Thanksgiving is coming up, and it always gets me thinking what I am thankful for. My answer is definitely: I’m thankful I’m gay. In fact, I’d like to change the name of the holiday to ThanksGAYing! Thank God I’m Gay. TGIG for short. We gays (LGBTQ inclusive) have style and grace and soul and spirit and all around good company. We are a loving people. We are talented and witty and wise (well, most of us), and our social circle is fab-you-luss! For instance, my fellow Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence got to be in the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) Parade in the Mission and create a gorgeous altar in Garfield Park for Saint Mysteria, a beautiful way my sisters and friends could memorialize our recent loss of a beautiful nun.

Then before I could dry my tears, I was off to a delightful 50th birthday party for one of EssEff’s great queer publicists, David Perry, at Rooftop on Fisherman’s Wharf. David’s theme (clever gay that he is) was “The Greatest Sea Drama in Living Memory” – apropos of being next to the water. Cruise ship posters were plastered everywhere. Film clips of dozens of famous ship scenes screened: Titanic, Now Voyager, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and even (gawd help us) Speed 2. There was a karaoke room where I totally nailed it with “Ebb Tide.” Later I dirty danced to “It’s Raining Men” with movie maven Jan Wahl.

Last Sunday, Metropolitan Community Church held a dedication ceremony for their Yellow Brick Road fundraising installation, in which The Sisters have contributed to their own brick. Great stuff like all that keeps happening in our wonderful queer community, and I am so thankful for it! Now here are some more of those opportunities coming up.

SING-ALONG SOUND OF MUSIC at the Castro Theatre will be preceded by a 30 minute organ concert of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most memorable music, featuring David Hegarty at the mighty Wurlitzer organ. Following the concert, hosts Laurie Bushman, Sara Moore, D’Arcy Drollinger, and David Hawkins will guide the audience through all the special parts of the movie for audience participation. Everyone will receive a “fun pack” loaded with all the props needed to become part of the action. Feel free to dress up in your favorite character’s costumes to add some visual flavor to the performances. Nun drag is always popular. So get ready to boo the Nazis, hiss the Baroness, and sing your heart out. Nov. 25 - Dec. 4, box office opens at 6pm, concert at 6:30, film at 7. Matinees on Nov. 25 and on Saturdays and Sundays. More info at (415) 621-6350 or castrotheatre.com.

UNDER ONE ROOF HOLIDAY PREMIER kicks off on Thursday, Nov. 17, 6-9pm. The Sisters have decorated a special fundraising tree with ornaments for the dog and/or cat lover. Mama’s Family (of which I am “Mama’s Nun”) has also decorated a tree for fundraising.

Under One Roof has sold over $11 MILLION in retail merchandise on behalf of AIDS service organizations. Since 1990, through UOR, community volunteers, donors, staff, sponsors, and merchant supporters have joined forces to fundraise in support of those living with HIV/AIDS. The mission of UOR is to generate unrestricted funds for agencies that provide HIV/AIDS education and support services. The premier party is entitled, “A Little Naughty, A Little Nice,” hosted by Pollo Del Mar to celebrate the opening of their holiday store – a fantastic, fun way to start the holidaze shopping. There will be entertainment, complimentary nibbles, wine, and champagne – plus: you will be giving gifts that keep on giving, and so clever that they will not likely end up in the returns department. Holiday store hours at underoneroof.org.

BROKEBACH MOUNTAIN: No, that is not a typo for the cowboy flick; it’s the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of SF’s sensational season opening with a program entitled “BrokeBACH Mountain.” This show features music by J.S. Bach, P.D.Q. Bach, and Offenbach. The heart of this humorous and enlightened concert is “Oedipus Tex,” an opera in one cathartic act, starring Dr. Timothy Seelig, music director and conductor of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Members of the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band and the Freedom Band’s Artistic Director Jadine Louie will provide a small instrumental group for this exciting and collaborative production. “BrokeBACH Mountain” runs Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18 and 19, 8pm at Mission Cultural Center, 2868 Mission Street at 25th Street. Tix and info for all of the concerts in LGCSF’s 32nd season are available at lgcsf.org. Cowboy drag is not mandatory.

TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE: on a much more serious note, the Transgender Day of Remembrance will take place Sunday, Nov. 20, 5pm at the Ark of Refuge, 1025 Howard Street between 6th & 7th Streets. Since 1999, November 20 has been set aside in cities across the country as Transgender Day of Remembrance to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. High rates of murder and other violence continues to be one of the most critical issues facing our transgender communities; and more and more people, trans and non-trans, are raising their voices in commemoration and protest. This event is open to everyone in the trans communities including all families, friends, and allies. Food and beverages will be provided.

So there you have a whole bunch of events to be thankful for. And don’t forget to say TGIG at your Thanksgiving table!