1975 was a great year for B.A.R. covers, but the most legendary image of the year is assuredly that of Empress Doris riding an elephant down Polk Street for the annual Gay Freedom Day Parade. How did it happen? And why?
Without fundraisers in bars for the past year, the annual Bare Chest Calendar men have faced challenges. But the finals for next year's calendar, an alumni edition, will go on, May 8, on Twitch.
As advertised in the April 17, 1974 'Bay Area Reporter,' the EndUp's Jockey Short Contest, immortalized by Armistead Maupin in his best-selling 'Tales of the City' series, took place frequently at the South of Market nightclub.
The stylish crowd that usually enjoys watching the Oscars at the Academy of Friends gala in San Francisco won't be noshing on hors d'oeuvres or sipping bubbly this year.
Plenty of outdoor and distanced events are worth joining this, week. But you'll pardon our recusal from 4/20, the marijuana party. Now that's legal, it's not so radical, and more like Muffin Monday. Going to bars feels more speakeasy-esque these days.
The Covered Wagon bar hosted the 1972 Mr. Cowboy contest, but things didn't go well, as reported in the B.A.R.'s May 17 issue. Many in attendance were "stirred into a frenzy of accusations, charges and counter-charges of fraud, fake fix and cheat."
Our veteran erotica reviewer reminisces about the early glory days of gay porn on film, vintage B.A.R. coverage, and porn's rise, (ahem) in popularity before changes made into VHS and online formats.
The Bay Area Reporter first published on April 1, 1971, two years after the New York Stonewall Riots. But the paper's emergence grew not out of activism, but from San Francisco's growing gay bar scene.
Local nightlife icon and community organizer Juanita MORE! this week announced her candidacy to run for Empress of The Imperial Council of San Francisco. If elected, MORE! would become the 56th Empress.
Face it, you're itching to get out. With more museums, galleries, move theaters, bars and restaurants opening, you're allowed. Mask up, get out, have fun.
District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney's office announced March 18 that $3 million will be set aside for the Music and Entertainment Venue Recovery Fund — double the initial commitment of $1.5 million.
