Assemblymember Mark Leno and SF Team Co-chairs Joanne Keatley and Marty Rollins.

San Francisco Transgender Empowerment, Advocacy and Mentorship (SF TEAM) held its second annual “An Evening With Friends” fundraiser on Sept. 15 in the Ceremonial Room of the SF LGBT Center. Master of Ceremonies was Prado Gomez. The room was draped in a pink, blue, and white banner and the same color scheme was repeated in the many streamers and balloons. The event, sponsored by SF TEAM and the Community Center was to help support future events hosted by SF TEAM including Trans Pride 2006 and the Transgender Job Fair. The mission of SF TEAM is to commemorate trans heritage; to empower and nurture transgender and gender variant individuals; and to increase visibility to promote positive social change. 
“It was a fun evening of fabulous food and entertainment,” JoAnne Keatley, co-chair of SF TEAM said. “Our entertainers were excellent.” They included Shawna Virago and Band, Michelle Garcia and Band, guitarist/singer Cj King, trans rapper Rocco (Katastrophe), Denise who did a song in Swahili about perseverance, lip-syncers Christina, Bianca, and Andrea Gray, Josh and the Free Play Dance Crew, singers Cat Howard, Jamie Armstrong, Terry Kelly, Andrea Horne with Mark Clay Unbehagen, an a capella quartet of trans men, and many others. There was also an open bar hosted by gorgeous Divas bartenders.

“I want to thank you all for coming here tonight and being the team that you are,” said Jimmer Cassiol from the mayor’s office. “Transgender is a big part of the LGBT community and we all have to band together, because we have power in numbers. He brought along a certificate of recognition from Mayor Gavin Newsom: “to recognize SF TEAM’s hours of efforts in planning transgender events. Your devotion is greatly appreciated.”

“Yesterday was truly historic, because the House of Representatives passed hate crimes legislation that for the first time explicitly protects transgender people,” said Dan Bernal from Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s office. “None of this would have happened without the leadership of Congressman Don Conyers from Michigan, who Nancy calls the Conscience of the House.” Bernal said Pelosi was extremely proud to have cosponsored the legislation. He said Pelosi was hopeful it would go all the way to the Senate and eventually the president. In part, Pelosi’s speech on the floor was as follows: “This legislation is long overdue. Hate crimes have no place in America. All Americans have a fundamental right to feel safe in their communities. Federal hate crimes prevention legislation is the right thing to do and we must do it now.”

She continued: “Our nation was founded on the principle that all are created equal, all are entitled to the protection of our laws, and all are entitled to justice. It violates this principle to have individuals in our country targeted for violence because of who they are, the color of their skin, how they worship, or who they love. The perpetrators of violence intend to send a message to certain members of our community that they are not welcome. These protections are necessary and must be enacted into law.”

“I am so proud of our transgender community. You are so beautiful. You’re getting stronger and growing every week,” said longtime trans supporter and bill-passer, Assemblyman Mark Leno. He commented on the Transfigurations exhibit on the 3rd floor as being very powerful. Of course much of his speech concerned the governor’s options of either signing the same-sex marriage bill, vetoing it, or doing nothing and just letting it become law by Oct. 9, when it will be challenged and sent to the courts for decision, which has been Schwarzenegger’s position all along. As we go to press, we have no idea what the outcome will be on Friday. “I have come with a proclamation. Of course I would be naked without it, wouldn’t I, Dennis McMillan?!” he said. ‘We congratulate SF TEAM. We love you. We’re proud of you. There are great things ahead for you.”

“In appreciation of your distinguished service to the transgender citizens in support of increasing visibility and promoting positive social change, the office of assessor/recorder conveys its highest recognition for your valuable contributions and extends best wishes,” read Kevin Matthews from Assessor Phil Ting’s office, presenting a certificate of honor to SF TEAM.

“We are really honored to get to work in partnership with SF TEAM,” said Rebecca Rolfe, deputy director at the Center in charge of programs and services. “It’s been a longstanding relationship and one that is very important to us. We are pleased to be their fiscal sponsor.” She reminded everyone that SF TEAM is entirely volunteer-driven with no paid staff and depends on community donations.