Tag Archives: LGBT

UPDATE: HBO Gay Series Based in SF Gets Go Ahead-Eight Episodes Ordered

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HBO LogoAs we posted at the end of March HBO shot a pilot for a new Queer boy dramedy recently around the Castro and City. Word comes now that the award winning cable giant has optioned the still as yet unnamed series for eight more episodes.

The pilot written by Michael Lannan, Interior Leather Bar, was directed by Andrew Haigh who made the highly acclaimed film, Weekend, and stars Glee regular Jonathan Groff, New York stage actor, Frankie J. Alvarez, and former Guiding Light soap hunk, Australian, Murray Bartlett, playing the three principles.

Jonathan Groff
Frankie J. Alvarez
Murray Bartlett

Other particulars about the series, according to the Hollywood Reporter:

The pilot is based on Michael Lannan’s feature script Lorimer. Haigh will executive produce alongside Bored to Death’s Sarah Condon and Brothers and Sisters’ David Marshall Grant, with Lannan receiving a co-EP credit.

The untitled entry revolves around the three friends in San Francisco who explore the fun and sometimes overwhelming options available to a new generation of Gay men.  Production will begin in the fall in San Francisco for a 2014 premiere.

This is a good news for a number of reasons. The new series will help raise the number of LGBT themed shows-or shows with principle Gay characters-on television from its current level. It was recently announced that both The New Normal and Happy Endings would be cancelled at the end of the 2013 television season..

The loss of both shows has been claimed as victories by the neo-conservative and notoriously anti-Gay group, One Million Moms, a branch of the American Family Assoc., who’ve made it their mission to eradicate anything Queer off of the telly to ‘save the children’. Keeping Queer themed work available on television helps dismantle religious led bigotry and societal prejudice against the LGBT community by providing glimpses into our lives. It can provide isolated Queer youth with valuable visual confirmation that they are not alone in this world.

Series creator, Michael Lannan. Photo: IMBD

Series creator, Michael Lannan. Photo: IMBD

Additionally revenue brought in by the HBO shoot will help feed the always hungry local economy, lift the City’s star power another notch attracting even more lucrative television and film company’s to bring upcoming projects to town and provides work for SF actors, artisans, production and film workers.

Concerns have been leveled in countless blog comment sections-including this one-that the show will just be another all white male production unrepresentative of the City’s true LGBT population. Producers has been sensitive to that reality and cast an array of actors from multiple communities and set a Latino among it’s leading men.

Other commenters have expressed disdain at the idea that this will be a Queer version of Friends or Sex in the City. Time will tell if their criticism holds true, but for now, keep your eyes peeled for the production and it’s crew working around the Castro and City.

via Towleroad

Michelle Tea: SF Literary Revolutionary is Ready to Woo Generation Z Readers

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Michelle Tea, Author, Poet, Literary Revolutionary. Photo: from Original Plumbing

Michelle Tea, Author, Poet, Literary Revolutionary. Photo: from Original Plumbing

Michelle Tea is one of The City’s Queer literary treasures. She is a one woman, creative wrecking crew who uses words and stories to carve out space for herself in often inhospitable lands. She is an author, poet, and literary arts organizer who put the underground Mission culture of the 90′s on the map with her second book, a memoir, ‘Valencia’ (2000) which is being turned into a film of the same name.

She is also the chief alchemist in the long running and highly acclaimed, spoken word tour, Sister Spit, that gave voice to the often unheard community of primarily fringe women writers. In 2004 her anthology that celebrated all things Queercore/Avante Garde and included luminary writers like Dennis Cooper and Eileen Myles, ‘Pills, Thrills, Chills and Heartache’, landed on the LA Times’, non-fiction, best seller list for months.

She has now set her sights on conquering the Young Adult Fiction genre. Castro Biscuit’s Ken White spoke with Michelle at length about her new book, ‘Mermaid in Chelsea Creek’ in anticipation of her reading at a free event on May 14th at Books, Inc., 2275 Market Street in the Castro. (WP)

Castro Biscuit: Your new novel, ‘Mermaid in Chelsea Creek’, is your first young adult book. And it doesn’t even take place in SF’s Mission District! How is it different when you write for a younger audience?
Michelle Tea: My literary voice feels really different. It’s probably the result of being written in the third-person which I’ve never done before. There’s something in the way that I’m unfurling a fairy tale, that approach and that voice is part of the story itself. I was just working on the sequel this morning; and as I’m writing it I’m like, God this language, is this too big of a word? You can really over-think it. But thirteen-year-olds who are big readers are very likely reading a lot of different work and are more sophisticated than we give them credit for.
CB: What do you think of Young Adult as a genre?
MT: I think there’s really awesome people out there like Jacqueline Woodson, who’s amazing. I very vividly remember the YA books I read when I when I was young. I remember Judy Blume, I read all of her work, and the creepy amazing Lois Duncan. SE Hinton was such a huge influence. As far as the books that have inspired this book, I’d say there’s Francesca Lia Block and Weetzie Bat, the way she takes the everyday and infuses it with a magic that’s very believable. I would say the Philip Pullman books were really influential. They’re so engrossing!
Mermaid-in-Chelsea-Creek-Michelle-TeaCB: Tell us about Mermaid in Chelsea Creek.
MT: It’s that story of the Chosen One who’s going to come into their destiny and learn there’s going to be a lot expected of them. I set it in the town I actually grew up in, Chelsea, Mass. It was really enjoyable for me to return to that place that I’ve written so much about in memoir, and put this layer of magic on top of it. The magical back story contains this idea of a curse that’s not just on Chelsea but many places and is responsible for how sad and depressing the place is.
CB: Do you feel like you’re working out some childhood stuff by setting it…
MT: …by having this girl come in and save Chelsea? I’ve realized because of the particular abilities that Sophie has, where she’s able to feel other people’s feelings and take their dark feelings from them, omigod I’ve created her the most co-dependent heroine ever in literature! Like, ‘let me feel your feelings for you,’ it’s so ridiculous! But I think I’m obsessed with Chelsea. It feels very far away from me and the farther away I get the more it seems like an odd dream to me, [but] the obsession doesn’t fade. We just keep returning to our obsessions in a different form. It’s a way for me to talk about things I’m obsessed with–Chelsea, and a rough adolescence, being a girl in a tough town–and bring other elements into the story so these things aren’t the point anymore the way they were in my memoir, they’re just the flavor. And I want to represent poor and working class characters in literature because in general, there’s not enough of it that’s real.
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Pride Pulls Plug on May Meeting-Manning Disinvite Decision Stands

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SF Pride LogoSF Pride Committee has made it official. They are through debating.  Bradley Manning, the Queer, imprisoned US Soldier behind the Wikileaks whistle blowing case will not be one of the myriad of Honorable Grand Marshalls at the San Francisco 2013 LGBT Pride Parade.

This roller coaster ride regarding Manning’s invite/disinvite and how its affected San Francisco’s LGBT community standing in the eyes of the world at large has been raucous. Scathing editorials from the UK’s Guardian to The Village Voice have our Parade and it’s Committee portrayed in less than flattering light as the story has taken on a life of its own as the Parade’s decision making process on who is-or isn’t-qualified to be a Honorary Grand Marshall has bounced back and forth making headlines along the way.

On Mother’s Day SF Pride Committee released this decision via their Facebook page stating;

San Francisco Pride May Membership Meeting Update:

We are seeking a larger venue for the next SF Pride membership meeting, and so are postponing the May 14th meeting until a suitable location is secured. We want to allow people to have a chance to voice their opinions about the recent controversy, but also have a large event coming up, and do not want to let one issue, as important as it is to some, overshadow the concerns and interests of the hundreds of thousands who attend SF Pride.

SF Pride’s decision concerning the election process of Bradley Manning as Grand Marshal being consistent with SF Pride’s long-standing Grand Marshal election policy is firm. Thus, the discussion of that matter is closed for this year.

A meeting in a larger venue after the 2013 Celebration and Parade will allow people from all sides of that issue and others to fully air and hear one another’s viewpoints, without jeopardizing the production of this year’s event and the safety and security of the attendees. We ask everyone in the community to come together in Pride this June, recognizing that we can embrace difference without violence and hate.

If you’re late to all the drama heres a brief synopsis of this years Pride’s public relation nightmare:

Bradley Manning is announced as one of many Hon. Grand Marshall’s of SF’s 2013 LGBT Pride Parade, Pride Committee freaks over supposed rule violations and disinvited him, Committee then issues horrible explanation statement for disinvite, that fumble threw gas on what was already a bonfire, an outraged community protests, followed by an even worse bungled community meeting which was canceled after only 15 people got to participate, worldwide community protests, Pride Committee’s promise of another ‘larger/more open’ meeting to address the situation, to now this current decision: cancel public May 14th scheduled meeting, dig in their heels and just deal with the whole debacle after the parade is over.

“WHEW” That’s the kind of drama one usually finds in a soap opera not amidst one of the most respected and oldest celebrations of LGBT freedom, political struggle and pride.
Manning Pride Contingent 2012

Rumblings throughout the activist community are already hitting a fevered pitch and the parade is still six weeks away. Several groups have expressed outrage over Pride’s final edict and are gearing up for a large vocal and perhaps disruptive contingent in this years Pride Parade.

Regardless of where you stand on the issue there is one thing everyone I’ve spoken with seems with on the subject seems to agree on-this is really a horrendous mess.

I’d have to second that assessment.

See you at the Parade.

UPDATE: Board of Supes Unanimously Award Twin Peaks Tavern Historical Landmark Status

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The Castro's groundbreaking & much beloved Twin Peaks Tavern

The Castro’s groundbreaking & much beloved Twin Peaks Tavern

As we’ve posted several times, the Castro’s venerable LGBT bar, Twin Peaks Tavern, perched on the corner of 17th Street and Castro, has been in contention to be elevated to San Francisco historical, landmark status. On January 15th, in a unanimous decision, the eleven members of the City’s Board of Supervisors approved Twin Peak’s new, honored, and well deserved designation.

As noted in past posts Twin Peaks Tavern was the first LGBT bar in the Castro-if not the country-to unashamedly sport full length, plate glass windows, becoming a visible symbol of unapologetic pride in the LGBT movement.

Many younger members in our community are unimpressed and find this simple act of coming out as a Gay bar; exposing it’s windows, interior revealed, the life led inside by it’s patrons without shame an odd gesture to celebrate.

At the time Twin Peaks took that big  step identifying one’s true self and community as Queer was always a supreme act of revolution. People were still losing jobs, apartments, community standings, and families for being openly LGBT.

The legislation denoting the honor was introduced into chambers by District Eight Supervisor Scott Wiener. Local Gay paper, The Bay Area Reporter, quoted a statement from Mr. Wiener that said in part, “Twin Peaks Tavern has been at the center of our LGBT community for over 40 years, I’m excited to celebrate the historical significance of this iconic bar in the heart of the Castro.”

The benefits of being a historical landmark according to the B.A.R report: California’s historical building code provides alternative building regulations for permitting repairs, alterations, and additions necessary for the preservation, rehabilitation, relocation, related construction, or continued use of a qualified historical building.

Heartiest congratulations to owners Jeffrey Green and George Roehm. The beloved Twin Peaks Tavern is only the third, LGBT, distinct space thus designated officially ‘historic’ within San Francisco. The other two are Harvey Milk’s original shop/residence on Castro and the former home to internationally recognized and idolized, Cleve Jone’s brainchild, the AIDS Memorial Quilt first workshop and office on Market Street.

Castro Wins Big in the First Annual 2012 ‘End Of the Year’ Grindr Awards

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Grindr Blog Image

It’s award season. All over America groups and organizations are busy nominatinv, feting, and in general blowing there own horns about who and what they love. Not to be left out of this glammy, glammy Hollywood lifestyle that Oscar and all the Tony’s  enjoy, Grindr, the ubiquitous, Queer boy, ‘dating’ site app has introduced it’s first ever, ‘End of the Year Awards’ for 2012.

The awards, whose winners were picked by actual Grindr members, are from the top ten cities where the app is most popular cover a myriad of  categories. Under the all inclusive, National, selection banner these coveted slots are devoted to what Grindr media crunchers determined to be ‘hot’ universal topics. Examples: Gay Icon of the Year, Best Straight Ally (Male/Female) or Athlete of the Year to name a few.

The GrindrsAlways ahead of the learning curve the Grindr team also requested users vote for their own favored, Local spots, in a variety of category’s deemed worthy as well. Patrons filled out ballots in areas like Best Bartender, Local Hero and Best Place to Have Brunch were some of the weighty category’s offered up for consideration.

For the full ballot list, which US urban epicenters participated and-most importantly-who won in each of the ten capitols of Men Who Use Grindr follow the link here. Below is the list of local Castro winners. Congrats to all who were chosen in the neighborhood and San Francisco who’re deservedly deemed by their peers and patrons as, ‘The Best’!

 

Castro on Halloween, 2000Best Place to Take a First Date: The Castro. Well, we blush with excitement that Grindr boys of all shapes, ages and sizes agree that if you want a zone that’s most conducive to love and romance it’s our sweet little village, the Castro. After all that back and forth texting it’s good to know that Grindr users in SF feel the neighborhood that the world over call the cornerstone of the LGBT movement of the last three decades is the best spot to come to for that all important first kiss.

 

Badlands Bar ExteriorFavorite Gay Bar/Nightclub: Badlands Video Dance Club. Located in the heart of the Castro at 4181 18th St., Badlands has been a homo hangout mainstay since it first opened. It’s gone through a lot of transitions over the decades. Known in the 70′s as a Levi/Leather, Castro Clone, lean and preen bar it’s been revamped for the 21st century use into a popular destination for the City’s young crowd of nightlife adventurers who want to mingle, dance and perhaps find romance.

Jock Jan. 2013

Best Funday/Sunday Event: Jock at the Lookout, Nestled at 1600 16th St. We’ve been singing the praises of the Jock event for quite some time and it seems the Grindr boys agree. This weekly benefit for San Francisco LGBT sports teams was picked for it’s easy going atmosphere, fun times, cheep drinks and great staff. January 2013 benefactors will include the softball teams, Xtreme and Eclipse, pool team SF Hustlers and the ALC Riding crew joking named, Unpopular Team.

DJ Haute ToddyBest San Francisco DJ: Haute Toddy. You can find this handsome winner, Haute Toddy-an immigrant to our fair City from the Pacific Northwest-spinning his unique beats that drive the dance floors in a variety of SF’s wildest, hot spots. His specific gig in the Castro he calls home is Hard, at the popular QBar, located at 456 Castro St., every Friday night.

 

Lookout LogoBest Bartender: Mike from the Lookout. The Lookout raked in the lion’s share of local awards in this years first Best Of 2012 contest. The winner of the Grindrs? Grindy’s? Stiffies? for all around Barman is Lookout mixologist, Mike, touted as King of Cocktails by SF voters. In a hotbed of City bartenders this is quite an honor. We guess next year will see the competition get even more fierce for this title as word spreads about the new award. We searched Lookouts archives for a picture of Mike, but, none was identified. If someone could send us a shot we’d sure appreciate it. Link it in the comment section and we’ll make sure it gets it’s proper due.

Scott Wiener on MUNILocal Hero/Community Advocate of the Year: District Eight Supervisor Scott Wiener. Thought Mr. Wiener has been at the center of many ongoing controversies swirling around the City and Castro neighborhood Grindr voters deemed him most inspirational local hero and advocate. FYI: The Supe is still single-quite tall for those with that sort of fetish-and likes to grab a drink at 440 or Pilsner on occasion. How cool would it be to see his Grindr award hung on his City Hall office wall along side all his citations and certificates of merit?

Other notables who made the grade for SF are all available for perusing on the Grindr blog Follow the link we provided above. Let us know what you think. Are these selections made by your fellows indicative of most of your tastes and choices in the offered categories?

We look forward to seeing what next years, ‘Best Of’, 2013, Grindr awards list looks like. The possibilities are endless as trends, tastes and attitudes shift so quickly in this ever expanding, and mutating, digital age.

Calling LGBT Entrepreneurs- Get Help Learning How to Start a Small Business

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The SF LGBT Community Center

The SF LGBT Community Center

As we posted earlier this week one of our local eateries in the Castro is for sale. Maybe it piqued your interest but you don’t know exactly where to start in such an endeavor? San Francisco’s LGBT Community Center can help. Beginning January 22nd they’re holding a six week seminar called The Business Funding Factory (BFF) to help  perspective small business owners flesh out how to make their dream of being one’s own boss come true.

Such an undertaking can feel overwhelming especially here in San Francisco where there seems to be a plethora of complications. Under the knowledgeable care of the Center’s Small Business Services office the Business Funding Factory series will teach participants how to develop and write that all important business plan, find start up cash, understand legal and financial issues, and get you on the road of making your ideas and dreams reality.

Cash in HandAt the end of the six week workshop series everyone will present their business plans to a mock panel of experienced members of the LGBT community for review. These people qualify in a variety of disciples: business experts, investors, and other financial experts who can help work out the wiggle in your plans.

Armed with this invaluable boost of business savvy and knowledge you’re ready to ‘go forth and prosper; as the saying goes, helping to keep this City and neighborhoods unique quilt of Pop and Pop small businesses growing providing a strong tax base and economy for it’s citizens.

The first session will be held on Tuesday, January 22, from 6 to 8 p.m at the Center,1800 Market Street. For more information and to register for the workshops, visit http://www.businessfundingfactory.eventbrite.com.

SF Dyke March Seeking Help in Organizing for 2013

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2012 Dyke March Photo: EightSixSevenFiveThreeOhNine

The San Francisco Dyke March, which marked its 20th anniversary in 2012, is seeking new, bright, invigorated and creative talent to help organize the 2013 year’s event as several key leaders are stepping down.

According to a news release sent from Claire Henry on behalf of the organizers, the Dyke March is at a crossroads following its return to the idea of a “dyke space continuum” this year that rallied “dykes of all origins, ages, and opinions to gather in Dolores Park and put the march back in the Dyke March.” In 2012 multiple fundraisers were held to make sure the March happened and the festivities were scaled down reflecting the adjusted budgets.

“Returning to our political roots, we gathered the largest group of dykes in the world and marched through San Francisco 50,000 strong,” the release noted. The organizers went on to state that without an infusion of new leadership, the 2013 march “will not happen.”

The Dyke March is one of the most vibrant and well loved community events that revolve around the San Francisco’s Pride Week celebrations. It has set the tone for inclusion and revolution since it’s inception in 1992. The route has traditionally started at Dolores Park and after winding it way through the City ends, as all Queer marches do, in the heart of the Castro at Market.

The Dyke March is looking for volunteers who can make a firm commitment to join weekly meetings starting in January 2013. Multiple areas are looking for leadership roles including: volunteer recruitment, technological support, vendor liaison, business sponsorship, accessibility, fundraising events, and operations/logistics.

“We hope to see a fresh set of ideas and personalities,” organizers stated in the release. “New volunteers will be able to fully participate and shape the path of the Dyke March as it enters its 21st year.”

Those interested in learning more should contact info@thedykemarch.org for first meeting details.