Queerness

Drag Has Always Been in My Life
Essays, Queerness

Drag Has Always Been in My Life

'With all the glitz and glamor I was subjected to growing up, you'd think it would have unwillingly forced me to become a drag queen.' I was just a kid when one of my cousins took me to see John Water's film Pink Flamingos at the Nuart Theater in Los Angeles. We smoked a joint before going into the theater, and while we were waiting for the movie to start, I swear I saw a raccoon cross the stage. Then, when the lights went down and the film began to play, I was utterly mesmerized by the screen presence of the incomparable drag queen, Divine. In the scene when the reporter asks her character Babs Johnson if she could give him some of her political beliefs –– her response "Kill everyone now! Condone first-degree murder! Advocate cannibalism! Eat shit! Filth are my politics; filth is my life...
The (Belated) Weekend Catch-Up: Local SF Publications Take on NYT’s Anti-Trans Language
Hyperlocal News + Stories, Queerness

The (Belated) Weekend Catch-Up: Local SF Publications Take on NYT’s Anti-Trans Language

Plus: An SF crab destination shuttered and one of Oakland's most significant Black churches suffered massive damage from a three-alarm fire. J.K. Rowling — the best-selling author most well-known for creating the Harry Potter series of books and screenplays, which have evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry — began putting her foot in her mouth regarding anti-trans language about two years ago. Though her anti-trans stances had been circulating since 2016, Rowling cemented her affinity for anti-trans language in 2020 with a series of tweets, delegitimizing trans people — particularly trans women. “If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction,” the author writes in a series of tweets published in June of 2020 — words released during Pride month, no less. “If sex isn’t rea...
Loads of Valentine Love
Essays, Queerness

Loads of Valentine Love

‘With or without the razzle-dazzle of its seductive cover, I hope you can see that I am simply a reflection of all your love and beauty.’ I have never really loved Valentine's Day. So the production and commercialization of Valentine's classics from Hallmark and FTD florist don't interest me. However, if you want to talk about chocolates from See's Candy, I have a moment to sit and chat with you. I took a second to dive into the origins of Valentine's Day, and I don't know how I feel about the celebration. However, the following paragraph was taken directly from the interwebs: "The ancient Romans may also be responsible for the name of our modern-day of love. Emperor Claudius II executed two men — who were both named Valentine — on Feb. 14 of different years in the third century. Th...
At SF’s HAUM Yoga, Community and Creativity Find a Warm Home
Culture + Travel, Queerness

At SF’s HAUM Yoga, Community and Creativity Find a Warm Home

Almost two years in, San Francisco’s queer-owned yoga studio, HAUM — which now has two locations: its original 2973 16th Street wellness hub and the newer studio that took over the former Yoga Tree Stanyan space at 780 Stanyan Street — is cementing its staying power as more than just a workout space. The intersectionalities of queerness and community exist in the same thought — breath and crossroad of self. To be a member of the LGBTQIA+ community is to simultaneously surrender to life outside perceived norms and understand that senses of family and tribe go beyond genetic makeup; the latter-mentioned two collectives can be chosen. Oftentimes, the arts and wellness act as chain links connecting queer people to one another. Such a display was on full show at HAUM’s “Art of Yoga” eve...
After Their Rent Was Doubled, This SF Queer Arts Boutique Needs Your Help
Culture + Travel, Queerness

After Their Rent Was Doubled, This SF Queer Arts Boutique Needs Your Help

In less than a year, San Francisco's Queer Arts Featured has amassed an enormous following and prestige, but rising operational costs could see the gallery close in the not-so-distant future. Harvey Milk’s legacy lives on in physical glimmers and flickers across San Francisco — including at the SF Bay Area’s busiest airport. Opened in Milk’s former camera shop at 575 Castro Street, Queer Arts Featured — a.k.a. “Queer A.F.” — moved into the space last June; the Castro storefront also formerly housed the former Human Rights Campaign merchandise store for over a decade. Since debuting, the open-space gallery has grown into a communal balm; a showcase for various queer artists to display their works; both an event and learning venue where people can indulge in their creative eccentrici...
No, These Aren’t Real Koi Fish Swimming in San Francisco
Culture + Travel, Nature + Climate Crisis, Queerness

No, These Aren’t Real Koi Fish Swimming in San Francisco

Stencil and street artist Jeremy Novy’s painted koi fish are welcomed, happenstance sights around SF as they continue to school in growing numbers. Like we said earlier today: We can’t remember the last time we were so elated to apply SPF and see the sun in unobstructed, rain-free fashions. Of course, more rain is on the way later this week; a mild deluge is expected to help continue to inch the SF Bay Area (and California) out of drought conditions. This weekend, more than 2” of rain fell in San Francisco as Saturday and Sunday’s storms flooded streets (again), caused storm drains to clog (again), and allowed entire hillsides to slip onto local roads (again). Some sidewalks in the city were (again) submerged… which led to a stretch of concrete becoming a bit of an optical illusion. ...
Yes… ‘M3GAN’ Slays. But Is She a Queer Icon?
Culture + Travel, Queerness

Yes… ‘M3GAN’ Slays. But Is She a Queer Icon?

You've probably seen the viral dance that made M3GAN an "icon" before the film even premiered, but does this film live up to the hype? Welcome to our first Not the Last Word review! In this series, we'll be reviewing new films with an eye on how they interact with queer culture, social justice, and the zeitgeist. All reviews are opinions — because art is subjective — and we'll aim to spark discussion instead of creating a value-based rating system! PREVIEW (Spoiler Free) You’ve probably seen it: the intentionally meme-able, somewhat repeatable, weirdly inscrutable dance sequence that made the titular character M3GAN a new "horror icon" before the film was even released. As a horror movie aficionado, and frankly a bit of an arthouse snob, I was still skeptical. We have seen t...
On San Francisco’s Premier Queer Social Clubs Is Expanding Its Footprint in The Castro
Hyperlocal News + Stories, Queerness

On San Francisco’s Premier Queer Social Clubs Is Expanding Its Footprint in The Castro

The Academy SF — the self-knighted all-inclusive LGBTQIA+ social space at 2166 Market Street — recently announced it will take over an adjacent storefront to offer more for club members, starting sometime early next year. The club, which is located in San Francisco's Castro District, was founded in 2017 by co-founders Paul Miller and Nate Bourg. In 2019, The Academy took over the top floor of 2166 Market Street, following the relocation of the Michael Woo State Farm Insurance location that formerly occupied the spot.  Since then, the venue has become a nexus of San Francisco queer culture, attracting everything from convivial happy hours to deep dives into the local public art space; the street-facing, on-site barbershop still does exude a certain zoological quality that’s always s...
The Most Important Person in 2023 Should Be You
Essays, Queerness

The Most Important Person in 2023 Should Be You

'Your well-being is most important. A healthy, more vital one will benefit yourself, those close to you, and our community.' As I look back on 2022, there are many things I'm honored and so proud to have played a role in, including the completion of my reign as Empress of The Imperial Council of San Francisco, Inc. with Emperor Mr. David Glamamore. We helped shine a brighter light on the world's oldest and largest LGBTQIA+ organizations.  Pride this year was such an incredibly magical day –– $151,000 in donations from my annual event went directly to the Q Foundation, whose goal is to ensure people have safe housing, which is now more critical than ever. The nonprofit is creating an app that will connect local LGBTQIA+ people looking for or offering safe housing, based on the 'Juanita'...
This Week Has Seen an Alarming Number Fentanyl-Related Overdoses in San Francisco’s Queer Community
Hyperlocal News + Stories, Queerness

This Week Has Seen an Alarming Number Fentanyl-Related Overdoses in San Francisco’s Queer Community

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, 52 overdose deaths were reported in November of this year — and 41 of those reportedly involved fentanyl. The past three years have seen a troubling number of overdoses due to fentanyl in the San Francisco LGBTQIA+ community. Fentanyl is potent and deadly; it's over 1,000 times more powerful than morphine. Over just the last four nights, friends of mine working in SF hospitals have informed me there have allegedly been at least 17 suspected fentanyl-related overdoses in local emergency rooms. Four of the alleged overdose victims died. Many of these overdose patients were reportedly gay. I worry about how safe our community is when they are obtaining recreational drugs. Drug users do not know what they are taking is perhaps laced with fen...