My real dream has been to have a KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN!  Seriously, everyone is doing it and I want in on the action.  It’s like free money right?  And finally I have a reason!  So please take a look at our campaign, chip in a few bucks (every dollar counts, NOTAFLOF, blah blah blah), etc.  I’m always keeping score.

Click above to watch our short promo video and to contribute (and get really great rewards)!  Michelle Tea’s classic DIY dyke drama Valencia gets taken over by an all drag queen cast! V-Day, heartbreak + eggs on the wall!

Cast: Lil Miss Hot Mess, Haute Gloo, Jerry Lee Manhattan, Aurora Switchblade, Rotimi Agbabiaka, Lynee Breedlove, Hamisi Nunes.   Crew: Jerry Lee Manhattan, Jenn Kolmel, Fjord Vox, Ed Varga.

Thanks to my chorus of kids: Marc, Maziar, Alex, Jerry Lee, Devon, Jesse, Ivan, Bobby, Matt, Ryan, David, Oscar (and am I forgetting anyone, sorry!).  And thanks to Michael for taping!  Also, I messed up at one point, but you totally can’t even tell.

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I was tipped off to Avalos’s campaign by a friend of mine who is a queer woman of color and organizer in the Arab-American community, whose politics I trust and work I admire deeply.  There are links to articles at the bottom of this post that speak more to his experience and platform, but here’s what she said about John:

Prior to and during his time as Supervisor, he has been the most humble, passionate, tireless, and generous advocate on behalf of poor and working communities, particularly our communities of color that are being pushed out of SF.

I’ve decided to help out with the campaign, and am one of the “hosts” of a Queers for Avalos Happy Hour on Friday, June 10 at Dolores Park Cafe.  Please consider joining me, even if you don’t identify as queer, someone who lives in SF, or someone who cares about local politics.  We need support from everyone who wants a more sustainable and livable city!

Here’s some easy ways you can get involved:

1. DONATE MONEY! John is running a grassroots community driven campaign, which is how he will also run San Francisco if he’s elected.  He’s using public campaign financing, but still needs the financial support of the community as those funds are matched.  Even $5 helps, for real, and you don’t have to live in SF.
   
   
2. PUT A SIGN IN YR WINDOW + LIKE JOHN ON FACEBOOK. These are basically the same things now, right?  If you can put up a sign, let me know, and I’ll be sure to get you one.
   
   
3. HAPPY HOUR. I’m just including this here again to make it pop.

But can he win?  YES!  Although he may not be a front-runner (yet), it’s always useful to have someone who can raise the important issues (watch the doc on Shirley Chisholm if you don’t know what I’m talking about) AND especially with this being the first Ranked-Choice mayoral election there’s a lot of opportunity (look at Jean Quan in Oakland)!
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Some early news articles about John Avalos:

• SF Chronicle
• SFBG
• Bay Area Reporter
• SF Appeal

I once was given an award by a staff member for “Best use of the Frameline brand to promote herself,” so I had to live up to that one last time, and created this video to so “so long” (never “goodbye”) to my family there:

But trust: I’ll still be kicking it around the festival!

PS: Apologies that the video is a little squished — I can’t figure out the right compression specs for this mother!

Update: my video got reposted on Queerty (thanks!) and the video has reached more than 2000 views, which equals more than my little brother’s rap video so I am happy.

More coming, but just wanted a minute to vent about the fact that Facebook disabled my LMHM account because it wasn’t a “real” name.  They restored it, but with my boy name, which is homo/transphobic and a violation of my privacy.

I am still trying to reason with them, but frankly this is ridiculous.  It makes me realize how much of our stuff they “own” and just how much our virtual identities matter.

More later.

OK, fair enough, I don’t often ride my bike when I’ve got my face on, but I do ride my trusty Gene Kelly (you figure out why I call it that) to work most days, and every now and then I get tired of taking my oversize limousine (er, Muni) to a show.  Trust: I absolutely loathe exercise, but I hate waiting even more and you know Grandma Goldie taught me how to save a couple bucks.  So, since Bike To Work Day is coming up I thought I’d put together a list of tips for BWD (Biking Whilst in Drag):

1. Your wig will not protect you.
Wear a helmet, girl, and protect your brain, but more importantly your face!  Your wig may be huge and could possibly used as a flotation device, but just think about it this way: when you topple onto the pavement and your brain is spilling out onto your flawless paint job, it will not make for a cute photo. Make sure it is snug and secure, just like your…

2. Unlike a microphone, share the road!
One diva, one mic = one diva, one bike?  For once, get off that high horse and share the road with cars, pedestrians, and other bicyclists!  Think of the bike lane as a catwalk – be fierce but not too ferocious.  Follow the rules of the road and stay off the sidewalk, or I will throw you shade!

3. Sequins are good, but spotlights headlights are better.
Find your light, mama!  Once the sun goes down, you’ve got to bring your own source: a white in front for  the “coming” something red and moody behind for the “going.”  I like mine to get all flashy, but that’s just personal taste.

4. Lock it up real tight
Should I go with a Boy Scout knot-tying motif, or a BDSM gag?  Well, you get the drift…  I have had my wheels stolen one too many times, and it is no fun hobbling down that walk of shame with a busted bike.  Lock up your bike securely, the tighter the better, make sure you’ve tied up all the parts to something with a flared base top!

5. Watch your tuck, lady!
OK, this one is totally optional, but from personal experience you might need to shift your ride from defensive to um delicate to protect those lady parts!

That should get you going!  Here’s some photos I took with my good friend Philip in honor of Bike To Work Day and the SF Bike Coalition’s Dress-Up Challenge – hope you enjoy!

 

PS: I haven’t blogged in almost a year, but I’m turning over a new leaf, honeys!

So, without further ado, here’s what I’m excited to see this year, in no particular order (well, actually in the order that they’re in the printed program guide:

Le Tigre: On Tour

This was our last-minute TBA!  Well, it’s been A’ed people, so start lining up.  I’ve heard that this is an excellent doc about the band and I can not wait to see it!

Beautiful Darling: The Life and Times of Candy Darling, Andy Warhol Superstar

Honestly, I hate films with titles that long, but it kind of works, no?  I haven’t seen it yet, but this is one of the ones I’m saving as a special treat for myself during the festival.  I’ve heard so many good things about this film — that it’s not only a great personal profile, but also a great exploration of her identity as a transwoman.  Plus, Holly Woodlawn will be in town for it.

Undertow

I just watched this, and it really is quite beautiful, from the scenery to the mens.  (And I’m not one to see a movie because of the eye candy.)  It’s a compelling story, told well, and with a lot of depth.

Elvis & Madona

Lesbian pizza delivery boy named Elvis.  Trans/drag-queen named Madona.  They get pregnant (and I do mean “they”).  A really charming story, and nice to see queer sexualities that are a little out of the mainstream.

I Killed My Mother

Okay, I have to say it: this is so far my favorite film of the festival, and I have the feeling that it may stay that way.  While it’s not groundbreaking in style or content, I would go so far as to say that it’s close to perfect: a concise, well-told, and emotionally engaging story about a boy’s relationship to his mother.  It’s both gripping and funny, and while it sometimes hits too close to home, their extreme relationship makes me feel both relieved and like I wish we could scream at each other (literally) more often.  Plus, the writer/director/star Xavier Dolan is only 20 (makes me wonder what I’m doing with my life) and gorgeous.  It’s a shame he’s not going to be in town, but probably better for his safety, since he would be eaten alive in the Castro.

The Owls

Cheryl Dunye’s latest, featuring reunion performances by Guinevere Turner and VS Brodie.  Plus, “OWLs” is an acronym for “Older, Wiser Lesbians.”  I’m clearly on board.

The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls

Yodeling lesbian twins who have somehow become national treasures in New Zealand.  What?  I know.

The Adults in the Room

I happened across Andy Blubaugh’s short Hello, Thanks about M4M personals about six months ago and loved it.  This film looks at a relationship between Blubaugh as a teen with an older man, through both narrative and documentary.  From my understanding, it’s an exploration and not a condemnation of younger-older relationships, which really we don’t see enough of.

Open

Heard great things: beautifully shot, trans and intersex cast, artsy, experimental, gay relationships between cis- and trans- gender guys.  Can’t wait!  “Pandrogyny.”  Whoa.

FIT

This is our youth film this year, and I absolutely love it.  It’s like a totally PC version of Gossip Girl (or, really, more like Skins, the British teen drama that’s soooo much better).  Director Rikki Beadle-Blair also plays the teacher and makes you want to take his drama class.  It’s also free for youth 24 and under!

Mädchen in Uniform

I’ve only ever seen the 1931 version, but this is the 1958 version with Romy Schneider!

Plan B

Really lovely film about a guy who tries to get back with his ex-girlfriend by seducing her new boyfriend.  It sounds like it could be a dumb bromance movie, but it’s not.  It’s really about falling in love by accident.   There’s a lot of ambiguity, a lot of not knowing what to believe from the characters, and really good pay-off at the end.  Plus cute boys, one of whom kind of looks like GGB (Gael Garcia Bernal) from certain angles, and one who looks like a soccer-playing hippie, which brings me back to high school crushes (DMB anyone?  Oops.).

Dzi Croquettes

To call these performers the Brazilian Cockettes, doesn’t quite do it justice — really they’re a pastiche of a pastiche and I love every minute of it.  They make you feel like what we’re doing right now has been done a million times before.  It makes you want to work harder.  Every drag queen in this city should see this.  Also, every famous Brazilian is in it, as well as Liza Minelli.  What?!

Arias with a Twist: The Docufantasy

I’ve heard that if you’ve missed the show — Joey Arias and Basil Twist — this almost makes up for it.  I’m hoping that it does!

Stonewall Uprising

This one is already at Rush, so I really shouldn’t even put it on here, but I’ve heard that it answers so many questions you’ve never even thought to ask.  I can’t wait.

We Were Here: Voices from the AIDS Years in San Francisco

Lately I’ve been surprised by how many young queers seem to not know much of anything about the early AIDS crisis.  I even heard of someone I went to college with who didn’t understand why “HIV things” were often “so gay.”  Girl, please!  This film looks at the early AIDS years in San Francisco — mainly through personal stories — and sounds like required viewing for anyone under 30.  (We’re about to mark the “30th anniversary of AIDS” — are you kidding?)

Are You Krazy?

Fun, kooky, edgy, sassy shorts.  Justin Bond.  Drag queens.  Julian Vargas’s Ka.Ka was one of my favorites from screening committee.  Plus Peaches Christ’s new short.  Don’t miss it.

Gayby

It’s rare that we get a whole shorts program about queer families and kids.  Hens & Chicks was also one of my favorites from screening committee as well, about a girl who wants to know who her “rooster” is.  Tears tears tears.  Plus, I love anything with the word “gayby.”

Generations: Youth and Elders Making Movies

This is the program from our workshops where we have LGBT youth and elders make films together.  Last year I was one of the instructors for the workshop.  I always go, and I always love seeing these first-time filmmakers get to talk about their work.  Also, Always My Son is a short film about how much this family works to accept and support their son — even though it may sound cheesy, bring a box of tissues because you will not be able to stop crying.  Literally.

Skinnyfat

I haven’t seen it yet, but so many local friends are in it!  Unfortunately it’s already at Rush, but worth waiting in line for.  And worth wondering if I, too, am Skinnyfat.  Also playing is the latest Falling In Love… With Chris and Greg.  I’ve seen this one, and let me just say this is some of the most meta, edgiest, hilarious, and profound filmmaking these days.  And includes a lovely food spread and Dolly’s “Love is Like a Butterfly.”  Heaven.

Tough Girls

Ben McCoy!  Ben McCoy!  Ben McCoy!

Oh my goodness, there’s so many more films I want to talk about, but I should stop there!  But seriously, read the whole goddam program guide yourself and pick some good stuff!  And honestly, somehow my screening committee got like all of the good shorts this year, so I can pretty much guarantee that there’s something great in all of the shorts programs.

Some inspiration:

Those sleeves!

The backstory is that I sent him an invitation since I knew he was in town doing Fiddler on the Roof at the Golden Gate Theatre.  I thought, if I can’t get Fran Drescher, I might as well have Harvey!  I was a little last-minute about it, and I sent two, but one got returned to sender.  But lo and behold!

Who knows (and who cares) if it was him or an assistant or whatever.  File this under hilarious.  Also, looks like the photo was taken by his brother Ronald (thanks internet research).

One question: would it be too much to ask for a Mazel Tov?!?