BY DENA ROD Welcome to The Transgender Sabbatical Blues, an ongoing series exploring Dena Rod’s experience as a transgender, non-binary, Iranian American Bay Area local who took a five-week sabbatical all over the Northern Hemisphere. “I’m still on the boat,” Becky said, and I knew exactly what she meant. As soon as

BY DENA ROD Welcome to The Transgender Sabbatical Blues, an ongoing series exploring Dena Rod’s experience as a transgender, non-binary, Iranian American Bay Area local who took a five-week sabbatical all over the Northern Hemisphere. We were about to experience #BOATLIFE. Sure, you may have heard of #VANLIFE but have you heard

I’ve got some awesome news! We received a grant from the Civic Joy Fund to put out a literary magazine celebrating SF and acting to counter the stupid “Doom Loop” narrative. It’s a gift to the people of San Francisco. And after months of working on this project it’s now available

BY DENA ROD What started as grief and loss over Iranians fighting for their freedom shifted into gratitude. I was a US citizen. That gave me an untold privilege that has always echoed throughout my entire life.  When traveling to Iran became an impossibility rather than a high-stakes travel goal, I

Circle up cisgender folks. Oh, happy Pride month. Isn’t it fun? I can hear the unasked questions bouncing between your tonsils. Questions about my genitalia, or a hungry curiosity surrounding my they/them pronouns or the stubble under my admittedly sloppy makeup. Even in the age of TikTok and extensive YouTube tutorials, I can’t quite figure makeup out yet. We’re doing what we can with what we have, which is a shaky lip line and some blunt, 80s blush. 

There is a war against transgender people, and old white men are losing their shit. I work a couple jobs in the hospitality industry, and I must have an inviting demeanour because these men keep talking to me about gender politics. Maybe I’m just another outlet to vent after watching

BY MATTHEW BELD A bright (ish) new light now graces downtown San Francisco —the Transamerica Building has started a multi-year facelift. A pyramidal blue glow has been spotted emanating from its upper point, signaling the beginnings of a head-to-toe renovation that is part of San Francisco’s vision for a more

The lump in my throat grew bigger, the longer I kept my secret. I’ve come out once before, and really every time I’ve met someone new. Why is this any different? I moved away from Sonoma to live in San Francisco as soon as I could. I was 18, going

When I want a good cry, and lately there’s been a lot to cry about for transgender folks, sometimes I take to the city and let my feelings run wild. Here’s a list of memorable locations for me. And, in the words of the late trans visionary Sophie, “it’s okay to cry.”