We're Big Fans of This SF Drag Queen's Queer 2024 Voting Guide

In a time when voting rights are under attack, it’s imperative we all practice our right to participate in the Democratic process… (while we still can).

The time has come for me to put together my Queer Agenda Voting Guide for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election with the help of some of my friends and community members whose opinions I trust.

It’s as challenging as ever to be optimistic about the political landscape. We are witnessing atrocities in our world and country that have left us feeling helpless, even when we have shouted from the top of our lungs for justice. Some news outlets and social media platforms continue to be full of disinformation, extremism, and distraction. And politics has an overwhelming, unfair influence from big money.

For a moment, I thought about giving up on sending out my annual Queer Agenda Voting Guide. Participating in the political process is challenging in a divisive climate. We’re at war at home and abroad, and the last thing I want is to stoke conflict in our community. I spoke to some folks that insisted I put it out. They reminded me that people trust, depend, and appreciate the work I’ve done for the community over the last 30+ years.

I’ve said this before: I’m just one drag queen without a political action committee or big money backing me. We can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. I’d be happy if my voice inspires my community to get involved and rise for Democratic victories or volunteer a few hours weekly for phone calls or texts on critical issues.

I’ve always considered myself a problem-solver. Problems can be very stressful for most people, so my mind lights up and switches to finding a solution to resolve the issue. I am lucky to have access to many resources in our community, and I am glad I have a platform that allows me to share them broadly. So I’ll continue. However…

A considered reminder: If you don’t agree with something I’ve suggested, you can always skip following or using this voting guide. Please avoid sending me an email reply that is full of expletives. Try to respond in a way that sparks conversation on why our opinions differ. I’m willing to listen, engage, and discuss our views when you approach me respectfully.

On the issues where I haven’t endorsed: The most apparent non-endorsement here is for President Biden. Rest assured, I am not choosing Trump. This is the Democratic Party primary election, and President Biden will win because he has no credible challenger––don’t start with the Marianne or RFK Jr. chatter. That apple fell too far from the tree. In uncontested primaries, particularly where I have strong disagreements with the candidate, the best use of my platform is to continue holding them accountable. I do not wish to concede my voice or advocacy – nor should you – when withholding an endorsement as it may facilitate movement on critical issues that matter to our community. We will knock on doors and make calls into the Swing States. Let’s use what little leverage we have in the bluest state in the nation to move the dial where we can.

An exciting expansion to this year’s guide: While working on the guide, I started to take note of the growing list of LGBTQIA+ candidates running for offices across the country. It’s extensive and impressive. I don’t know all their stories and may not want to endorse some of them, but the queer representation inspired me to list them regardless. Queer representation isn’t everything in the age of George Santos, but seeing queer people run for office gives me hope for a better future for all of us.

So, let’s do this! And, please remember that the kind of democracy we want is up to us—we must choose, we must vote, and we must keep it queer.

Presidential Primary Election

March 5, 2024

Federal Contests:

President / NO ENDORSEMENT. President Biden will win in this uncontested Democratic Party primary election. In that context, holding President Biden accountable to our values means withholding our endorsement until he has earned it.
United States Senator (Full Term) / (1) Barbara Lee, (2) Katie Porter. We have two fantastic options in this race to succeed Senator Dianne Feinstein. Rep. Barbara Lee “speaks for me” and has a decades-long track record in Congress. Rep. Katie Porter has been a transformative voice in holding big corporations accountable; they both deserve to serve.
United States Representative in Congress, District 11 / NO ENDORSEMENT. As with the Presidential election, this is an uncontested Democratic Primary election. I am deeply concerned about Speaker Emerita Pelosi’s recent statements admonishing peaceful demonstrators for a ceasefire to “go back to China.” And the implication that pro-ceasefire advocates should be investigated for conspiring with Russia or China. Seriously. Our Democratic Party leaders need to do a better job of articulating their conspiracy theories, or they will continue to alienate me and the people I hold dear. Pelosi will win the primary in March, and we can talk again about supporting her in November. We should be proud of her many historic accomplishments, and I want her to go out on a higher note than this. It is as important to me that we begin discussing who will succeed her and ensure we have a meaningful choice in that future race.

United States Representative in Congress, District 15 / NO ENDORSEMENT As with the Presidential election, this is an uncontested Democratic Primary election. Kevin Mullens has been under fire for not speaking out on an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Holding him accountable to our values means withholding our endorsement until he has earned it.

State and Regional Contests:

State Senator, District 11 / NO ENDORSEMENT. The LGBTQIA+ community has traditionally supported Wiener, but he risks losing that support as many in the LGBTQIA+ community are speaking out against the war and demanding he call for a ceasefire. In that context, holding Senator Wiener accountable to our values means withholding our endorsement until he has earned it.
State Assemblymember, District 17 Matt Haney.

State Assemblymember, District 19 / NO ENDORSEMENT.

March CA State Ballot Measure, 2024:

Prop 1: Behavioral Health Services Program and Bond Measure: YES

Local Contests:

San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee
Vote the entire Labor and Working Families slate to ensure we have a Party represented by the community, not corporate and billionaire interests!

Assembly District 17

Assembly District 19

Judges of the San Francisco Superior Court:

Superior Court Judge Seat 1: Michael Begert
Superior Court Judge Seat 13: Patrick Thompson

Local Ballot Measures

Prop A: Affordable Housing Bond – YES!!! Proposition A is the most crucial reason to go on the ballot this March. It is a $300 million affordable housing bond to help fund, acquire, and rehabilitate new and existing affordable housing. F.O.J.’s (Friends of Juanita Housing Group): San Francisco already has an *affordable* housing crisis! The State of California requires the city to develop over 46,000 affordable homes by 2031. San Francisco has met its targets for permitting market-rate housing, but the financing for affordable housing is slim to none. Prop A needs two-thirds of the vote to pass, and I’m concerned about its chances because the other ballot measures with more funding are turning out a conservative voting bloc that will not support this. Prop A is your most meaningful vote in March to address the longstanding affordable housing crisis. Please vote Yes on A.
Prop B: Minimum Police Department Staffing and Future Funding Requirement NO. Prop B is complicated. It will not increase police staffing by cutting from other sources (like affordable housing, homelessness, the arts, etc.) It would require the voters to vote on a future measure to create a special tax to fund police staffing if the city wants to increase it. Each year, the mayor tries to increase police funding, leading to budget fights and cuts that ultimately hurt the community. This would force voters to effectively find the money if they want to fund more police vs. just allowing the mayor to take the money from another program. A “no” vote on Prop B means you do not support amending the city charter to set permanent staffing levels for SFPD and requiring new positions to be paid for by new taxes or other revenue outside the general fund.
Prop C: Property Transfer Tax Exemption For Conversions – NO. Prop C is a real estate tax break that throws the baby out with the bath water. On the surface, it is an exemption from the real estate transfer tax for conversions of office space to residential housing. That would be a great use of the vacant downtown office space, and I want downtown to come back to life as a residential neighborhood, but why not light manufacturing? Why not student housing? Also, that real estate transfer tax currently funds badly needed affordable housing. Worst of all, Prop C allows future elected leaders to eliminate the transfer tax. Wall Street investors would love to bankroll candidates committed to doing so, and I don’t want to give them a chance.
Prop D: Changes to Local Ethics Laws – YES. We should demand the most from our public officials, including that they don’t accept bribes while performing their general public duties. Vote Yes on D.
Prop E: Police Department Policies and Procedures and Use of Technology – NO. Gross! Prop E is a wolf in sheep’s clothing that will do nothing to make San Francisco safer; passing Prop E would, essentially, weaponize security cameras. This proposition would undo the City’s widespread ban on facial recognition surveillance, incentivize the City’s police officers to engage in high-speed chases, and eliminate any public oversight of police use of surveillance drones. Prop E has attracted significant funding from local billionaires, including crypto billionaire Chris Larson, a major Mayor Breed donor. That is the most important motivating factor for turnout, which concerns me. We have to push back. Currently, Mayor London Breed’s polling numbers are in the dumps, and public safety measures traditionally poll well even if they have little to do with public safety. I feel the same way about one thing the Mayor recently said, “And, I know I’m a public figure — it is what it is. I can’t have a private moment. You know, heaven forbid I take my wig off when I get my hair done.” I don’t want this to happen to me either! I don’t need to be recognized without my wig on! Vote No on Prop E.
Prop F: Substance Abuse Screening Requirements for Welfare Recipients – NO. Drug testing welfare recipients is a page right out of MAGA Republican Matt Gaetz’s playbook. How is this happening in San Francisco? If you read the summary and think it provides treatment for people needing help, then you are forgiven. Because it isn’t, this proposition gives officials a new tool to harass welfare recipients who need help most, irrespective of their actual drug use. We should expand funding for voluntary, individualized treatment. For the record, I don’t think we should drug test recipients of other government benefits, like executives whose companies receive public subsidies or hedge fund managers who exploit tax loopholes. It will push people out of our social safety net and increase homelessness on our streets.
Prop G: Eighth Grade Algebra and SFUSD Math Curriculum Development – NO. I’m all for the kids learning math. Bless their hearts, and bless the mathletes! Prop G is a do-nothing, non-binding policy statement that forces a toxic political wedge driven by subversive right-wing interests who have no business meddling in our public schools (I will pause and take a sip of my tea after that sentence.) Vote your heart’s content, but you should always be skeptical of forced conversations in service of measures that do nothing. I won’t reward it with my endorsement or my vote.

Juanita MORE!

Juanita MORE! is a denizen of the limelight. For almost three decades, the laudable hostess has blitzed San Francisco with high glamour, drag irreverence, and danceable beats that have illuminated the entire city. MORE! continues to be a heaping dollop of generosity and a sprinkle of nerve. She inspires those around her to make positive differences in their lives and communities — and doing it all with timeless elegance and an innovative spirit. Most recently, after her reign, Miss MORE! holds the title of Absolute Empress 56 of the Imperial Council of San Francisco –– one of the oldest non-profit organizations globally.

To date, MORE! has helped raise over 1 million dollars for local charities — among them GBLT Historical Society & Archives, Our Trans Youth, Q Foundation, Queer Lifespace, Transgender Law Center, and more. In addition, MORE! tirelessly fundraises for organizations in San Francisco that are adamant about helping communities in the seven-by-seven thrive, all while shining light and offering support to those who’ve been overlooked for far too long.

MORE! embodies what it means to be a conduit of connection. MORE!’ brings the people together to fundraise, celebrate community, and demand social change around San Francisco and elsewhere. Her culinary expressions are an extension of what mothers have been doing in their kitchens for generations — which, simply states, is sharing “loads of love.”