Tag: San Francisco

San Francisco Pride Main Stage Speech with a Rousing Intro to Something Serious

June 30, 2022

This past Sunday at SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE, 2022, I had the great honor to present, on San Francisco Civic Center Plaza Main-Stage, an historic and poignant PRIDE video greeting from UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Dr. Filippo Grandi, preceded by the courageous voices of LGBTQI+ people in forced displacement.   In a world where over … More San Francisco Pride Main Stage Speech with a Rousing Intro to Something Serious

The Audience is Back for INTERLUDE at New Conservatory Theatre Center

October 17, 2021

NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE CENTER ANNOUNCES WORLD PREMIERE STAGE ADAPTATION OF HARRISON DAVID RIVERS’ CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED INTERLUDE  – See you there! I am so excited and so honored to be on the Board of NCTC in San Francisco and even more excited that I have  tickets in hand, and after 18 months in our COVID corners, … More The Audience is Back for INTERLUDE at New Conservatory Theatre Center

Immigrant Advocates Rally in San Francisco to End Expulsions to Haiti and Defend Black Migrants

October 14, 2021

Today asylum seekers, advocates, and allies rallied on the steps of San Francisco City Hall demanding an end to Title 42 expulsions and other policies that harm Black people seeking safety in the United States. The groups gathered as part of a National Day of Protest in defense of Black immigrants called by the Haitian … More Immigrant Advocates Rally in San Francisco to End Expulsions to Haiti and Defend Black Migrants

Marin County Hires New Public Defender

August 27, 2021

David Joseph Sutton began his legal career with the Marin County Public Defender’s Office, and now he is the choice to lead that department. County Administrator Matthew Hymel said a nationwide recruitment process concluded with the recommendation of Sutton, who has served as Trial Chief for the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Los … More Marin County Hires New Public Defender

The Sally Miller Gearhart Documentary Mitigates the Injustice of Lesbian Erasure

March 10, 2021

If you know who Harvey Milk is but do not know who Sally Miller Gearhart is – then you are a victim of the impact of lesbian erasure. Read on and erase the injustice – you can participate in this important correction. Not only have lesbians suffered taking a back seat to gay men in … More The Sally Miller Gearhart Documentary Mitigates the Injustice of Lesbian Erasure

San Francisco Tenderloin Lawsuit Over ‘Insufferable’ Sidewalk Conditions Amid COVID-19

May 4, 2020

UC Hastings, Other Tenderloin Residents Sue San Francisco Over ‘Insufferable’ Sidewalk Conditions Amid COVID-19 – Article in The Recorder accessed below… “The conditions now prevailing in the Tenderloin constitute a violation of the fundamental civil rights of those residing and working there,” wrote lawyers for Tenderloin residents suing to force the city to confront encampments … More San Francisco Tenderloin Lawsuit Over ‘Insufferable’ Sidewalk Conditions Amid COVID-19

Bay Area Regional Shelter-in-Place Orders Extended as Some Rules Ease

April 29, 2020

Health Officers caution that reducing restrictions too quickly could lead to a substantial resurgence of COVID-19 San Rafael, CA –The seven Bay Area Public Health Officers who ordered a Shelter-In-Place in mid-March will extend the orders through May 31 while some restrictions are eased and tools to strengthen containment of COVID-19 are put into place. The … More Bay Area Regional Shelter-in-Place Orders Extended as Some Rules Ease

Bay Area Counties to Extend and Revision Current Shelter-in-Place Orders

April 27, 2020

Joint Statement and Press Release: Bay Area counties extend shelter-in-place orders through end of May: From the Seven Bay Area Health Officers on Upcoming Extension and Revisions to the Current Shelter-in-Place Orders: This global pandemic of COVID-19 is still in its early stages: We expect to be responding to COVID-19 in our communities for a long … More Bay Area Counties to Extend and Revision Current Shelter-in-Place Orders

Our San Francisco Pride Will Not be Defeated by COVID-19

April 14, 2020

Having been a Community Grand Marshal for San Francisco Pride in 2014 and also having served on the San Francisco Pride Board as vice president, I find it very sad but absolutely necessary to support the following Statement from the executive director of San Francisco Pride, considering the dangers we face as a result of … More Our San Francisco Pride Will Not be Defeated by COVID-19

International AIDS Conference AIDS 2020 to go VIRTUAL

March 27, 2020

The health and safeguarding of our community is our highest priority. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 23rd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2020), set to be held on 6-10 July 2020, in San Francisco, will become the first virtual edition of the International AIDS Conference. AIDS 2020: Virtual will enable delegates to access and … More International AIDS Conference AIDS 2020 to go VIRTUAL

Join the Choral Protest in San Francisco to be led by CLOSE THE CAMPS CHOIR

September 4, 2019

“Last week, I awoke from a dream where I saw thousands of singers filling up a park, raising their voices against injustice. Now I am working to make that happen.  Please join Close the Camps Choir on Sunday September 15 at the Embarcadero Plaza, San Francisco, from 3.00-5.00 PM and add your voice to our chorus!”  It literally … More Join the Choral Protest in San Francisco to be led by CLOSE THE CAMPS CHOIR

Frameline Announces New Executive Director

August 20, 2019

Frameline, presenter of the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, the world’s largest and longest-running queer film festival, is pleased to announce the appointment of James Woolley as Executive Director. Woolley brings with him over a decade’s worth of film festival management experience, most recently as the Head of Marketing and Customer Relations at the … More Frameline Announces New Executive Director

The Pink Triangle 2019 – What Good is ‘Never Again’ if we Continue to Ignore!

June 23, 2019

Please watch video through to the end… I was going through my archival footage of some speeches I have given in recent years and heading into San Francisco Pride weekend, could not resist posting this on my blog for there first time. (See link below) It was in 2014 that I was most honored to … More The Pink Triangle 2019 – What Good is ‘Never Again’ if we Continue to Ignore!

Reclaiming Lesbian Space and Fighting Erasure with Sally Miller Gearhart

June 19, 2019

Hey, Lesbians and Feminists Let’s start with a much watch documentary: A Great Ride It is Pride month. This year San Francisco Pride’s theme is Generations of Resistance. In 2017 San Francisco Pride honored Sally Miller Gearhart with a long overdue Heritage of Pride, Pride Freedom Award.  Now Sally shines in a new documentary directed … More Reclaiming Lesbian Space and Fighting Erasure with Sally Miller Gearhart

Three Must See LGBTQI Films at Frameline

June 10, 2019

I am so excited to announce African Human Rights Coalition as Co-presenter at Frameline! Hope to see you at the famed Castro Theater! UNSETTLED, DIR Tom Shepard 2019 USA, Produced with Jen Giloman, 88 min,In English: Sunday, June 23 at the Castro theatre at 1PM  In this powerful documentary, acclaimed director Tom Shepard (Scout’s Honor, Frameline25) follows four LGBTQ+ refugees … More Three Must See LGBTQI Films at Frameline

Rise in Racial Segregation Revealed in Report on San Francisco Bay Area

June 7, 2019

When I first arrived in Marin County in 1995 to start my life here I recall saying to a friend – ‘wow this place reminds of Apartheid South Africa.’ Over that bridge is Johannesburg (whites only) and over that bridge is Soweto (black people only.) It was then that I decided to join the board … More Rise in Racial Segregation Revealed in Report on San Francisco Bay Area

Travelers: Immunize Against Measles Before You Go

April 29, 2019

Marin Public health department urges vaccination prior to international trips – San Rafael, CA – Marin County Public Health is reminding residents that those planning for international travel should ensure they have already received the recommended two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Nationwide, measles cases now total 704 in 2019, the highest … More Travelers: Immunize Against Measles Before You Go

“Love & Pride” a New Musical in San Francisco – Link to Discount Tickets

March 17, 2019

Theater on the Cusp presents “Love & Pride” – a new musical that turns the conversation on gender, sex, and sexuality on its head – Support Queer Theatre- See discount code below! San Francisco, CA  – Theater on the Cusp presents Love & Pride at the EXIT Theatre for an 8-show run. This will be the 4th production in … More “Love & Pride” a New Musical in San Francisco – Link to Discount Tickets

Groups File Lawsuit Against Trump Policy Forcibly Returning Asylum Seekers to Mexico

February 14, 2019

San Francisco, CA (February 14, 2019) –- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) filed a federal lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration’s new policy forcing asylum seekers to return to Mexico and remain there while their cases are considered. “The Trump administration is forcibly returning asylum … More Groups File Lawsuit Against Trump Policy Forcibly Returning Asylum Seekers to Mexico

CA Legislation to Protect Sex Workers from Arrest when Reporting Violent Crimes

February 11, 2019

Senator Wiener Introduces Legislation to Protect Sex Workers from Arrest when Reporting Violent Crimes & to Prohibit Use of Condoms as Evidence of Sex Work Senate Bill 233 prohibits the arrest of people involved in sex work when they come forward as a witness or victim of a specified violent and serious crime. It also … More CA Legislation to Protect Sex Workers from Arrest when Reporting Violent Crimes

Jewish Women Encouraged to proudly express identity and heritage at Women’s March San Francisco

January 17, 2019

I am a Jew, known for my global human rights work and always publicly open about my support for my people’s right to self determination. Since the first Women’s March I have never felt unloved, unwelcome, abandoned or unsafe in my marching or relationship with Women’s March, San Francisco (WMSF)! In fact organizers have reached out to me, … More Jewish Women Encouraged to proudly express identity and heritage at Women’s March San Francisco

LGBT Resources: OurTownSF Nonprofit Expo 2018

September 26, 2018

“Largest LGBTQ+ Resource Fair Ever to be Held in San Francisco – Theme: “Over the Rainbow” Over 100 local groups serving the LGBTQ+ community will come together for a day of fun and community building in the Castro – offering a whole lot of important information. African Human Rights Coalition will be there and yours truly,  Melanie … More LGBT Resources: OurTownSF Nonprofit Expo 2018

BART allows Advertisement from Holocaust Denial Hate Group

September 12, 2018

Bart officials defend decision to approve advert from Institute for Historical Review, known for publishing antisemitic views BART, Bay Area Rapid Transport, the public transit agency in San Francisco, has approved advertisements from a group that promotes Holocaust denial and antisemitic views, claiming the organization has a “free speech” right to buy train station billboards. … More BART allows Advertisement from Holocaust Denial Hate Group

London Pride and SF Dyke March Note that A Handful of Lesbian Separatists Are not Who We ALL Are!

July 8, 2018

Keeping things in focus – this is less about the Pride and Parade organizations as a whole and the majority who adhere to inclusion and more about a tiny handful of bigoted jerks who want to exclude members of our community! Most lesbians are not separatists wanting to exclude transgender people from our community. I have … More London Pride and SF Dyke March Note that A Handful of Lesbian Separatists Are not Who We ALL Are!

The Amsterdam Dress for San Francisco Pride

June 22, 2018

San Francisco Pride, a melding of parade, resistance and celebration will take place this weekend, as the San Francisco LGBTI celebrations are kicked off with Friday afternoon’s Trans March, Saturday morning’s Pink Triangle launch at Twin Peaks, and Saturday afternoon’s Dyke March, all heralding the big Sunday morning Market Street Parade and entire weekend of festival at … More The Amsterdam Dress for San Francisco Pride

Mark Leno Leads San Francisco Mayoral Campaigns by Example

March 20, 2018

We should celebrate our diversity – not use it as a tool of division. Heather Knight’s recent article — “Mark Leno: his final quest is a run for the city’s top job” — was informative and seemingly-balanced until a particular unchallenged, ad hominem remark sent me back for a second read. The article quotes Nicole … More Mark Leno Leads San Francisco Mayoral Campaigns by Example

Mark Leno Candidate for San Francisco Mayor Promises to End Street Homelessness

March 17, 2018

Former State Senator, Mark Leno, a favorite in the highly competitive and formidable race for San Francisco Mayor, is promising to end San Francisco’s critical street homeless crisis by 2020. As San Francisco Chronicle opinion writer Heather Knight noted back in January: “You have just 20 weeks to decide who should lead our economic powerhouse of a … More Mark Leno Candidate for San Francisco Mayor Promises to End Street Homelessness

Marin County Asks Your Input on Pollution

February 7, 2018

Online Survey Seeks Input on Pollution County initiative to understand residents’ awareness of stormwater contamination Marin County, CA – Pollution in our waterways is a significant problem that stems from many sources – from trash that ends up in San Francisco Bay to pesticides swept from lawns into creeks by gardening practices or stormwater. The … More Marin County Asks Your Input on Pollution