SAN FRANCISCO: Trevor Project Opens New Call Center In Harvey Milk's Store

Castro Boys Go Glee

Clever ad for an AIDS LifeCycle fundraiser.

(Tipped by JMG reader Aaron)

DOMA Rally In The Castro

Shot yesterday by JMG reader Matt Baume.

DOMA Rally In SF Today At 5PM

Judging by a flurry of tweets I'm seeing, it appears that there will be a DOMA-related "celebration of love" at Market & Castro at 5PM today. If you attend, please tweet or email us your photos!

LGBT History Museum Opens In SF

Tomorrow San Francisco's GLBT History Museum will stage its grand opening on 18th Street in the Castro. The museum is the only one of its kind in the United States and one of only two in the world. Via press release:

“A quarter century after the founding of the GLBT Historical Society, we’re proud to open a museum to showcase our community’s history,” said Paul Boneberg, executive director of the Historical Society. “The GLBT History Museum is in the heart of the Castro, a neighborhood visited not only by locals, but also by tens of thousands of tourists every year who come in search of queer culture. At our museum, they’ll discover treasures from our archives that reflect fascinating stories spanning nearly a century of GLBT life. We have gone all out to create a museum as rich, diverse and surprising as the GLBT community itself. Whether they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or straight, visitors are sure to be moved, enlightened and entertained

The museum has posted a list of its current thematic and biographical sections.

Cleve Jones: Harvey Milk Would Be Horrified To See HRC In His Castro Store

(Via - Queerty)

HomoQuotable - Dustin Lance Black

"Harvey Milk spent the last years of his life fighting not only for rights for gays and lesbians across the nation, but also against the idea that the only way to achieve those rights is to lobby the government and financially support so-called 'straight allies'. Harvey believed the best way to secure our rights was through grassroots action, coalition building and the election of LGBT people to office at all levels of government. He encouraged people to come out of the closet and be vocal about who they were and why they deserved full equality, not partial equality or crumbs. For the HRC leadership, which still advocates a piecemeal, wait-and-see approach to try and co-opt and profit from Harvey's legacy is an outrage." - Oscar winning Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, in a joint statement with the Log Cabin Republicans denouncing HRC's move into Harvey Milk's camera store.

RELATED: Wayne Besen of Truth Wins Out is denouncing the LCR's denouncement.

Before I hear the Log Cabin Republicans whine about HRC, I want to see these Uncle Marys pave the way by making the Republican Party more friendly towards LGBT Equality. When Log Cabin recruits and puts forth viable candidates that can actually be endorsed, we can begin an honest discussion. Until then, they are just blowing smoke where the sun don’t shine. As for Black, he ought to pick his fights and friends more carefully. Right now he is a hero. I would hate to see his moral authority erode by getting bogged down in community infighting when he ought to keep his eye on the ball by battling our real enemies — most of whom happen to be Republicans.

SAN FRANCISCO: Human Rights Campaign Moves Into Harvey Milk's Camera Shop

The Human Rights Campaign has announced that they are moving their Castro gift shop across the street and into the storefront that once housed Harvey Milk's camera shop.

In a press release, the organization is painting the move as a marriage of two greats in the gay civil rights fight: "We are the beneficiaries of [Milk's] groundbreaking activism and are honored to be part of the future he envisioned," said HRC president Joe Solomonese. But some gay advocates say that's a bit of a lofty declaration. Let's remember that Milk was actually effective in rousing San Francisco's gay civil rights movement in the 1970s. As for the HRC, many accuse the country's biggest gay civil rights organization of complacency. "I can definitely tell you the grassroots community is very frustrated and feels it's an insult for the HRC to be in that space," says Robin McGehee, the director of GetEQUAL, a gay rights org that stages direct protests. "I hope by being that space every day they're reminded by the direct actions and protests that Harvey Milk and Cleve Jones spurred out of that spot and never compromise equality."

The grand opening is set for next year's Harvey Milk Day. SRSLY.

The Full Castro

According to Lauren Smiley's cover story in the latest issue of SF Weekly, some locals aren't taking too well to the recent mini-explosion of nude men strolling around the Castro. Nudity, per se, isn't illegal in San Francisco, but even lots of gay men don't like running into twigs and berries while doing their shopping. It's a long feature story, here's how it begins:

In Chinatown, it may be the Year of the Tiger, but in the Castro, it's almost always the Year of the Cock. Judging from a walk down Castro Street, cocks are the unofficial mascot. You've got the Sausage Factory (an Italian restaurant named with a wink), Hot Cookie (a bakery that sells chocolate-covered cookie cocks), and Rock Hard (a porn shop full of gigantic, X-rated cocks). To cap it off, the Castro just elected a supervisor named Scott Wiener.

But this year, the neighborhood found out that the male anatomy can still cause a stir when the real-life cocks arrived. In broad daylight. At the plaza on the corner of Market Street, right by the F-line trolley stop. Sometimes flapping down Castro Street. Or hanging out in line for coffee at Starbucks.

These cocks were not metaphorical or ironic in the least bit. They were sometimes more than 60 years old. Or dangling amid red pubic hair. Or cinched with rings, or pierced with metal, or hanging free with nothing on at all. They felt entitled for a reason: The law in San Francisco is more or less on their side. At least, they know it's extremely unlikely they'd ever be prosecuted for walking around in public naked.

I've never been one of the "naked people." Not at nude beaches, not at the clothing-optional gay campground where I've spent my summer weekends for the last ten years. But like almost all non-naked people do, I can't help observing the seemingly inviolable and inversely proportional nudity vs. attractiveness rule.

(Tipped by JMG reader Michael)
[Photo credit: Kimberly Sandie]

Quote Of The Day - David Frum

"Halloween is overwhelmingly an adult holiday. This year, for example, Americans spent an estimated $800 million on costumes for children, $1 billion on costumes for adults. Where did that adult dress-up party begin? As best we can tell: in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood. In the 1970s, that neighborhood emerged as the heart of a new home-owning, bourgeois, coupled gay community. A local variety store had long sponsored a Halloween street festival for kids. In the 1970s, the street festival transitioned into an adult party of lavish costumed theatricality. The 'Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence' -- a troupe of transvestite nuns -- got their start here.

"The Castro Halloween party spread to other gay neighborhoods in the 1980s: Greenwich Village, West Hollywood, Key West, Florida. In 1994, University of Florida anthropologist Jerry Kugelmass published a book on the new trend, Masked Culture, describing Halloween as an emerging gay 'high holiday.' And after a while -- the straights imitated. From the spread of disco in the 1970s -- to the habit of paying money for sparkling waters such as Perrier -- culminating in Halloween, gays have incubated and developed major cultural trends. Straights adopt, and then ungratefully forget whom they are adopting from." - Conservative columnist David Frum, writing for CNN.com

Castro Evacuated Due To Gas Leak

I'm getting dozens of emails and tweets reporting that much of the central Castro business district has been evacuated due to a major gas leak. Some write to say that they can actually hear gas rushing out of a broken main line.

A high pressure gas line has been ruptured by workers using a backhoe at 18th and Castro. Street closures are in effect on the 400 and 500 block of Castro as well as 18th Street between Hartford and Collingwood. These areas are closed to both car and foot traffic. Muni lines 24, 33, and 35 are impacted and will be re-routed in the area. Castro Street Muni Metro station is also closed.

Stand by for an update. Residents are naturally quite anxious with San Bruno still fresh in their minds.

UPDATE: This just in from SF emergency services.

The ruptured gas line at 18th and Castro has been shut off. Repair work will continue to take and additional 4 hours. Bus service on the 24, 33 and 35 lines have been re-routed and Castro Station has just re-opened. The 400 block of Castro Street will continue to be closed for another 2-3 hours. DEM will continue to monitor and unless there is a significant change this is a final report.

(Photo by JMG reader Kevin K.)

SLIDESHOW: San Francisco JMG Meet-Up

I had a fantastic time meeting a ton of JMG readers at last night's meet-up at the Castro's Edge Bar. Many longtime JMG'ers were in the house, including Huntington, Castro Craig, Sean Chapin, KitchenBeard, and NoCal Drummer. Wacky SF performance artist Philip Huang even showed up! I was sorta pulled in ten directions at once, so I hope I got to properly meet and chat with everybody at least for a minute. One particular highlight was finally meeting legendary Tales Of The City author Armistead Maupin and his husband Christopher Turner. Armistead even autographed my advance copy of his upcoming novel, Mary Ann In Autumn, which I'd read on the plane. (It's great!) Thanks again to everybody for coming out! Full-screen versions of the below slideshow can be found here.

Morning View - Castro & Market

Reaching Out To The Gay Teabaggers

JMG reader Sean Chapin tips us that the gas station at the intersection of Market and Castro is putting up a sign to advertise Sarah Palin's coming appearance in San Jose.

JMG Reader Meet-Up: 8PM Friday, October 8th At The Castro's Edge Bar

We decided on the Edge because it's not too loud and shouldn't be too crowded with others at that hour. Plus, I heart dive bars. This is your chance to meet the JMG reader behind that sexy avatar. Hope to meet lots of you there!

SAN FRANCISCO: "It Gets Better" Flash Mob To Film In The Castro On Sunday

JMG reader Matt Baume writes us to announce an It Gets Better flash mob to be filmed in the Castro on Sunday. San Francisco will be jammed for Folsom Street Fair this weekend so if you're attending the fair, please consider participating in the shoot first. Here's the event's Facebook page.

NOTE: This Sunday there will also be a marriage equality protest walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. The Castro flash mob is timed to begin upon the return of those participating in the walk.

Suspect Cleared In Castro Shooting

San Francisco police have cleared the man they had in custody after a fatal shooting at the annual Pink Saturday pride party in the Castro.

Authorities say the .357 revolver found on 20-year-old Ed Perkins was not the weapon used to kill 19-year-old Stephen Powell in San Francisco's Castro district late Saturday. Witnesses did not place Perkins at the scene of the shooting. Perkins initially was arrested on suspicion of murder, but is now only facing charges of possessing a concealed weapon and possessing a loaded weapon. He's scheduled for arraignment Wednesday morning.

Police vowed to continue the investigation: "The San Francisco Police Department is working to apprehend the individual who marred one of our most proud celebrations by bringing deadly mayhem to our streets."

SAN FRANCISCO: Three Shot, One Killed At Pink Saturday Pride Celebration

A young man was killed at San Francisco's Pink Saturday celebration in the Castro this weekend in an altercation between gang members. Three people were shot, including the deceased, and police have made two arrests.

San Francisco Police arrested a second suspect Sunday in connection with the deadly shooting during the Pink Saturday gay pride street party, KGO-TV news is reporting. The second man is being charged as an accomplice. The gunman was arrested shortly after the shooting late Saturday night and is facing murder charges. According to KGO-TV, police believe the suspects were connected with gangs in the city's Bayview district. The victim who was killed is being identified as Stephen Powell, 19. He was shot in the chest, police said. The two other victims, a 29-year-old man, and 19-year-old woman were each shot in the leg and their injuries are not life-threatening. San Francisco City Supervisor Bevan Dufty said those victims were not the gunman's intended targets but were bystanders caught up in the crossfire. The shooting was reported at 11:24 p.m. in front of the Pottery Barn store on Market and Castro Streets. Police say the 19-year-old gunman opened fire hitting three people. The suspect was arrested in the area minutes after the shooting.

The brief video clips below were shot just after the incident.