By Dennis McMillan
SF Day of Action for Black Trans Liberation Draws Hundreds
The statue of Simon Bolivar in United Nations Plaza was the site of a rally called by the TGI Justice Project, a group of transgender people inside and outside prison, and Black Lives Matter Bay Area to address the epidemic of murder and violence faced by transgender women of color. This was one of many Trans Liberation Tuesday rallies throughout the country. In San Francisco, the names of 17 women murdered were read and a moment of silence was held to honor those victims of anti-trans bigotry. The rally ended with the crowd chanting, “Black trans lives matter!” Later they stenciled: “Learn Her Name: #Black Trans Lives Matter” on city sidewalks.
liberationnews.org
Equality California and Coalition Call on Governor Brown to Sign Equal Protection for All Families Act
Equality California joined Assemblymember Chiu and a coalition of LGBTQ and family advocates to urge Governor Jerry Brown to sign Assembly Bill 960, the Equal Protection for All Families Act. The bill was approved by the Assembly with bipartisan support, and it now heads to the Governor’s desk. AB 960 updates California’s assisted reproduction laws to help ensure that all families, including LGBTQ families, are equally protected by law. The bill is co-sponsored by the Equality California (EQCA), National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and Our Family Coalition (OFC). eqca.org
‘Our City Is Not for Sale’ Rally to Protest at Planning Commission
The event formerly known as “The Mission Takes the Planning Commission” has expanded to “The City Takes City Hall: Our City Is Not for Sale” on September 10, 11am, for a rally and action at noon during the Planning Commission Hearing in Room 400, City Hall. Among the agenda items: No Beast on Bryant; Build Affordable Housing; Stop the Evictions; Preserve Arts and Culture; Just Cause Evictions 2.0; YES on I; YES on F, and Don’t Supersize SOMA. facebook.com/events/ 935968359777907
Qulture Collective Now Developing in Oakland
Qulture Collective is a developing community space, retail shop and cafe located at 1714 Franklin Street in downtown Oakland dedicated to serving the queer community. The mission is to provide a central, devoted space for LGBTQIA individuals to network, cultivate creativity and develop and accomplish entrepreneurial goals. The cafe will employ queer and allied staff; their retail shop will showcase goods made by queer artisans, and their gallery will feature art by people across the LGBTQIA spectrum from Oakland, the entire Bay Area and beyond.
qulturecollective.com
Mayor Lee Announces Many Improvements on Muni Buses
Mayor Edwin M. Lee and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) have announced the second round of sweeping service improvements starting September 26 through the Muni Forward initiative. The improvements include greater service frequency on nearly a dozen Muni routes, replacing some smaller buses with brand-new larger buses along the heaviest traveled bus routes, and redesigning several routes to improve travel times while adding new connections to more destinations and major transit stations. sfgov.org
Social Justice Group Launches Largest Survey Ever of Transgender Americans
The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) opened the 2015 U.S. Trans Survey (USTS), the follow-up to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, in an attempt to gather a more comprehensive understanding of the experiences of transgender people in the United States. The 2015 U.S. Trans Survey is expected to be the largest, most extensive study ever undertaken of trans lives in America. The USTS will assess transgender people’s experiences including in employment, housing, healthcare, HIV/AIDS, disabilities, immigration, sex work and police interactions. Participants will have at least one month to complete the survey, with results projected to be released in Spring of 2016.
ustranssurvey.org
Tenants Together Seeks Volunteers
Tenants Together is seeking volunteers to become renters’ rights counselors in their main office in San Francisco. Next trainings are September 15 and 16 from 5:30pm-8pm (both days required). To date, Tenants Together volunteers have helped over 9,000 renters in California learn and assert their rights. Volunteers help tenants get repairs done, security deposits back, and fight against evictions and rent increases. Volunteers are expected to commit at least three hours per week at the Tenants Together office located at 995 Market Street, Suite 1202. The Hotline operates Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm. tenantstogether.org
A&PI Wellness Center’s LGBTQ Medical Clinic Designated a Federally Qualified Health Center
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has appointed A&PI Wellness Center to be a new Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), increasing access to the highest-quality primary care, mental health and supportive services for thousands of LGBTQ San Franciscans, people of color, and people living in the Tenderloin neighborhood. The competitive award secures approximately $650,000 in annual funding for the organization. A&PI Wellness Center was the only community health center in San Francisco and one of 266 clinics nationwide to achieve FQHC status this year.
apiwellness.org
DNC Unanimously Approves Resolution Supporting Gay Marriage Decision
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has unanimously approved a resolution backing the Supreme Court’s Obergefell ruling legalizing marriage equality nationwide. “Same-sex marriage is a constitutionally guaranteed right nationwide and can no longer be denied by state laws,” reads the resolution. “The ruling now recognizes same-sex marriages all across this nation and these families will now be protected under the law from the discrimination and mistreatment to which they have long been subjected.” The resolution also describes the ruling in the Obergefell case as “an important victory for the LGBT community” and “a monumental step forward for our nation.” The Republican National Committee recently went in the other direction on LGBT rights, with its approval of a resolution supporting so-called “religious freedom” proposals that legalize anti-LGBT discrimination. washingtonblade.com
Castro Community on Patrol Offers Training to Volunteers
Castro Community on Patrol (CCOP) will be training new volunteers in a free event on Saturday, September 19. The volunteers of CCOP have been part of improving the quality of life in the Castro and Duboce Triangle neighborhoods since 2006. Organizers say the training will improve one’s personal safety awareness, whether or not the person becomes a volunteer. If the individual does decide to patrol, CCOP asks only one 3-hour shift per month. Reserve your spot at:
http://castropatrol.org/volunteers/
Pride Parade to Hold Board Elections and Selection of 2016 Theme
The San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Pride Celebration Committee is holding its annual meeting at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street, on Saturday, September 12, at 1pm. Each candidate will have an opportunity to make a statement to attendees and to answer questions. Three election inspectors will oversee to verify voter eligibility and to tally the votes. Pride Executive Director George Ridgely is automatically appointed to fill one of the inspector positions. For more information, and to read each candidate’s resume, visit sfpride.org
Trans Community Altar Erected at Community Center
Trans Employment Program (TEEI) and the SF LGBT Community Center has erected a Trans Community Altar to pay respect and pay homage to all the people who have been taken from us too soon. The Altar will be up from now through November, which is the month of TDOR (Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20). This is an opportunity for individuals to honor and mourn the lives of all those lost to violence. People can bring flowers, cards or just have a moment of silence. This will give individuals the opportunity to grieve on their own terms.
sfcenter.org
Golden Gate Business Association to Hold Annual Meeting and Elections
The Golden Gate Business Association (GGBA) Annual Meeting/ Board Elections/ Make Contact event is Tuesday, September 8, 5–8pm at SPUR (San Francisco Planning and Urban Research), 654 Mission Street (between New Montgomery and 3rd Street). Find out what the GGBA has been doing to bring business opportunities to their LGBTQ members. This will also be Board election night for seven Board seats, and bylaws update approval by members. ggba.com
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