Newsom’s Redemption, as told by Matier and Ross

According to Matier and Ross: “Newsom could be seen many nights in the Balboa Cafe in the Marina, where he was an investor -- sometimes on his cell phone, often alone, with a glass of wine close by. White wine was his drink of choice.” The white stuff: It just doesn’t get any worse. Until it’s mixed with the illicit stuff. Again from Matier and Ross: “Sometimes, Newsom would meet up with a woman -- telling his police driver to take the rest of the night off while they slipped out the back door.”

With shootings in other parts of the city at an all-time high, and thousands of homeless people still living on the streets every day, Gavin was busy grieving the loss of Camelot. Three years before, the paper that Matier and Ross work for helped promote Gavin and Kimberly as the new Kennedys. San Francisco’s royalty was all the rage and the Chronicle kept them on a pedestal where they obviously belonged.

To solidify his image as the benevolent prince, Newsom decreed that there be gay marriage in the kingdom. It was the greatest spectacle the people had seen in a long time and they gathered outside City Hall to watch. Even our new national lesbian role model, Rosie O’Donnell, showed up with girlfriend in tow. The crowned prince, with picture-perfect wife and always freshly moussed hair, officiated over the “winter of love.” His glory spread far and wide. Camelot was revered by liberal hearts everywhere.

It abruptly came to an end, as all good things do. With Kimberly gone and the “winter of love” behind him, Gavin sank fast and deep. The descent into hell could only end in public disgrace.

Then, as Matier and Ross tell it, an old friend, former State Senator John Burton, arrived on a dark and rainy night. He told the boy prince of his own battle with drugs in the 80s. Horrible tales that gave Gavin pause to consider. Yes, demon alcohol caused him to lose judgement. He had betrayed his best friend. He had neglected the city. But all that would change now.

With Matier and Ross at his side, there wasn’t anything he couldn’t do.

Tommi Avicolli Mecca is a radical, southern Italian, working-class queer performer, writer and activist whose work can be seen at http://www.avicollimecca.com.

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