On the Town :: Freedom, Festivities & Fundraisers

Breast Cancer Emergency Fund again hosted This Old Bag, their annual fundraiser where handbags donated by designer retailers, celebrities, and others are made available for silent auction. Last Friday, the Redwood Room of the Clift Hotel welcomed hundreds of supporters including Judith Branch, Chase Young, Kristen Trubey, Larry Lare Nelson, Karen Edwards, Leandro Gonzales, and Joanie Juster.

Even Mike Smith, long-time Executive Director of AIDS Emergency Fund and Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, was on hand. Cocktails flowed, edibles were consumed, and bidding was vigorous. We were lucky enough to snag a bag once owned and autographed by Christine Aguilera! Executive Director Maria Sousa introduced a moving video and then started the live auction for a few select bags, raising nearly $40,000 in minutes. What a unique way to raise money and bring needed attention to this ongoing health concern.

The second annual Mr. International Freedom Contest at DNA Lounge last Sunday had everything going for it: five remarkable contestants, generous bidders, celebrity guests, and a great cause. Adam Sandel helped create this event as a fundraiser for the LGBT Asylum Project, and he certainly pulled out all the stops this year, including a small, but tantalizing silent auction presented by Gary Thackeray and a crowd that included Sister Roma, Lynn Luckow, Leo Volobrynskyy, Brian Kent, Michael Youens, Christopher Vasquez, and Matt Buchanan.

We were happy to co-emcee with handsome Cip Cipriano for the first time, introducing the Honorable Mark Leno to congratulate the LGBT Asylum Project and then President and Co-Founder Okan Sengun who described this young organization's recent successes. The crowd then greeted several of last year's contestants on stage, including the 2016 winner, the very sexy Mahdi from Saudi Arabia.

The five contestants hailed from Mexico - Ismael, Uganda - Dice, Russia - Ilya, USA - Daniel, and China - Liam. Having witnessed contests of all kinds over the past 20-some years, we can easily say that this was the most eloquent, poised, prepared, and gorgeous set of competitors we have ever seen. We ran them through a variety of questions, paraded them in Speedos as they gathered tips from the crowd, and finally auctioned each one off for dinner dates; the bidding was manic! During the evening, Juliano Wade and Greg Angelo of Velocity Circus danced exotically and Igor Chudak sang beautifully. In recognition for her enthusiastic fund-raising for the LGBT Asylum Project, Okan presented Juanita More! with its first Person of the Year Award. Then it was time for the moment of truth as all five contestants gathered on stage one more time and the audience went wild with anticipation. When all was said and done, Daniel of the USA was first runner-up and Liam representing China became Mr. International Freedom 2017.
Liam Ocean, Mr China, and other admirable competitors in the Mr. International Freedom Contest at DNA Lounge. photos: Steven Underhill

Last Wednesday's LGBT Night with the Golden State Warriors provided a competitive, nail-biting basketball game and an opportunity to recognize Pro Basketball's LBGT fan base. Oracle Arena was filled to capacity and unique rainbow t-shirts were distributed to lucky attendees. A Bay Area youth chorus including members from LGBT school groups led the National Anthem, Cheer SF entertained us at half-time, and community activist Gary Virginia received a Walmart Community Volunteer Award from Warriors President Rick Welts center-court. We enjoyed the game and the festivities from a Warriors suite with Gary, Mark Ryle & Steve Reidy, Lisa Williams, Lou Fischer, Anietie Ekanem, and others.

The following night, we joined Brian Kent at Berkeley Rep Theatre for an exhilarating performance of Ain't Too Proud, a musical about The Temptations. The theatre is intimate and beautiful, the singing and dancing performances were amazing, and the historic story well worth telling. Watch for this show to hit Broadway soon.

Upcoming Events

Next week, on Wednesday night, November 8, starting at 6 pm, the Castro will be lit as never before with a special art installation atop SoulCycle in Harvey Milk Plaza featuring "Hope will never be silent" in neon and the rainbow colors beamed into the sky with lasers. This incredible display is brought to us by Illuminate, the same group that lit the Bay Bridge to such acclaim.

These lights will join those already in Jane Warner Plaza, providing the perfect setting to celebrate the election of Harvey Milk 40 years ago, the raising of the rainbow flag here 20 years ago, and the ongoing efforts of our LGBTQ Community for full inclusion and equal opportunity. Take a moment to breathe it all in!

Then join us on Saturday, November 11, 4-7 pm, at Midnight Sun for a lively fundraiser for the Rainbow Honor Walk. Another 24 bronze plaques honoring LGBT pioneers will be joining those already placed in the Castro neighborhood sidewalks, with eight being installed this month. What a great to recognize our own history and its prominent participants!

Wondering how you can help those impacted by the recent calamitous fires in Northern California? Once again, Rainbow World Fund is organizing relief efforts from the LGBT Community and has scheduled Wine Country Rising, a fundraiser at the Gough Street home of John Newmeyer on Sunday, November 12, 4-7PM, featuring refreshments, wine-related silent auction, and musical entertainment. Tickets are $100 and up. Complete details are available at: https://rainbowfund.givezooks.com/events/wine-country-rising

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the death of a dynamic performer at Sunday's a Drag and many other venues. Kendra Monroe was diagnosed with the rare and little understood condition of ALS, and, after a brave fight, died in October with her husband by her side. Those of us who knew her will always treasure memories of her theatrical performances, her pageant-winning drag, her infectious laughter, and her loyal friendship.

And finally, our 25th annual and final "Songs of the Season" is Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, November 27, 28, and 29, 8PM, at Halcyon (formerly BeatBox), 314 11th Street. This benefit for AIDS Emergency Fund always ushers in the holiday season with touching songs, hilarious antics, and lots of surprises along the way.

Yes, you read that right; after 25 years, this will be the final "Songs of the Season." Guest performers will be announced soon and tickets will be available next week through AEF. Please mark your calendars now and plan to share a night with us, sharing a laugh, shedding a nostalgic tear, and celebrating the holiday season!