Brewery Lowers Flag for CT Deaths;
Castro Merchants Snub Prez

(Top photo shows the tower and flagpole from Mariposa Street, and the bottom photo was taken on the DeHaro Street side. Click to enlarge.)

The Anchor Brewing Company is located on the same block as the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, where I went today for much needed acupuncture healing.

San Francisco's hometown beermaker, as with millions of other private companies and decent individual Americans, has lowered the U.S. flag atop their iconic tower in the Potrero Hill district in sympathy with the grieving families who lost loved ones at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

After snapping a few photos of the flagpole, I went into the brewery and told the young woman at the reception desk that seeing their flag at half-staff helped me to grieve over the senseless loss of so many young lives on Friday.

Nice to know Anchor heeded President Obama's proclamation to lower flags, even though he ordered only flags on U.S. government property to fly at half-staff, I told the receptionist. She appreciated the positive feedback and told me how upset she's been over the tragedy.

Unfortunately, Terry Bennett, pictured, the president of the Merchants of Upper Market Castro and whose family owns Cliff's Variety Store, and her MUMC colleagues have not lowered the LGBT rainbow flag at Harvey Milk Plaza.

Citing cockamamie and absurd reasons for never lowering the rainbow flag on public grounds in the Castro, MUMC, after refusing to fly the flag at half-staff as requested by Obama after the Colorado movie theater and Wisconsin Sikh temple gun-related massacred, has new rules banning lowerings.

While the gays of the Castro, a community that all too well knows the sorrows of death from guns, have not been allowed to use our rainbow flag on city grounds to show condolences and solidarity with the families in Connecticut, the folks at Anchor Brewing Company have simply done the right and honorable thing and respectfully lowered their flag.

May MUMC one day either learn from the decent people at the brewery about properly responding to a national time of mourning, or relinquish control of the Harvey Milk Plaza rainbow flag so it can be used at appropriate times to show LGBT Americans care about massacres from gun violence.

Thank you, Anchor Brewing Company!

Weekend Woof #21:
Dudes of Color

I hope everyone is warm and cozy on this chilly and gray day in San Francisco. It's time for my latest batch of photos showcasing attractive men, albeit a smaller number of images than usual but I think the extra cuteness of these two dudes shines bright and more than compensates for fewer photos.

Say "Hola" to Cesar who is the nurse in the office of one of my doctors. When not catching up with him during a medical appointment, I usually run into Cesar down at the Embarcadero YMCA. These pictures were snapped after he had just worked out.

This handsome fella is William, who works at the Mission and 16th Street BART station. Last week, I saw a wallet near the (working) public telephone inside the station and turned it in to William. If that's your wallet, pick up at the BART information booth and tell William I send my regards.

As always, thanks to the men for striking handsome poses for my camera.

Previous batches of woofy dudes are here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

Tegucigalpa Gay/Trans March
For Walter Trochez & Democracy

Leaders of three courageous Honduran advocacy groups - Movimiento de Diversidad en Resistencia (Movement for Sexual Diversity in Resistance), the lesbian network Cattrachas, and the AIDS organization APUVIMEH, La Asociación Para Una Vida Mejor de Personas Infectadas/Afectadas Por El VIH-SIDA en Honduras - marked the third anniversary of gay leader Walter Trochez's assassination on December 13 in the capitol of Tegucigalpa.

When Gays Without Borders staged its vigil on the same day at the Honduran consulate in San Francisco, we were unaware of the actions our friends had planned. After emailing contacts in Honduran, I soon received photos, a note of solidarity and thanks, and details of the Tegucigalpa events.

Our Honduran friends shared this message with us, on behalf of APUVIMEH, Cattrachas and the MDR:

"Dear partners in San Francisco and beyond our borders: 

"On behalf of APUVIMEH we would like to express our appreciation for your solidarity in support of the struggle of the members of our LGBTI community in Honduras who have been assassinated and whose cases - in many circumstances - have yet to be brought to justice. 

"Thanks for your solidarity. We know that without support from abroad, our fight would go nowhere. We thank you and ask you to never forget Walter Trochez. 

"As activists from MDR, Cattrachas and APUVIMEH we remain united in sorrow but we remain committed to living in a country that respects our lives and the right to express our sexual orientation and gender identity. 

"A big hug from Honduras!"

Dozens of activists marched in the streets during the daytime wearing colorful masks and clothing, among them elderly women who carried banners and flowers, children with political posters, a good number of transgender people and young men dressed as angels.

This photo illustrates quite clearly the strength in diversity proudly on public display in Tegucigalpa. From the left, it appears a child carries the rainbow flag, next to her are transgender women parading with the light blue, pink and white Trans Flag on a pole.

Three people, including a woman of mature years and dignity, hold up a large memorial placard honoring Trochez, and in front of them is a black youth displaying a big W created out of red fabric, probably symbolizing Trochez's work as an AIDS advocate.

The march stopped for a while at the headquarters of the Public Ministry, the government office that has failed to investigate Trochez's and the murders of nearly one-hundred LGBTI individuals, peasant and labor organizers. Since Trochez's death, activists have staged speak outs at the ministry on the 13th of every month.

Protesters held signs featuring Trochez's young face as a transgender leader gave an interview to a local television station.

A temporary shrine in a public square was created combining lighted candles, a rainbow flag and an enlarged photograph of Trochez, as daylight hours were coming to an end.

Several dozen activists occupied a section of the square as the evening began . . .

 . . . and watched an acrobat played with a metal wheel on fire and balanced on a wire string and entertained the crowd . . .

. . . which had laid a large rainbow flag on the stone plaza, upon which they placed remembrance candles, flowers and a photograph of their absent amigo Walter Trochez.

On behalf of Gays Without Borders in San Francisco, I reiterate our promise to remember Walter Trochez, fight for justice and democracy, and to stand in strong solidarity with the LGBTI, peasant farmer and labor communities in Honduras.

Muchas gracias amigos y amigas of APUVIMEH, Cattracthas and the MDR for sharing your photos and activism with us!

Castro's Rainbow Flag at 
Half Staff on Sun. for CT Gun Deaths?

 (The portable flagpole can be used at either Milk or Warner Plaza. Photos by longtime community photographer Bill Wilson, who purchased the 21-foot flagpole seen here.)

President Barack Obama today ordered all American flags on government property around the world to fly at half staff until Tuesday to honor the victims killed at a Connecticut school this afternoon. Like millions of people across America, I've been upset about this latest gun-related tragedy and wish to honor the president's proclamation and the dead.

That is why I am proposing a one-hour candlelight vigil Sunday, December 16, starting at 5 PM, and using the Gays Without Border mobile and adjustable 21-foot fiberglass flagpole and heavy metal stand to fly a 3'x5' lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rainbow flag at half staff in the Castro.

The simple point would be to show regret over the tragic loss of so many young lives, express sympathy to the survivors and condolences to all who lost love ones back east today. No formal speaking program, but anyone who wants to speak out is more than welcome to do so.

A few friends have said they'd come to the vigil, if it gets organized, so I'm gauging the level of interest among Castro stakeholders and the LGBT community that is grieving over the killings in Newtown, Connecticut.

Just a reminder that the MUMC-controlled flag has not and will not be lowered to mark this terrible loss of life.

Ideally, I'd like a solid commitment from a minimum of ten folks to show up and make the vigil happen at either Harvey Milk or Jane Warner Plaza. Are you someone who would attend a vigil this Sunday at 5 PM as dusk descends on the Castro neighborhood, where we are all too aware of tragedies brought about because of guns?

Time is of the essence, and if the Sunday vigil is to become reality, I'd like to have at least twenty-four hours to get the word out far and wide.

That is why I'm asking all interested folks to contact me by 2 PM tomorrow, Saturday. Should enough people commit to participate on Sunday, we can move ahead with organizing the event. Send me an email if you want to attend or assist in organizing the vigil: MPetrelis@aol.com.

Report: SF Vigil 
for Honduran Gays & Democracy

The Gays Without Borders one-hour vigil yesterday, December 13, at the Honduran consulate in San Francisco was attended by a handful of dedicated human rights activists. We staged the vigil to demand a full and impartial investigation into the assassination of gay man and democracy fighter Walter Trochez, who was killed by right-wing militia forces on December 13, 2009.

Among the participants were Ckiara Rose, left, a straight woman born in Guatemala who made comments in Spanish expressing solidarity with the LGBTI community in Honduras. Longtime global AIDS activist Gary Virginia, right, said that as a gay man he supports the Honduran peasants and labor leaders who are targeted by death squads for organizing resistance to the junta that seized control of the country in a June 28, 2009, coup.

Michael Bass, right, who is straight, joined the vigil to represent the School of the Americas Watch's chapters in San Francisco and the East Bay. He demanded that U.S. military aid and support immediately end for the the anti-democratic government now in power in Honduras. Respect from the American government for the human rights of all Hondurans fighting to restore democracy was also a concern of Michael Bass and his organization.

Gary Virginia displaying a poster demanding "Democracy Now in Honduras!" and "Justica for Walter Trochez!" There's been no investigation into Trochez's assassination and no one charged with his killing.

Holding the Honduran flag is Veronika Fimbres, and yours truly waving our posters featuring the visage of Walter Trochez. She spoke as a veteran transgender leader and deplored the torture and murder of dozens of transgender and intersex individuals in Honduras since the coup.

Veronika was cruising for a new husband at one point, and she recruited this furry fella join with us for a short while. I didn't catch his name but he thanked us for organizing the action and fighting for justice for Walter Trochez.

A few San Francisco police officers leaving the Flood Building, which houses the Honduran and various other consulates, after speaking with the Honduran consular staff about our plans. We stayed outside on public property and didn't enter the building and try to speak with staff. However, through phone calls and emails to the consulate, we made them aware of our vigil.

 Here's a terrific short video of our diverse crew of activists assembling for the vigil. Many thanks and big hugs to everyone who came out yesterday and made the action a success.

Chronicle's 'B.S.' Nevius
Dildo Flub on Poynter's Worst Error List

(Nevius, in gray jacket, laughing with colleagues in 2006. Credit: John Curley.)

Among the many tired-ass snarky conservative columnists at the Hearst-owned San Francisco Chronicle, who I believe outnumber actual qualified journalists on staff, is C.W. "Chuck" Nevius. In many political and social circles he's commonly referred to as B.S. Nevius because of all the demonizing tripe and hype he peddles in his pieces.

A watchdog at the widely-respected and independent media resource Poynter Institute, Craig Silverman, has cited an August 16th Nevius hit-piece on drag artistes in the Castro that mentioned this (unsourced) bit of fiction on his Best and Worst Media Errors of 2012:

It should also be said that some of the gay groups that have been using the hall have gone way over the top. Several years ago the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence featured a drag queen known as Peaches Christ, who waved a crucifix shaped like a dildo. Even longtime gay parishioners thought that was too much.

Nevius simply invented that incident and the unnamed gay parishioners, further driving down the Chronicle's ever-diminishing credibility among reality-based readers.Within hours of the b.s. appearing, the paper posted this correction to their site:  

C.W. Nevius' column about Most Holy Redeemer banning drag queen performers incorrectly stated that entertainer Peaches Christ appeared at an event at the church's hall with a dildo shaped like a crucifix. He did not appear at the event, nor does he use the prop.

Good enough on the surface, but Nevius and his editors failed to address the matter of the fabricated parishioners. The entire sorry episode makes one wonder what else Nevius has fabricated and reported as fact. Congratulations, B.S. and thanks for the chuckles!

Gays, Democracy & Honduras:
Thursday Flag Raising at Consulate

On December 13, 2009, a young and brave gay man named Walter Trochez, pictured, was assassinated on the streets of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, because he dared to demand investigations into the murders of queer folk, peasant farmers and labor organizers.

Shadowy extrajudicial militia forces killed Trochez and no one has been charged or arrested in connection with his death, as is the reality for hundreds of other murders since a right-wing junta seized controlled of the country in June, 2009.

Gays Without Borders is holding a vigil in front of the Honduran consulate in San Francisco starting at noon on Thursday, December 13. The consulate is located in the Flood Building on Market at Powell Street, near the cable car turnaround. 

We have posters printed saying "Justica Para Walter Trochez!" and "Democracy Now in Honduras!", a Honduran and rainbow flag that will be raised on a portable flagpole, and our Gays Without Borders banner.

Two terrific black girlfriends, recently arrested nudist Ercell Fleurima alias Ckiara Rose adult escort, and Veronika Fimbres, a transgender person with AIDS who last month delivered a miracle and had the trans pride flag fly in Harvey Milk Plaza, are the only folks who have confirmed they'll be there.

While the number of attendees may be small tomorrow, our message is enormous and cannot be ignored --

We demand justice for Walter Trochez and the restoration of democracy across Honduras.

Please join us at the consulate.

People With AIDS
Needed for W.H.O. Survey

Last month, my friend transgender leader Cecilia Chung and I were arguing (and laughing) like cats and dogs over our disagreement regarding Mayor Ed Lee potentially flying the trans pride flag from his balcony at City Hall. Our differences over events commemorating Transgender Day of Remembrance are now ancient history.

Readers of POZ magazine may recall that Cecilia was their cover girl in September, and when not glamming up publications she serves as a member of the San Francisco Health Commission.

She contacted me about a World Health Organization survey that needs the engagement of people with AIDS, and promoting the survey on my blog. After answering the questions, several of which deal with the stigma and discrimination too many of us face, I felt my time had been well spent. 

Cecilia said:

I believe it is extremely crucial for people living with HIV/AIDS in low-, middle- and high-income countries to participate in this e-consultation. In particular, PLWH who have been marginalized, stigmatized, discriminated and who have challenges access treatment due to various barriers regardless of countries of origin. In particular, I would encourage PLWH use the blank boxes to fill in what they believe are important factors that contribute to ARV (antiretroviral) adherence and better health outcomes. 

Right on, girl! I couldn't agree more with Cecilia. Here's the alert about the survey and links to it. If you're a person with AIDS, please participate in this important project:

Make Sure Your Voice is Heard! 
Opportunity to input into the development of revised WHO guidelines on ARV provision 

What are the guidelines? 

Responding to the emergence of new scientific evidence, WHO is in the process of developing a revised and consolidated set of guidelines related to the use of ARVs for HIV treatment and prevention, prioritising people living with HIV and those who are most at risk of acquiring HIV, and aiming to accelerate progress towards universal access to HIV diagnostics, treatment, care and support. The guidelines are planned for release in early 2013 - previous versions can be found here. 

What is the consultation?

The new generation of guidelines will include, in addition to the customary clinical guidance, operational and programmatic guidance targeted towards HIV programme managers, which will help countries make the best strategic decisions on the use of ARVs. Recognising how important it is for the guidelines to reflect the realities and lives of people and communities living with and affected by HIV, and of civil society, WHO is undertaking a consultative process with communities to inform these revised and consolidated guidelines . . .

How can you take part? 

Opportunities to feed into the consultation process are underway and are running until the December 21st. 

They include the following: An online survey available in six languages: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, and Chinese. The e-surveys can be accessed using the following links: 

English - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WHOARV 
Spanish - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FW3WHK5 
French - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SHS9L8L 
Russian - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MBY9VJD 
Arabic - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WHOArabic 
Chinese - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ARVChinese 

12/13 Vigil at Honduran Consulate:
Third Anniversary of Gay Killing

On behalf of Gays Without Borders, transgender leader Veronika Fimbres and I are organizing a noontime vigil this Thursday, December 13, to mark the third anniversary of the assassination of gay Honduran democracy activist Walter Trochez, pictured.

The one-hour vigil takes place in front the Honduran consulate, located in the Flood Building on Market near the Powell Street cable car turn-around.

Trochez was active in many causes at the time of his murder by right-wing militia forces. He fought for the human rights of LGBT and HIV positive persons, organized peasant farmers and defied the ruling junta after the Honduran coup of June 28, 2009.

Nearly six months after the coup, Trochez on December 13, 2009, was gunned down on a street in the capital of Tegucigalpa. Law enforcement agencies never conducted a thorough investigation into his death and no one has been charged or arrested in the case. 

At our vigil on Thursday, we will debut our 21-foot portable fiberglass flagpole and display the Honduran and rainbow flags together. We need folks to join us and hold up posters of Trochez. Our message to the Honduran consulate and government in Tegucigalpa will be to demand justice for Trochez and all of the hundreds of murdered LGBTI people and peasant and labor organizers.

A recent press release from an important human rights organization sheds lights on a transgender woman's death and other harms being visited upon LGBTI persons in Honduras:

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemns the murder of Barbarita, a 21-year-old trans woman, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. 

According to the information received, on August 2, 2012, in a remote area in Colonia San Martín, San Pedro Sula, the body of Barbarita (registered at birth as Marlon Javier Jiménez Alemán), was found with a series of bullet wounds to her face and head. Also, her hands showed signs of being tied behind her back . . .

The Commission continues to receive information on killings, torture, arbitrary arrests, and other forms of violence and exclusion against lesbians, gays, and trans, bisexual, and intersex persons. In addition, the Commission notes that very frequently, problems exist in the investigation of those crimes, which involve, in part, failures to open lines of investigation into whether the crime was committed by reason of the victim's gender identity or sexual orientation. 

The ineffectiveness of the state response fosters high rates of impunity, which in turn lead to the chronic repetition of such crimes, leaving the victims and their families defenseless. 

D.A. Drops Charges
Against Nudist Arrested At Supes' Meeting

(Ercell Fleurima moments before she was arrested at last week's Board of Supervisors' meeting.)

This morning, I had the fine pleasure of receiving a voice mail from my nudist gal-pal Ercell Fleurima who was at the Hall of Justice, telling me the two charges against her had been dropped by the District Attorney's office.

She had been charged with disrupting the December 4 Board of Supervisors' meeting and resisting arrest. The board took its final vote outlawing public nudity that day and several nudists showed their displeasure by disrobing.

I asked the DA George Gascon's public information officer Stephanie Ong Stillman to confirm the dismissals and she replied:

The case was discharged pending further investigation. 

Why was there a need for any further action, if there was a discharge, I asked. Stillman said:

Standard procedure when a case is not charged is to discharge a case pending further investigation.

Fleurima said she was pleased with the outcome of the short court hearing today. Let's all be happy for Fleurima's good legal fortune today!