Nonprofits, companies, and others are organizing teams for this year's AIDS Walk San Francisco, and people can join them or create their own for the charity event that raises about $2 million for HIV/AIDS organizations.
AIDS Walk San Francisco, a 10K walk, takes place Sunday, July 15, in Golden Gate Park.
The National AIDS Memorial Grove sent out an email to supporters last week encouraging people to join its team and help meet its $90,000 fundraising goal. People can sign up as a walker, a virtual walker, make a general donation to the team, or spread the word about the grove.
Other top fundraising teams so far include the Castro Country Club, PRC, and UCSF's AIDS Research Institute, according to the AIDS Walk website.
Organized by the AIDS Walk San Francisco Foundation, the event is easy to participate in.
The 2018 primary beneficiaries are ACRIA, a leading research organization on HIV and aging; PRC; and Project Open Hand.
To register, or for more information, visit https://sf.aidswalk.net/. To join the AIDS grove's team, visit https://sf.aidswalk.net/nationalaidsmemorial.
Rec and Park Pride events
The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department is involved with a number of events during Pride Month.
Rec and Park is hosting the Trans March and Dyke March rallies at Mission Dolores Park on June 22 and 23, respectively. The Trans March event begins at 11 a.m. next Friday; the Dyke March starts at 5 p.m. Saturday.
But before that, on Saturday, June 16, there will be an Art and Pride opening reception at the Harvey Milk Photo Center, 50 Scott Street. The party, which is free, takes place from 6 to 9 p.m.
For more information, visit http://sfrecpark.org/.
Open house at Milk branch library
The Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Branch Library will hold a free open house Saturday, June 16, from noon to 3 p.m. at 1 Jose Sarria Court in San Francisco.
The event will feature a fun afternoon of music, stories, and entertainment. A special storytime by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will take place at 2.
All ages are welcome to attend this free event.
For more information, visit https://sfpl.org/index.php?pg=1032915001.
Openhouse art show
Openhouse, the agency that serves LGBTQ seniors, will have an art show Saturday, June 16, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Bethany Center/Ruth's Table, 580 Capp Street in San Francisco.
Art from several Openhouse community members will be featured. Ruth's Table offers programs that encourage personal growth and well-being by promoting community participation, lifelong learning, and creative expression. It regularly hosts art openings, shows, and lecture events attended by the general public, local schools, and community partners that foster social capital and promote positive aging. Organizers said that the goals of this exhibition are to stimulate conversation and showcase LGBTQ seniors' lives and perspectives.
There is no cost to attend.
LGBT center holds Pride reception
The San Francisco LGBT Community Center will hold its Center of Pride reception Monday, June 18, at 6 p.m. at 1800 Market Street.
The event will provide an opportunity to hear from center staff about the impact their work is having on the community.
There will be light refreshments. There is no cost to attend, but donations will be accepted.
People are asked to RSVP by June 15, and can do so at http://www.sfcenter.org/centerofpride.
LYRIC trans youth, elder brunch
The Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center will hold its annual trans youth and elder brunch ahead of the Trans March Friday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dolores Park (near the playground at Dolores and Cumberland streets).
The intergenerational celebration will bring together trans and gender-nonconforming youth and elders for a festive afternoon co-sponsored by the Trans March and Openhouse.
All ages are welcome. It is a sober event and will feature a Southern picnic brunch. There is no cost to attend.
For more information, email [email protected].
Interfaith collective launches Pride campaign
United in Spirit, a local interfaith collective of progressive religious congregations, has launched a Pride campaign to help members of the LGBTQ community find safe and supportive spiritual spaces.
Dignity/San Francisco, a group for LGBT Catholics, is the nonprofit sponsor of the group.
The Reverend Michael Leslie, a gay man and ordained minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Rita Goldberger, Northern California co-chair of Emergence, an LGBT Christian Science organization, are with the campaign. In a news release they said that it asks inclusive congregations to host specially designated LGBT religious services and related events during the Pride season. Each group determines what constitutes such a service.
United in Spirit hosts a list of inclusive congregations on its website and it is listing special Pride religious services.
Leslie said the campaign currently includes 15 religious groups and more than 25 events. It will also be participating in San Francisco Pride.
For a list of services, or to join the campaign, visit www.unitedinspiritsf.org.