Bay Area events mark Lesbian Visibility Week

  • by Cynthia Laird, News Editor
  • Thursday April 25, 2024
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National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Imani Rupert-Gordon, left, will join Montana state Representative Zooey Zephyr and queer women leaders on a virtual panel discussion Friday, April 26. Photos: Courtesy the subjects
National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Imani Rupert-Gordon, left, will join Montana state Representative Zooey Zephyr and queer women leaders on a virtual panel discussion Friday, April 26. Photos: Courtesy the subjects

Lesbian Visibility Week is in full swing, with several events scheduled over the next few days.

On Thursday, April 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., San Francisco-based National Center for Lesbian Rights will hold a happy hour at gay-owned Fluid 510, a bar and event space located at 1544 Broadway in downtown Oakland. Attendees can meet members of NCLR's board of directors and connect with NCLR staff and other supporters.

The event includes complimentary drinks and light appetizers. The happy hour is free, but space is limited. RSVPs are required to attend. There will be a brief speaking program starting at 6:30. To sign up, click here.

On Friday, April 26, at 10 a.m. Pacific time, NCLR will hold a virtual panel discussion with queer women leaders. Scheduled speakers for "We Are Everywhere" include Imani Rupert-Gordon, executive director of NCLR; Jaime Grant, project director for the National LGBTQ+ Women's Community Survey; Kimberly Veale, senior vice president of marketing and communications for WNBA Golden State; Montana state Representative Zooey Zephyr; and Ashland Johnson, an attorney who's president and founder of Inclusion Playbook.

Last year, as many will recall, Zephyr, the first trans woman legislator in the Big Sky State, was barred from speaking on the House floor as lawmakers considered a bill denying gender-affirming care for trans youth. She ended up working on a laptop from a hallway in the capital. The Legislature passed the bill and Montana Governor Greg Gianforte (R) signed it into law.

Zephyr was honored by the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club when she visited San Francisco last June and addressed the People's March, the more progressive Pride event that started during the COVID pandemic.

According to an online announcement, the panel discussion will include topics of leadership, coalition and community building, and shared experiences of queer women.

The event is free. Registration is required and can be done here. Registered guests will receive event information via email.

The Curve Foundation is also holding some local events. San Francisco City Hall will be lit in the colors of the lesbian flag Friday, April 26. A program will take place on the steps of City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, starting at 7:45 p.m. According to the foundation's website. Rebecca Rolfe, a lesbian who is executive director of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, will deliver remarks.

Re-Present Media and filmmakers Collaborative SF will present "We Just Want to Be," a documentary in progress. New footage will be screened and there will be a panel discussion. The event, which is free, takes place Saturday, April 27, from 2:15 to 3:45 p.m. at the New Parkway Theater, 474 24th Street in Oakland. To register, click here.

In partnership with Frameline, San Francisco's LGBTQ film festival, the Curve Foundation will present a screening of Madeleine Olnek's hilariously Sapphic send-up of sci-fi B movies, "Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same," Sunday, April 28, at 3:30 p.m. at the Roxie Theater, 3117 16th Street in San Francisco. Admission is $10.

Finally, Netflix subscribers can check out Curve Foundation's "Ahead of the Curve," the 2020 documentary about the lesbian publication and its founder Frances "Franco" Stevens.

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