The importance of being queer
Our annual guide to Pride.

By Melissa Broder

THE DIN OF house music and Budweiser brouhaha often eclipses Pride Week's political and historical symbolism. Luckily, we have events like the Dyke March and groups like Equality California to keep our ethical values in place while we live it up. Read on for the best parties and performances – plus rugby games, literary events, benefits, and more – that queer San Francisco has to offer.

 

events and performance

 

Wed/25

'Behind the Make-Up: Lady Bunny and Heklina' Wigstock founder Lady Bunny and Trannyshack's Heklina chat and perform at a "talk show" hosted by KevinTaffyJane. Reception 7 p.m., show 8 p.m., San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market, S.F. $10-$15. (415) 865-5633, www.harveymilk.org.

 

Thurs/26

'EQCA's California 2003 Equality Awards Dinner' Celebrating love, life, and legislation, this year's Equality California awards dinner honors California's LGBT Legislative Caucus, as well as state senator Sheila Kuehl and assemblymembers Jackie Goldberg, Christine Kehoe, John Laird, and Mark Leno. Reception 6:30 p.m., dinner and awards 7:30 p.m., Westin St. Francis Hotel, 335 Powell, S.F. $175. (415) 581-0005, www.ecqa.org.

'Naughty Nursies' See 8 Days a Week, page 64. 8 p.m.-2 a.m., DNA Lounge, 375 11th St., S.F. $15-$50 (no one turned away for lack of funds). (415) 554-8494, www.stjamesinfirmary.org.

'Our House: Lesbians and Gays in the Hood' Celebrate the 34th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion at a film presentation about being black and queer in the United States. Pre-screening, enjoy a luscious dinner, with a vegetarian option; post-film, Bay Area Radical Women lead a discussion about strategies for building an inclusive movement capable of defeating right-wing bigotry. Dinner 6:15 p.m., film and discussion 7 p.m., New Valencia Hall, 1908 Mission, S.F. $6.50 (dinner; film is free). (415) 864-1278.

'Travel and Tourism the LGBT Way Luncheon' Travel entrepreneurs and tourism experts discuss methods for economic success in today's economy. Other topics on the menu include challenges in marketing our city, as well as the current state of the market. Hosted by the Golden Gate Business Association. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Hyatt Regency Embarcadero, 5 Embarcadero Center, S.F. $75-$85. (415) 441-3651, www.ggba.com.

'World Art Party' This eclectic evening includes international performances, visuals, artwork, a silent auction, and tasty treats, with music by DJ Jamez. Reception 7 p.m., show 8 p.m., San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market, S.F. $10-$15. (415) 865-5633, www.harveymilk.org.

 

Fri/27

'Alive and Well' Check out an exclusive performance by Doria Roberts, an up-and-coming singer-songwriter on the national folk circuit. She has shared the stage with Sinead O'Connor, the Indigo Girls, and Suzanne Vega. 7:30 p.m., Dolores Park Cafe, 501 Dolores, S.F. $3-$5. (415) 621-2936, www.doriaroberts.com.

'AttaGirl Book Reading and Release Party' See box, page 34. 7:30 p.m., Books Inc., 2275 Market, S.F. Free. www.attagirlpress.com.

'Pride Shabbat' San Francisco's only LGBT synagogue invites Jews and non-Jews, as well as their lovers, friends, and families, to join in a musical and thought-provoking evening. An Oneg Shabbat with special edible treats follows the service. Reception 6:30 p.m., service 7:30 p.m., Congregation Sha'ar Zahav, 290 Dolores, S.F. Free. (415) 861-6932, www.shaarzahav.org.

'The 25th Annual Pride Concert: Oliver Button Is a Sissy' Tomie dePaola's award-winning children's book about a young boy who prefers drawing and tap dancing to football is transformed into a musical and retitled Oliver Button Is a Star. Come liberate your ears with the Lesbian and Gay Freedom Band, the Lesbian and Gay Chorus of San Francisco, and Golden Gate Performing Arts Inc. 7 and 9 p.m., Mission High School, Murphy Auditorium, 3750 18th St., S.F. $20-$25. (415) 865-3650, www.sfgmc.org.

'Walk of Shame: The Second Annual Gay Shame Awards' Gay Shame's street march and awards ceremony pays special tribute to the folks who give gay a bad name. Awards will be presented to "complacent nonprofits, irresponsible corporations, vacant celebrities, presidents, and big-money mayoral candidates" for racial profiling, gender fundamentalism, body fascism, exploiting youths, and much, much more. The group asks that all attendees and participants dress to "absolutely terrifying, ragged, devastating excess." 5:30 p.m., Octavia and Market, S.F. Free. (415) 794-4393, www.gayshamesf.org.

 

Sat/28

'The Celebration' Try to ignore the influence of Budweiser on the main stage today, where the world famous San Francisco Mime Troupe and jazz songbirds Jacqui Naylor and Paula West perform. Singer-songwriter-dancer Joti supports Community United Against Violence in a performance that blends the harmonies of jazz, rock, and gospel. You can also get your feet wet for Sunday in the dance arena, which boasts an eclectic afternoon cocktail of hip-hop, house, and trance. (See Sun/29 for additional Celebration events). Noon-6 p.m., Civic Center, Larkin between McAllister and Grove, S.F. Free. www.sfpride.org.

Dyke March For the 11th year in a row, a giant group of women who wish to express themselves apart from the corporate flavor of Pride march from the Mission to the Castro. Some of the highlights of the event are the antiwar, anticonsumer, and pro-queer banners and signs. Another major draw is the pre-march gathering, during which Dolores Park trembles with the ambience of thousands of women sharing the experience of speakers, music, dancing, views, and maybe a few mind-altering substances. Gathering 5-7 p.m., march 7:30, Dolores Park, Dolores between 18th and 20th Sts., S.F. Free. (415) 241-8882, www.dykemarch.org.

Domestic Partnership Commitment Ceremony and Reception Like a giant queer Las Vegas, here is an opportunity to witness hundreds of couples express their commitment to one another and publicly register as domestic partners. Presented by state Board of Equalization chair Carol Migden, Equality California, and Marriage Equality California. 1-2 p.m., City Hall, Main Stage, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, S.F. Free. (415) 288-8865, www.eqca.org.

'Fogfest 2003' Fans of butch women, brave bois, and boys in jerseys won't want to miss this rowdy rugby festival. The annual co-ed event is sponsored by the San Francisco Fog Rugby Football club (the first rugby club in the western United States to actively recruit gay men and men of color). Come watch Fort Scott get good and ugly! 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Presidio, Fort Scott, S.F. Free. www.sffog.org.

Pride Run 2003 The San Francisco FrontRunners host this annual race – in 5K run, 5K walk, and 10K run increments – in celebration of Pride and benefiting the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and the Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center. Registration 7:30 a.m., race 9 a.m., Golden Gate Park, Stow Lake Boat House, near 17th Ave. and Fulton, S.F. $25. (415) 978-2429, www.sffrontrunners.org.

'Queeriousity' Youth Speaks and the National Queer Arts Festival present a book-release party for, and a multimedia performance of, Joel B. Tan's new poetry collection, Monster. This event brings together performance and visual art, as well as established writers and budding poets. Instead of boozing the night away like a twentysomething, come feel like a queer kid again. 8 p.m., ODC Theater, 3153 17th St., S.F. $5-$10. (415) 863-9834 or (415) 255-9035; www.youthspeaks.org, www.ticketweb.com.

Shuttle to the National AIDS Memorial Grove A free, round-trip shuttle makes the trip approximately every 30 minutes from the Castro to the Grove, a 7.5-acre area located in Golden Gate Park that honors all lives touched by AIDS. 11 a.m.-3:15 p.m., Chevron station, Market and Castro, S.F., Free. (415) 750-8340.

 

Sun/29

'The Celebration' This year's Sunday Celebration forms a giant queer piñata around the Civic Center with 13 different stages, as well an abundance of booths selling sex toys and art. Entertainmentwise, old-timers Faerie Freedom Village, Fag Fridays, and the Nectar Women's Stage are joined by the brand-new Out Word Writer's Village, where MCs Michelle Tea and Kirk Read introduce various writers all day long. The Sundance and SwingOUT! stages present country-and-western and swing dancing, respectively; the Shadowplay stage also aims to get you dancing, to the sounds of indie rock, electro, and post-punk. The Asian and Pacific Islander, Latin, and African-American stages reflect the diversity of the queer community. On the Main Stage, headliner Jennifer Holliday is joined by the Pointer Sisters, Betty, Klymaxx, and the Funky Green Dogs. Noon-7 p.m., Civic Center, Larkin between McAllister and Grove, S.F. Free. www.sfpride.org.

'Gay Shame Judging Booth and Demonstration' Gay Shame, a radical alternative to the mainstream queer community, holds a parade-side demonstration. Judges will "score" each group participating in Pride for its contribution to social justice, corporate responsibility, and a queer agenda. 10 a.m., Market between Seventh and Eighth Sts., S.F. Free. (415) 794-4393.

San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade See 8 Days a Week, page 64. 10 a.m., Market and Beale; ends Market and Eighth Sts., S.F. Free. www.sfpride.org

 

Tues/1

Ronnie Gilbert In celebration of Pride, the legendary Ronnie Gilbert performs at the North Berkeley Senior Center, where she recounts the days when she sang protest and peace songs around the world as a member of the Weavers. 1:30 p.m., North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, Berk. Free. (510) 644-0480.

 

parties and clubs

 

Thurs/26

'Congregation' Mezzanine's regular Thursday-night dance party features a special performance by June and Bonnie Pointer (formerly of the Pointer Sisters) for your Pride pleasure. 9 p.m., Mezzanine, 444 Jessie, S.F. $7. (415) 820-9669, www.mezzaninesf.com.

'Gender Pirates' See box, page 32. 8 p.m.-2 a.m., 26 Mix, 3024 Mission, S.F. $3. (415) 826-7378.

'Pornocopia' The beloved Lex hosts a delightfully sleazy dance party with DJ WaxMaster C and performances by drag king Rusty Hips, Crickett Bardot, Simone de la Getto, and Paul Wanka. 9 p.m., Lexington Club, 3464 19th St., S.F. Free. (415) 863-2052.

Shadowplay benefit The DJs of Popstarz London spin indie, electro, and post-punk at a benefit for the dance music Pride stage. Come witness this fruity anomaly as grrrls and boys drink together at the Cherry Bar. 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Cherry Bar and Lounge, 917 Folsom, S.F. $5 (free before 10 p.m.). www.geocities.com/shadowplaysf.

 

Fri/27

'Cheap Trick' This edgy soiree for boys runs every Friday night, featuring electro, indie, old-school, funk, pop, and rock. 10 p.m.-4 a.m., Stud, 399 Ninth St., S.F. $6 (free with college ID). (415) 255-7883, www.clubcheaptrick.org.

'Fag Fridays' Haven't you heard? Every Friday night, all of the beautiful boys in the city get together and get loaded until dawn. Initiate yourself at this special Pride kickoff party featuring residents Ruben Mancias and Rolo, as well as a live stage performance by Thea Austin. 10 p.m.-6 a.m., Endup, 401 Sixth St., S.F. $10. (415) 263-4850, www.fagfridays.com.

'Fudgie Frottage's Birthday – Pride Friday Finale' This event features music, dancing, and gender-bending performances. Reception 7 p.m., performance 8 p.m., San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market, S.F. $10-$15. (415) 865-5633, www.harveymilk.org.

'Latin Explosion Party' Beat the streets and head across the bridge to a spicy fiesta featuring sweet cumbia, salsa, merengue, and Spanish pop. 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Bench and Bar, 120 11th St., Oakl. $10. (510) 444-2266, www.bench-and-bar.com.

'Queer Swing Jive' QSJ offers dance lessons every Friday for queers who have a case of the jitterbug. Drop-in basic lesson 6:30 p.m., intermediate moves 7 p.m., free dancing 7:30-10 p.m., Stud, 399 Ninth St., S.F. Sliding scale. (415) 305-8242, www.queerjitterbugs.com.

'The Sexcapades: A Carnival of Perversity' The Queer Mafia recognizes that whips, chains, and Ketel One are not a stellar combination, so the group invites you to come face your demons in sobriety with human pony rides, full body-piercing booths, and other twisted moments. A voyeur's delight for dykes, trannies, and queers. 9 p.m., 2174 Market, S.F. $15-$25. www.queer-mafia.org.

'Temple' Come worship DJs, boys, and liquor at a virgin warehouse location with an underground vibe and hardcore house music. 10 p.m.-5 a.m., 1515 Folsom, S.F. $15-$20. www.guspresents.com.

 

Sat/28

'The Brown Party' One of Pride's official Latin parties, this event features three caliente dance floors, Spanish pop diva Minerva, and Latin freestylers the Cover Girls. 10 p.m.-4 a.m., 550 Barneveld, S.F. $20. (415) 675-9763, www.papipresents.com.

'Desire' This post-Dyke March all-girl dance party is presented by Hillgirlz, who provide bevs for your liver, philanthropy for your hearts, and horoscopes for your hormones. 9 p.m.-2 a.m., San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market, S.F. $15. www.hillgirlz.com.

'Fencesitters Ball' Finally, a heavenly bi dance party where sexual multiplicity is considered a blessing. Tonight's party features DJs Pimprock and Femme Mystique. Look out for the threesome special, where one of your three gets in for free. 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Jezebel's Joint, 510 Larkin, S.F. $10. (415) 345-9832, www.jezebelsjointsf.com.

'Mango P.M.' Which is the juiciest of them all? It's Mango, of course, a monthly afternoon party for women that ripens after dark during Pride. Get there early to avoid the line, although you're bound to meet some cuties drinking beer from paper bags outside. Once you're past the peel, head for the back patio, where the sounds of salsa, samba, soca, and reggae blossom in the night sky. 9 p.m.-2 a.m., El Rio, 3158 Mission, S.F. $10. (415) 339-8310.

'Octopussy' If you can't take the heat, get out of the Mission and head for this San Jose shindig. The hipsters are fewer and the femmes more frequent at the party that really goes down every second and fourth Saturday of the month. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m., Club Wild, 75 N. San Pedro, San Jose. $10. (408) 792-3466, www.papipresents.com.

'OutLoud SF: The Dyke-Produced Street Party' Watch in awe as the Castro is impregnated with estrogen. Following the Dyke March, all are welcome to this outdoor bash featuring all-girl talent: MCs Exodus, Fairy Butch, and Machiko Saito, plus DJs Black, Edaj, Ellen Ferrato, the Specialist, and others. The cast of TilFriday then annihilates the stage with their uncommon approach to drag. 8 p.m.-midnight, Castro at Market, S.F. Free. www.outloudsf.org.

'SF Pride Extravaganza' DJs Billy Carroll and Jamie J. Sanchez helm the decks in a flurry of hot men and dope lights. Circuit superstars Funky Green Dogs also perform. 10 p.m.-7 a.m., Mezzanine, 444 Jessie, S.F. $15. 1-888-TIX-ONLY, www.mezzaninesf.com.

'Splash' Boys can still get wet and cruise at the seventh anniversary of S.F.'s outdoor Pride pool party. This year, hit the decks with five different DJs spinning records for six hours straight. Noon-6 p.m., Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy, S.F. $15. www.noblebeast.org.


Sun/29

'Aftershock' Sexy boys and DJ John LePage give new meaning to the words shock and awe. Dance through dawn. 4 a.m.-10 a.m. (next day), 715 Harrison, S.F. $25-$30. www.jito.com.

'Dykes-on-Bikes Afterparty' Holy flaming iguanas! The Women's Motorcycle Contingent winds down post-Pride at this diesel party. 3 p.m., Lexington Club, 3464 19th St., S.F. Free. (415) 863-2052.

'Fresh' The ultimate yuppie club gets dowsed in testosterone for one night only. 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Ruby Skye, 420 Mason, S.F. $15 ($20 after 6 p.m.). www.freshsf.com.

'Pleasuredome' Forget it's a school night and come cruise, as this legendary Sunday-night dance party returns for one night only. This year DJ Wayne G of Heaven, London, flies in to grace the decks. Sexy attire suggested. 9 p.m.-8 a.m., Mezzanine, 444 Jessie, S.F. $12. (415) 820-9669, www.mezzaninesf.com.

'ReUNION' The big, bad bash returns for its sixth anniversary at the site of its birth mother: the Galleria at the San Francisco Design Center. Take an eight-hour dance journey with the sexy sounds of DJ SuperStar Paul Goodyear. There are records spinning all over the city tonight, but this event benefits several AIDS charities through the Noble Beast Foundation. 9 p.m.-5 a.m., San Francisco Design Center, Galleria, 101 Henry Adams, S.F. $50. www.noblebeast.org.

'Sanctuary' Q: What is holier than beautiful boys and booze on a late Sunday night? A: Sustain your stupor long enough to see the sun rise on Monday, and you'll find out. 10 p.m.-6 a.m., 1015 Folsom, S.F. $15-$30. www.guspresents.com.

'Tricky' Eurotrash meets Electroclash when DJs, boys, and drag queen Lucy Borden descend on the Trendyloin in the afternoon. The event also features a "hottest butt contest," "the Great Hook-up Game," and Lucy's Go-Go Boys. 3 p.m.-2 a.m., 1723 Polk, S.F. $8. www.lucyborden.com.

Ongoing

'Come out to the Castro: San Francisco's Gay Village from Top to Bottom' Foot! Fun Walking Tours presents this comedian-led two-hour walking tour of queer history hot spots in the Castro. The tour includes the neighborhood's first gay bar, Harvey Milk sites, and more. Wed/25, Fri/27, and Mon/30, 11 a.m.; by appointment, Castro, S.F. $20. (415) 793-5378, www.foottours.com.

'Fairy Butch Events' Life can't get more campy than when you're in bed with Fairy Butch. Pride weekend kicks off with the "Butch and FTM Bonanza," an erotic cabaret featuring the "Tingle and Mingle" game (Fri/27, 9 p.m., Club Galia, 2565 Mission, S.F. $10-$15). The corny fun continues at an all-superstar stripper, after-the-Dyke March soirée complete with dancing and cruising (Sat/28, 9 p.m, Club Galia, $10-$15). (415) 970-9777, www.fairybutch.com.

National Queer Arts Festival There are still plenty of events left in this June-long festival, including new work by the Joe Goode Performance Group, a screening of queer South Asian films, and a performance by Lava (see box, page 33). (415) 334-0722, www.queerculturalcenter.org.

San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival Discover your doppelgänger on-screen at the San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, which winds up its 27th year in eclectic form. Fag punks must get a taste of "Boys Got Spunk," a collection of short documentaries that push the envelope concerning queer male roles and fashion. Mission hipsters get fair warning in Party Monster, a film about the downward spiral of legendary New York scenester Michael Alig. And for those wishing they had come out sooner, there's School's Out: The Life of a Gay High School in Texas, about a miraculous institution with a curriculum designed specifically for LGBT students. Girl poets should catch The Edge of Each Other's Battle: The Vision of Audre Lorde, about the revolutionary queer, feminist writer. www.frameline.org/festival.

'Trannyweek' Tenderloin AIDS Resource Center of San Francisco hosts its second annual weeklong celebration, consisting of afternoon workshops, discussions, films, food, and entertainment. The events conclude with a trans party, for trannies and their friends, featuring the Transcendent Gospel Choir and local entertainers. Wed/25, Thurs/26, and Fri/27, Community Center, 183 Golden Gate, S.F. Free. (415) 241-2530, www.tarcsf.org.