Two drag artists who have long organized the People’s March during June’s Pride Month are gearing up for one to fight fascism and promote democracy on Saturday, April 12, in San Francisco. Juanita MORE! and Alex U. Inn stated that the stakes are too high now that President Donald Trump has returned to the White House and instituted policies they vehemently disagree with.
The pair has assembled a coalition of young progressive officials; faith leaders; teachers; trans leaders; immigrants; Black, Indigenous and people of color; artists; the disenfranchised; and anyone else who feels they are subject to the unlawful policies of the new administration. Nobody should live in fear because of their color, faith, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, or political beliefs, the organizers stated.
Inn told the Bay Area Reporter that after five years, the People’s March is now its own brand. First started in June 2020 during COVID when the San Francisco Pride parade was canceled, with another planned for this year’s Pride Month, Inn said the marches organized under its moniker are for more than just the LGBTQ community, as next weekend’s march will demonstrate.
“We use our platform for good,” Inn said in a phone interview.
For the upcoming democracy march, Inn said everyone is welcome since actions by the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency have affected so many people.
“It’s the people’s fight,” said Inn. “Our moniker is perfect for this and the fact that legal and political chaos is disrupting all of our lives.”
Inn ticked off the mass government firings, canceling government programs, and “an abuse of power that harms many individuals.”
MORE! told the B.A.R. that it’s hard for her to watch the news these days.
“But I have to because I care about our community,” she said in a separate phone interview. “So many of the laws coming down are hitting us personally.”
MORE! noted that she is Latin and queer. Inn is a queer Black drag king.
“The queer part of it, the trans part of it. My friends who are teachers,” MORE! said, referring to the flurry of executive orders Trump has issued affecting these communities and many others, including immigrants.
Trump has signed orders defining gender as two sexes, male and female, and that passports must match a person’s sex defined at birth. He has also issued executive orders prohibiting trans girls and women from playing on female sports teams and banning trans service members from serving in the armed forces. On education, Trump issued an executive order targeting affirmative actions that schools across the U.S. have taken to support queer and transgender students, from teaching LGBTQ curriculum and providing gender-neutral bathrooms to honoring students’ preferred pronouns and names and allowing them to play on athletic teams regardless of the sex they were assigned at birth.
“Now is the time to unite against this fascist movement,” Inn said, adding that actions taken by the federal government “uproots our public trust.”
Trump’s executive orders and more that the administration has done will be the subject of next weekend’s march, MORE! said. Up until recently, much of the resistance to Trump’s second term has been more muted than when he first took office in 2017. MORE! thinks that is changing as the breadth of the administration’s actions is becoming more apparent.
“We’re seeing big marches in other cities,” said MORE!
MORE! encouraged anyone who is interested in protecting democracy to attend.
“It will also bring people who aren’t feeling great together,” she said. “I feel like people need that.”
The democracy march includes a rally at Embarcadero Plaza (formerly Justin Herman Plaza) at Market and Steuart streets at noon, followed by a march on Market Street to San Francisco City Hall. The event is expected to end around 3 p.m.
This will be one of two People’s Marches MORE! and Inn have planned for this year. The People’s March for Pride Month is scheduled for Sunday, June 22, in the Polk Gulch neighborhood where the original Gay Freedom Day march was held back in the 1970s. Originally held the same Sunday as the Pride parade, in recent years the two moved the People’s March to the weekend before the Pride parade, which will take place this year June 29.
Applications open for next SF drag laureate
When Daniel Lurie was running for San Francisco mayor last year, he responded to the B.A.R.’s question about whether he would support the city’s drag laureate position with one word: Absolutely. Now, Lurie is the mayor and has announced that applications are open for the next drag laureate, as D’Arcy Drollinger’s historic inaugural tenure is coming to an end.
Drollinger was named to the position in May 2023 by then-mayor London Breed. The job of drag laureate is to elevate and support drag artistry as well as the city’s LGBTQ nightlife. The idea for a drag laureate was born from San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ Cultural Heritage Strategy, the revised version of which was released in 2020. Lurie stated in a news release that it’s important to maintain the position.
“The spirit of our arts, our culture, being able to love who you want to love, and be your full self is what makes San Francisco beautiful,” Lurie stated. “The LGBTQ+ community has always been a pillar of that spirit. D’Arcy has done an amazing job serving as San Francisco’s first drag laureate, and I am thrilled that we are celebrating and honoring queer artistry and voice by opening the application process for our next drag laureate.”
Drollinger stated that she has enjoyed her tenure.
“This June, I will be passing the torch to a new drag laureate, and I couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds,” she stated.
Gay San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, who represents the Castro, stated the need for a “fierce and fabulous drag laureate to instigate and inspire is greater than ever.”
The drag laureate program is a collaboration between the mayor’s office, San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco Human Rights Commission, and the Office of Transgender Initiatives, the release noted.
The city invites applications from passionate individuals who are full-time residents of San Francisco; have a strong understanding of the city’s rich drag history; and have experience in community activism, engagement, or philanthropy, the release stated.
The drag laureate will be announced in May, with a three-year term beginning in June. The drag laureate will be provided with a $105,000 stipend ($35,000 annually) to support their work through the library over the course of the term.
“Representation matters and this laureate position ensures that the drag community is recognized, honored, and celebrated in our libraries and throughout the city,” stated Michael Lambert, the city librarian.
Applications are due Sunday, April 13. Upon the closure of the application period, a review panel will be formed composed of LGBTQ community leaders, drag artists, and city officials. To apply and for more information, go to sf.gov/drag.
News is Out adds 6 affiliate members
News is Out, the groundbreaking LGBTQ+ media collaborative, is proud to welcome six new affiliate members. This expansion strengthens the collaborative’s mission to amplify LGBTQ+ voices and ensure equitable, community-centered journalism across the country, a news release stated.
The B.A.R. is a member of News is Out.
The six new affiliate members are: The Buckeye Flame (Ohio), Between the Lines/Pridesource (Michigan), Lookout (Arizona), Out SFL (Southern Florida), Qnotes Carolinas (Carolinas), and Watermark Out News (Central Florida).
“The addition of these incredible affiliate members to News is Out is a landmark moment for the collaborative,” stated Dana Piccoli, managing director of News is Out. “After three years of growth, we’re thrilled to take this next step and continue working for a more sustainable future for all queer media, alongside our new partners.”
The affiliates, who are important sources of information for the LGBTQ+ community in their regions, will actively participate in shaping the collaborative’s future impact, the release stated. Affiliates will have opportunities to contribute to fundraising efforts, take part in branded content campaigns to grow revenue, and collaborate on joint applications for philanthropic support. Affiliates will also act as ambassadors for the program, and play a key role in 2025 LGBTQ+ Media Day, likely in October, both in fundraising and sharing in the proceeds, the release noted.
Penny Riordan, the Local Media Association’s director of Local News Fund and collaboration, stated she is glad that the publishers were eager to expand the group. “These outlets are also leaders in the queer media space, just as our founding publishers are. It’s a true sign of collaboration if the group votes to add more members,” she stated.
LMA is the nonprofit entity that oversees News is Out, which in addition to the B.A.R. includes Dallas Voice, Los Angeles Blade, Philadelphia Gay News, Tagg magazine, the Washington Blade, and Windy City Times.
New affiliate members stated they welcomed the partnership.
“There is such collective power to queer newsrooms working together, and that power is especially and acutely needed right now,” stated Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame founder. “The Buckeye Flame is proud to be a part of News is Out’s vital efforts to amplify LGBTQ+ individuals and issues.”
Added Jim Yarbrough, publisher of Qnotes Carolinas, “Qnotes is pleased and excited to be a member of News is Out and looks forward to working with legacy LGBTQ+ media veterans throughout the country as well as a great group of media professionals at the Local Media Association.”
Leo Cusimano, owner of the Dallas Voice, stated he is looking forward to expanding the collaboration’s efforts and mission.
“At a time when independent queer media is more vital than ever, expanding our collaborative means we can uplift even more voices, share resources, and strengthen the future of LGBTQ+ media,” he stated. “We’re thrilled to welcome our new partners and excited for the impact we can make together.”
City of Santa Clara has commission openings
The City of Santa Clara in the South Bay is seeking applicants to fill 11 vacancies on several city commissions and committees.
There are five full terms ending June 30, 2029, on the following commissions/committees: Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (two), Cultural Commission (one), Historical and Landmarks Commission (two) and the Parks & Recreation Commission (one).
There are five partial terms on the Senior Advisory Commission: three ending June 30, 2026, one ending June 30, 2027, and one ending June 30, 2028. The Cultural Commission has one partial term ending June 30, 2028.
Applications are due to the City Clerk's Office Friday, April 25, at 5 p.m. Applications are available at SantaClaraCA.gov/Commissions or in-person at the City Clerk’s Office, 1500 Warburton Avenue. For questions, contact [email protected] or call (408) 615-2220.