Equality California, the statewide LGBTQ rights organization, will hold a virtual town hall, the "State of Equality," Friday, December 6, from 10 to 11:15 a.m., Pacific time. EQCA stated in an email announcement that the meeting would provide "an in-depth look at the current moment, the victories we did achieve this election cycle, and our plans moving forward."
Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and hear from EQCA Executive Director Tony Hoang, a gay man, and other members of EQCA's team, the announcement stated.
Nationally, the election of former President Donald Trump to a second term has sparked fear among some LGBTQ people, particularly the trans community and immigrants. Trump may very well reinstitute the trans military ban that he implemented in his first term and has promised action on securing the border, including mass deportations.
Closer to home, the recent elections saw the defeat of four out Democratic candidates running in different races in Riverside County as they hit a red wall. As the Bay Area Reporter noted in its Political Notes column, gay former federal prosecutor Will Rollins came up short in his rematch with conservative Congressmember Ken Calvert (R-Corona), and bisexual Palm Springs City Councilmember Christy Holstege lost in her rematch against incumbent Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Bermuda Dunes).
Palm Springs City Councilmember Lisa Middleton, running this year for a state Senate seat, lost her bid to be the first transgender legislator in Sacramento. Additionally, Clarissa Cervantes, who identifies as queer and bisexual, came up short in her bid to succeed her lesbian older sister, Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona), in the Legislature. The elder Cervantes sibling was the lone victor among the Democratic quintet, as she won election to the state Senate's open District 31 seat.
Both Holstege and Middleton are leaving the City Council this month as their terms are up.
Despite the electoral defeats, Tom Temprano, managing director of external affairs for EQCA, told the B.A.R., "These candidates and their supporters did everything they needed to do to set themselves up for a victory. Unfortunately, the conditions we saw in Riverside County mirrored the conditions across the country where there was a notable shift to the right."
The upcoming town hall aims to explain how the organization will respond to what lays ahead, the announcement stated.
To register for the EQCA town hall, click here. The Zoom link will be provided after registering.
Tenderloin Tessie benefit
Fresh off hosting its annual Thanksgiving dinner for those in need, Tenderloin Tessie will hold a holiday cabaret show that will benefit its next project, the annual Christmas Day dinner later this month.
The holiday show takes place Friday, December 6, at the First Unitarian Church, 1187 Franklin Street (at Geary Boulevard). Doors open at 6 p.m., the show starts at 7. A news release stated that hosts for the evening will be Michael Gagne, president of the Tenderloin Tessie board, and the Fabulous Dusty Porn. There will be special appearances by Sisters Roma and Bella Donna of the drag nun philanthropic group Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence; pianist James Campbell; drag performers; and clog dancers. The release noted that some parts of the show will be PG-13.
Admission is $25 per person, $20 for those who have volunteered for Tenderloin Tessie before, and $5 for seniors and those who are disabled. People can email Gagne at [email protected] for discount information for families.
Regularly priced tickets can be purchased here.
Castro cultural district raising funds for mural
The Castro LGBTQ Cultural District is raising funds for a new mural in the neighborhood.
According to an email announcement, the mural will feature artwork by Tanya Wischerath called "Living Lesbian Legends."
The new mural will be next to the mural by gay artist Serge Gay Jr. on a wall of the building that houses Local Take and Rouse Relational Wellness on 18th Street (between Castro and Collingwood streets). The cultural district stated that it needs at least $2,000.
Donations are tax-deductible and can be made to the district's fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco LGBT Community Center. To donate, click here.
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