BAS Pride 2015: DAY OF DECISION!!! Trans March, #HoldingOntoSF, Call to Aid the Galería de la Raza Mural

Photo from the Associated Press.

Nothing is as excruciatingly painful as when those you love turn their back on you. For many of us, San Francisco has done just that. The creators, the artists, the dreamers who took this city as their muse have been given notice.

In the past few weeks, even our own community has turned against us, threatened to silence us with violence and defamation because our pride and conviction threatened them.

What do you do when they turn their back on you? When they threaten you because you asked for equality and reciprocation of the love you give? You hold on, keep speaking your truth, and never compromising who you are.

Today we may find out whether our government will turn it’s back on our community, but tonight, in at least three places, our community will hold on, march and speak.    TODAY, HOWEVER, OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS LISTENED.  SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS.

Never compromise..

The trans community will gather again around Dolores Park and show their Power Through Visibility as they walk towards United Nations Plaza, mere blocks where screaming queens demonstrated their power in 1966.

 Hold on..

In the Mission, activista/glamazon, Persia, has amassed a massive collection of local artists to put together #HoldingOnToSF. Artists who continue to create, to hustle, to maintain their place on the edge, to show their love for the city that is unloading them.

Though displacement may come, tonight the innovators dig in their heels and celebrate the craft which gives them life and in in turn the city around them.

Speak our truth…

Further down, the Galería de la Raza has, once again, obtained replacement prints for the mural that the Maricón Collective had installed three weeks ago as a valentine to the culture which they and many grew up in, on the periphery or hidden within.

Some within the larger Mission community have taken this as a threat to their worldview because it does not reflect their heteronormative conditioning and instead unapologetically represents the reality of our community.

Cowardly defaced twice now, the gallery will be re-installing beginning at 9 a.m. and goes all day, with a vigil to celebrate the restored work at 8:00 p.m. Having helped restore the last version, I cannot express how important it is that we rally behind the gallery and stand our ground as a community. The last restoration day was peppered with insults, epithets and threats and it is imperative that we show our numbers in solidarity with the brave and dynamic women that run the gallery.

Part of being proud is the ability to be so even when the parties are over and we are alone and at our most vulnerable. The most important thing that the late Supervisor Harvey Milk left us was the idea that you can’t give up hope. Even when your city, your community, or even your loved ones have turned their backs on you, respond with love through words, action, and conviction- by being proud. Go out there this Pride Friday and unite in our pride and love. Xo

UPDATE:  Indeed, the power of love and holding strong to that which you know is right, those rights and respect that should be reciprocated, has been recognized.  Today, in a 5-4 decision the Supreme court has decided that if marriage is your bag that you are entitled to that right just as any straight couple would be.    Break out the veils and tuxedo t-shirts- Castro’s gonna look kike a Busby Berkeley movie tonight.

The recognition of civil right only galvanizes and drives home the importance of joining in the fight of our trans community, exposing the plight of those receiving the brunt of gentrification, and the necessity to stand up against the threats and insecurities of those who would rather not see or hear us.

The city will be thronging tonight and the epicenter will be Castro Street long far into the wee hours.  Check in here for updates and details!

Trans March 2015: Power Through Visibility
Friday, June 26, 2015
Youth and Elder Brunch, 12:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
March, 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
 
Dolores Street (btw 18^th & 19^th)
[Mission Dolores]
SF
FREE

Bustin’ Out 10: Trans March After Party
Friday, June 26, 2015 @ 8:00 p.m.

El Río…your dive!
3158 Mission Street (@ Precita)
[Outer Mission]
SF
$5- $25 Sliding Scale

#HoldingOntoSF
Friday, June 26, 2015 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.

Incline Gallery
766 Valencia (btw 18^th & 19^th)
[Mission]
SF
FREE
 

Re-Installation of “Por vida” Mural and Vigil
Friday, June 26, 2015
9:00 a.m.- Installation
8:00 p.m.- Community vigil

Galería de la Raza
2857 24^th Street (@ Bryant)
[Mission]
SF
FREE