By Maya Melenchuk

From bad to worse: And Castro for All's discrimination fight began at Badlands. Guardian photo by Lori Spears

"The Castro is seen as a Mecca for diversity around the world. But the work of building an inclusive community never ends. We have work to do in many areas; including race, gender, age, body image, and transgender, among others," Sup. Bevan Dufty wrote in an e-mail.

And Castro for All (415-865-5642, www.andcastroforall.org), formerly Is Badlands Bad?, a grassroots organization investigating allegations of racial discrimination in the neighborhood's bars, was formed to bring Les Natali – owner of San Francisco Badlands and the Detour, the bars under investigation – to justice last August.

Results of the 10-month investigation will be released sometime in mid-April. If the HRC rules that civil rights abuses have taken place at Natali's bars, it could result in the revocation of their liquor licenses by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The findings could also be used as evidence in individual lawsuits.

Determined to hold Natali accountable, a group of 15 people formed Is Badlands Bad? in June 2004, with John Newsome and Don Romesburg as its spokespeople. "Through outreach work, we have found that the Castro is perceived to be unwelcoming by many women and people of color," Newsome said.

That month, Is Badlands Bad? filed a complaint with the HRC against Natali on behalf of two people. Derek Turner, a former employee, said he witnessed discrimination against females and minorities while working at the bar. And Michael Willis, an African American man, said the doorman attempted to prevent him from reentering the bar after he had stepped outside.

The scandal quickly caught the attention of the queer community, and similar complaints began to surface. Is Badlands Bad? became a rallying point for victims of discrimination – in particular at Badlands – allowing the organization to gather more than 20 sworn statements by former employees, patrons, and witnesses.

The statements detail unfair scrutiny, unwarranted denial of entry, and eviction without cause – all apparently based on race or gender. Several former employees have also said Natali instructed doormen to enforce an illegal policy of requesting two forms of identification for select African Americans, and used other indirect means of dissuading them from entering the bar.

Typically, when a complaint is filed with the HRC, a mediation session is arranged. If mediation fails, it launches a full-scale investigation. Natali evaded all attempts by the HRC to arrange a meeting date for mediation.

And Castro for All is hopeful that he will be found to have conducted business illegally. "It is unthinkable that Les Natali will be found in compliance with the law," Newsome said.

While the ultimate goal of And Castro for All is still on the horizon, visible changes have already taken place at Badlands. Responding to community pressure, Natali has removed illegal signs asking for two forms of ID, hired new employees, and hung a "We Welcome Everyone" banner across the doorway.

According to And Castro for All's Romesburg, who is also a history professor at UC Berkeley, racism has always been a problem in the Castro. While periodic bouts of activism have forced some changes, no permanent fundamental shifts have occurred. "There is no permanent infrastructure in place to make sure we don't regress," Newsome said. "And we are absolutely here to stay."

And Castro for All's antidiscrimination hotline (the same phone number as above) offers moral support, assistance with filing complaints, and legal referrals. The group is also collaborating with the Merchants Association of Upper Market and Castro to host special events and lectures to celebrate diversity.