San Francisco Bay Guardian

It's World AIDS Day -- and AIDS itself is still with us, of course. But did you know that just being HIV+ and having sex is a crime in many parts of the country? That people with HIV can be classified as sex offenders for life if they don't disclose their status? This short film, directed by Sean Strub and edited by former SFer Leo Herrera, explains:

Read more »

The mayoral elections are over. San Francisco politicos have long since rolled out of rumpled election night beds, kissed their partners for the first time in months, and tossed those worn-down precinct-walkers out for something a little more comfortable. Now our eyes turn to the presidential election, which despite Ed Lee's mustache is decidedly less sexy (blame it on the overexposure, c'mon Republican ladies and gentlemen can you leave nothing to our imagination?) 

And now Herman Cain's lawyers are telling sexual harassment victims to “think twice” before coming forward to accuse their inspirational speaker-cum-client? Sound like they need to attend the first sex-positive get-together on our list... read on. Read more »

It's easy to see how photographer Michael Rosen gets people to take their clothes off. He listens, he's mild-mannered, and he makes great art of the occasion – what more could you want in a voyeur? Rosen has been taking erotic photos since 1977, images of all genders, all sexualities, all the slutty, falling-apart-at-the seams of human sexuality. His new show opens on Fri/4.

Read more »

One morning in January 1917, 300 prostitutes marched into the church of their biggest detractor, Reverend Paul J. Smith. They were ready to show the anti-vice crusader what they were made of. The women were organizing in the face of what had become a decades-long dwindling of their rights, spearheaded by the reverend himself.

The world’s oldest profession flourished in brothels all over the city during the Gold Rush, thanks to all those lonely 49ers. But sex work has never been uncontroversial -- and the local practice quickly accumulated its own critics.

Read more »