Castro Plaza's Temporary Closure Starts in Late February

The latest cosmetic changes to the public spaces of the Castro have not decreased the number of homeless folks nor their incidents of abusive behavior in Jane Warner Plaza, and another in a long-series of urgent community meetings was held on February 2 to discuss the situation.

Convened by Andrea Aiello, executive director of the Castro Benefit District, it featured Sup. Wiener and the Mission police station's captain as the main speakers. I wasn't present and am grateful Aiello's posted a three-page report back to the community.

The report is not posted on the CBD site. For a copy send your request to: execdirector@castrocbd.org. Here are some highlights:

- The Department of Public Works is again going to temporarily close Jane Warner Plaza for "minor improvements to the plaza including putting down new coating on the pavement"

- Closure should start the end of February and allegedly will last for two months

- The CBD will again solicit community input about activating the plaza with "positive activities"

- At the end of the latest DPW modification period, the Castro Cares outreach and engagement project targeting the homeless and mentally ill, will be more fully implemented

- A suggestion was made "to create metrics with deadlines" to measure progress and if actions fail to make the plaza safer and inviting to all, then return the space back to vehicular traffic and remove the park

Solutions other than enhanced enforcement from the Mission station included a few startling ideas for the problematic plaza at 17th and Castro Streets:

- Schedule a movie night

- Hold exercise classses

- Move the rainbow flag from Harvey Milk Plaza to Jane Warner Plaza

- Request tour groups to assemble near the street care turnaround instead of under the rainbow flag

It's anyone's guess if and how any of the proposals and concerns expressed at the Feb. 2 forum will bring about a balance of activities in Jane Warner Plaza, a reduction of bad behavior, fewer homeless folks and their dogs, and renew a sense of ownership of the plaza and the Castro from LGBT people who either avoid the area or rarely venture into the gayborhood.

The best thing I can say about the plaza is at least DPW hasn't reinstalled the obtrusive news rack on 17th Street near the Twin Peaks bar. That piece of ugly street furniture always was a hindrance to wheelchair users and public safety.

Public Defender Adachi on SF OCC Transparency

It's certainly laudable that San Francisco's public defender since 2002, Jeff Adachi, has stood up to the police department when necessary and also provided ordinary citizens with generally excellent legal defense resources.

However, I'm quite disappointed he this week garnered tremendous mainstream press and social media attention after an assistant public defender, who was arrested inside a courthouse hallway protecting her client's rights, lodged a complaint and Adachi and his office didn't mention the terrible absence of transparency with our police oversight agency.

Here's the letter I sent to Adachi yesterday:

"As someone who has filed numerous complaints with the Office of Citizens Complaints, I am very familiar with how their process is opaque and lacks transparency. Names of officers facing complaints and findings of investigations are private, with no details released to the public.

"Since the arrest of your deputy public defender Jami Tillotson, I have hoped your office would file a complaint withe OCC and also shed light on the need to bring genuine transparency to their process, investigations and what is made public after complaints are lodged and adjudicated.

"I have not seen statements from you about these transparency concerns and they were omitted from this release. It pleases me to see that Tillotson has posted her complaint online for all to read.

"Let me know if I've missed your statement about the OCC and transparency, or if you'll provide me with such a statement."

Adachi replied:

"There is no other statement we've issued. We'll see how transparent this investigation is."

My attempt at further communication with his office hasn't produced more info.

Adachi is nobody's fool and he certainly is aware of the opacity of the OCC, that hinders many folks from lodging complaints with the oversight agency.

He knows full well at the end of the OCC investigation, a vague statement omitting details and names will be issued with scant transparency. It's not just the lack of transparency at issue here and Adachi's "let's wait" statement, it's also the failure of the OCC to deliver accountability to the public.

The public defender should have used the Tillotson complaint to press for genuine public transparency at the OCC.

Gays to Protest at SF Archbishop's Wedding Mass 

Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activist community of the Bay Area upset over recent bigoted remarks and policies promulgated by San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone will gather outside St. Mary's Cathedral on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 10 am to condemn the homophobia of the Catholic Church.

We are gravely displeased the conservative Cordileone this week implemented morality clauses in a faculty handbook for archdiocesan school teachers that demonizes LGBT people, extramarital sex, masturbation and erotic materials.

The date and time of February 21 at 10 AM for our peaceful picket outside St. Mary's was chosen because that is when Cordileone will be celebrating a mass for heterosexual married couples marking 5-year anniversaries.

On the public sidewalk in front of the cathedral at Geary and Gough Streets, we will express our genuine fabulousness as proud LGBT people, stage a kiss-in, sing our anthem "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and wave an enormous rainbow flag.

All persons unhappy with the San Francisco Archdiocese's discriminatory actions and words are invited to join the protest. More details to be provided later. Please share this info on social media.

(Where did you get those extravagant gloves and do they match your shoes, Salvatore?)

Chinese TV Covers SF Castro & HRC Protest

Three crew members from the People TV news site based in China were in the Castro gayborhood on January 31 preparing a report on the LGBT district.

They came to our protest against the Human Rights Campaign's clothing store, to chat with us about complaints against the organization for failure to address economic disparities for ordinary, low-income gays.

On Monday, the People TV site posted the video story but there was no embed code so I taped it off my monitor. Apologies for the poor quality of the story.

Our fabulous spokeswoman, Melanie Nathan, spoke with the reporters and she is quoted spelling out the LGBTI acronym, clearly stating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex.

I'm pleased our gayborhood is bringing LGBTI visibility to the People TV audience and that the action against the HRC was included. Thanks to the reporters and everyone who showed up for the demonstration.

Chinese TV covers SF Castro & HRC protest: 1/31/2015 from MPetrelis on Vimeo.

National Protests Against HRC's 1% Agenda in NYC, SF & DC

From Park Avenue to Castro Street to Rhode Island Avenue, scores of LGBT and AIDS activists took to the streets on January 31 to send messages to the elitist Human Rights Campaign.

Here in San Francisco, on a gloriously warm and sunny day, about two dozen activists protested for an hour at HRC's souvenir shop on Castro Street.

Global gay advocate Melanie Nathan distributed flyers to passersby explaining our displeasure that the group is too cozy with corporations, ignores LGBT economic justice concerns, and is silent about lack of affordable housing.

The store manager, dressed entirely it seemed in an ensemble of only HRC-designed blue-and-gold clothes, he was quite irritated with our presence and wouldn't engage us in a conversation about our complaints.

We were under the surveillance the entire time by four uniformed officers of the San Francisco police department. When we unfurled an enormous rainbow flag across the length of HRC's store for a few minutes, when no one was entering or leaving the store, the cops got bossy and told us to not block the customers.

Former HRC board member Supervisor Scott Wiener constantly complains the SFPD is allegedly woefully understaffed, but there are always plenty of on-duty officers ready to monitor handfuls of activists as we were reminded yesterday.

One transgender woman smiled for the cameras holding a #BadBadHRC sign that explained why HRC's ratings of businesses is problematic, to say the least.

A homeless transgender woman was among the participants and spoke about her needs for affordable housing in the Mission District, and decent paying job with benefits. She demanded that HRC start addressing the concerns of poor and low-income LGBT folks, especially in the Castro and Mission. She pointed out HRC has an "action center" in Harvey Milk's former camera shop, yet the group takes no action regarding the local economic justice crisis for queers in San Francisco.

We offered sliced bagels, organic apples and sticky pastries to everyone, adding a brunch aspect to our protest. It was also a fun way to engage with passersby, a good number of whom supported us.

About an hour after we wrapped up, activists in Washington, DC, redecorated the entrance of HRC's building on Rhode Island Avenue. They painted a pink slash through the gold bars of HRC's logo, symbolizing their demand for no "pink-washing" of corporations rated by HRC on a severely limited number of equality matters.

Activists also plastered large signs next to the defaced HRC logo listing numerous demands for change at HRC. Cold temps didn't keep them from participating in the national protests on a single day.

Soon after the DC action was concluded, a large number of activists gathered in front of Manhattan's swank Waldorf Hotel in bone-chilling weather. A report from Brandon Cuicchi:

"We had a turn out of approximately 50 people in below-freezing temps.  We kicked things off with a pizza party and rally across the street from the Waldorf.  ACT UP members talked about the invisibility of HIV in HRC's equality index, the homeless youth epidemic, the guidelines barring HIV+ people from organ transplants, and ACT UP's call for HRC's assistance in NY State's Plan to End the AIDS Epidemic. After the rally, protesters marched across the street and picketed the entrance of the Waldorf while surrounded by 20 members of the NYPD and Waldorf security." 

The New Yorkers displayed signs calling HRC to account for the friendly ratings given to military welfare queens, gender pay gapsters, slave laborists and eco-villains, and noting the LGBT 1% dines at the Waldorf Hotel while LGBT youth sleep on the streets.

Many thanks to all who assisted in making January 31 a day of national protest against HRC's elitist approach to LGBT advocacy and sucking up to corporate interests. Read more details and view additional photos at these links:

ACT UP's  Facebook event page; Bill Wilson's photos from San Francisco; Benjamin Shepard's pictures and write-up outta New York; Melanie Nathan's reports and images; and Twitter messages and photos for all of the protests.

Misspelled Castro Plaques Not Sold to Aid Transgender Folks

Never expect accountability and transparency from civic leaders in the Castro gayboyhood and friends of Supervisor Scott Wiener, and you'll never be disappointed or surprised.

In September, after embarrassing typos were noticed on the LGBT Rainbow Honor Walk plaques embedded in the sidewalks of the Castro, the man responsible for the plaques, PR guru David Perry, and his friend writer Armistead Maupin, promised to sell the misspelled plaques to aid transgender folks. After a week of rooting around for answers, Perry finally contacted me. Let's unpack his email.

Perry: "I am on sabbatical until March 1 and not online. I was just now made aware of your query. Because of wise and generous counsel from the Transgender Law Center, we were able to correct -- and improve -- the replacement Christine Jorgensen plaque. We reached out to TLC as colleagues and friends as soon as the initial error came to our attention. During those initial days, it was felt that perhaps an auction of the incorrect plaques might be beneficial." 

MP: How curious he found the means to get back to me, even though he's supposedly off-line all the time these days. I'm not aware of anyone who thought selling the incorrect plaques was a smart more and wondered who the heck would waste money on them. Perry omits names of who allegedly felt an auction was appropriate.

Perry: "However, after careful reconsideration it was decided that the most respectful thing to do -- in consideration of Jorgensen's legacy and out of respect for the entire Transgender community -- would be to not allow a plaque with less than perfect language to go out into the public or private hands. To do so could, potentially, lead to further misinformation and possible misunderstandings. Out of respect for the Transgender community, we shelved the idea of an auction."

MP: After garnering barrels of ink after Perry and Maupin announced the auction, and a lotta forgiveness and let's just move on attitude from Wiener, an opaque reconsideration took place out of public view. Clutching his pearls and again invoking the plight of transgender people, Perry stated the auction was swept under the rug, er, called off.

Too bad Perry never informed the Transgender Law Center about all of this. Here is what Nathan Harris of the center wrote to me earlier this week:

"Thanks Michael and sorry for my delay in responding to you. In part that’s due to the fact that I’ve been trying to find an answer to your questions. I’ll let you know when I know more. To my knowledge, Transgender Law Center was named as the beneficiary of the Jorgensen plaque auction. Hunting down more details."

Sure doesn't sound as though Perry, in his "careful reconsideration" reached out to the beneficiary. To claim the auction was shelved out of respect for trans people, and then not communicate his new decision with the TLC is just more b.s. from Perry still covering his ass.

Perry: "Again, I apologize if this information was not conveyed to you before and thanks for your follow through on this issue."

Well, since Perry and his PR machine, and Maupin and Wiener, have all been silent about the promises made in September, how was I or anyone supposed to learn about the "reconsideration"? 

This accountability failure from Perry, Maupin and Wiener is worth noting for the homo history books.

(Photo and image taken from Maupin's Facebook page showing Perry next to the incorrect Oscar Wilde plaque. Not sure why Maupin said the sale would benefit the Rainbow Honor Walk in his message, when TLC was to receive the money raised.)

Pit Stop Toilets Needed in the Castro

There may be a free public toilet kiosk on Market Street near Castro, on the sidewalk near the Chevron station, but it's not enough for all the folks who need to pee. 

While a lot homeless folks piss in various spots of the Castro's central business district and surrounding streets, let's bear in mind the many non-homeless bar patrons and visitors to the gayborhood, especially on the weekends, who pee on the streets.

One particularly pungent pee smelling area is around the bulletin board on 18th Street, just past the Walgreens store, at the entrance to a small parking lot.

When I announced my candidacy for District 8 Supervisor last spring, I staged a presser at the kiosk toilet and called for expanded free public toilets, along with shower facilities, for everyone to make good use of. We need to address the public health hazards inherently present with so much pee and poop on the streets, and no rain to wash it all away.

I'd like to see the City install the Pit Stop toilets in the Castro, and which are a huge success in the Tenderloin. There are other features and benefits, according to a recent Bay City News story:

"The pilot [Pit Stop] program is a partnership with the city Department of Public Works and nonprofit San Francisco Clean City Coalition making available portable toilets and sinks, used needle receptacles and dog waste stations.

"The facilities are staffed through the coalition and moved to the sites by truck, according to the public works department. The toilets run on solar power and are cleaned off-site everyday, city public works officials said."

Very impressive that the toilets also help reduce canine poop and needles on the sidewalks. Will Castro leaders agree to investigate Pit Stops for the gayborhood?

What's in the FBI File on Matthew Shepard?

Not much. The feds responded in less than eight weeks to my FOIA request for the file on Matthew Shepard. Last week the FBI snail-mailed 28-pages to me and I've posted all of them here.

The file contains memos from the FBI to the crime lab in Cheyenne, Wyoming, confirming specimens for DNA and other forensic testing were received in Washington. That's it.

I expected the FBI to release a file about the death of Shepard and the investigation regarding the circumstances under which he was killed, but it appears such a federal file does not exist.

Here are two-pages from what the FBI sent me.

Brunch At HRC's Castro Store: Queer 99% to Protest the LGBT 1% 

Queer social justice advocates will converge on the Human Rights Campaign's souvenir store on Castro Street in San Francisco on Saturday, Jan. 31, at noon in solidarity with ACT UP/New York's protest on the same date outside HRC's gala at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan.

The Bay Area advocates are upset with HRC for the following reasons:

- No concern for needs of poor and low income LGBT people

- No agenda promoting construction of affordable housing, a living wage and access to higher education

- No action response to the national outcry against police killing Black, Brown & Transgender people.

- No global gay plan that respects the work of local LGBT folks and group's working on international issues

- No incorporation of progressive and economic justice concerns in HRC's Corporate Equality Index

ACT UP/New York is calling on HRC to address HIV related matters including workplace discrimination and preventing new infections. 

In San Francisco, activists will be at HRC's store at 575 Castro Street on Jan. 31 from noon till 1:00 pm. Light brunch nibbles will be available.

There will be a speak out at Harvey Milk's old camera shop from the queer 99% about social and economic justice, with a special focus on fully embracing the Black Lives Matter movement.

Among the endorsers and organizers of the West Coast action are Veronika Fimbres, African-American trans leader; Tommi Avicolli Mecca, housing rights advocate; Melanie Nathan, global LGBT organizer; and Michael Petrelis, HIV positive activist.

Please join us!

For More Information:

Melanie Nathan

Email: commissionermnathan@gmail.com

Web: http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/

Brandon Cuicchi (NY): 

Phone: 1- 646.284.2948

Email: oatbrandon@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1394699607493609

Angela Lansbury, Mike & My 56th Birthday

The legendary trouper Angela Lansbury is 89 and on tour with a fabulously entertaining production of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit", which Mike and I had the pleasure of catching last night at the Golden Gate Theatre.

I'm turning 56 tomorrow, Monday, January 26, and it's a memorable birthday weekend in a number of ways. Just being alive and still acting up when necessary, appreciating the gifts of having loving friends and family and the joy of living with Mike, are the best presents I could receive.

Oh, it's also a terrific, sunny San Francisco day and my plan for later today is to see a good late career film by Jean-Luc Godard, "In Praise of Love", at the Pacific Film Archive over in Berkeley. 

Please join me in celebrating life, seeing Angela Lansbury live on stage again, every single birthday, the challenges of Godardian cinema and every thing else that keep the world spinning.