SCOTUS Scuttles Rights, Queer Books in Red States, and Legalize Drag TX

Finding Your Queer Path with Gabrielle Antolovich, Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center

HAPPY SILICON VALLEY PRIDE MONTH FRIENDS! The next few weeks will be JAM PACKED with events, so let's hop to it! This week's guest: Gabrielle Antolovich (They/Them) – Board President of the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center in San Jose. They’re a non-profit that promotes services, events, and resources for Queer people in the South Bay Area. They also provide HIV testing, support groups, weekly game nights, art and rummage sales, and now a NEW podcast called “Voices of the Billy DeFrank Center” – highlighting community members and their stories of community, and how the center impacted their lives. EVENTS: * (8/21) Master “Drag” Chef Showdown - Diamond Dior and Jade Amethyst face off in a cooking showdown for the ages! Hosted by ME and Chef Carlos Pineda. Monday August 21st from 6-8pm at AC Hotel by Marriott San Jose Santa Clara (just off 101 and Bowers) * (8/22) Annual SVPRide Flag Raising Ceremony - San Jose City Hall, 5 to 6:30pm * (8/22) SVPride’s Drinks & Drag Bingo - S27 Alehouse and Brewery in San Jose, hosted by Jackie Layshun and Tori Tia. 7:30 to 9:30pm * (8/23) Hey Girl Black & Pink Dance Party - Holiday Inn San Jose, just off 880 and 1st street. * (8/25) SVPride’s Official Kickoff Party in downtown San Jose! * (8/26 - 8/27) Silicon Valley Pride Parade and Festival at Plaza De Cesar Chavez in Downtown San Jose. NEWS: * Our friends at Legalize Drag raised over $15000 for Queer Texas Crisis Fund, Black Trans Leadership of Austin Crisis Fund, and Organización Latina Trans Texas [https://instagram.com/legalizedrag?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==] (Their fundraiser in April raised $10,492) * FDA relaxes restrictions on blood donations, allowing Gay and Bisexual Men to donate [https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-fda-relaxes-restrictions-on-blood-donation-202305192936] * Wayne Brady comes out as Pansexual [https://people.com/wayne-brady-comes-out-as-pansexual-exclusive-7569897]

SCOTUS Scuttles Rights, Queer Books in Red States, and Legalize Drag TX

Greetings and salutations, friends and allies alike! Gregg and Mary are back with more Queer Inquiries and colloquies! Our friends Juicy Liu and Justin Back from Legalize Drag are BACK to fundraise and advocate for LGBTQ+ folks in Texas. Legalize Drag, a collective of drag artist legal professionals is hosting another fundraiser to raise awareness, foster solidarity, and support LGBTQI+ liberation in the face of dangerous restrictions on free speech and gender expression recently passed in Texas. Sunday July 30 from 3-8pm at El Rio in San Francisco. Link to their event! [https://secure.givelively.org/event/balif-foundation/legalize-drag-texas-edition/legalize-drag-texas-edition] Supporting: * Queer Texas Crisis Fund * Black Trans Leadership of Austin Crisis Fund * Organización Latina Trans Texas Events: * (7/19) Name and Gender Change Clinic [https://www.transgenderdistrictsf.com/events], 6:30-9p; The Transgender District will be hosting the clinic at their office at 1067 market St unit 2001.in San Francisco, in order to help fill out documents and assist with next steps; we will share a link in our program notes where people can register and get a faster start on things. * (7/21) SV Pride hosts Pride Movie Night [https://www.svpride.com/events] – at the Bill Clubhouse in San Jose – watching “Bring It On” – tasty food from the Flor De Pineapple food truck. * (7/28) Pride Night at City Lights – Kinky Boots [https://cltc.org/event/kinky-boots/] – portion of the ticket sales go to SV Pride. * (7/30) Legalize Drag TX [https://secure.givelively.org/event/balif-foundation/legalize-drag-texas-edition/legalize-drag-texas-edition] - fundraising for LGBTQ+ liberation in Texas – @El Rio SF * (8/6) Silicon Valley Pride DRAG BRUNCH [https://www.svpride.com/events] – SoFA Market in Downtown San Jose. * (8/26 - 8/27) Silicon Valley Pride Parade and Festival [https://www.svpride.com/events] at Plaza De Cesar Chavez in Downtown San Jose. Links: Castro’s Q Bar to reopen in September [https://www.ebar.com/story.php?ch=news&sc=news&id=326840] Castro Shop Sending LGBTQ Books to Red States [https://www.ebar.com/story.php?ch=news&sc=books&id=326800] Newsom Threatens Action against Temecula school district after they rejected Harvey Milk history [https://abc7.com/temecula-school-district-harvey-milk-textbooks-gov-gavin-newsom/13499307/] Tennessee’s 6th Circuit allows state ban on Gender-Affirming Care [https://www.ebar.com/story.php?ch=news&sc=news&id=326827] Judge uses Supreme Court’s Gay Wedding Website Ruling for Anti-LGBTQ Lawsuit [https://jezebel.com/texas-judge-lawsuit-gay-wedding-website-ruling-1850635790] Michigan Salon Owner Refuses to Serve LGBTQ community after SCOTUS ruling [https://www.washingtonblade.com/2023/07/12/michigan-salon-owner-refuses-to-serve-lgbtq-community-after-supreme-court-ruling/]

Pride Events, Disneyland Dancin', and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH QUEER FRIENDS AND ALLIES ALIKE! This week, Gregg and Mary discuss confrontations with gate-crashing ne'er-do-wells, sweet national happenings involving Queer celebrations, and talk about community and legacy with Sister Mary Media, one of the FOUNDERS of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence! The Sisters [https://www.thesisters.org/] are an order of queer and trans nuns who’ve been a California staple since 1979. They devote themselves to community service, ministry and outreach to those on the edges, and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment, while using humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit. () Upcoming Local Events: * Sunnyvale Pride Night - June 22nd, 5 to 6:30 on Murphy... (After Party Mixer from 7 to 9pm at the Nokori at Tetra Hotel) (Info [https://www.sunnyvale.ca.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/2278/]) * Trans-Tastic Soccer Games - Celebrating queer, trans, and nonbinary power through Youth and Adults sports. “Kicking out Transphobia” - June 24th at the James P Lang Soccer Fields in San Francisco. (Info [https://www.thesisters.org/post/june-24th-9-1pm-trans-tastic-soccer]) * Drag Me Downtown – every Thursday in June, 5p-7p – pop up drag shows, preregistration proceeds benefit Trans Thrive (Info [https://downtownsf.org/do/drag-me-downtown]) * SF Pride - Media Kickoff Party is June 21st, the Inaugural Human Rights summit is the 22nd, And the official parade and festival is June 24th thru 25th. (Info [https://sfpride.org/]) * Masc Mask: A Drag Makeup Workshop - hosted by friend of the ‘cast King Lotus Boy – June 28th at the Headprint House in SF and streamed online via Zoom. Sliding Scale cost for entry. (bit.ly/mascmask [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/masc-mask-a-drag-makeup-workshop-with-king-lotus-boy-tickets-625495031477]) * Legalize Drag TEXAS EDITION - A drag Fundraiser for Tx LGBTQI+ liberation hosted by friends of the ‘cast Pop Rox and Juicy Liu. July 30th at the El Rio SF… $20 presale, $30 door (tinyurl.com/legalizedragTX [https://secure.givelively.org/event/balif-foundation/legalize-drag-texas-edition/legalize-drag-texas-edition]) * Silicon Valley Pride - August 26th and 27th at Plaza De Cesar Chavez in Downtown San Jose – the whole slew of Pride Week events start the Week of the 21st, and they’ll be announcing those soon. They also need volunteers! (Info [https://www.svpride.com/]) News Stories Discussed: 1. Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence preach ‘understanding’ after rebuke from Dodgers’ Kershaw [https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/sisters-of-perpetual-indulgence-kershaw-dodgers-18126756.php] 2. LGBTQ flag burned at North Hollywood elementary school as some parents oppose Pride event [https://abc7.com/lgbtq-pride-flag-burned-saticoy-elementary-school-north-hollywood/13323372/] 3. GLAAD report says Twitter is the 'most dangerous' social media platform' for LGBTQ users [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/06/16/glaad-social-media-safety-index-report-platforms/70328237007/] 4. Biden lauds ‘extraordinary’ courage of LGBTQ Americans at White House Pride event [https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/10/politics/white-house-biden-pride-event/index.html] 5. Disneyland hosts hoppin' Pride Night to cheers across the internet [https://www.sfgate.com/disneyland/article/disneyland-first-lgbtq-pride-nite-18154970.php] For suggestions and inquiries, email Gregg at OffAirArcade@gmail.com

Banko Brown, Pride Donations, Strange World, and TRANSformASIANS

This episode unofficially powered by Janelle Monáe's Lipstick Lover [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7S6wLP_vsY], because it's pure and utter queer joy. This week, Mary and Gregg talk about why old-school rock stars should probably keep their opinions to themselves in their ignorance, why SF Pride may be a bit strapped for cash, and why the entire Bay Area is in an uproar over the death of Banko Brown. We also talk about the intersectionality of queerness and disability with King Lotus Boy [https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi30N2mrP_-AhV0JEQIHVfzBZYQFnoECA8QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fkinglotusboy%2F%3Fhl%3Den&usg=AOvVaw0wyq6U6zWPBRVLUVpdhX4_] and Obsidienne Obsurd [https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjH27n_rP_-AhWmI0QIHV_yDhIQFnoECAsQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2F0bsurdly%2F%3Fhl%3Den&usg=AOvVaw0ezg2-mjdWeF_-6b-Ny7Rk], drag artists who are hosting “TRANSformASIANS [https://www.instagram.com/p/CrciU4KuXTS/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==]” – a Transgender & Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander showcase. Exploring the relationship between queerness, gender fluidity, cultural (re)connection and diasporic healing. A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Red Canary Song [https://www.redcanarysong.net/]. June 2nd 7pm PT at The Oasis SF – and live-streamed on Oasis TV. Also, check out King Lotus Boy's excellent song "Google is Free [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BEaTE0zOys]" 😂 Local Events: * Celebrating Our Roots [https://www.svpride.com/]: SV Pride/LEAD Filipino concert to honor asian american and pacific islander heritage month. (Featuring Sam0, Isa July) – Saturday May 20th at Open San Jose. * Dragfest [https://events.stanford.edu/event/dragfest_2023_drag_show_lip_sync_competition?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=Stanford+University] – Drag event of “joy and celebration”, with tons of performances including the Stanford Drag Troupe – May 19th at Wilbur Field at Stanford * Karaoke for a Cause [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/karaoke-for-a-cause-tickets-628905562467] – Hosted by (friend of the cast [https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/HlyYRJGgUzb]) Pop Rox – benefiting Oasis Legal Services, Saturday 5/13 at Port Bar Oakland * Drake's First Friday [https://domoreproject.org/experience/] - Celebration and fundraiser for Project More LGBTQ and Qmunity District at Drakes Barrelhouse in San Leandro - Friday June 2nd * TRANSFormASIANS [https://www.instagram.com/p/CrciU4KuXTS/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==] – a Queer AAPI showcase – with proceeds benefitting Red Canary Song. Friday, June 2nd at 7pm at the Oasis SF * Pride Block Party [https://www.svpride.com/] – Celebrating National Pride Month – June 10th at the Holiday Inn San Jose Episode Links: * Cash-strapped Pride to accept donations on parade route [https://www.ebar.com/story.php?ch=news&sc=news&id=325045⁠] * SF Pride parts ways with Dee Snyder over support of Transphobic Kiss Tweet [https://www.ktvu.com/news/sf-pride-cuts-ties-with-twisted-sisters-dee-snider-over-transphobic-support⁠] * SF District Attorney won’t charge security guard in Banko Brown shooting; community members decry decision [https://sfstandard.com/criminal-justice/banko-brown-protesters-rage-outside-walgreens-after-da-jenkins-decision/⁠]⁠ * Florida Expands chilling “Don’t Say Gay” bill [⁠https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/05/04/florida-anti-trans-toilet-bill-dont-say-gay/] * Florida investigating a teacher who showed Disney film with gay character [https://www.them.us/story/florida-teacher-investigation-strange-world-dont-say-gay] Have an event or a story you'd like to see featured? Let us know by emailing Gregg [offairarcade@gmail.com]!

Legalize Drag, Montana is Bananas, Bud Light, and Lizzo

Welcome back to Queerly Inquiring! This week, Mary and Gregg talk to Pop Rox and Juicy Liu from Legalize Drag [https://www.balif.org/event-5231975], a collective of drag artist legal professionals protesting attacks on the art of drag and trans, gender non-confirming, and queer communities. Other organizations to support: * wayOUT [https://www.wayout.lgbt/] * BALIF [https://www.balif.org/] Events: * SoFa Drag Race - Sunday April 30th, SoFa District, Downtown San Jose * Silicon Valley Pride DRAG BRUNCH - Sunday, May 7, 2023 * SV Pride Parade and Festival: August 26th - 27th in Plaza de Cesar Chavez News: * LGBTQ Youth Space presents: Safe Space [https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/events/63ae196fae399e2f00a45b6f] * Zooey Zephyr barred from the Montana House floor [https://www.them.us/story/zooey-zephyr-montana-republicans-barred-states-first-trans-woman-lawmaker-from-the-house-floor] * The Department of Justice targets Tennessee ban on Gender-Affirming Care [https://www.them.us/story/doj-lawsuit-tennessee-ban-gender-affirming-care] * "Woke Free" beer in response to Dylan Mulvaney's Bud Light sponsorship [https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/04/21/woke-free-beer-budlight-conservative-dad-brewery/] * Lizzo protests Tennessee Drag Ban with Drag Queens onstage [https://apnews.com/article/lizzo-tennessee-drag-queens-c73bc8f777b28148dea90a3cca347701] For questions and recommendations, email Gregg at offairarcade@gmail.com