Feature Archives

In solidarity with ACT UP NY’s 20 year anniversary action, Gay Shame held "a festive die-in and real estate tour of the ever-so-scary Castro" on Thursday, March 29th. The action was organized around the idea of “Healthcare and Housing for ALL!” Throughout San Francisco, people with AIDS, and other low-income residents, have been forced out of their homes to make way for remodeling, owner move-ins and condo conversions. “The legacy of evictions is part of the cultural history of the Castro,” said Mary Mortgage of Gay Shame. “There’s been a huge cultural erasure. We’re holding real estate companies accountable for making profits off the eviction of protected tenants.”

Heather MacAllister was "a fucking sexy fat wicked smart intense and funny fierce femme." She died February 13th in Portland, Oregon after battling ovarian cancer for several years. She was 38 years old. On Saturday, February 24th the 7:00pm Goddess Rosary service was in memory of Heather, at HerChurch, 678 Portola Drive, San Francisco. On Sunday, February 25th, a Funeral/Mourning/Goodbye ritual was held at 1:30pm at Precita Park, corner of Folsom and Precita, followed by a procession up Precita to a wake at El Rio ( Report). Ms. MacAllister was the founder and artistic director of Big Burlesque and the Fat Bottom Revue, the first burlesque act exclusively featuring large-sized performers. She was an anti-racist and queer community organizer and activist.

On February 14, 2007, Fresno Marriage Equality USA chapter members requested marriage licenses at the County Clerks office. They got as far as the front counter when the assistant Registrar of Voters told them State law prohibits them from being married. In response, one member said, "We are proud to be a part of this annual event to put a local face on marriage discrimination around the country." Photos | Video

In reaction to PG&E's massive greenwashing campaign, a group of protesters crashed the PG&E press conference at the LGBT center on January 27th, where the company unveiled its newly installed solar panels. The protesters wanted to make it clear that installing solar panels on one building did not make this billion dollar corporation 'green'. The counter-action was called "Make Out for Environmental Justice." Two queer women on stilts leaned in for a smooch in front of the LGBT Center entrance, while holding a sign that read, "Love Solar. Love LGBT. Question PG&E," and a parasol reading ‘0% Solar’. Photos | Report

The film "HIP-HOP: Beyond Beats and Rhymes" takes an in-depth look at representations of manhood, sexism and homophobia in hip-hop culture. This documentary is a “loving critique” of certain "disturbing" developments in rap music culture from the point of view of a fan who challenges the art form’s representations of masculinity. The film was screened on January 9th at the San Francisco Public Library. That event included a screening of the short "Trendsetters or Fakers," and a panel discussion. The film was also shown on January 17th at the Oakland Museum of California. The evening included performances by Youth Movement Records and Youth Speaks, audio pieces produced by TEMPO, and discussion with filmmaker Byron Hurt and hip hop community activists.

November 20th was the 8th Transgender Day of Remembrance. An observation of the day was held on Sunday, November 19th in Oakland's Preservation Park. Photos: 1 | 2 Organizers highlighted the fact that many transgendered women have been assaulted on the streets near Preservation Park. This event was also a way to let neighbors know that there is a trans community outside of San Francisco. At least two prominent killings of trans people have occurred east of San Francisco in recent years- those of Gwen Araujo in Newark and Alfred Dibble in Stockton.

On November 7th, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 83, or "Jessica's Law." It adds extra punishments, retroactively, for Registered Sex Offenders (RSO's). One provision of the law says that RSO's cannot live within 2,000 feet of a park or school. This portion of Prop. 83 was blocked by a judge the day after the election, pending a November 27th hearing. Critics of the residency requirement point out that it would force RSO's to move to rural areas, where those at risk of offending again might not find the services they need or government monitoring that Prop. 83 requires. Although it was named after a little girl who was raped and killed, Jessica's law does not distinguish between violent sex offenders and those who were convicted of more minor offenses, such as indecent exposure or public urination.