Feature Archives

June, 2002: The 32nd Annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Transsexual Pride celebration took place at the end of June. Among the featured events are the Dyke March and the Pride March on 6/30. The Labor Contingent calls on all who support gay rights and labor rights to join the festivities and contest the reign of the anti-labor and anti-gay Bush administration, whose policies continue to terrorize workers of all sexual orientations. Gay Shame, a self-proclaimed "anti-capitalist alternative to consumerist Pride crap," lead a counter-demonstration at the parade. Details

October, 2002: Newsom's bid for mayor in San Francisco is riding on the backs of the poor and homeless, using the rhetoric of compassion to mask reality. Gay Shame organized a demonstration in the Marina to expose Newsom's lies where he feels most comfortable, the wealthy Marina District. Photos: 1 | 2

Based on recent deaths of prisoners with HIV/AIDS, California Prison Focus (CPF) demanded that Corcoran Warden A.K. Scribner and California Department of Corrections Director Edward Alameida launch an immediate investigation. CPF, along with other prisoners' rights and community organizations, will demonstrate in front of Corcoran prison’s front gate, 4001 King Avenue, on 10/19 at 2:30PM to expose continued human rights abuses at Corcoran prison. Details

On Thursday, June 26 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Texas sodomy law that made it a crime for people of the same sex to engage in "deviate sexual intercourse." Lawrence v. Texas gives Gay rights advocates a major victory, and Gay people everywhere cause for celebration. But the struggle is not over. Radical Queers, in the spirit of the great Harry Hay, continue to push the bounderies of liberation beyond mere identity politics, and to raise class consciousness among people everywhere, not just in the Gay ghetto.

Pictures Of Local Rallies And Protests: 1- 2- 3

Radical queer activists brought their critique of the corporatization of the gay pride celebration into the parade Sunday afternoon. The activists peacefully joined the parade at 7th and Market Streets to carry a banner that read, “Queer mutiny - not consumer unity.” About twenty protestors marched on the parade route for less than 5 minutes. The protestors dispersed when the police asked them to return to the sidewalk. Unfortunately, six activists were arrested before they were able to leave. They were held at 850 Bryant Street without bail for several days before all charges were dropped.

Members of gay shame and other radical queers activists chose to protest the Gay Pride parade for substituting queer community building with corporate sponsorship. The pride parade ignores pressing issues facing members of the queer community, such as homelessness. When they joined the parade, the activists’ passion for justice contrasted starkly with conservative mayoral candidate Gavin Newsom’s contingent behind them. Gavin Newsom is wealthy a local wine merchant who has attacked and demonized the homeless in an effort to get himself (and his many Republican allies) into a controlling position in city government. more...

Video and Photos of Arrests | Reports: 1 - 2 - 3 | Corporate Media Coverage: 1-2| Condemnation of Arrests by the SF LGBT Pride Celebration Committee: 1 - 2 | ECR pride special