Trans Woman Stabbed on Muni
Samantha Hulsey, a 24-year-old trans woman, was stabbed in the chest on Muni on January 3, according to the SF Chronicle and other reports. Hulsey was on a date with her partner Rae Raucci when the attack occurred. The two boarded a bus, and a man they observed “was obviously not sober” began to threaten them. Afraid, Raucci and Hulsey fled the bus and were followed by the man, who stabbed Hulsey twice in the upper chest, according to the Chronicle account. She went into a local McDonald’s restaurant and an ambulance was summoned. The wounds were not life threatening and Hulsey is now recovering from the incident. The assailant was arrested. http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Assailant-stabs-transgender-woman-on-Muni-bus-5993570.php
Fate of The Lexington in Question
Reverberations continue following Lila Thiekield’s October announcement that The Lexington Club, SF’s last lesbian bar, will be sold. The bar’s website, however, is not quite so final. An ad for the Lex’s New Year’s Eve party mentioned, “While we may be saying goodbye to the Lex in the upcoming year…” Regulars, including those who attended the NYE bash, remain hopeful that the familiar spot will continue to be a lesbian bar, but are awaiting news of the possible closing party. Thiekield says she plans to hold pop-up events under “The Lexington” title, and will continue operating Virgil’s Sea Room, 3152 Mission next door to El Rio, which is open 4pm-2am 7 days a week.
lexingtonclub.com
Homeless Trans Woman Dies in the Castro on NYE
Numerous reports have confirmed that a homeless trans woman known as Anastasia was found dead on the morning of December 31, New Year’s Eve. She was discovered lying on a bench in front of Peet’s Coffee & Tea, 2257 Market Street. Anastasia was well known to locals, and was frequently seen in front of Peet’s and Harvest Market. Residents and business owners have confirmed that SFPD was called. Hoodline reports that paramedics performed chest compressions, attempting to save her, but they were unsuccessful. An individual who spoke with Anastasia before her passing mentioned that she had complained of feeling cold and unwell.
http://hoodline.com/2015/01/homeless-castro-trans-woman-found-dead-on-new-years-eve
Oakland’s New Mayor Libby Schaaf Calls for Coat Brigade
Anastasia’s death, and winter concerns about homeless people and others in need, have led to renewed efforts to obtain protective clothing for such individuals. Via social media, Libby Schaaf, who was inaugurated as Oakland’s 50th Mayor this past Monday at the Paramount Theatre, has called for contributions of coats, sweaters and jackets to help those in need of warm clothing during the season of cold temperatures. For information, call Becky Taylor at 510-220-0423.
Members of Occupy and Black Lives Matter Movements Help to Start ‘Super-Collective’
A new public space called Omni Commons has opened in Oakland. Started by individuals who include members of the Occupy and Black Lives Matter movements, the collective is envisioned as a place “where artists, techies and political lefties can share ideas and expertise,” according to a report in the San Jose Mercury News. The collective even includes a “hacker space.” Omni Commons is located on the corner of Shattuck Avenue and 48th Street.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_27246769/spirit-occupy-lives-new-super-collective?source=infinite
LGBT Businesses to Benefit from AB 1678
Effective January 2, a new California law expands utility contracting to LGBT businesses and encourages contracting with businesses that are owned by designated minorities. These include those owned by minorities, women, disabled veterans, and now by LGBT individuals. In related news, the NFL made history by reaching out to LGBT vendors among their providers for Superbowl 50, which will take place in 2016 at the 49ers new stadium in Santa Clara.
sfbaysuperbowl.com/business-connect
Castro Business Summit to be Held January 14
The District 8 Neighborhood Business Summit will take place on Wednesday, January 14, from 5:50–7pm at The LGBT Center’s Rainbow Room, 1800 Market at Octavia Blvd. It will be hosted by the Office of Supervisor Scott Wiener and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Castro Merchants reports that the agenda includes an open conversation among City Hall and private-sector business leaders, with local businesses and merchant associations (including Castro Merchants). There is no cost to attend. For more information and to register, please go to http://events.sfchamber.com/events/District-8-Neighborhood-Business-Summit-with-Supervisor-Wiener-2670/details
North Bay LGBT Center Settling into New Location
Late last year, Spectrum LGBT Center moved to a new location, 912 Irwin Street, between Third and Fourth Street in San Rafael. The move was in the works since 2013, when the organization began conversations with Marin AIDS Project about a closer programmatic collaboration. The relocation provides Spectrum with access to shared resources, such as a large community room for group meetings, and a more central location that provides greater accessibility to its program participants. For more info: 415-472-1945, www.spectrumlgbtcenter.org
40th Anniversary Celebration for Historic Elephant Walk Scheduled
Elephant Walk Founder Fred Rogers and Harvey’s General Manager Steve Porter are commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Elephant Walk with a celebration that will take place on Wednesday, January 14, from 8–10pm in the former Elephant Walk Space, now Harvey’s. In addition to a special edition of the “Play With Bebe” Trivia Night, Sylvester cover artist Amoray will perform and the event will include a panel featuring SF Bay Times photographer Rink, Cleve Jones and Rogers.
http://www.edgesanfrancisco.com/169793
LGBTQ Scholarship Application Deadlines
Friday, January 16, is the deadline for applications to the Pride Foundation. $400,000 is available for LGBTQ and straight ally student leaders.
http://bit.ly/1102Rnj
Monday, February 9, is the deadline for LGBTQ students to apply for eQuality Scholarships, established to honor and encourage California students for their service to the LGBTQ community.
equalityscholarship.org
Castro Community Patrol Training
The first volunteer training for 2015 for the Castro Community Patrol will be held on Saturday, January 24, 1–4:30pm. Founded in 2006, the organization assists residents, business owners and community members in promoting and enhancing security and safety in the Castro and Duboce Triangle neighborhoods. To sign up, please go to: castropatrol.org/volunteers
Golden Gate Bridge Closure
The Golden Gate Bridge will be closed from 12:01am on Saturday, January 10, until 4am on Monday, January 12, for installation of a new moveable median barrier.
New SFMTA Bus Route in the Works
Pending approval by the Board of Supervisors, a new SFMTA bus route, 55–16th Street, will be introduced on January 31. It will be named, at least temporarily, in honor of SF Giants fan-favorite Tim Lincecum, per suggestions originating from the blog “Burrito Justice.”
munidiaries.com/2015/01/02/sfmtas-new
Be Sure to Dial 1 Starting in Late February
Beginning on February 21, new mandatory telephone dialing rules take effect. Callers will need to dial “1” before the 7-digit phone number for all calls, including those within the 415 area code. The new area code 628 will be introduced this spring. It supplements the existing 415 area code, which is now nearly maxed out.
San Francisco AIDS Foundation to Hold PrEP Open House
On Sunday, January 11, from 1–4pm, San Francisco AIDS Foundation and other organizations will hold a PrEP Open House. At the event, attendees will be able to hear personal experiences from current PrEP users about accessing PrEP, ask specific questions in a small group setting, find out about public and private programs that can help pay for PrEP for those who qualify, and meet with representatives from the health insurance plans available through the Covered California marketplace and other community resources. So far, the following PrEP-friendly providers and resources have confirmed that they will be at the event: San Francisco City Clinic, SFHIV/San Francisco Department of Health, One Medical Group, Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, UCSF 360 SHIP, San Francisco General Hospital Ward 86, Bay Area Perinatal AIDS Center, Magnet, and Project Inform.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1587179844838725/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular