The California State Fair is underway in Sacramento and on its closing day, Sunday, July 30, Out at the Fair will be on hand to celebrate the LGBTQ community.
Out at the Fair will be joined by its partner, the Sacramento LGBT Community Center, and is expanding to the state fair for the first time. Originally launched at the San Diego County Fair in 2013 as an "unofficial gay day," Out at the Fair became an official event there a year later.
"After five years of increased success, OATF will be making the jump to the state capital, as part of an expansion plan that intends to spread a message of diversity and inclusiveness to fairs nationwide and abroad," organizers said in a news release. "What started as an outing by a group of friends in 2011 has become the only official LGBTQ event in the fair industry, winning awards from trade associations, and gaining recognition and respect from the community."
William Zakrajshek is a co-founder of OATF.
"We just wanted to have fun at the fair," he said in the release, "and decided to check in on Facebook as Unofficial Gay Day. Next thing I know, I'm booking entertainment and throwing drag queens off the bungee. It's kind of crazy."
The group said it would go back to its roots at the state fair, and invites community members to attend on the day that lesbian rocker Melissa Etheridge is scheduled to perform on the Golden 1 Stage.
Zakrajshek said the plan is to start with a friendly gathering, and grow the event in coming years.
The Sacramento LGBT center said it was happy to get involved.
Partnering with Out at the Fair to create the first unofficial LGBTQ day at the California State Fair provides an opportunity for LGBTQ friends, families, and allies to build community, increase visibility, and have a lot of fun. We're excited to help promote the event's inaugural year and hope it will become a highlight of the summer in the state capital," stated David Heitstuman, executive director of the Sacramento LGBT center.
Etheridge is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Concert tickets are $37. Fair admission is $12 for adults and $8 for youth. The fair takes place at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Boulevard, Sacramento. For more information, visit http://www.castatefair.org or www.outatthefair.com.
HRC equity summit
The San Francisco Human Rights Commission and San Francisco State University will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love with a Summer Equity Summit: Resolution, Revolution, and R-E-S-P-E-C-T Thursday, July 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the campus' Library Annex I, N. State Drive at Lake Merced Boulevard.
The free event will include workshops, presentations, and performances.
Author D. Watkins will lead a workshop, and there will be sessions featuring Hack the Hood, PolicyLink, and Project Rebound.
The keynote address will be given by queer Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza.
The Rick and Russ Show with CJ Flash will also be featured.
Following the summit, there will be a mixer from 5 to 7 p.m.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Interested people can register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-equity-summit-resolution-revolution-r-e-s-p-e-c-t-tickets-33282957221.
GAPA Rising event
The Gay Asian Pacific Alliance will hold GAPA Rising, a free community event, Saturday, July 29 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Concept 190, 190 King Street in San Francisco.
GAPA Rising is designed to engage the organization with the community; there will be food, drinks, and entertainment. People can get reacquainted with GAPA alumni and meet new stakeholders and allies. Attendees can also meet the new GAPA board and learn about the organization's goals for the coming year.
Space is limited and people are asked to RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gapa-rising-tickets-35859925001.
LGBTQ Law Day at Hastings
Several organizations will hold LGBTQ Law Day Wednesday, August 2 at 3 p.m. at UC Hastings College of Law, 200 McAllister Street in San Francisco.
Presented by the Law School Admissions Council, the National LGBT Bar Association, and UC Hastings, the afternoon will include panel discussions and a networking reception. The keynote address will be delivered by Kellye Testy, president and CEO of the admissions council.
Panels will look at deconstructing the law school admissions process, financing your education, and getting a job; and exploring the various professions where a law degree might be beneficial. Several of the presenters will be members of Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom, the local LGBT bar association. Other panelists will be from the UC Irvine School of Law, the University of Maryland Carey School of Law; Dickinson Law at Pennsylvania State University, and Capital University Law School.
The event coincides with the LGBT Bar Association's annual Lavender Law conference, which takes place in San Francisco August 2-4. To register for law day, email [email protected].