Milk Club president Brian Basinger with Supervisor Tom Ammiano and Assemblywoman Fiona Ma at the benefit. Photo Rink.

Supervisor Tom Ammiano held a festive fundraiser on Oct. 3 at Asia/SF for his campaign to be elected State Assemblyman. Hosting the affair, sponsored by the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club, was Tita Aida. For entertainment, Joshua Klipp, a Pride Idol Winner, sang “Rescue Me” from his new CD, Won’t Stop Now, with lovely backup dancers from the Ladies of Asia/SF beside him. “We’re here to raise a lot of money for Tom tonight, right?” said Klipp, getting a very enthusiastic response. Tita Aida then introduced the man of the hour, Tom Ammiano. “Thank you to all our beautiful LGBT and straight allies,” said Ammiano, and then joked, “Fiona Ma and I cannot wait to be in the Assembly together with matching outfits.” He continued, “People will say to me, ‘Hate your politics; love your shoes!’”

He said things were going very well along the campaign trail, noting, “The endorsements are good; money is good; there’s no opponent yet, but who knows what will happen?” He said he couldn’t wait to dig into the issues when in Sacramento – healthcare and social justice issues being high on the list. “And yes, even the environment.” He said he was thrilled that Folsom Street Fair went green this year, joking, “Beat me! Biodegrade me!”

He thanked the owners of Asia/SF, Larry Harshbarger and Skip Young, for giving him the space to hold his fundraiser, and announced that soon there will be a sister Asia/SF in Los Angeles. Would that be Asia/L.A.? They will eventually be expanding to 11 more cities around the world.

Ammiano took to task Governor Schwarzenegger for “dropping the ball on this one,” regarding the same-sex marriage bill and the Governor’s announcement that he intended to veto it once again, even though this was the second time it passed both Houses of Legislature. “He did not recognize what we all know should be legal and should be something that brings us all the perks that other people can have.” He lauded Assemblyman Mark Leno for “really standing in those trenches in a way we all should honor him, because it ain’t easy up there.” He added, “It is particularly not easy to get enough votes and then have one guy veto it. That’s very very tough.” He said, “But Mark Leno has always taken it with graciousness and said there is always the next time.” Ammiano then introduced Leno.

“I can easily return the generous comments by saying that when I was brought in from nowhere as an appointee to the Board of Supervisors, without legislative agenda, I was a good student and watched carefully and heard a lone voice on the Board at the time, fighting uphill for our rights and for the rights of every disadvantaged and voiceless person in this City and County,” he said, “and that was Tom Ammiano, from whom I learned much.” Leno said they just got the marriage equality bill onto the governor’s desk the day before. The audience cheered wildly. He said citizens should still hold hope, because Schwarzeneggers has not actually vetoed the marriage bill yet.

“Arnold’s in China right now, which shows you how dedicated he is to dealing with the health crisis in California,” Leno said with heavy sarcasm in his voice. He explained, “He vetoed the single payer universal health plan that we put on his desk last year; and he says he’s going to veto what is a compromise measure, speaker and pro tem measure AB 8; then he calls us into a special session to deal with healthcare, but he’s in China!” He concluded, “Arnold, it’s now YOUR turn. Show us your proposal, which we know no Democratic or Republican legislator will author.” He joked, “Tom, are you sure you know what you’re getting yourself into?” In seriousness, Leno affirmed that Ammiano would make a great legislator. “Tom, you know how the game is played ... until we get clean money in Sacramento and publicly financed campaigns in Sacramento – which is another issue that you have championed locally.”

Ammiano underscored he wanted to help champion transgender rights. He commented, regarding the attempt to split the ENDA bill and discriminate against transgender people, “Yeah, we’re sometimes dysfunctional, but we can take care of ourselves. We are all family in a very extended sense, and we just couldn’t leave some of our family behind.” Ammiano told Bay Times later on, “Regarding the whole ENDA mess, it teaches us how important it still is to have queer representation in a state government, because even some of our friends are confused about issues that we are very clear on.” When asked if there is any hope that Arnold will pass our measures, Ammiano joked, “Well, I suppose if the casting couch is big enough; but no, I think he has made his bed, so to speak.”

Ammiano brought to the stage the aide to Senator Carole Migden, Patrick Doyle. “One of the most inspiring things that I found that propelled me to move to San Francisco was reading Harvey Milk’s biography, The Mayor of Castro Street,” said Doyle. “To see the pioneers and the progressive legacy that go back to the late ‘70s, and the support from Carole Migden for a long-term commitment to progressive values – it’s so inspiring.” He added, “She is still fighting for progressive values in Sacramento.”
He said to Ammiano, “I am privileged to honor you today, and am so glad to see you moving on to the Assembly to continue your great work.” Migden pointed out how important it is to have a sense of humor in Sacramento, and that Ammiano’s background as a comedian would be a real boon. “Here’s to Tom, who will be a shining asset of San Francisco values, who will bring to Sacramento a local government perspective, well honed and well understood, and that is a legislator of caliber.” She said, “I look forward to us waltzing down the aisle together.”

Then Tita brought on more entertainment, commenting, “Asia/SF has been one of the few places that has recognized and hired transgender folk. That is an amazing step in equality.” She said, “We are like one big happy family here, and it is an honor to introduce you to some of the talented beauties here.” She brought out Jackie to do a lip-synch and spot-on impersonation of Amy Winehouse, with that weird black eye makeup, doing “They Try to Make Me Go to Rehab.” Ammiano mouthed to me, “No! No! No!” Sierra, in white trench coat did “Rock Steady.” Removing the coat, she revealed a sexy three-piece “tri-kini.” Naia was carrying an umbrella, so it was fairly obvious she would be singing the Umbrella –ella – ella song. ALL these ladies gave their ALL for Ammiano!