Dan Choi is running for a spot on the San Francisco College Board

Interesting turn of events.

Dan Choi, mostly known as a staunch advocate for DADT, is running for a spot on SF College board. Dan has been out of the limelight since his trail and public breakdown.

Now, he's back entering politics. Here is his reason for running:

Dan has decided to channel his energies towards revitalizing the City College of San Francisco. As a dedicated student throughout his schooling, he has a passion for learning and education. Dan wants to see that all CCSF students have access to an enriching education as to provide them with the tools they need to achieve their goals both inside and outside of the classroom. Aware of the structural and economic issues facing the CCSF educational system, Dan is driven to be a part of the solution.

We will watching to see how this goes for Dan

SF Pride again makes Chelsea Manning a Grand Marshall

Approved drawing of Chelsea by Alicia Neal

Very interesting stuff is happening at SF Pride.

Remember when they tried to make Chelsea Manning a Grand Marshal? Well, they did it again, she is now an Honorary Grand Marshal.

The 2014 Pride Committee explained their reasons why she was chosen. The new Board President, Gary Virginia, said:

SF Pride’s oversight of the Electoral College community grand marshal nomination and election process in 2013 was mishandled. Even with this controversy, thousands of Manning supporters in the 2013 Pride Parade represented the largest non-corporate, walking contingent in the parade. I want to publicly apologize to Chelsea Manning and her supporters on behalf of SF Pride, and we look forward to a proper honor this year.

 This issue caused a lot of drama last year and it seems to do so now.

National Military Activist Sean Sala released this statement on the matter:

"As the one who lead the campaign and national boycott last year against San Francisco Pride when they chose to make Chelsea Manning (former Bradley Manning) their Grand Marshall; I learned yesterday that they have once again chose to do so. I could make a statement grand and tailored for the decision but the bottom-line is this: after the national backlash last year, the fact that SF Pride would do this once again is just astounding. They will reap what they sow. You reap lawlessness, don't expect it to help you in the end. They have once again spit in the face of the LGBT Military community, all in the name of senseless ideology. Once again, SHAME on San Francisco Pride."

More to come

In San Francisco: A Gay Organization refuses to Lower their Flag in Mandela's Honor

The Merchants of Upper Market and Castro (MUMC) has been brought to the carpet about disrespecting the death of Nelson Mandela. According to the blog, Blacklight, MUMC ignored the memo to lower the flag in honor of Mandela.

To see for themselves all anyone had to do was take a walk up Market Street to the heart of the Castro, Supervisor Wiener’s domain. Not far at all from where everyone was gushing about how much they honored and respected Nelson Mandela. All along the route one would’ve seen flags standing at half-staff. Flags flying over private entities were lowered as well, in solidarity. 

However, upon reaching the corner of Market and Castro, site of Harvey Milk Plaza, one would’ve seen the Rainbow Flag flapping in the wind from the top of the flag pole. How can this be? Did someone not get the memo?

In fact, someone “did” get the memo to lower the flag - they just chose to ignore it. That someone was the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro (MUMC), an organization of Gay business owners with establishments in the Castro. 

In an unusual arrangement, while Harvey Milk Plaza is city owned land, the actual flag that flies above the Plaza is the personal property of MUMC. And its been their long-held practice, going back at least three years, that no one, and that includes Mayor Lee, can order them to lower “their” flag, under any circumstances, unless “they” choose to do it.

In effect, MUMC told the city they chose “not” to lower it for Nelson Mandela. What’s more, in effect, the city of San Francisco said, “OK.”

Blacklight talks about how no one has held the MUMC accountable for this foolishness. Indeed, this looks bad, really bad. It's like they have no respect for a man that spoke out for us (gays) or lived the life of a true human rights activist. And it also opens up old wounds involving racism in the Castro.

The MUMC blatant diss of Mandela rubs many LGBT people of color the wrong way. It doesn't help that their E-board are all predominately White either. Whether they address this matter remains to be seen, but the way they handled this situation is piss poor and disrespectful to Mandela's legacy.

It's all about the BatKid

Watch the news clip, after the jump

My thoughts on Bradley Manning/Grand Marshal Drama

Whose bright idea was it to make Bradley a grand marshal of SF Pride? Luckily, it was short-lived and shut down.

Truth be told, I'm not seeing this 'Bradley Manning a hero' thing.

I read many posts and personal blogs, and I can't... I can't. This man leaked thousands files that put many folks in danger. I know he was fighting against DADT, but he could've cost lives or set off a deadly chain reaction of events.

Regardless of how 'hororable' his actions were, it was still foolish and dangerous. Now, some would disagree, but many agree.

 Manning is considered disgrace, a traitor and selfish. For example, Stephen Peters, president of American Military Partners Association, said:

"Manning's blatant disregard for the safety of our service members and the security of our nation should not be praised. The group, which advocates for same-sex military families, had called on the Pride Committee to rescind the invitation.

"No community of such a strong and resilient people should be represented by the treacherous acts that define Bradley Manning,"

Harsh words, but very real.

I can't see Manning as a hero, I do think he's guilty. Hell, he pleaded guilty. So why would stand for this guy who could've dropped some serious drama our way?

I don't know, if y'all have any opinions on this please share them.

source

Activist Group to Protest San Francisco's Gay Pride Parade

A group of activists called OccuPride plans to disrupt San Francisco's gay pride parade this Sunday. Their main reason for the disruption is to call out corporations and politicians for their fair-weather support to the LGBT community.

In a report from SFist, Scott Rossi, an OccuPride organizer, explained in more detail who they are and the purpose of their protest.

OccuPride is a grassroots, radical queer response to the commercialization of the LGBTQI community. It is not an attack on Pride itself, nor the Parade, as both are an important symbol of the progress we have made. Speaking for myself, I've wanted to do something like this for years because we shouldn't be celebrating that companies are lining up to sell us stuff and pinkwashing everything under the guise of how much they love us and such. They don't love us or they'd be spending their lobbying dollars on making sure we have access to life saving medicine, food, houses to live in and a planet that's not dying.

At the same time, we shouldn't be deifying companies and politicians that actively work against SF Pride's theme of GLOBAL EQUALITY. Don't forget Willie Brown, the Lifetime Grand Marshall is famous for saying 'anyone who doesn't make $50,000 a year doesn't have a right to live in SF. And even more shocking, many of the companies that are featured sponsors, like Wells Fargo, actively work and lobby against Global Equality at home, abroad and within the LGBTQI community. How many of our people have been displaced due to the economic collapse? How many of our people have been denied lifesaving health insurance because of preexisting conditions? This is why I started Occupying last fall, this is why I helped organize and outreach for OccuPride. We're fighting for those that can't fight for themselves, and fighting for those that will come later. These companies and their poisonous, odious Politician lackeys aren't going to go away and they're only going to get worse.

I find this very interesting. I understand that the community depends on these corporations for sponsorships and what not, however, where is the support before and after the annual pride parades and events?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

5 People were Shot near San Francisco's Gay Pride Festivities

Lighting struck twice in San Francisco. Five people were shot in near the Gay Pride events.

Here's more:

Police spokesman Lt. Troy Dangerfield says a gunman fired shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday night near Market Street and Sixth Street. Two people were hit in the torso and are being treated for serious injuries at a hospital. Three others are being treated for minor injuries.

The shooting was a few blocks from the city's Gay Pride festivities at the Civic Center, which had just ended for the day. There was no immediate word on whether the incident had any connection to the festival.

Later, the cops found a suspect, but they are not sure if there were more than one shooter.

It seems that San Fran's Pride is beset by shootings. Last year, a gang member shot into a crowd of people during Pink Saturday. I have to wonder, what's really going on in San Fran?

New Documentary: Always My Son

This was the talk of the LGBT Blogger and Journalists gathering in San Fran. this past weekend. Please view this and pass it on

Here's more info on the documentary

Save the Date: December 6 for the Prop. 8 Appeal

This coming around the corner, y'all. The court of appeals for the ninth circuit will hear the oral arguments for Prop 8 on December 6 at 10 in the morning in San Fran.

There's a part of me that wants to be there around that time. But who knows when it will settled.

Anywho, save the date.

WATCH Yesterday's Prop 8 Stay Decision Excitement in San Fran

Three people were shot during San Francisco Gay Pride

3 people were shot outside of a club in San Francisco’s Castro District last night. Several folks were wounded and taken to the hospital.

This is Gay Pride in San Fran, so many peeps are shocked over this incident.

Here's more:

The shooting took place along the 2300 block of Market Street in front of "The Cafe," a popular gay nightclub.

A teenage male sustained life-threatening injuries and two other individuals were wounded. A 19-year-old man was taken into custody in connection with the shooting and a weapon was recovered, KGO-AM reported.

Though a motive was not immediately known, eyewitnesses near the scene suggested the gunfight erupted due to a personal conflict and was not related to the area's event.

One man is seriously injured, I hope he gets better.


source

pic from Aldo's blog

UPDATE
From SFGate

One of three victims of a shooting in San Francisco's Castro District late Saturday night has died from his injuries, according to the medical examiner's office.

Stephen Powell, 19, was shot in the torso about 11:30 p.m. at Market and Castro streets during the city's "Pink Saturday" celebrations, police said. The medical examiner's office could not confirm his city of residence.

Powell, along with a 19-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man who were shot in the leg, were taken to a hospital. Powell was subsequently pronounced dead.

The woman and older man are expected to survive, according to police.

A 19-year-old man was taken into custody in connection with the shooting, and police said they recovered the handgun used in the crime.

An attendant at the Chevron gas station, which is adjacent to the nightclub, said he heard four gunshots fired, although thick crowds made it difficult for him to see the scuffle.

Today is Harvey Milk Day in California

He would have been 80 years old today.

God's Chosen Folks pt. 2

From Joe.My.God

If this God's people, I would hate to see Satan's posse.