein owns <a href="http://www.clubtrigger.com/">Trigger</a> and the nearby <a href="http://www.lime-sf.com/">Lime Lounge</a> and is known throughout the Bay Area for his attractive, friendly employees, and especially his smiling, attentive bartenders.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bettyslist.com/">Betty’s List</a> is a leading information source and promotional aid for thousands of subscribers and businesses. Sullivan and her crew are not only bringing together a broad range of supporters to save Lyon-Martin Health Services, but they also joined with Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, Jody Cole, Chris Carnes, and others to make the <a href="http://www.sfcenter.org/">San Francisco LGBT Community Center</a> possible. They made it clear that women would be a large part of that long-overdue building’s operation. <br />
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Trigger's giant projection screen loomed over the guests who enjoyed champagne and stiff drinks. Large quantities of luscious mini-sliders and succulent deviled eggs were served by eye-catching Taylor Perry. She worked smoothly with bartenders Chris Nguyen and Jason Oscara, while sexy dancers Manuel and Crystal were poised to celebrate the gathering of caring donors to a good cause. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqJCdO1n1aAB09_z2w8Dh_SrhPAganSgcLXVqoQ-2xmt1TL94FfP1M6koHKeFxkvDlxsp0xkMe76MCHb4QJHQuIgDUrkdeUlIdoe1RN0k7tyBOzgxdDEphdqOFEq_8HbOpcXGSQ/s1600/DSC_0351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqJCdO1n1aAB09_z2w8Dh_SrhPAganSgcLXVqoQ-2xmt1TL94FfP1M6koHKeFxkvDlxsp0xkMe76MCHb4QJHQuIgDUrkdeUlIdoe1RN0k7tyBOzgxdDEphdqOFEq_8HbOpcXGSQ/s400/DSC_0351.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>Sexy dancers Manuel and Crystal</i></div><br />
A guest of honor was lesbian pioneer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_Martin_and_Phyllis_Lyon">Phyllis Lyon</a>, and her friend <a href="http://panhaskins.com/">Pan Haskins</a> was thanked for making Lyon’s appearances possible. Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Prozan, activist-philanthropist Jody Cole, San Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener, former Supervisor Bevan Dufty, and Sullivan's partner Jennifer Viegas mingled and enjoyed the hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. <a href="http://www.donnasachet.com/">Donna Sachet</a> showed up to host in a white gown seemingly writhing with red flames. Transgender activist <a href="http://www.jamisongreen.com/">Jamison Green</a> performed spoken word with his wife Dawn looking on. And comic Marga Gomez was over the top and had everyone laughing until it hurt. <br />
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<i>Betty (center) and her party guests</i></div><br />
<a href="http://www.olivia.com/">Olivia Cruises</a> provided the starring raffle prize of a $1,500 voyage. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoe_Dunning">Commander Zoe Dunning</a> energized the room and had people laughing uproariously as she raised $550 for two vials of sperm from <a href="https://www.pacrepro.com/index.php">Pacific Reproductive Services</a>. Olivia also featured popular DJ Rockaway whose sounds enhanced the party. <br />
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Dr. Sullivan summed up the evening with a message to her family of friends and supporters: “More than $7,500 total in in-kind and cash donations were raised for the Lyon-Martin Clinic. It was a fine evening for all involved and letters and notes of appreciation and praise are continuing to flow in from supporters of our community’s storied clinic providing services for the uninsured and under-insured patients.”<br />
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More photos can be seen at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rinkfoto/with/5495418674/">flickr.com/rinkfoto</a>.Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-77306594919781177782011-02-21T16:07:00.000-08:002011-03-03T02:17:20.487-08:00High LGBT Culture for Black History Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqjPK8snHX2GZU0UMNKsa_V_rwjxGBoU7rlvp9sACbVuMwvs3o9mMky2pvNsQIJPYSPI5ZW81C2bKqF37Rfch_-ZA0Z7CU7POT_f01YWNeHP0HYPTwSZuekj3tvau7IPU1ZoP0A/s1600/IMG_2638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqjPK8snHX2GZU0UMNKsa_V_rwjxGBoU7rlvp9sACbVuMwvs3o9mMky2pvNsQIJPYSPI5ZW81C2bKqF37Rfch_-ZA0Z7CU7POT_f01YWNeHP0HYPTwSZuekj3tvau7IPU1ZoP0A/s400/IMG_2638.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>Marvin K. White, Jewelle Gomez, and Brian Freeman</i></div><br />
Three masters of this era’s Black LGBT culture appeared at the <a href="http://www.sfcenter.org/">San Francisco LGBT Community Center</a> for a Black History Month event on Feb. 18. <a href="http://www.jewellegomez.com/">Jewelle Gomez</a>, <a href="http://www.redbonepress.com/authors/marvinkwhite.htm">Marvin K. White</a>, and <a href="http://www.alpertawards.org/archive/winner99/freeman.html">Brian Freeman</a> are accomplished writers and performers who were on stage for a full house of mostly African Americans on a rainy night. Over 100 people from local groups enjoyed “Generations: Black LGBT Experiences” to celebrate those who came before and paved the way for our present society and the ads promised “food, art, entertainment, and much more.” There was artwork that featured popular Black LGBT icons such as Sylvester and Angela Davis along the wall where a buffet at such events is usually provided. Instead of a buffet there was a sparse food offering for people who depend on such meals and for others who work hard and sometimes forget to eat lunch. <br />
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Jewelle Gomez performed a scene from her book “<a href="http://www.jewellegomez.com/gilda.html">The Gilda Stories</a>” that entranced the audience. The book is celebrating its 20th anniversary in print and is the only black lesbian vampire character in the world of literature. Gomez is a writer and activist and was a litigant with her wife Diane Sabin, who attended the reading, in the Proposition 8 court case that ended successfully in marriage equality. Gomez has also taken on the enormous tasks of President of the San Francisco Library Commission and dispersing much-needed grants at the <a href="http://www.horizonsfoundation.org/">Horizons Foundation</a>. <br />
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Marvin K. White is a playwright, poet, visual artist, performer, and community arts coordinator. He is a former member of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomo_Afro_Homos">Pomo Afro Homos</a> troupe, who performed at the Castro’s Josie’s Cabaret and Juice Joint and all over the U.S. He powerfully read from his spine tingling and affirming spoken word poem “I Want to Make Black History with You” and it drew resounding yells of approval from the audience.<br />
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Brian Freeman is a co-founder and director of Pomo Afro Homos. His work “<a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1997/11/10/STYLE8173.dtl">Civil Sex</a>” is based on the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s openly-gay strategist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayard_Rustin">Bayard Rustin</a> and is highly regarded. He assumed the voice of Rustin’s event piano accompanist to tell a hilarious story about Coretta Scott King’s attempt to sing at a rally. <br />
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All three of the evening’s performers are fine actors and they convincingly portrayed the characters from their work and mesmerized the crowd, drawing rounds of applause. <br />
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Free rapid HIV and STD tests were available and the event was sponsored by <a href="http://www.sfaf.org/client-services/for-our-community/black-brothers-esteem/">Black Brothers Esteem</a> of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, <a href="http://www.healthmattersinsf.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Article&file=articles&artid=94">African American Health Disparities Project</a>, <a href="http://afrosolo.org/home.php">AfroSolo Theatre Company</a>, <a href="http://www.bcoa.org/">Black Coalition on AIDS</a>, <a href="http://sfhiv.org/">HIV Prevention</a> and <a href="http://www.helpfighthiv.org/">HIV Research</a> Sections of the SFDPH, <a href="http://www.stopaids.org/programs/our-love">Our Love</a> of the Stop AIDS Project, the <a href="http://www.sfcenter.org/">San Francisco LGBT Community Center</a>, <a href="http://www.shanti.org/">Shanti</a>, <a href="http://www.apiwellness.org/trans_thrive.html">Trans:Thrive</a> of the Asian Pacific Islander Wellness Center, and <a href="http://www.waldenhouse.org/">Walden House</a>. <br />
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Activist Steve Ibarra, who works at City College battling HIV/AIDS and STDs, said that he was at the party to represent Blatinos. It was an extremely successful event and next year’s Generations is bound to be even bigger.Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30612680.post-45116218543870586642011-02-21T15:47:00.000-08:002014-07-04T15:16:09.158-07:00The Mr. Powerhouse Contest: Raw Male Sexuality on Parade<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>[name and image deleted by request]</i><br />
The <a href="http://www.powerhouse-sf.com/">Powerhouse Bar</a> is known as a center of raw male sexuality, especially during a big event. The Mr. Powerhouse Contest on Feb. 18 was one of those prime events. It coincided with the International Bear Rendezvous ensuring that there was a crush and lots of sweaty guys got to be up against their favorite studs.<br />
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<i>Aaron Baldwin (left) and friends</i><br />
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Stunning Aaron Baldwin was posed behind the bar — irresistible and shirtless and being worshiped by a large friendly blond. Baldwin is a fundraiser for the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence charities. He spoke passionately at a memorial for Matthew Shepard telling the heartbreaking story about a deer that sat at Shepard’s feet as he was dying while tied to a fence.<br />
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<i>Richie Lillard and Adam Musgrave</i><br />
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A title holder murmured that his leather jacket had to be lowered into a bag with his name on it, like at sex parties, by coat check guy Albert Cromedy of the SOMA Guardians, because the coatroom was as packed as the bar. Tag team lovers Sean Kline and Philip Beers checked out the cruising guests while emperor candidate Ray McKenzie campaigned at the bar choke point. Charming Richie Lillard and Adam Musgrave served José Cuervo shots with a smile to promote the popular tequila. <br />
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<i>Mr. Powerhouse 2003 Troy Anicete with Mr. Powerhouse 2010 Lance Holman</i><br />
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Bar manager Scott Peterson moved through the party, being eyed by regulars who like to see him in a jockstrap at special events. Friendly bartender José Guevara worked the back bar and redheaded bar back Charles was a tantalizing moving target for his admirers.<br />
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<i>Judges Lance Holman, Brandon Clark, Ron Balos, Matt Johnson, and Troy Anicete</i><br />
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The attentive and good-natured contest judges included Brandon Clark, Ron Balos, Matt Johnson, Troy Anicete, and Lance Holman. Balos described himself as “eye candy” and he did resemble a sexy, handsome porn star in his harness and low-cut jeans. Anicete was a big hit at a SF Pride benefit where his custom made jeans raised big money from Deputy Vince Calvarese. Holman is the impressive 2010 Mr. Powerhouse who then won the Mr. San Francisco Leather Contest and beat out dozens of men to be Mr. International Leather runner-up in Chicago.<br />
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<i>Contestants Hanz Bustamante and </i><i>[name and likeness deleted by request] with MC Travis Creston</i><br />
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Travis Creston MC’ed. He is not only a primal bartop go-go dancer, but he also starred in the gay Egyptian film "<a href="http://www.maraiafilm.com/eufs/allmylife.html">All My Life</a>" by filmmaker Maher Sabry.<br />
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<i>[name and image deleted by request]</i><br />
The 2011 winner was [name deleted by request] who spoke with emotion that his favorite kinky sex involved a vacuum cleaner. A high point of the evening was when a judge asked [name deleted by request] if his inhumanly bulging leather jockstrap was padded and photographer Rich Stadtmiller rose to the occasion to reach up to jock-squeeze for everyone’s clarification. Runner-up Hanz Bustamante spoke through cute sign language interpreter Kevin to make it clear that he is versatile and enjoys butt sex with cherries.<br />
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<i>Runner-up Hanz Bustamante with his ASL interpreter Kevin</i><br />
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The event ended with resounding applause and with good wishes for [name deleted by request] for when he runs for Mr. San Francisco Leather.<br />
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<i>[name and image deleted by request]</i></div>
Rink Foto (Copyright Rink Foto, All Rights Reserved)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00117955204252889214noreply@blogger.com0