News Briefs: SF Pride names grand marshals

San Francisco Pride officials named this year’s grand marshals, a diverse set of people who have contributed to the LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS communities. Additionally, a San Francisco health nonprofit that has expressed concern and sued over decreased federal funding under the Trump administration was named organizational grand marshal.

In a news release, SF Pride officials noted that the individuals and organization underscore this year’s theme of “Queer Joy is Resistance,” and reflect the strength, diversity, and resilience of the LGBTQI+ community.

“Grand marshals play a vital role at San Francisco Pride by embodying the spirit of the mission to educate the world, commemorate our heritage, celebrate our culture, and liberate our people,” stated Joshua Smith, president of the San Francisco Pride Board of Directors.

Kenan Arun was selected by the SF Pride Board of Directors. A queer activist, artist, and co-executive director at the Center for Immigrant Protection, Arun advocates for LGBTQI+ immigrant communities while uplifting queer visibility through art and performance, the release noted.

“As both an immigrant and a queer person, this city represents the possibility of safety, expression, and community,” Arun stated.

Jahnell Butler was chosen by public vote. Known as “Jahnell Chanel” in the ballroom scene, Butler is associate director of trans services at San Francisco Community Health Center and a fierce advocate for transgender health and visibility, particularly within Black and Brown communities, the release stated.

“For me, Pride means visibility, community, and power,” Butler stated. “It’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come while continuing to push for the future we all deserve.”

Jessy Ruiz was named by the SF Pride board. She is a transgender woman originally from Michoacan, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States in 1996 to flee the violence in her country, and particularly her state due to drug cartels. In 2016, she decided to move to San Francisco. For the last four years she has served on the San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission. She works at the Mission Neighborhood Resource Center.

“I am filled with pride to be able to represent all those people who, like me, have fought to be seen, to live authentically, and to create a world where we can all be who we are without fear,” Ruiz stated.

Tyler TerMeer, Ph.D., is a gay Black man living with HIV who is CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. He was selected by SF Pride members. He is passionate about supporting and empowering Black-led organizations and Black Indigenous and people of color leaders and improving the health of people living with HIV, ensuring that LGBTQI+ people have access to affirming care, the release noted.

“Pride has always meant protest wrapped in glitter and joy in this city,” he stated. “We know how to celebrate – and how to resist. It’s humbling to be named grand marshal at a time when our very existence is being legislated.”

Tita Aida, aka Nicky Calma, was chosen by the SF Pride board as this year’s lifetime achievement grand marshal. A trans woman, Aida has dedicated her career to community health, and serves as managing director of the San Francisco Community Health Center, which two years ago opened its Trans Thrive program.

“The work at SF Pride gives me that octane of humility, unconditional kindness, and the ability to grow to do what I do and serve my community,” Aida stated.

The San Francisco Community Health Center is the organizational grand marshal. It’s a critical lifeline for the city’s LGBTQ and Asian American Pacific Islander communities. Earlier this year, the health center joined the AIDS foundation and other nonprofits in suing the Trump administration over diversity, equity, and inclusion policies the federal government is dismantling. The suit was filed as the federal government was terminating funding for things like gender-affirming care, which the center provides.

CEO Lance Toma, a gay man, stated, “Every aspect of our work is grounded in queer joy and liberation, and we will fight tooth and nail for the health and justice for our LGBTQ+ communities.”

SF Pride takes place June 28-29. For more information, visit sf.pride.org

LGBTQ papers launch survey
The Bay Area Reporter is now conducting a short reader survey as part of the National LGBT Media Association. The association of LGBTQ publications is looking to gauge LGBTQ+ consumers’ sentiment and purchasing behaviors, particularly in light of recent corporate actions around diversity and inclusion initiatives.

The brief three-minute survey is live through Thursday, May 8. To take the survey, click here.

SF YMCA festival
The YMCA of Greater San Francisco will hold a family-friendly community festival Saturday, May 3, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Dogpatch YMCA, 701 Illinois Street, at Crane Cove Park. The event also celebrates the official grand opening of the Dogpatch Y, an announcement stated.

Attendees can explore the new YMCA’s offerings and activities, from youth development and teen mentorship to sports and summer camps.

The festival will include food and refreshments, live music, fun activities for kids and kids at heart, and an appearance by Clifford the Big Red Dog.

Admission is free and open to all. People who register can get a free community ticket or have the option of making a donation.

To register, click here.

Zine fest in Santa Rosa
Discover and enjoy local creativity at Santa Rosa Zine Fest on Saturday, May 3, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Northwest Santa Rosa Library, 150 Coddingtown Center. Join Sonoma County Library and Santa Rosa Zine Collective for a free, outdoor zine fair that celebrates the do-it-yourself ethos and cultivates Santa Rosa’s creative community by connecting self-publishing writers and artists of all ages, a news release stated. This year marks the festival’s fifth anniversary.

Last year, there were more than 60 exhibitors and almost 800 attendees, the release noted. This year promises to be the biggest event yet, with 83 exhibitors, about half of whom are participating for the first time. Two of three drop-in workshops offered at the zine fair will be hosted in Spanish.

Events include drop-in zine-making workshops held throughout the day. Graphic arts studio Taller Graficante will host free screen-printing all day. Guests are encouraged to bring their own clothing or paper to print on. Positive Images LGBTQIA+ Center will host “Abrezando tu narrativa” in Spanish at 1:45 p.m.

A pre-event party that coincides with an art walk is set for Friday, May 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Strange Constellation, 300 S. A Street, Suite 1 in Santa Rosa.

For a full listing of festival events, click here.

Civic Joy Fund launches block party initiative
San Francisco is home to night markets and Downtown First Thursdays. Now, the Civic Joy Fund, which spearheads many of those efforts, wants to see neighbors come together through block parties.

The fund recently announced a brand new initiative aimed at bringing neighbors together and energy to city streets, one block party at a time. The Block Party Fund will invite San Franciscans to host the block party of their dreams. Successful applicants will receive an initial $1,000 grant and can be reimbursed for additional expenses. Alongside financial support, block party hosts will also receive technical assistance including permitting support, connections to vendors, and promotional support, to help bring their vision to life, the release stated.

This program aims to bring 50 block parties to life by the end of 2025, with at least one in every neighborhood in San Francisco. These gatherings offer a chance to reimagine public space and strengthen the social fabric of the city, one block at a time, the release noted.

“Block parties are a way for us to get to know our neighbors,” stated Manny Yekutiel, a gay man who is executive director of the Civic Joy Fund and owns the eponymous cafe in the Mission District. “They create safe spaces for families to play in the street. They make room to bust out the BBQ. Block parties encourage us to dance, drink and play with those we are nearest to. They open the door for us to build a better San Francisco, one block at a time.”

The application is open to all San Franciscans. Applicants are asked to identify the block where they’d like to host their event, describe what their dream block party looks like, and share how it will nurture civic joy by engaging and inspiring their neighbors.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. To learn more and apply, visit civicjoyfund.com/projects/theblockpartyfund.

Screening of ‘Sally!’ in Napa
The Napa Valley College Pride Learning Community will host a screening of the documentary, “Sally!” – a film that tells the story about the amazing late Bay Area feminist and lesbian activist, Sally Gearhart. She was a professor of communications studies at San Francisco State University and was well known for her work alongside the late San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk to defeat Proposition 6 in the late 1970s. Gearhart died in 2021 at the age of 90.

The event takes place Thursday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Napa Valley College, 2277 Napa Vallejo Highway.

An announcement stated that the screening is a community event open to all. Students with a current student body card can see the film at no cost. General admission tickets are $5. All proceeds go to benefit the student Pride Club.