Protest Against Hornblower Cruises: LGBT and Union Activists Join to Fight Bigotry

Vincent Atos and Josue Arguelles

On April 19 more than 50 activists from the LGBT and labor communities joined to protest alleged bigotry and anti-union organizing by Hornblower Cruises at Pier 33, the landing for voyages to and from Alcatraz. Members of the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club, Pride at Work, the San Francisco Labor Council, and Unite Here! Local 2 gathered with friends to wave signs, hear speeches, and picket on the Embarcadero. It is an area with heavy foot traffic since it is near The City’s number one tourist attraction — the Pier 39 complex. Dozens of visitors dressed for Southern California weather stopped to look and listen and distracting athletes ran by every couple minutes.

Rafael Mandelman in the picket line

The focal point of the event, Vincent Atos, spoke to the throng about his comfort at being openly gay while working for Hornblower Cruises and how much he enjoyed his duties as a deck hand. Then he alleged that suddenly he was fired for “acting too gay” and for attempting to organize a union for boat employees. Atos spoke with emotion and made it clear that he is assertive and angry, and that his filing of a discrimination complaint with the San Francisco Human Rights Commission is meant to make his case public. The Milk Club’s letter about the situation to Hornblower Cruises with a suggestion to meet has not been answered, and the company denied that it discriminates.

Josue Arguelles and David Waggoner

MC Josue Arguelles held the bullhorn for eloquent speaker David Waggoner, who is the co-president of the Milk Club. And Rev. Jorael Alvaran spoke about Flipinos working in the U.S. to help their families and how much they need unions to protect their rights. Among the prominent LGBT’s who joined the picketing were Milk Club co-president Denise D’Anne, former Milk Club president and District 8 supervisor candidate Rafael Mandelman, union and housing activist Robert Haaland, and agitator Jack Fertig.

Some of the many activists at the protest

The Milk Club is presenting "A Fierce Alliance For Justice: The Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club's 32nd Anniversary Dinner With Keynote Speaker Professor Angela Davis" on May 27. The Milk Dinners are a traditional gathering of progressive politicos that draw LGBT and labor activists to discuss cases like the one of Vincent Atos and honor individuals and groups that have excelled in the spirit of Harvey Milk and his demand for equality.

Activist Chris Emerson

The Lambda Literary Awards Finalists: A Cornucopia of Queer Literary Talent

Event hosts Tony Valenzuela and Katherine Forrest

A lucky 13 finalists gathered for the Lambda Literary Awards reading at the San Francisco Main Library on April 13. More than 60 connoisseurs of fine queer writing filled every seat, where they were welcomed and thanked for attending by Karen Sundheim of the James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center. The event was a presentation of the Hormel Center and The Lambda Literary Foundation, which is based in Los Angeles. The Lambda Literary Awards will be happening on May 27 in New York City. Information is at lambdaliterary.org/awards.

Co-hostess Katherine Forrest is the Lambda Literary Foundation board president, and she is the award-winning author of 15 works of fiction, including the fascinating novel "Daughters of the Coral Dawn," about an all-woman utopian planet where propagation is by parthenogenesis.

Her co-host was the one-time infamous Tony Valenzuela. Valenzuela is the newly appointed executive director of the Lambda Literary Foundation, and his experience working at non-profits makes him a good fit for the vital position, according to Forrest. He is a social issues writer who knows how to get to the focal point and push buttons.

Lamdba Literary Foundation executive director Tony Valenzuela

Valenzuela is best known for posing naked on a horse on the Feb. 1999 cover of POZ Magazine. The photo illustrated an article on his speech at the Creating Change Conference about performing unsafe “bareback” sex as an HIV-positive sex worker. This caused an uproar that has not ended at some AIDS-fighting organizations and clinics. Male attendees at the reading seemingly murmered in tongues when they locked eyes on Valenzuela’s smoldering good looks, as he alternated the introductions with Forrest.

Finalist Minal Hajratwala

Minal Hajratwala is the charming author of the nonfiction epic "Leaving India" that is nominated also for a California Book Award. The book is a best-seller in India and it has been highly praised by Alice Walker. Hajratwala, dressed in a shimmering green outfit, had the audience’s full attention when she read about a man who lived as a woman for decades in her parents’ village, and was accepted. She is also a part of "Indivisible: An Anthology of Contemporary South Asian American Poetry," and her website features that amazing phenomenon — a promotional video for a book.

Finalist Malinda Lo

Malinda Lo read from her nominated novel "Ash," a lesbian makeover of the Cinderella story, and she has a popular blog that delves into the continuing allure of lesbian vampires and newscaster Rachel Maddow’s appeal to a broad range of excited women.

Finalist Patrick Letellier

Striking Patrick Letellier is a part of the "My Diva: 65 Men on the Women Who Inspire Them" anthology that brought a couple other writers and fans to the event. Letellier wrote about Queen Elizabeth I, a sickly unwanted child who maneuvered herself onto England’s throne and became one of the most powerful women in history. Letellier is also known for his acclaimed "Men Who Beat the Men Who Love Them: Men and Domestic Violence.”

Finalists Randall Mann and Ron Palmer

Ron Palmer is another contributor to "My Diva," and he is the author of "Logica-logics." His next project is a is a porn thriller that includes Hart Crane’s ghost.

Randall Mann is enthused to be nominated for his poetry collection Breakfast With Thom Gunn, which is also nominated for a California Book Award.

Finalist Matt Dean

Country writer Matt Dean read with a South Carolina twang about guys looking for someone to settle down with among a mass of guys into one night stands from his novel "The River in Winter."

Tommi Avicolli Mecca, wearing his ubiquitous white cap, read from his coming out story in a conservative Italian-American neighborhood in south Philly. He is nominated for his "Smash the Church, Smash the State: The Early Years of Gay Liberation."

Z Egloff wrote about primal lesbian fantasy in her book "Verge," about the nightmare of a woman finding out that the co-worker that she desires is a nun.

Jon Ginoli has performed with the San Francisco queer punk band Pansy Division for two decades and his memoir "Deflowered: My Life in Pansy Division" delves into his bacchanalian sex and rock-and-roll tours.

Finalist Dexter Flowers with writer Katherine Forrest

Sister Spit veteran Dexter Flowers is nominated for her contribution to "Portland Queer: Tales of the Rose City," and her blue gown drew admiring glances from the alert guests.

Elana Dykewoman is happy that her novel "Risk" was nominated for the Lesbian Fiction category, and Karin Kallmaker’s "Stepping Stone" is nominated in the Lesbian Romance category.

Kevin Killian is a celebrated short story writer whose "Impossible Princess" is nominated for a Gay Erotica award. He is the author of four novels and is known for his experimental gay fiction.

The event ended as Katherine Forrest praised two writers who could not attend, Lynn Breedlove and Rhiannon Argo, and she spoke lovingly about the overwhelming, vivid talent that been heard. Then writers and fans interacted as the remnants of the generous buffet were devoured, and some guests paired off to discuss the event in cafes.

Strong Presence of Lesbian and Gay Political Power at Goodbye Party for Laura Spanjian

State Senator Mark Leno with Laura Spanjian

There was a strong presence of lesbian and gay political power at the goodbye party for Laura Spanjian of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on April 8 at Don Ramon’s Restaurant. Not since the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club’s large meetings during the times of Mayor Willie Brown had Don Ramon’s seen so many lesbians and gays in positions in power enjoying quesadillas and margaritas with their straight allies and co-workers.

Spanjian’s family and friends joined together with her charming partner Susan Christian and her PUC co-workers, her supervisor campaign staff and volunteers, and various LGBT and non-LGBT activists. It was a tribute to Spanjian that the restaurant was packed with people who mingled and politicked, and then were attentive when the speeches started. Spanjian has been receiving a lot of attention lately because of her run for San Francisco District 8 City Supervisor, and some consultants gave her a chance of winning due to the ranked choice voting system. Her new job takes her to Houston to work for the newly-elected lesbian mayor Anise Parker. And Spanjian is also moving for love since her partner lives in Houston.

The honors for Laura began when San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom’s chief of staff Steve Kawa took some time away from running The City to proclaim “Laura Spanjian Day” in San Francisco. Kawa, with his lover and two children, was an inspiration to Mayor Newsom for the surprise same-sex marriages at City Hall. Spanjian was also honored with plaques from her co-workers at the PUC, who spoke about dams, water, and reclaimed grease and sewage, and then CA State Senator Mark Leno had some complimentary things to say when he gave her a large framed state proclamation.

Spanjian’s expertise in the greening of San Francisco as the Associate General Manager for External Affairs at the PUC has led her to the new job in Houston, a city that wants to catch up with other locales in recycling and energy conservation. Spanjian also worked for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) and before that she worked as a legislative aide to lesbian Supervisor Leslie Katz.

Former lesbian San Francisco City Supervisors Roberta Achtenberg and Susan Leal spoke fondly at the microphone about Spanjian, and Leal told some funny work stories from the days when she was PUC General Manager and Spanjian’s boss.

Roberta Achtenberg with Laura Spanjian

Among the lesbian and gay guests were PUC Secretary Michael Housh, a longtime activist at the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club and an important aide to legislator John Burton. He was also the campaign manager and aide for Supervisor Tom Ammiano. Former Supervisors Leal and Katz worked with Ammiano to pass the first domestic partners law in San Francisco. Paul Hogarth, the attorney for the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, was seated near the front of the event. He is also a marriage equality activist and managing director of beyondchron.com. A former aide to Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Catherine Dodd socialized at the event. She is a now Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Gavin Newsom and she is active as an RN in national and local health issues. The PUC’s gay General Manager Ed Harrington was out of town, but all of the other ranking PUC managers attended the sad and happy occasion.

Activist/philanthropist Jody Cole and her partner Katherine Cole of Wild Rainbow African Safaris were there happily sporting Dallas Cowboy jerseys. And Pam David, who worked for San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos and is now the executive director of the Walter & Elise Haas Fund, made the rounds.

The exertion of lesbian and gay power that started with Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin with their Daughters of Bilitis, and The Society of Individual Rights in the ’50s and ’60s, and with the Tavern Guild and Jose Sarria running for supervisor in 1961, to Harvey Milk’s election in 1977, all culminated in events like the one for Laura Spanjian. The lesbian and gay presence was strong and the political descendents of the founders are accepted for their professionalism and experience.

The event ended with hugs and handshakes and messages of good will for Spanjian.

Over the Top Sex Comedy Thrills at the Asian American Film Festival

Director Quentin Lee and actress Karin Anna Cheung

A sold-out audience gasped, laughed and even yelled loudly throughout director Quentin Lee’s unpredictable sex comedy "The People I’ve Slept With" at the Castro Theatre on March 14. The film was chosen as a Centerpiece Film for the 2010 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. Beautiful lead actress Karin Anna Cheung and director Quentin Lee, a UC Berkeley alum, attended the screening.

The gay element of the film occurred in its first few minutes, as Cheung’s self-described promiscuous character is seen in the throes of lurid passion with different men, and her voice-over details her comparison to sexually active gay men. Director Lee is openly gay, and effervescent gay Latino actor Wilson Cruz did some of his best work as a guy who enjoys sex with as many different men as possible. The first part of the film was a fascinating tribute to two people dedicating their lives to sexual pleasure.

Cheung’s character even had sexual baseball cards, which were Polaroid snapshots of the Asian, White, Black, and Latino men she had thrashed around with, and a few women also. And the cards become important to her when she discovered that she was pregnant, and the most likely father was among the snapshots. Archie Kao of TV’s "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" was a lead, and so was legendary actor James Shigeta. Shigeta starred in the 1961 film "Bridge to the Sun" as a lead with glamorous White actress Carrol Baker when such interracial casting was unheard of.

Actor Cruz’s character realized that while he is helping with the daddy hunt that one of his conquests is someone he should not have discarded. His pursuit of love ends up in a surprising finale for someone so dedicated to variety, and the character played by Cheung has a decidedly ambiguous finale to her full tilt desperate rampage through the lives of the men who may have impregnated her. Both Cheung and Cruz’s characters transcend their previous lives, a goal of films, novels, and other creative art.

Lead actors Cheung, Cruz, and Kao are impossibly good-looking and their acting energy varied measurably to add texture and to present an unusually message-filled creation, especially for a sex comedy.

The Asian American Film Festival was programmed from March 11 through March 21, and this is year 28 of the largest festival dedicated to Asian American cinema. Diverse films were screened and there were party-hopping, online contests, and interactive projects. The opening night gala at the Asian Art Museum was packed with supporters as well as directors, actresses, actors, and David Chiu, the president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

And again Karen Larsen and her crew from Larsen Associates public relations drew large audiences to the various events.

St. Patrick’s Day on Castro Street: A Wild Night for the Big Green Holiday

Sarah Al-Kassab, unidentified guest, DJ Joan Crawford Texas, and Alex Hannun at Café Flore

One of San Francisco’s premiere party areas, the Castro, did not disappoint on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17.

The neighborhood’s last blue collar bar, The Mix, was even more packed than usual, and an ocean of green beer was consumed. Men and women in green T-shirts and hats were crushed up against each other, and they celebrated in grand style.

Bruce Beaudette and friend at Café Flore

Café Flore served multiple shepherd’s pies, green mojitos, and quarts of green beer with a smile. Shimmering green absinthe was poured with a sugar cube.

Absinthe is linked with the infamous pairing of famed French poets Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine. Rimbaud was 17 and Verlaine was 28 when he introduced the boy to absinthe and sodomy. Their relationship was realistically displayed in the 1995 film “Total Eclipse” with Leonardo DiCaprio as Rimbaud and David Thewlis as Verlaine. Reportedly DiCaprio’s mother placed a protective pillow over his butt before Thewlis engaged in an infamous sodomy scene after multiple glasses of absinthe were drunk. DiCaprio was 21 at the time, but he did seem to have a fully involved stage mother. Gay audiences have embraced the film and it is especially popular with queer college youth, who drink absinthe during screenings.

Carl With Records at Magnet's Smack Dab

Larry-Bob Roberts and Kirk Read hosted another Smack Dab open mic show at Magnet on the big green holiday, and a literary crowd converged on the Castro’s cultural and medical center. Featured performer Carl With Records showed up to sing wearing a Baby Jane Hudson wig and makeup, a green spangled gown, and a hat with frog dolls wrestling each other on it. Guests were divided on his singing, some calling it caterwauling and others said it was sophisticated, expressive karaoke.

The Q Bar placed green lighting throughout the bar and in its doomed smoking lounge, so that all of their imbibers had a St. Patrick’s Day glow, and green drinks were popular.

Steve Adams, the president of the Merchants of Upper Market/Castro (MUMC) was checking out the festivities with congressional aide Miguel Bustos and the Castro’s ubiquitous three naked guys added green hats and beads to their usual flip-flops and cock ring attire.

It was a wild celebration but not out of control, as seen in some neighborhoods. No one tried to turn over a bus and there were no mass street fights, so the Castro St. Patrick’s Day is a moderate traditional party for locals and tourists.

International Women’s Day Celebration at the Library: A Revelation of Women’s Talent

Writers Nina Serrano, Michelle Tea, Diane di Prima, Priscilla Lee and Janice Mirikitani

Current San Francisco Poet Laureate Diane di Prima said that she was surprised and pleased that all of the women writers that she invited as hostess for "A Celebration of International Women's Day" at the San Francisco Main Library on March 9 agreed to participate. The Library’s Joan Jasper was the initial greeter, and she welcomed the readers and the audience.

Di Prima’s recent inauguration on Feb. 2 as San Francisco Poet Laureate had packed the Koret Auditorium and a nearby overflow room — an indication of the affection for di Prima and for poetry. She is the author of nearly four dozen books, and she was one of the few published woman authors of the Beat and Hippie eras. Di Prima is also a prose writer, playwright, social activist, teacher, and the mother of five.

Di Prima gave a short history of International Women's Day around the world then spoke about continuing disgraceful gender inequality. She spoke about a United Nations study that stated when housework is included, women do two thirds of the work and receive 5 percent of the pay they are due, and that they are only receiving 77 cents of a dollar that men receive for the same or similar work. She had not planned to perform her work, but an audience member insisted, and the crowd was pleased when she emoted her poetry.

Published poet Priscilla Lee read about how wearing jockey shorts changed the power balance with her husband, and about the tribulations of the Sunset neighborhood, where “Chinese families go after doing time in Chinatown.” Lee said that her family considered her a freak because she preferred to revere Boy George instead of Mick Jagger like other local youth. She spoke about her experiences in the Sunset to be all about the gritty odors of fish and crab, tequila shots and shark fin soup dumplings, and the fog and stucco, which drew nervous, knowing laughter.

devorah major and Janice Mirikitani

devorah major, a past Poet Laureate of San Francisco, was late for the forum since she was teaching a science fiction writing class. She is a supporter of poetry as an art form that can please and empower, and writes about how to deal with the creative challenges of city life. She read about a heroic Black woman in the 19th century and stated that the Taliban’s biggest nightmare is to be defeated by armed aggressive women in combat units. major read from her poetry about uncompromising, outspoken women and how they can get what they want and deserve.

Poet Janice Mirikitani, San Francisco’s second Poet Laureate, is a visionary and community activist, a novelist and an essayist. She has served at Glide Church for 40-plus years as a founding president of the Glide Foundation, funding a health clinic and housing for low-income citizens. She spoke about women rising above addiction for reclaimed lives. She recounted the landmark case of Inez García, a woman jailed for two years for killing a rapist in self-defense in 1974. Mirikitani and her husband Rev. Cecil Williams welcomed García to Glide Church and provided for her defense fund. The trial of Inez García was a rallying point for Bay Area feminists and her subsequent exoneration was an important legal milestone. Another victimized woman mentioned by Mirikitani was "Tokyo Rose" Iva Toguri, an American citizen who was induced to speak on Japanese propaganda radio broadcasts after being trapped in Japan at the outbreak of World War II and later wrongly convicted of treason in San Francisco in 1948.

Nina Serrano, Michelle Tea (seated), and Diane di Prima

Author Nina Serrano is well known as a poetry workshop teacher at Oakland’s La Peña Cultural Center and as a KPFA 94.1 FM radio host who reads stories in schools and who has received awards for her films. She has published books of her poetry and her work appears in several anthologies. Serrano is also co-founder of San Francisco’s Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts. She remarked that she had expected a packed auditorium, and quoted this journalist, who spoke to her earlier about San Franciscans, who unlike residents of Seattle and Portland, stay home when there is a threat of rain. She then spoke in a syncopated voice that women hold up half the sky, and while some people see praying hands in the design of Oakland's Cathedral of Christ the Light, she sees a vagina.

The last reader was Michelle Tea, author of four memoirs and a novel, a masterful arts event organizer, and the center of the traveling, rapturously creative women's cultural group Sister Spit. Her Radar Reader Series at the San Francisco Main Public Library and other venues feature diverse and exciting authors, and the Q&A is lively because participants receive homemade cookies. Her compelling work covers feminist, queer, prostitution, race, class, and other themes. Her reading revealed that she has an unusual take on needy queer youth and older gays, considering what has occurred in the Castro and the Haight neighborhoods — she thinks that older gays want to help the youth on sight.

The event was an entertaining adventure and consciousness-raising phenomenon that was only possible because of the stupendous talent on the stage.

Leather Alliance Dinner: 44 Years of Service With Leather and Fetish

Performer Clint and friend

On March 5–7 the SF Bay Area Leather Alliance presented a splendid Leather Bound Weekend. The March 5 kickoff dinner at the Hotel Whitcomb set the stage for a celebration of leather, motorcycle clubs, and fetishes. Community awards were bestowed upon worthy individuals and groups, and tables full of guests loudly applauded the honorees. The three Mr. San Francisco Leather contestants were presented and they impressed with provocative fantasies. There was an almost equal number of women and men at the dinner, and they freely mingled and caroused.

The SF Bay Area Leather Alliance is a volunteer organization that provides public service and grants for members who are recovering from motorcycle crashes and illness. There is bonding and camaraderie, and the members enjoy being with others who receive fulfillment from volunteering.

The Leather Alliance was formed when The Inter-Club Fund of San Francisco and The Leather Forum merged in 2008. The Inter-Club Fund was one of the earliest LGBT groups, dating back to 1966.

The dinner featured the Mr. SF Leather Contest, and it has been choosing a leader and a spokesman for the leather community for 32 years now.

One of the most outrageous events of the Inter-Club Fund was the CMC Carnival — a large, erotically charged bacchanal held in basements, cab garages, and warehouses. Now the group presents the Leather Alley at the annual San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration, as well as group motorcycle rides and a holiday volunteer appreciation party.

BubblinSugare was bestowed the Entertainer of the Year Award by hosts Lenny Broberg and Donna Sachet

Hosts Donna Sachet and Lenny Broberg expertly wove the scheduled events together and exhibited excellent repartee. Broberg warned the judges that Sachet lusted for them. Sachet denied it almost to the end of the evening, and then requested extra cocktails for the judges so that they would be immobilized. The audience hung on every clever sarcastic remark and sharp comeback. Hopefully Sachet and Broberg will host this year’s live San Francisco Pride Parade television broadcast.

Scott Peterson (left) and friends

Notable guests included Powerhouse Bar manager Scott Peterson, who not only bought a table for his employees, but he also generously served them drinks throughout the evening.

Contestant Robbie Leonard

Contestant Stefanos Tiziano

Contestant Lance Holman

Leather clothing designer and master stylist Troy Anicete prepared stunning Mr. SF Leather contestant Robbie Leonard, and youths Clint and Rachel took the brunt of contestant Stefanos Tiziano’s faux stage fantasy brutality. Striking contestant Lance Holman won the title and his stage fantasy of surprising a burglar during a shower and forcefully subduing, beating and sexually mauling the perp was being discussed in awe for days afterwards.

Dykes on Bikes secretary Soni Wolf described her two years of service on the San Francisco LGBT Pride Board, stressing the importance of a leather presence and her organizing experience.

Katie Brown accepted the Most Visible Community Organization Award for the San Francisco Dykes on Bikes

President Dahn Van Laarz with Seth Munter who was recognized with the Frank Benoit Award

A lot of hard work and time went into the weekend’s event, and much of the credit goes to Leather Alliance president Dahn Van Laarz, who intuitively drew the best out of group members, and to dinner program designer Bill Hollabaugh. Both have tirelessly worked for the betterment of the leather/biker/fetish community for years and they have the skill to coordinate popular future events.

This journalist has a connection to the Leather Alliance, attending many of the Inter-Club Fund events since the early 70s and having been voted a 2006 Motorcycle Awards "Man of the Year." Hopefully more members and groups will join the Leather Alliance so that its future will be assured by young acolytes.