Private Manning Was Never an SF Pride Grand Marshal
By Zoe Dunning Published: May 16, 2013
Private Manning was never an SF
Pride Grand Marshal. Therefore his “selection” was neither revoked nor
“reversed.” He did not meet the criteria for nomination as a Community GM and
therefore should never have been considered: he is not local, and it is
questionable to many whether he “has made significant contributions to the
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community.” The public announcement of his
selection was premature and in error, as acknowledged by the Board of SF
Pride.
Even if his nomination met
criteria, his selection is questionable. Something went terribly amiss in the
mythical “Electoral College” voting process, whereby former GMs nominate and
select a Community Grand Marshal. I and several other former GMs were never
given the opportunity to vote in the Electoral College. The voting process was
either carried out with poor controls and oversight – or even worse,
manipulated - resulting in Bradley Manning receiving the most...
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8 Washington Fight Heats Up, A Big Question on the Warriors Stadium, and Mark Leno’s School Funding Reform
Published: May 16, 2013
By Rafael Mandelman The battle over the proposed 8 Washington project-- the main item of interest on this November’s ballot-- appears to be heating up. To supporters, the proposed luxury residential development across the street from the Ferry Building is a vast improvement on the fenced-in tennis courts and pool...
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Point/Counterpoint: Bradley Manning and SF Pride
Published: May 16, 2013
By Gary Virginia Our government hid the truth from the public regarding war crimes that gay soldier Army PFC Bradley Manning courageously exposed, and San Francisco Pride (“Pride”) is following suit with its charade regarding the Electoral College election. It’s time to blow the whistle on Pride for its...
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Private Manning Was Never an SF Pride Grand Marshal
By Zoe Dunning Published: May 16, 2013
Private Manning was never an SF Pride Grand Marshal. Therefore his “selection” was neither revoked nor “reversed.” He did not meet the criteria for nomination as a Community GM and therefore should never have been considered: he is not local, and it is questionable to many whether he “has made...
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Million Dog March
Published: May 2, 2013
By Joel P. EngardioWhile San Francisco is known for having more dogs than children, the world record for largest dog walk (22,742 canines) belongs to a small town in England. That might change when the Million Dog March comes to San Francisco June 2.Organizers don’t expect a million dogs (our...
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Museum of Craft and Design
Published: May 2, 2013
By Jim TibbsSensory overload is a common occurrence in our media-saturated world. It is a rare treat to have a “breakthrough” experience that surprises, delights and challenges the senses. I had such an experience at the opening of the Museum of Craft and Design in its new permanent home in...
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Great Expectations
Published: May 2, 2013
By Mark PennI had lunch today with eight other agents from around the Bay Area. We were all singing the same songs: “If only I had more properties to sell…” and “Where are all the listings?” In just a couple of years, most of the Bay Area markets have gone...
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¡Viva AGUILAS!
Published: May 2, 2013
By Eduardo Morales, PhDAGUILAS is the second oldest Latino LGBT organization in the U.S. It was founded in 1991 in the city and county of San Francisco. The Austin Latina Latino Lesbian and Gay Organization (ALLGO), located in Austin, Texas, since 1985, is the oldest existing Latino LGBT organization in...
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Openhouse: Celebrating Our Seniors at the Spring Fling
Published: April 18, 2013
Dr. Marcy AdelmanIt is spring again and time for Openhouse’s annual celebration, the Spring Fling. The ninth annual Spring Fling will be on Sunday, April 21st, 11am, at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel.Guests will enjoy complimentary champagne reception, wonderful auction items (especially in the realm of wine and wine-country adventures)...
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Boycott Hyatt, HRC Does Right By Workers, the Death of Jonathan Klein and LGBT Senior Housing
Published: April 18, 2013
By Rafael MandelmanUNITE HERE is kickass. Staffed by hugely dedicated and wildly undercompensated organizers, the union has some of the finest brains in organized labor and is fighting a truly righteous fight for higher wages, better benefits, and safer workloads for hotel workers.Last summer, UNITE HERE and its allies called...
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The Promise of Aging in Community
Published: April 18, 2013
By Roberta AchtenbergSince Dr. Marcy Adelman and her late partner, Jeanette Gurevitch, founded Openhouse in 1998, it has become a central resource and voice for San Francisco’s LGBT seniors. That’s why I am honored that Openhouse has invited me to receive the Adelman-Gurevitch Founders Award at its 9th Annual Spring...
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The LGBT Aging Policy Task Force Community Survey
Published: April 4, 2013
Dr. Marcy AdelmanHelp San Francisco better understand the aging and health needs of the city’s LGBT senior population by participating in a groundbreaking study developed by the LGBT Aging Policy Task Force in partnership with the Institute for Multigenerational Health of the University of Washington. Your participation in the survey...
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Limiting Condo Conversions Won’t Give Us Better Rent Control
Published: April 4, 2013
By Joel P. Engardio
The price to live in San Francisco today is a million dollars for a modest home or thousands a month for a market-rate apartment. That’s the reality of supply and demand when 800,000 people want to live on a tiny peninsula where Tartine scones and...
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A Matchless Match
Published: April 4, 2013
By Jim Tibbs Where is Dolly Levi when we need her? Wouldn’t it be great if we had a remodeling matchmaker who delights in pairing up available clients and eligible contractors? But, alas, we have to figure it out on our own.
As with any budding relationship, establishing...
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Dealing in Multiples
Published: April 4, 2013
By Mark PennI remember learning in high school science class that equilibrium is a state of “no force or disturbance in any one direction.” Applying this concept to real estate, one might say that a balanced market – one with “equilibrium” - would have roughly the same number of buyers...
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Bending Toward Justice
Published: March 21, 2013
By Rafael Mandelman “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” –Martin Luther King, Jr.
Important struggles are usually neither quick nor easy, but sometimes we are reminded that progress is possible and that Dr. King’s hopeful assessment might actually be true....
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SLDN, SF Dems Fundraisers
By Zoe Dunning Published: March 21, 2013
I had the opportunity to spend a weekend in Washington, DC, earlier this month for the annual OutServe-SLDN Dinner at the beautiful and historic Building Museum. The non-profit’s Executive Director, Allyson Robinson, gave a rousing “State of LGBT Military Service Address.” Allyson, an Army veteran and West Point graduate, gave...
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Preparing for One of Retirement’s Major Expenses: Taxes
Published: March 21, 2013
By Brandon Miller, CFP & Joanne Jordan, CFPAs you plan for retirement, you’re likely considering the major expenses you may encounter, such as housing and health care. But are you overlooking something that may have a significant impact on your ability to achieve a financially secure retirement?
If...
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Tree Wars
Published: March 7, 2013
By Joel P. Engardio
In San Francisco, there seems to be a correlation between well-intended bans, unintended consequences and jokes on Jon Stewart’s Daily Show (we banned toys in Happy Meals, but kids are still getting fat).
Now there are plans to cut down large numbers of trees...
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Five Fundamentals of Decorating
Published: March 7, 2013
By Jim TibbsLike many gay men of a certain age, my education in home decorating began by reading my mother’s home and garden magazines after she finished with them each month. Of course, my passion for home design was a well-guarded secret around our house because Kentucky boys in the...
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Owning a Home in the Country
Published: March 7, 2013
By Mark PennMany of us imagine ourselves waking up in the morning, inhaling fresh clean air and appreciating the sights and sounds of nature. Such comforts are possible if you own a country home. It’s not an uncommon luxury. While the overall process of purchasing rural property is not unlike...
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Love Conquers All But Taxes
Published: March 7, 2013
 By Assemblymember Philip Y. Ting
Love (and equitable tax policies) is all we need.
Despite our nation’s growing support of same-sex partnerships, federal tax policies have yet to keep pace. You see, under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) – the 1996 federal legislation that prohibits recognition of...
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City by the Gay?
Published: February 21, 2013
By Rafael Mandelman
I am a San Franciscan. I grew up here, moved back here after college, rented and then bought a home here. I cannot imagine living anywhere else. And so I will confess to being unnerved by the Advocate’s 2013 Gayest Cities in America, which ranks San...
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A Toolbox to Find Your Way in an Expensive City
Published: February 21, 2013
By Bevan DuftyWhile San Francisco remains one of the most expensive real estate and rental markets in the country, there are some ways to mitigate that.When I was a Supervisor, one of my accomplishments was partnering with the Center (sfcenter.org) to create the first-ever economic development programs in the LGBT...
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Response to 49er Chris Culliver’s Homophobic Remarks
Published: February 7, 2013
By John ChenJohn Chen is the founder and team caption of the San Francisco Bay Crash. He is also president of the Silicon Valley Flag Football Community Association. Culliver’s statements serve as a disappointing reminder that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done in eliminating...
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A Valentine’s Fairytale
Published: February 7, 2013
By Dr. Illana Berger
“How do I love thee, let me count the ways”
–Elizabeth Barrett Browning
I remember the first time my partner and I kissed. It is emblazoned in my mind because it was the first time I ever kissed a woman. I had never...
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Remodeling Econ 101
Published: February 7, 2013
By Jim TibbsThis month’s column is a continuation of the topic that I introduced in January: Setting Yourself Up for Remodeling Success. The first installment of this article reviewed three of the four key steps for starting a remodeling project. Step 1-Think big picture about your home improvement needs. Step...
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How’s the Market?
Published: February 7, 2013
By Mark PennReal estate – what a world! If I had a nickel for every time someone asks, “How’s the market?” well, I wouldn’t have to be a working real estate agent! But when I answer the question, the first point I try to make is: Don’t believe what you...
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Students Should Always Come First at City College of San Francisco
Published: January 24, 2013
Dr. Ardel Thomas
Going into his second term in office, our first African American President, Barack Obama, did something no other American president has had the guts to do. In his inauguration address about our nation’s various uphill battles for equality for all people, President Obama reminded us all...
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What Are the Tales of Our City Today?
Published: January 10, 2013
By Joel P. EngardioRemember when the musical version of Armistead Maupin’s “Tales of the City” played on A.C.T.’s stage? It was a Technicolor, toe tapping and nostalgic nod to the San Francisco of 1976. A couple sitting next to me said the show reminded them of the San Francisco they...
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City Hall Update: Goals for the New Year
Published: January 10, 2013
 By Supervisor Scott WienerAs we move into 2013, it’s important to focus on the key issues that will move our city in the right direction. Here are a few of my priorities for the year:Funding Muni’s Maintenance and Operational Needs
Muni has many challenges, including a continuing need to...
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Set Yourself Up for Remodeling Success
Published: January 10, 2013
By Jim TibbsOnce the holiday decorations are packed away, take a good look at your house with the fresh perspective of a New Year. What changes would you like to make to enhance the value, comfort and appearance your home? As with most of life’s endeavors, advance planning plays a...
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Ten Things I Learned in 2012
By Zoe Dunning Published: December 20, 2012
In the spirit of year-end reflections, here are ten things I learned in 2012:
1. Every vote counts. I was elected to the San Francisco Democratic Central Committee (DCCC) in June by a mere 32 votes. Out gay candidate Steve Hansen won his seat on the Sacramento City Council...
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The LGBT Aging Policy Task Force
Published: December 20, 2012
Dr. Marcy Adelman On May 24, 2012, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed legislation establishing the city’s first LGBT Aging Policy Task Force.
Subsequently, fifteen diverse members of the community, LGBT seniors, advocates and providers were signed in to explore the issues, challenges and barriers to LGBT...
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The Trevor Project Gives the Greatest Gift of All
Published: December 20, 2012
By Danny CowanWhether you are preparing for a holiday celebration this season with your chosen family, your biological one, alone or with friends, I encourage you to take time to think about a special group within our community: LGBTQ youths. The holidays can be particularly stressful for young people who...
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I’m Here to Stay
Published: December 6, 2012
By Joel P. EngardioMy post-election Facebook status: “Defeated? Still get to enjoy watching Downton Abbey on the couch, with Lionel, sharing ice cream. Nope, not defeated.”
70 friends liked it.
My bid for District 7 Supervisor may have fallen short, but it’s hard to feel like a loser...
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Home for the Holidays
Published: December 6, 2012
By Jim Tibbs“Home for the Holidays” is an oft-repeated phrase at this time of year. Of course, the word “home” has many different meanings depending on your point of reference and where you are in life. For some people it means returning to the hometown where they grew up to...
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Tinsel, Boas, Ribbons, Oh My!
Published: December 6, 2012
By Tim SeeligIf you are anything like me, you experience a slightly negative, OK, not so slight, reaction to that first string of holiday tinsel being hung by a local retailer – pre-Halloween! It is only slightly less annoying than the neighbor who saved time and energy by just leaving...
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AIDS Beyond the Numbers
Published: November 29, 2012
By Gary Virginia
As a person with AIDS since 1995 who has lost more than 400 friends to the disease, I can tell you that one cannot reduce this disease to just symptoms and prescriptions. While AIDS may be considered a “manageable” disease in the developed world, it is...
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Why World AIDS Day Matters
Published: November 29, 2012
By Mike SmithWorld AIDS Day is December 1, 2012. It is an annual opportunity to reflect on the state of the epidemic, remember those we have lost, marshal resources to continue the battle and recommit to helping those affected by HIV/AIDS. Through Saturday’s events like Paint the Castro Red and...
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Looking Good at 30
Published: November 29, 2012
By Brad HarbinSometimes the most difficult part of turning 30 is being 29. Looking back over our lives and hoping we have done enough, been enough, learned enough. Then you have to figure out how to commemorate and set new goals for what lies ahead. Some of you reading this...
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Post Election Relief and Excitement
By Zoe Dunning Published: November 15, 2012
The fall election is behind us, and overall the results were great news for LGBT Americans. President Obama won re-election, a record number of out LGBT candidates were elected to national, state and local office, and we had pro-marriage equality results in all four state ballot initiatives – another first.
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Expressing Gratitude Through Actions, Not Words
Published: November 15, 2012
 By Kaushik Roy
For so many of us, preparing for the holiday season, and Thanksgiving in particular, provides us with an opportunity to pause and appreciate the numerous blessings for which we are grateful. Several days removed from the election, I am still basking in the glow of our...
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Unlock the Potential in Your Home
Published: November 15, 2012
By Jim TibbsThere is no doubt about it; we pay a premium to enjoy the benefits of living in the Bay Area. Home prices here are among the highest in the country. Most of us would like to have more space, but can’t afford the mortgage for a larger house....
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Campaign Values
Published: November 1, 2012
By Joel P. Engardio
Twenty years ago this month, I was a 20-year-old cub reporter. I left Michigan State junior year to spend fall semester on a professional journalism internship at a newspaper in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Born and raised in Michigan, my adventure to the Keystone state didn’t...
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Boys Behaving Badly and Other Updates from the Campaign Trail
Published: November 1, 2012
By Rafael MandelmanIt has been a good few weeks for queer District 5 Supervisor Christina Olague. Not that long ago, many insiders were speculating that Olague might be the first incumbent to lose a re-election fight since district elections were restored in 2000. But her vote to retain Ross Mirkarimi...
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No Straight Lines
Published: November 1, 2012
By Justin Hall Editor’s Note: The excerpt below from the book No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics (Fantagraphics, 2012) was republished with the author’s permission. Hall edited this incredible 328-page tome. It showcases major names such as Alison Bechdel (see Bay Times page 12), Howard Cruse, Ralf Koenig,...
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Eve of the Election Comedy
Published: November 1, 2012
By Ronn Vigh
Everyone deals differently with tragedy. I’ve always been one to employ my sense of humor during tough times-- often to be met with harsh criticism. I can’t tell you how many boyfriends and bosses have angrily confronted me with, “Is everything just a big joke to...
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Fixing What’s Broken
By Zoe Dunning Published: October 18, 2012
Recently I had the opportunity to speak at Hastings Law School at their Symposium Fixing a Broken System: Rape and Sexual Assault in the Military. I shared with the audience my experiences as a woman who served in the Navy for 22 years. I also discussed some of the lessons...
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Kitchen Refresh
Published: October 18, 2012
By Jim TibbsOne of my personal goals in life is to help people create homes that are comfortable, convenient, healthy and inspiring living spaces. This is one of the many reasons that I love my “encore” career as the owner of a home design and remodeling business after working for...
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Edit Your Life
Published: October 18, 2012
By Kevin StephensDid you know that we have about three times more space than Americans had 50 years ago? You’d think that, with all this extra space, we’d have plenty of room for all of our stuff. No. We’ve got triple the space, but we’ve become such good shoppers that...
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LGBT History Is American History
Published: September 20, 2012
By Senator Mark Leno
During the past year, we have been fortunate to witness some amazing achievements in LGBT history. America’s men and women in the armed forces won the right to serve openly and proudly in the military. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Proposition 8,...
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Catherine Tuerk Puts Love and Pride into Action
Published: September 20, 2012
By Will Fellows
Editor’s Note: Catherine Tuerk will speak on Tuesday, October 2, at a book event co-sponsored by Congregation Zha’ar Zahav and PFLAG-SF, 7:00 PM, at the Synagogue, 290 Dolores Street (corner of 16th Street) in San Francisco.
In one sense, Catherine Tuerk’s story is not so...
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SF Travelers Braved Hurricane for Southern Decadence
Published: September 20, 2012
By Gary Virginia
An eerie silence fell over United flight 1430 on August 31 as passengers peered out windows left and right, seeking a glimpse of possible havoc Hurricane Isaac might have inflicted on New Orleans.
For thousands of Labor Day weekend vacationers headed to the annual Southern...
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HBV Threatens Up to One Third of SF’s Population
Published: September 6, 2012
By Joel P. EngardioNeil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, died on the same day last month as Dr. R. Palmer Beasley. Few had heard of Dr. Beasley, yet he was also a pioneer. His work would have global impact that also hits close to home.Beasley’s discoveries...
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Afraid to Rock the Boat?
Published: September 6, 2012
By Scott DavisI learned to sail and race sailboats as a young closeted teen. I love being on the water—so soothing and connected to nature, like surfing. And so exciting to harness the wind, race across the water and blast through the waves—yet I didn’t want to “rock the boat”...
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Sally Ride and Daughters of a Coral Dawn
Published: August 23, 2012
By Katherine V. Forrest
My novel Daughters of a Coral Dawn was published the same year Sally Ride made her second flight on the Space Shuttle Challenger, the year after her initial pioneering triumph. The publication of this novel of mine in 1984 and Sally Ride’s historic achievements have...
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The Changing Face of District 7
Published: August 9, 2012
By Joel P. Engardio
On the other side of Twin Peaks, there’s a neighborhood called Forest Knolls perched high in the fog. It overlooks a western swath of San Francisco that Harvey Milk would find very different from when he served as the city’s first openly gay supervisor.
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Letter from a San Francisco Fan
Published: August 9, 2012
By Anette Holst Christensen, Member of the City Council, The City of Copenhagen
When I, a visiting Dane, enjoy my coffee in one of the beautiful San Franciscan gardens and listen to what I perceive as my local temple bells (the J train on Church Street announcing its departure),...
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Remembering Mary Dunlap, Gay Rights and the Olympics
Published: July 26, 2012
By B. Scott Levine, Attorney at Law With the Summer Olympics taking place this month in London, it is fitting to remember that 25 years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a San Francisco-based nonprofit did not have the right to use the word “Olympic,” as in the Gay Olympic...
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The Ongoing Fight for Health Equality
Published: June 21, 2012
By Dawn Harbatkin, MDOn May 9, 2012, President Barack Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage. Obama’s announcement was long overdue and certainly welcome. Like so many others, I was excited and called my friends and family to talk about it. And, of course, I started dropping hints for my...
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Profile: Dr. Caitlin Ryan of the Family Acceptance Project
Published: June 21, 2012
By Cathy RennaDr. Caitlin Ryan, director of the Family Acceptance Project at SF State University, is a clinical social worker who has worked on LGBT health and mental health since the 1970s. Prior to the AIDS epidemic, her early organizing activities helped establish a national network of LGBT health and...
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CWO Concert Benefits Women’s Cancer Resource Center
Published: May 31, 2012
By Kathleen McGuireOn May 20th, the Community Women’s Orchestra (CWO) presented the final concert of its 27th season, my seventh season as its conductor.
The occasion was bittersweet, donating 100% of box office proceeds to the Women’s Cancer Resource Center of Oakland due to the recent breast cancer...
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Election Guide - June 5th Primary
Published: May 31, 2012
By Jody SanfordAbout ten years ago I was looking for a way to volunteer my time and use my interest in politics to make a positive difference in the community. As I scanned the various groups around town, I saw many good organizations devoted to a particular cause or issue,...
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Stop the Bullying! Vote YES on Prop. 29
Published: May 31, 2012
By Gloria StolisOn June 5, we will have the chance to prevent tens of thousands of queer youth from ever taking up smoking. On June 5th, we have the unprecedented opportunity to fund cancer research in California and to save lives. A Yes vote on Prop 29, the California Cancer...
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Election Time
Published: May 17, 2012
Do Ask, Do Tell By Zoe DunningThe June 5 primary election is just around the corner. If you are registered as Vote by Mail (absentee), you should have received your ballot.
You also probably receiving several “slate cards” on your door and in your mailbox with recommendations on...
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Do Ask, Do Tell
Published: May 3, 2012
By Zoe DunningI’m excited to contribute to the Bay Times with this bi-weekly summary of noteworthy LGBT news and events. Another post-repeal first: Same-sex marriage proposal on military base On April 24, a Navy veteran (and victim of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell), did ask and did tell his Marine boyfriend...
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Avoid the Most Common Buyer Errors
Published: May 3, 2012
By Pam WinterbauerShopping for a new home is an emotional experience. It’s also time consuming and comes with a myriad of details. Some buyers, however, caught up in the excitement of buying a new home, tend to overlook some items. Their home purchase turns into an expensive process. These errors generally...
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The Enduring Value of A Victorian Era Home
Published: May 3, 2012
By Jason Allen-RoumanThe street-face of many a Victorian home delights the eye and teases the imagination. Visually fortified with all manner of trim, even the erstwhile granddame and simple carpenter row house evoke mild appreciation, if not nostalgia, for a long-lost way of life. As the President of The Victorian...
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To Meditate or Medicate? or What a Difference a “C” Makes…
By Karen Williams Published: April 5, 2012
Aah! A perfect morning! Dress, pack, chant, meditate…leisurely drive to the airport…on my way to spend a glorious weekend with thousands of lesbians…and a few gay guys who love any kind of party…in Palm Springs for the Dinah Shore festivities.
I’m on yet another early morning flight, thoroughly prepared...
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Military Families Still Fighting for Equality
Published: March 22, 2012
By Zoe DunningI’m excited to write this new column for the Bay Times. I plan to use it to profile ordinary men and women who, while facing long odds or a daunting challenge, have demonstrated the Courage to Lead.
Many know of me as an advocate for the repeal...
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Project Open Hand and the Food Justice Movement
Published: March 22, 2012
By Kevin WingeWhen Ruth Brinker cooked her first meals for seven men with AIDS in San Francisco in 1985, an act of kindness that resulted in the creation of Project Open Hand, she probably didn’t think she was addressing a justice issue. She probably thought she was simply helping friends...
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Coming Out
Published: March 22, 2012
By Stu SmithAs a young closeted gay San Franciscan, I vividly remember being threatened with arrest at the Union Square Garage on a blustery winter Saturday on a shopping trip with my Mother. We'd parked and were exiting on the Post Street side and I asked my Mom to...
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People Rise or Sink to Others' Expectations
Published: March 22, 2012
By Mykel MoggBeing asked to write a column on politics from a queer youth perspective, my mind wandered to an article I read on NPR a few years ago. It told the story of a mother who wanted to understand her two teenage sons’ behavior- by turns described as “maddeningly...
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Women, You’ve Come a Long Way But the Journey Isn’t Over
Published: March 8, 2012
By Joanne JordanMarch is Women’s History Month, and since women began officially celebrating their political, economic and social achievements over a century ago, they have made significant strides in these areas. And though women have overcome many obstacles, they still face some unique financial and lifestyle challenges. Here are four...
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Taking Care of Our Own Gay Selves
Published: March 8, 2012
By Shar RednourAs we acknowledge International Women’s Day, I think about our own independence, which can be financial security. You can’t read a straight wedding magazine without noticing the money advisor’s column is fatter than the bride’s trousseau. Yet most financial advice to same sex couples is in essence legal advice...
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Getting Outdoors and Loving Nature
Published: March 8, 2012
By Russ Hartman & Deb Riat Gay and Lesbian SierransIt’s a lifestyle, fitness and nature. A very positive lifestyle that contributes greatly to an individual’s health and well-being. Sharing that lifestyle with other LGBT people is a meaningful and satisfying experience. And unlike many of the finer things in...
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Be the Change
Published: February 23, 2012
By Karen Williams"Be the change we want to see in the world..." is a phrase that is particularly popular these days. Yet, have you tried to change even one thing about yourself lately and discovered how difficult it is?Take cigarette smoking, for example. I used to smoke cigarettes so I...
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Love Can Bite
Published: February 9, 2012
By William “Billy” SauerlandIn February 2003, the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco (LGCSF) premiered a show called “Love Bites” to give audiences an alternative from the gooey, sappy, lovey-dovey schmaltz of the overly commercialized Saint Valentine’s Day. The concert was known as the anti-Valentine’s Day cabaret. “Love Bites” was a...
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Real Romance for Valentine's Day
Published: February 9, 2012
By Shar RednourReal Romance for V-Day 2012Want to know the real secret for getting romantic on Valentine’s Day? It’s not spending money on diamonds or a seven-course dinner. It’s focusing on you two!
1) Skip the Dinner - For Valentine’s Day most people go out for a fancy dinner....
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Continuing My Work For The Community In 2012
Published: January 26, 2012
By Supervisor Scott WienerMy first year representing District 8 on the Board of Supervisors was an eventful one. I pursued an aggressive legislative agenda, including passage of legislation to help tenants displaced by disasters, prevailing wage legislation to help low wage workers, legislation to protect neighborhood open space, legislation to...
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I love texting . . .
Published: January 26, 2012
By Karen Williams…better than talking on the phone. No, I’m not 13. I just love the instant gratification of sending messages via text, especially to groups, which can cause problems.I send you a text. You receive the message. It appears personal and if you don’t know to look at the...
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Guest Editorial — My HIV Experience in San Francisco
Published: December 1, 2011
By Stu SmithIt was 1988 and I owned my fifth San Francisco restaurant when I received the news that I was positive. I was overwhelmed with fear and shame, but what a lucky guy to live and thrive in San Francisco all my life. I was told that I had...
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Dog is My Caregiver
Published: December 1, 2011
For years, San Franciscan Ed Brownson has been HIV positive, with his first hospitalization occurring in 1995. Since then, he has also been dealing with liver cancer, chemo, a liver transplant and other medical challenges. Ed, however, refuses to be defeated. His blog has the tongue-in-cheek title “Too Stupid to...
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An Open Letter toGov. Schwarzenegger
By Rex Wockner Published: September 20, 2007
Dear Gov. Schwarzenegger,As the bill legalizing same-sex marriage in California sits on your desk for the second time in three years, I wonder...How do you want to be remembered?What do you want people to say about you 20 or 50 years from now?Do you want to be remembered like Gov....
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Empowering Men Who Have Sex With Men to Fight AIDS
Published: August 2, 2007
By Kevin Frost and Dr. Chris BeyrerIn 85 countries of the world, it is illegal for men to have sex with other men. Male-male sexual relationships are stigmatized, driving men to hide their activities from friends, family members, and health workers, according to a recent report by the International Lesbian...
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Science Strikes Back
By Wayne Besen Published: December 28, 2006
University lecturers left their classrooms this week to lecture Focus on the Family’s James Dobson to tell him he has no class. The tenured were teed off and staged a revolt because they were revolted by how Dobson had perverted their work in TIME magazine. In a guest column criticizing...
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Time for Mother Mary to Call Mr. Leather
By Wayne Besen Published: December 21, 2006
by Wayne BesenRight wing leaders violently shook their rattles and practically soiled their diapers the moment they found out Mary Cheney was having a baby. For a moment, it seemed they were going to rename their anti-choice slogan, “Right to Straight Life” and demand that Mary immediately seek a partial...
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A Come To Jesus Moment
By Wayne Besen Published: October 19, 2006
In 1995, I arrived in Washington, DC as a fresh faced and doe-eyed 25 year old. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do for a living, but I thought working on Capitol Hill might be interesting and the big buildings looked kind of cool. Although I had just served...
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Quacks Quiver As Controversy Widens
By Wayne Besen Published: October 12, 2006
One of the most successful techniques used by the right wing is creating shadow organizations designed to ape mainstream institutions in an effort to undermine them. By deceptively using scientific names and manipulating research, much of the public can’t tell the difference between the reputable groups and the reputed ones.
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You Have Hate Mail
By Mubarak Dahir Published: October 12, 2006
“THE ONLY GOOD ARAB is a dead Arab.”I knew I was going to get this e-mail, or something similar, long before I opened it casually one recent afternoon at work as I was plying through my regular deluge of electronic correspondence.It was hardly the only such letter I received in...
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Foley Fallout
By Wayne Besen Published: October 5, 2006
The biggest misnomer in the Mark Foley fiasco is that his transgressions were caused by the closet. We hear that his career ended in tragedy because living in secrecy warps the mind and leads to sleaze on the sly. This, of course, is often true, as in the case of...
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In the Aftermath of War in The Middle East, A Ceasefire with My Father
By Mubarak Dahir Published: August 17, 2006
It seems to take a Middle East war for me to be able to call a cease fire with my father. That is because there has been a personal, more private war going on between Sabir, my Palestinian father, and me, his gay son, for nearly two decades.Our war, of...
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Remembering The Early Faces Of AIDS
By Mubarak Dahir Published: June 8, 2006
SCOTT SAT ACROSS FROM ME at the restaurant in San Francisco, holding my hand and smiling sadly, telling me he was “one of the lucky ones.”It was early August of 1985. Just two weeks earlier, a spokesperson for Rock Hudson announced the actor had AIDS. Just two months later, Hudson...
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A Grandfather’s Lesson, A Granddaughter’s Commitment
By Christine Chavez Published: February 9, 2006
There are lessons a granddaughter learns while growing up around her grandfather. You can’t champion equality for your own people when you tolerate discrimination against others. Leadership is not about following the crowd. It is about getting out in front and leading people in the right direction. As my grandfather...
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The Coming Year
By Don Monkerud Published: January 5, 2006
Only fortunetellers, the simple minded and the politically naïve brave predictions on our political future. Nevertheless, the nation’s newspapers and magazines will fill with predictions about politics: the coming elections, U.S. success at bringing capitalism to Iraq, the progress of the so-called war on terror, the effort of a Christian...
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Military Memories Haunt My Veterans Day
By Chuck Colbert Published: November 10, 2005
Twenty years ago this Veterans Day, my time was nearly up in the United States Navy. After four years serving as a surface warfare officer, I was ready to return to civilian life. A career Navy man I was not.But it was my free choice to leave active duty. The...
