By Sister Dana Van Iquity, Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun–
Sister Dana sez, “HAPPY (almost) LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH! We are so full of PRIDE that it takes an entire MONTH to express it!”
LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The STONEWALL RIOTS were a tipping point for the GAY LIBERATION MOVEMENT in the United States. The last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as “Gay Pride Day,” but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the “day” soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals have had on history—locally, nationally, and internationally.
On May 7 at FABULOSA BOOKS, I had the great pleasure of meeting Ashley Hoff, in conversation with the legendary Peaches Christ (who played the hell out of her incredible Mommie Dearest stage character many times) about Hoff’s amazing book, LOVE, MOMMIE DEAREST! We left our wire hangers at home! This delightful book details the making of the movie, and its status as a camp classic. I learned that Faye Dunaway was depressed when, at a public viewing, she heard the audience howling with laughter, because she thought it was a serious movie with serious acting. Yet it was and always will be a camp classic! Be fabulous at Fabulosa, 489 Castro Street, and buy this book! https://www.fabulosabooks.com/
This was a happy headline on May 8: “U.S. paused shipment of thousands of [offensive] bombs to Israel [while still sending defensive artillery] amid Rafah rift.” This should please the pro-Palestinian protesters. It shows President Biden is deadly serious about demanding a ceasefire.
Trump’s Florida trial for allegedly mishandling classified documents and obstructing government efforts to retrieve them has been pushed back indefinitely, U.S. District Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon has ruled, increasing the chance that the former president’s ongoing New York criminal trial may be the only one to happen before the November election—unless she completely drops the docs case entirely. No!!! Sister Dana sez, “With all this impeachment nonsense, why don’t we impeach Cannon for being so biased for this criminal?! She’s a MAGA activist in a black robe! Fire the Cannon!”
We were thrilled to attend the Opening Reception on May 10 on the third floor of STRUT with “MY FEET CRUSH DIAMONDS” to celebrate the amazing work of LaSalle. Inspired by Atlanta’s vibrant heartbeat, My Feet Crush Diamonds delves into Black queer identities, showcased through an expansive palette of mixed media. fabric embroidery, spray paint, acrylic paint, and collage that transcend mere artistic methods, becoming channels for telling rich and moving stories. LaSalle’s pieces aim to spark dialogue, foster empathy, and celebrate the complex beauty of our humanity through the potent use of symbols and media. My fave is the humorous “What the Water Gave Me,” a stunning collage on wooden board. Look up close to spy Beyoncé emerging from the waters, while SpongeBob is screaming—all under a Saturn planet. Now step back to notice two human feet poking through the water while all this is occurring in this man’s bathtub! Brilliant! Check it out at Strut, 470 Castro Street.
AGUILAS invites you to their 30th Anniversary celebration on Friday, May 24, 6–8 pm at the Rainbow Room in the SF LGBT Center, 1800 Market Street, Second Floor. The event will feature food, drinks, entertainment, and brief presentations and is partially funded by Horizons Foundation. AGUILAS was founded in 1991, and began providing funded services in the spring of 1994 targeting Latinx LGBTQ individuals. AGUILAS is the oldest Latinx LGBTQ organization in all the countries in the Americas for empowering and serving the Latinx LGBTQ community. Free, but register at https://www.sfaguilas.org/
On May17, President Joe Biden markedthe 70th ANNIVERSARY OF BROWN v. The Board of Education. Biden was honoring the ancient Supreme Court decision that desegregated public schools. The President appeared in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., to address his compliments and concerns. Biden was pleased to desegregate $20,000,000 in new grants to the most diverse HBC schools.
Meanwhile, last week during the porn star hush money cover-up criminal trial, Trump managed to get around his gag order by ordering a gaggle of butt-kissing Repugnicans to do his dirty-work and diss the judge and jurors. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida left Congress to skip a vote last Thursday to be the orange turd’s (Stormy Daniels’ words—not mine) mouthpiece. On Monday, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York took the gag off Trump to gag our entire judicial system. And even House Speaker MAGA Mike (architect of “The Big Lie”) left his House duties to show up outside the trial. He has warned us that a second term for T-rump would be like the first, but “on turbo!” Turbo Trump?! And one time, T-rump’s MAGA minions boldly wore identical blue suits, white shirts, and long red ties to be look-alike Donalds! What a bunch of matching toadies!
BRITE NITE, sponsored by Manny’s “The Civic Joy Fund,” supporting LYRIC is on May 25, 8–10 pm in Harvey Milk Plaza and main street Castro. Look for us nuns lighting the night and asking for donations to LYRIC. What is LYRIC? The mission of the Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center (LYRIC) is to build community and inspire positive social change through education enhancement, career trainings, health promotion, and leadership development with LGBTQ youth, their families, and allies of all races, classes, genders, and abilities. LYRIC’s vision is a diverse society where LGBTQ youth are embraced for who they are, and are encouraged to be who they want to be. By working towards social justice and supporting young leaders, their families and allies, LYRIC is building a world that honors, respects, and appreciates LGBTQ youth and their contributions. Bars, businesses, and windows will be aglow. So, when you see us nuns out on Brite Nite, please donate!
Mission Library Branch and the Bookmobile are returning to the CARNAVAL parade! SF PUBLIC LIBRARY is participating in the Carnaval parade on Sunday, May 26, 10 am–2 pm. The parade runs from 24th & Bryant Streets towards 15th Street from Mission Street. This year’s Carnaval theme is “Honor Indigenous Roots.”
The Cockettes Nouveau are back in San Francisco for just three nights at Oasis SF with their fun, new musical revue DIRT! SEX! PASSION! on Wednesday, May 29; Thursday, May 30; and Friday, May 31—all at 7 pm, 298 Eleventh Street. Join original Cockettes Scrumbly Koldewyn and Carl Linkhart, and the new generation of Cockettes Nouveau including Noah Haydon, Birdie Bob Watt, Bonni Suval, Ellie Stokes, Matt Bratko, Steven Satyricon, and Yaadi Erica Richardson celebrating the music created by Scrumbly, Link Martin, Martin Worman, Peter Mintun and others.https://www.sfoasis.com/
With Love, Mommie Dearest; The Making of an Unintentional Camp Classic, and
Peaches Christ on Tuesday, May 7. The book provides an account of the 1981 film
starring Faye Dunaway as movie star Joan Crawford.
PHOTO BY BECCA
Kick off Pride Month with MAITRI’s HEELS FOR HOPE, a variety show to raise funds for Maitri’s compassionate care for people living with HIV/AIDS and those recovering from gender-affirming surgeries. Maitri is Sanskrit for “compassionate friendship.” They provide compassionate residential care for people in need of hospice, respite, or 24-hour medical care. It will be hosted by the iconic 30th elected Empress of SF, Donna Sachet, on June 1, 7 pm, Marines’ Memorial Theatre San Francisco, 609 Sutter Street. It will also feature the incomparable talents of Punchline’s comedian Allison Hooker; soulful singer Caleb Sasser—recently seen on the 24th season of NBC’s The Voice; and Fou Fou Ha!, who are an ensemble of cartoon couture clowns who create an otherworldly interactive performance experience that celebrates our critical need for communal play. Your gift will directly support people living with HIV/AIDS. There are many ways to donate. This is a night of community, a night of iconic drag, and a night of incredible stories of how your compassion has helped people in need. And it’s a whole lot of fun! Come kick up your heels with Maitri! https://www.maitrisf.org/
On May 17, HBO TV’s Real Time with Bill Maher, Nellie Bowles—founder of The Free Press and a proud San Franciscan—said it best: “If young people just want to be with someone who agrees with you politically, you gotta go gay! And that’s fine.” Sister Dana sez, “Yes indeed! Let’s put on our rainbow caps inscribed with the rainbow MAGA (MAKE AMERICA GAY AGAIN) phrase! Republicans accuse us as being recruiters, so let’s go out and recruit for more queer conversions!”
Experience the mesmerizing magic of “CIRCUS BELLA“—a captivating blend of circus enchantment and madcap mayhem. Circus Bella offers a modern twist on a one-ring circus … overflowing with heart and soul. This exhilarating show promises to delight and astonish children of all ages in a cherished family event. Watch in awe as the vivaciously colorful Circus Bella Company, comprising a diverse troupe of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, and clowns from the Bay Area and beyond, performs to the lively tunes of Rob Reich and the 6-piece Circus Bella All-Star Band. It is written and directed by Abigail Munn, with costumes by Autumn Adamme. Feel free to bring picnic blankets and small folding chairs to all locations. Circus Bella does not provide audience seating at events. Shows at various venues begin June 5 and end July 20. Check the schedule at https://www.circusbella.org/
In 2024, MEMORIAL DAY falls on Monday, May 27. The three-day weekend starts on Friday, May 24, and will mark the unofficial start of summer with barbecues and other outdoor celebrations. Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. From 1868 to 1970, it was observed on May 30. Since 1971, it is observed on the last Monday of May. By the 1950s, women’s magazines started making this “no white after Labor Day” rule more public. Wearing white only between Memorial Day and Labor Day now signified that a lady was part of the in-the-know fashion club.
Sister Dana sez, “Remember to observe Memorial Day in your special way—not just going to big Mem Day sales. Also, ladies and drag queens, you have now been warned about wearing white! Silly rule. Just kidding!”
Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun
Published on May 23, 2024
