Saturday Morning Memories: BAS Pride In Pictures 2016

Hey there, jotos!  Can you believe that our sticky, summertime slut-in is already in us??? Yeps, the singlets, slings and stillettos have already been ransacked at Mr. S and folks are desperately trying to get their last minute tramp stamps into all the fetes du fetish.

Here at BAS, however, we thought it might be nice to harken back a bit- a month, to be exact.  It was two weeks of highs and lows, love and catharsis, but in the end it was Pride in the city as only San Francisco can do.  Even in the face of violence and attempts to erase our voices, San Francisco continues to show that we will not be afraid to love and make our presence known

Sunday, June 12,2016
Saturday, June 18, 2016

Orlando
El Pulso de Amor Continúa

In the hours that followed the terror in Orlando, people across the world quickly amassed vigils in solidarity and grief for 49 queer, mostly Latinx brothers and sisters who lost their lives by celebrating Pride month as many of us were or would be soon.

In San Francisco, pre-pride Sunday events like the Dyke March fundraiser at the Lone Star went on, with hugs and tears, DJ Rosa La Rumorosa and Supervisors Jane Kim, and David Campos voices sometimes choked as the addressed the packed bar.  Eventually, thousands gathered in the Castro in a swell of palpable emotion.  The representation of members of the Latinx community became an afterthought under the organization of Supervisor Scott Wiener, however.  Through Supervisor Campos, the Harvey Milk Club, and queer Latinx community leaders, members eventually made it to the stage.

To further return the focus to the victims, their stories, and the queer Latinx community, a coalition of leadership and groups spearheaded by Ani Rivera and the Galería de la Raza pulled resources, made calls, and created El Pulso de Amor Continúa the following Saturday.

Photo by Robert López from Pulso de Amor Continúa Album.

Photo by Robert López from Pulso de Amor Continúa Album.

Photo by Robert López from Pulso de Amor Continúa Album.

Photo by Anna Heredia.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Nightlife at the Academy

Heklina and Juanita More! reigned over the sea creatures of the night as the California Academy of Sciences twirled into its annual kick-off.

So thirsty, she’s bone-dry…sort of like cash poor, if you will.

A queen’s tribute to a Prince.

Friday, June 24, 2016

2016 Trans March

As it is want to do around this weekend of all weekends, the previous night’s chill thawed into a deep warm afternoon as the Trans March attendees gathered in Mission Dolores Park.  Supervisor Wiener and Mayor Ed Lee thought it might be cute to drop in, but after they were chased off, the march began. 

At the culmination of the march, Screaming Queen Felicia Flames and Supervisor Jane Kim, with Bamby Salcedo and Supervisor London Breed unveiled Taylor Street re-christened as Gene Compton’s Cafeteria Way, recognizing the night the trans community took the steam table palace down with their chairs and heels, finally fed up of getting beaten and harassed by the SFPD, fifty years ago this August.

Below, click on the thumbnails to see local artist/ activist Katy Birnbaum’s coverage of the Trans March and, later Pride Sunday, entitled “Pride From Behind” to get a real sense of what it’s like to hit the streets in solidarity.

Dream team.

Unveiling and SFPD by Stephen Torres.

We’re Here, We’re Queer, We’re Something

To say that Club Some Thing at The Stud, is a “singular sensation” is a bit of an understatement, but when it crystalizes into its annual overnight, Pride version, it is more like an altered state. The show is beyond compare, of course, and who needs sleep with the promise of punch and pizza at 4 a.m.

The looks of love.

Forevermore, we shall always clamour, Vivvy.

Glamamore calls….

…and the children answer.

Posterior paddling with Persia.

Photos by Stephen Torres.

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Pride Main Stage Featuring AB Soto and the Spice Queers

The Butch Queen himself cha-cha’d in front of  City Hall and a crowd that looked as though they would eat him alive.  He was on a double bill with our own garden’s saltiest seasonings, the Spice Queers who somehow performed at full tilt only a few hours after their engagement at The Stud.  Spice up your life is the new Secret, we guess?

Pink Saturday

Cancel or move it, the crowds still come.

Afterglow: It Takes a A Village People

Nobody does it better, Comfort & Joy.  Deep in the ocean, you’ll find many friends.

Photos by Stephen Torres.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

SF PRide: For Racial & Economic Justice

Well-intentioned, but problematic, the parade went on nonetheless, minus many, including BLack Lives Matter.  Indeed, security and police presence were at a fever pitch

Daww.

Photos by Stephen Torres.

Progressives in force.

Sup. candidates Kimberly Alavrenga and Hillary Ronen.

Milk prezzy Peter Galotta.

Supervisor David Campos.

More dawww.

Candidates Jane Kim and Sandy Fewer.

Photos by Katy Birnbaum.

Pride Party at San Francisco City Hall

Security was insane and bizarre, but the entertainment curated by Vivvyanne Forevermore was delicious.

The 49.

Hard French Hearts Los Homos featuring Psychic TV

The stamina of this collective is as awe-inspiring as the production value.  Hard French will never let you down and this year was as gorgeous as ever.  If you aren’t going to their Dore party, you should be.

Photos by Stephen Torres with Tanya Díaz.

THE END

That’s it queerdos!  That was Pride as BAS saw it this year and we hop you dug the snapshots.  Many thanks to all of the venues, promoters, and city officials that made this project happen again.  Also a huge thanks to guest photographers Anna Heredia, Tanya Díaz, and Katy Birnbaum and to the Galería de la Raza and Robert López for their images.

Keep fighting, San Pancho.  So many look to us, the cool grey city of love and to make sure we still are letting our freak flags fly.  So, what are you waiting for?  Get on down to Folsom, now! xo- S.T.