Nudists Join Boycott Cliff's
Presser at 4PM Today on Castro Street

The coalition of trans and a gay leaders who are holding a news conference at 4 pm today, Tuesday, Oct. 16, in front of Cliff's Variety Store on Castro Street, are pleased to announce that two nudist activists will be participating.

Longtime nudists Woody Miller and Rusty Mills will be present to support the boycott of Cliff's. Speakers include trans leader Veronika Fimbres and gay transparency advocate Bill Wilson.

The coalition of LGBT community activists are demanding that Terry Bennett, whose family owns and manages Cliff's and is the president of the Merchants of Upper Market Castro, and MUMC hold public meetings about their control of the rainbow flag and pole on public property at Harvey Milk Plaza.

MUMC does not allow public attendance or public comment at their meetings, maintains opaque rule governing the flag, opposes nudists gathering in public plaza and supports legislation to ban nudity.

For more information, contact Michael Petrelis at 415-621-6267, or via email: MPetrelis@aol.com.

10/16 4PM Presser at Cliff's:
Trans Flag, MUMC Opacity, Boycott

Gay and trans advocates who've been demanding transparency for two-years from the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro regarding control of the Milk Plaza rainbow flag, are holding a news conference tomorrow. It will be at the store owned by MUMC president Terry Bennett.

What: Press Conference
Date: Tuesday, October 16
When: 4 PM
Where: Cliff's Variety Store, on the public sidewalk
Location: 479 Castro Street

The speakers include Veronika Fimbres, trans leader who forced MUMC to raise the Trans Pride flag on Day of Remembrance, Bill Wilson who will address MUMC's longstanding hostility to public engagement and opacity, and myself. I will address why my boyfriend will boycott Cliff's Variety Store until public meetings are held by MUMC in the Castro.

For more info, please contact me at 415-621-6267, or via email: MPetrelis@aol.com. The following letter, which has not received a response, will be read at the presser:

Proposed Annual Calendar of Rainbow Flag Modifications

(Hand-delivered on September 13, 2012, to Terry Bennett at Cliff’s Variety.)

Dear Merchants of Upper Market Castro:

We must begin a public dialogue about regular dates when the public’s rainbow flag display at Harvey Milk Plaza is modified, while also developing policies to respond quickly to President Obama’s proclamations for flag lowerings. Here is a calendar of suggested yearly modifications:

February: Bear Weekend, raise the Bear Pride flag.

May 17: International Day Against Homo and Trans Phobia, lower the flag.

May:  Memorial Day, lower the flag.

September 11:  9-11 Remembrance Day, lower the flag.

September: Leather Week, raise the Leather Pride flag.

November 11:  Veterans’ Day, fly lowered U.S. flag.

November 20: Trans Day of Remembrance, raise the Trans Pride flag.

December 1: World AIDS Day, lower the flag.

We also are requesting a meeting with the board of MUMC, to discuss this calendar and other ways to end the impasse and divisiveness over the flag, eventually coordinating together to make responsible and community-wide use of our flag.

A response is requested by the end of business on Friday, September 14. Thanks.

Best regards,

Veronika Fimbres, Michael Petrelis and Bill Wilson

BAR Adman = MUMC Voter
on Trans Flag Controversy

I believe the fact that the Bay Area Reporter's advertising representative, Scott Wazlowski, is a voting member of the board of the Merchants of Upper Market Castro is a blatant conflict of interest and must be disclosed in the pages of the paper. MUMC's site reports, pictured, that he was elected to their board in April.

A few questions were emailed to Wazlowski this morning, asking how he voted on the request from trans leader Veronika Fimbres to modify the flagpole at Harvey Milk Plaza on Nov. 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance, and what his views were as the BAR's representative to MUMC's board about finally creating true community control over the the flag and pole.

In keeping with MUMC president Terry Bennett's quibbles over how requests are phrased or where and when they are sent, anything to avoid basic direct responses and answers, Wazlowski sent this note:

You have emailed my work email address. My email address for my volunteer position is scott.mumc@gmail.com. Please re-direct your request to that address and I will reply after business hours.

Knowing that the ad salesperson for the BAR is on the MUMC board, and just how dependent the paper is on advertising dollars from MUMC itself, the businesses that comprise its membership and the group's political patron Scott Wiener, it's no wonder to me any longer as to why the BAR has enforced a blackout since July about the many skirmishes and developments over the flag.

The BAR has such an inherent conflict of interest in this matter, there is no way to write an honest and critical news story about the trans flag rejection and attendant matters without being upfront about the endless b.s. of MUMC.

Just one example of how the control of the rainbow flag on public property has exposed the lack of transparency with MUMC, the privatization of public space in the Castro, the unwillingness of Wiener to reclaim public property for access by all LGBT community members and how cozy the BAR is with MUMC.

If you agree that the BAR should report on the trans flag rejection, MUMC's ongoing refusal to hold public meetings, and that the paper should disclose how it's ad rep voted on the request, please contact editor Cynthia Laird.

Send her a respectful email: c.laird@ebar.com , or call her at 415-861-5019. Thanks.

(Hat tip to Bill Wilson for discovering that Wazlowski is a MUMC board member.)

NCLR's Kendell to MUMC:
Rethink Raising Trans Flag in SF

As far as I can tell, the executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Kate Kendell, and her organization are the first Gay Inc leader and group to go on the public record calling for reversal of MUMC latest dumb decision regarding the public flagpole on city grounds. I emailed Kate for a statement last week, and her press assistant Erik Olvera sent this note tonight.

I graciously accept their thank you message on behalf of two key colleagues who have also performed terrific work on the flag matters, Veronika Fimbres and Bill Wilson. Much gratitude to Kate and her crew!

San Francisco has two gay rags, the Bay Area Reporter and the Bay Times, and neither is preparing a story for their next issue about the explosion of news around the flag. What excuses can the BAR and Bay Times have for maintaining a news blackout? Maybe they're afraid to lose advertising dollars from MUMC and the banks, businesses and bars that comprise it's exclusive membership.

From NCLR:

Hey Michael. Thank you so much for your continued work on this issue. This is NCLR and Kate’s official statement:

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is saddened and baffled by the decision of the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro (MUMC) to deny a request to fly the Transgender Pride Flag on the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20.

Violence against transgender people is one of the most serious issues facing the LGBT community, and the Transgender Day of Remembrance is one of our community’s most important opportunities to honor those who have lost their lives to anti-transgender violence and renew our commitment to ending the epidemic of hate violence against transgender people in this country. 

It is shameful that such callous disregard for this critical issue would be shown in San Francisco, which has been a haven of safety and acceptance for so many LGBT people. 

We strongly urge MUMC to reconsider their decision and show their support for transgender people.

BAR, WTF?: Lesbian Dogcatcher,
Not Trans Flag, is News This Week

Let's follow up on my post from last Monday, about the Bay Area Reporter repeatedly failing to cover the many developments with reclaiming the public rainbow flag at Harvey Milk Plaza, but devoting ink to publisher Tom Horn's pals social lives.

As promised, writer Matthew Bajko ignored the Merchants of Upper Market Castro telling trans leader Veronika Fimbres that on Transgender Day of Remembrance, Nov. 20, there will be no modification of the rainbow flag display and the Trans Pride flag will not be raised at Milk Plaza.

What was news for Bajko and the BAR? Another lesbian trying to carve out a political career:

On the Peninsula, Moss Beach resident Sabrina Brennan, 42, is running for a seat on the San Mateo County Harbor District. The obscure body has oversight of two marinas, the bayside Oyster Point, where a new East Bay ferry service launched, and the seaside Pillar Point.

The BAR is obsessed with endlessly covering every lesbian running for dogcatcher, or an obscure marine commission, and not just at election time but year round so it makes BAR-sense to write about this off-the-radar race. The paper's publisher and editor, Cynthia Laird, are shameless believers in the theory of electing LGBTs to any office is a great advancement for the rest of us. Not all political leadership or steps forward come from electeds.

There were two editorials about other LGBT politicians, a lengthy piece about Ross Mirkarimi getting his elected sheriff's job back (a story covered far and wide by the mainstream media and with no queer angle), a story on gay family images in campaign materials from gay office-seekers  and a news note that early voting has begun (yawn).

Yes, I know an election season but that shouldn't mean an explosion of developments in overall rainbow flag control matters and the outpouring of anger from trans people and their allies over the MUMC rejection that insulted trans leader Fimbres are ignored in the print edition of the BAR when news on that front breaks.

What about the BAR's blog, another way they could report on the daily developments over MUMC, the trans flag and control of public space in the Castro? Nope, no trans flag coverage there.

However, on Friday the BAR blog ran original reporting on the police officers' union rescinding their number two ranked-choice endorsement of bisexual Supervisor Christina Olague. That's news, but the MUMC rejection to fly the trans flag on Nov. 20 isn't?

The latest BAR blackout on the continuing b.s. of MUMC comes after nearly two years of sparingly sprinkling flag news in the paper. There has yet to be a piece just on the complex basics of how MUMC came to control the public flag, and the many people who want transparent and community domain over this vital piece of public property.

Bajko's blog post in February 2011 about my battle to have the flag lowered for murdered gay Ugandan David Kato, contained an important promise and quote from then-leader of MUMC Steve Adams:

“I am open to dialogue though. [Activists] may not get what they want, but I am open to talk about it. That is a democracy.”

Just one more broken promise from MUMC. There's been zero open dialogue with this private organization and as all know from MUMC's rejection letter to Fimbres, they are not the least bit interested in democratic engagement and transparency.

Wish I knew why the BAR has not followed up on that promise of dialogue.

Rene Clair Films
Part of PFA French Series

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of catching up with Rene Clair's silent French classic comedy "The Italian Straw Hat" over at the Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley. It's been on my must-see list of films to watch in a theatre before kicking the bucket, and it's as fabulous and funny as everyone has said.

The pianist with talent and creativity to spare, Judith Rosenberg, pictured, who has crafted beautiful scores for many silent films shown over the years at the PFA, performed exquisitely on the piano Tuesday night.  She found just the right blend of music, far from the roller-rink organ grinding of too many silents, that put just the right touch on the action up on the silver screen.

Needless to say, Judith received wild applause from the appreciative audience at the end of "The Italian Straw Hat", and before the film began was lauded in the introductory remarks made by PFA director and programmer Susan Oxtoby. Judith more than deserves such accolades.

Tuesday's film was one of five Clair works (and I intend to see them all), that are being screened as part of the encompassing Grand Illusions: French Cinema Classics series continuing until December 9. All films were made prior to 1960 and the New Wave. Click here for more info on the series and how to purchase tickets.

Tonight's program consists of the one Clair film I have previously had the pleasure of seeing, "Under the Roofs of Paris". I don't recall much of a plot, and the dialogue and soundtrack intentionally didn't always match or sync with the story playing out on the screen, but I fondly remember leaving the screening with a smile having experienced cinematic satisfaction.
 

Playing with it is "Les Grande Manoeuvres" from 1955, described in the program notes as,"René Clair’s first color film is set in a provincial garrison just before World War I. Gérard Philipe plays a cavalry officer and self-styled Don Juan who wagers that he can seduce any woman in town, chosen at random."

This cineaste thanks the PFA for giving him the chance to catch up with the films of Clair and other classics from France before the New Wave turned movie-making upside down and sideways.

MUMC's Straight Prez:
2nd Flagpole Coming to Milk Plaza?

How many cockamamie obfuscations and lies and poor arguments can Terry Bennett, pictured, the straight woman who is president of the Merchants of Upper Market Castro and general manager of Cliff's Variety Store, spin out of thin air to retain her grip on control of the public LGBT pride flag on city grounds at Harvey Milk Plaza? Let's go over some of her latest b.s., as posted on Don Romesburg's Facebook page.

Terry alleges the following:

It was mentioned to me by a reporter, that there is discussion of erecting a second flag pole for exactly that purpose, possibly at the time that Harvey Milk Plaza is remodeled. I don't know whose steward-ship that flagpole would be under, but I do know that the insurance, maintenance of the poles and replacement of flags would require a tremendous amount of fundraising to maintain.

As with so much to do with MUMC's sole control of the flag, basic info is omitted. What's the name of the reporter passing on the claim of a discussion? Who is having that discussion and where is it taking place?

FYI, the remodeling of the plaza is nothing more than a pipe-dream due to municipal budgetary constraints.

Terry says there's much money needed to maintain the pole and flag. Whatever. Let's see hard copies of original bills and fees paid in the past 3-5 years by MUMC for maintenance. Once we know what the real expenses are, community discussion can take place about following San Diego's example of grassroots and merchant fundraising to collectively steward the Milk Plaza flagpole.

Over the years, MUMC has made many claims that don't bear up under scrutiny or they haven't produced evidence to back up their allegations.

For example, MUMC used to say at least twenty flag lowering requests came in monthly from around the world. They first said this when there was no info on the MUMC site saying they controlled the flag, forget about info to contact them to make a request. So, how did the alleged requesters in Kiev or Kampala know to reach out to MUMC?

MUMC, of course, never showed us the requests burdening their in-boxes.

Second example, MUMC claimed a written agreement with the Department of Public Works granting them sole and perpetual control of this important chunk of city property. My numerous public records requests to DPW last year produced no such agreement on paper or in email format.

And now we have MUMC's heterosexual president floating the bogus idea that a second flag pole could be the answer to the almost two-year controversy over the Milk Plaza flag. Just goes to show how uninterested Terry Bennett and MUMC are to use the current public flag pole to unite us.

Let's close with Don Romesburg's response to Terry's refusal to open up community dialogue about raising the Trans Pride flag on November 20:

Terry, thanks so much for the logistical perspective on the issue. It helps bring context to how MUMC could have arrived at a decision that, on its face, seems terribly misguided. Since MUMC certainly does not want to be seen as indifferent to the national day of recognition for the many thousands we have lost to anti-trans violence over the years, I'm wondering if the organization might propose a solution that moves us forward. 

Not flying the flag is a further symbolic marginalization of trans people and own community remembrance of their loss as something that matters and must be honored--I'm sure that kind of marginalization isn't something MUMC wants to be associated with. Flying the flag (any flag, it seems) at half-mast isn't prudent. 

I encourage MUMC to step into this leadership opportunity and find a course forward that allows for an honorable solution. Suggestions?

Let's see if Terry offers suggestions, and I hope she does.

Gil Collar, Nude Teen Killed in AL,
Remembered in San Francisco

On Thursday evening, a dozen nudists and gays staged a half-hour vigil for Gil Collar, the Alabama teenager killed by a cop last weekend while naked, at Jane Warner Plaza in the Castro district. The historic and magnificent Castro Theatre's marquee served as our backdrop, and a beacon of light and hope for LGBT people and nudists around the globe.

A sprinkling of raindrops didn't stop us from displaying posters of Collar, talking to passersby about his death, and making shout-outs for him. Some of the shout-outs included, "We remember Gil", "Justice for Gil" and "Stop harassing nudists".

Nudist leader Mitch Hightower, pictured, shared this statement before the vigil, expressing the sentiments of many nudists and their friends and supporters:

It is the second worst nightmare of many nudists that I know to be violently attacked while naked.  Shooting someone who is naked and unarmed is murder, even if it happened at the hands of the police.  For those of us that are parents, the first worst nightmare would be facing the loss of a child under any circumstances.  Many of the nudists feel it could have been any one of us that were shot here in SF, especially because of the hostile environment created by Supervisor Scott Wiener and his ridiculous headline-grabbing nudity ban legislation.

Longtime nudist George Davis, who may run against Wiener when he's up for reelection, holds a remembrance poster for Collar and the round stickers on his jacket and hat, which all of us wore on our clothing, say "Remember Gil Collar".

After the vigil, we planted our remembrance posters in the planters of Jane Warner Plaza. We added our voices to the chorus of Gil Collar's friends and family members, and all fair-minded Alabamans, demanding justice for this teenager who was killed by University of Southern Alabama police officer while naked.

Many thanks to everyone who made it to vigil and helped send a message of acceptance for nude people everywhere.

(Photo credit for all images: Bill Wilson. Please credit him when using any of his photographs.)

DPW: No Public Input Needed
Deleting Castro's Empty News Racks

(Pedmount, with only one slot occupied with a publication, on Castro Street near Walgreens.)

Last month, I heard from the Department of "Public" Works' point-person for news racks, the very fickle Grace Moore, about potentially consolidating all of the empty pedmounts cluttering up the Castro's congested public sidewalks. Moore said:

The Market Street, Church to Castro, 18th Street, Castro to Diamond pedmount zones have been evaluated for consolidation. Through the consolidation process [previously explained], DPW has identified 7 pedmount units as candidates for removal by the end of October. 

I followed up with Moore about which pedmounts might be deleted from the public space, and she replied:

The list of pedmount units and locations that are proposed for removal is below. I’ve asked Clear Channel Outdoor to let you know when removals are scheduled.

CHURCH ST: MARKET ST Intersection 
MARKET ST: SANCHEZ ST Intersection
SANCHEZ ST: MARKET ST Intersection
MARKET ST: 16TH \ NOE to 17TH \ CASTRO  
MARKET ST: 17TH \ CASTRO \ COLLINGWOOD
CASTRO ST: 18TH ST Intersection 
4121 - 18TH ST: CASTRO to COLLINGWOOD 

Since Moore threw the deletion responsibilities to Clear Channel, the corporate giant responsible for installing, maintaining and potentially removing the useless pedmounts, I asked their community liaison Jana Lord to explain Clear Channel's plans:

The publishers need to be involved in the coordination/confirmation of which locations, and Grace has started that process. Once we have the publishers on board as to which sites, they will be removed by the end of [October].

Back to Moore, who in her fickleness now equivocates on deletions in October:

Pedmount units at various locations throughout the Castro have been identified as potential candidates for removal. As I explained in my earlier . . . publishers must be given the opportunity to evaluate DPW’s proposal and accept the recommendations . . . Under the current contract, Clear Channel is only required to remove a total of 11 units this year.

Thoroughly disgusted and confused with the Moore and Lord replies, I sent several questions to DPW's new public information officer Rachel Gordon, former City Hall beat reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. I wanted to know about the public having a say getting the racks out of the Castro, who are the members of DPW's News Rack Advisory Committee, why the committee has such an erratic meeting schedule and meets at the incredibly inconvenient time of 8:30 AM, among other questions.

Instead of Gordon responding to my specific concerns, Jerry Sanguinetti, who is Moore's boss, sent a general reply, emphasis added:

Although the San Francisco Department of Public Works is the City’s lead agency in the removal of pedestal newsrack units, the pedestal removal selection process is a collaborative process between DPW; Clear Channel, the company that has the pedestal contract with the City; and various newspaper publishers . . .

DPW strongly believes in working with the various affected communities and gathering their input; however, the ordinance does not require that pedestal installments or removals be a result of public input. 

Isn't that something! The Department of "Public" Works has a process that only involves the private Clear Channel and newspaper publishers, and they are under no obligation to consider what the general public wants in terms of reclaiming our public space. This is not democracy, or, let me say, this is the San Francisco style of democracy involving the privatization of public space that willfully excludes the public and taxpayers.

Moore and her news rack committee, whose membership is not shared with the public on the committee's page (compared to the North Korean politburo's membership roster which is easily locatable), have deigned to hold a meeting on Tuesday, October 22, at 8:30 AM. That guarantees nil to minimal public engagement and the agenda excludes time for public comment.

Andrea Aiello, the executive director of the Castro Benefit District offered this statement in reaction:

We were able to identify 7 news racks that could potentially be removed. It appears as if the publishers have the ultimate say in which news racks they would like removed. The publishers have agreed to remove one of our top priority news racks. 

However, the decision making process is not clear. 

According to DPW, the News Rack Advisory Committee does not oversee the removal of news racks. The CBD would like to further understand this process and will be attending the committee meeting on October 23rd to urge public input into the removal process. I understand there is not a specific line item for public comment on the agenda, but have been assured that general public comment is always received at these meetings.

If it's not too much trouble, can Mayor Ed Lee and his city family restore some democratic and clear principles to guide reclaiming public space in Castro for the public?

San Diego to Fly 
Trans Flag on Day of Remembrance


(The Transgender Flag Will Fly in San Diego on November 20th!! from SCĒN on Vimeo.)


Jess Colyer is a trans activist in Southern California and today she sent me this message:

The San Diego LGBT community will honor those killed in the face of hate and bigotry for being who they are by flying a giant Transgender Pride flag on the newly erected flag pole located in Hillcrest at the corner of University Ave and Normal St. The flag will fly at half mast and will be taken down and replaced with the traditional Pride Flag after the vigil and march that evening. The Transgender Day of Remembrance is a global vigil that is held on November 20th every year and helps to raise awareness to transgender issues around the world.

Jess and I spoke on the phone and she explained the basics of this came about. The flag pole is on public property and was built with contributions from many members of the community. The Hillcrest Business Association spearheaded the effort, which was conducted via regular public meetings open to all, and the association is responsible for administering the flag and pole.

(San Diego's rainbow flag.)

In August, trans people went to an HBA meeting with a request to lower the rainbow flag on November 20 and then raise the Trans Pride flag. Since there were no rules in place, HBA and trans people at public meetings created acceptable rules for all members of the community and soon it was agreed to use the flags and pole to honor trans people murdered in the past year and show solidarity with our trans friends and family.

Compare that cooperation, transparency and commitment to respectful engagement from the Hillcrest merchants with the continuing problems presented by the Merchants of Upper Market Castro.

For two-years MUMC has refused to allow public attendance and discussion at their meetings, their flag rules were developed behind closed doors, they've rejected proclamations from President Obama and local LGBT advocates to lower the Harvey Milk Plaza flag, calls for community control of the flag are dismissed, and this week MUMC told a respected trans leader, Veronika Fimbres, to scram and not attend their invitation only meetings while rejecting her request to do what San Diego is doing - simply raising a Trans Pride flag.

If you support Veronika Fimbres' request to MUMC to fly the Trans Pride flag on November 20 at Harvey Milk Plaza, then give MUMC president Terry Bennett a call at her Cliff's Variety Store: 415-431-5365. You can also email her: terry@cliffsvariety.com.

Be respectful to her, and firmly request that the trans community of San Francisco have equal access to the Milk Plaza flag pole, just like the leather and bear communities. The Castro is no place for this sort of blatant anti-trans policy.

Finally, a huge thanks to Jess Colyer and her trans colleagues for their advocacy on their Day of Remembrance activities. Plus, an even bigger thank you to the Hillcrest Business Association leaders, who are shining example of how gay and gay-friendly merchants should work collaboratively and openly with activists for the betterment of our local neighborhoods and community wellness.