Angered by the anti-trans and anti-drag hysteria that is being whipped up around the country, activists have planned a "Drag Up! Fight Back!" march and rally for Saturday, April 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in San Francisco over the Easter holiday weekend.
According to a news release, the American Civil Liberties Union is now tracking 430 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, fueled by extreme right-wing politicians, media, churches, and others. "These bills target everything from what can be said and taught in schools to which books can be read to banning drag performances and banning gender-affirming care for trans youth," the release stated.
"This cumulative effect is dangerous, as it affects the physical and mental health of trans people, the safety and livelihoods of drag artists, and the basic rights of LGBTQ+ people everywhere," the release noted.
The day will start with a rally at 11 a.m. on the steps of San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. From there, participants will march to Union Square where there will be performances, readings by members of Drag Story Hour, and surprise guests, according to the release.
Sponsors include the People's March, LGBTQ nightclub Oasis, the San Francisco Democratic Party, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, which will be hosting its annual celebration on Easter Sunday, April 9, in Mission Dolores Park. (That day the Los Angeles LGBT Center is hosting an all-ages Drag March LA in West Hollywood.)
"These fascist laws are an attempt to silence, criminalize, and eradicate our community," stated Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who is helping organize the event. "'Drag Up! Fight Back!' is a call to action for everyone who believes that drag is not a crime and knows that queer and trans rights are human rights."
Other drag artists are also sponsoring the event, including Alex U. Inn and Juanita MORE! of the People's March, Kochina Rule, Juicy Liu, Per'sia, Santana Tapia, and Sister Shalita Corndog. Also listed as sponsors are D'Arcy Drollinger of Oasis, the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, and local Democratic Party Chair Honey Mahogany, who came up short in last year's District 6 supervisor race.
Roma stated that people are encouraged to wear drag, but it is not required.
"We're going to show them how San Francisco responds to hate — with love and joy," Roma stated.
For more information, visit the event's This text will be the linkFacebook page>.
SF trans visibility event
The Transgender Day of Visibility will be observed in San Francisco with a free event Friday, March 31, from 5:45 to 9:30 p.m. at SOMArts Gallery, 934 Brannan Street. According to organizers, the gathering will celebrate trans identities.
"With over 400 anti-trans legislation bills currently active in the United States, it is important that we celebrate trans visibility and joy," stated organizer Niko Storment. "Now more than ever, it is paramount to showcase our stories in the media. We must stand up to this pandemic of hate."
Meals on Wheels expands to San Mateo
Meals on Wheels San Francisco has announced that it has expanded its service region and now provides home-delivered meals to homebound seniors in several cities in northern San Mateo County.
According to a news release, in February MOWSF became the main provider of free, home-delivered meals to the homes of more than 300 seniors living in the cities of South San Francisco, Colma, Daly City, Brisbane, and San Bruno — a region that was previously served by Peninsula Volunteers. In its March newsletter, MOWSF stated it had begun partnering with northern San Mateo County last summer and, as part of that contract, took over last month.
A graph in the newsletter shows that the seniors in Northern San Mateo County rely more on walkers or wheelchairs (42%) and have poor mobility or are bedbound (31%) than the clients served in San Francisco, of which 29% rely on walkers or wheelchairs and 14% have poor mobility or are bedbound.
"More than 30% of the seniors we're delivering meals to in Northern San Mateo tend to be homebound or bedbound, and really need the support to make sure they have food to eat," stated Phil Duarte, director of the home-delivered meals program at MOWSF. "Our expansion into the county is a natural one for us because we already have established infrastructure to be able to deliver thousands of meals daily so that no one misses a lunch or dinner."
MOWSF continues to see a growing need for meals as the population of people aged 60 and older continues to outpace other age demographics in San Francisco, the release noted.
Seniors in the Northern San Mateo County cities listed above can call (415)-920-1111 to see if they qualify for meals.
The release stated that San Francisco seniors can sign up for home-delivered meals through the city's Department of Disability and Aging Services' information referral and intake unit at (415) 355-6700.
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