LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District

Dr. Gayle Rubin, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Women’s Studies at the University of Michigan and member of the Board of Directors of the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District, was honored with a career retrospective as part of the “Entertaining Education” portion of “Virtual CLAW 8”.

The program, titled “Dr. Gayle Rubin: Tenured Professor of Leather”, was shown at 11:00 AM Pacific Time on Saturday, February 13, 2021.  It was part of a three-day program of virtual parties and programs called “Virtual CLAW 8,” organized by the folks of the Cleveland Leather Annual Weekend (CLAW) – a national leather charity.

You can view her Leather Leadership Award 2021 acceptance remarks  here. 

The full program will include a Friday evening Meet and Greet, the World Premier of the short film “LEATHERBOY”, live smut with Fetish Porn Superstars Dolf Deitrich & Jack Mackenroth, and numerous educational programs and social events, culminating in the Sunday afternoon Closing Party and Raffle Draw,  Advance registration is required, and costs $20 and up.  Full details and registration are at https://www.clawinfo.org/planning/virtualclaw.

The Virtual Claw events have been very successful temporary replacements for the regular Leather Weekends held in Cleveland each April.  The organizers hope to announce a date for the next in person CLAW soon.  Learn more at https://www.clawinfo.org/.

SAVE THE OASIS!
TELETHON: SATURDAY 3/6, 12PM – 12AM

For the past six years, the Oasis has been home to queer performers both locally and nationally, as well as a clubhouse for the community.  But almost a full year of shut-down has created a dire situation for them.  Innovative programming like “Meals on Heels” and Oasis TV have helped, as did PPP and SBA loans.  But the second shutdown has brought them to the brink of financial collapse.  Now, D’Arcy Drollinger, Owner and Artistic Director of Oasis, is asking for the community’s help, so Oasis can be there for everyone when the pandemic is over.  

A twelve-hour streaming “Telethon” will include live and pre-recorded performances, testimonials, interactive events, fabulous items up for auction, and a phone bank of drag queens to take your call. The event will air for FREE on the OASIS TV network and on givebutter.com/saveoasis. All funds raised go directly to business expenses for the club: rent, utilities, operations, as well as paying off debt accrued while being closed.

Hosted by D’Arcy Drollinger and her friends, the Telethon will stream live from noon to midnight on on Saturday, March 6, 2021, Expect a cavalcade of stars and San Francisco luminaries to help raise $100,000 to save SOMA’s iconic queer nightclub.

You can also donate to help save OASIS, right now through March 6th, right here!

Folsom Street Events — the producers of the Up Your Alley and Folsom Street Fair — have announced the opening of their new facility: the Folsom Street Community Center for Alternative Sexualities, at 145 Ninth Street.  

Check out this article from 48Hills.org, which includes quotes from FSE Interim Director Angel Adeyoha, and a video preview of the new space.    Additional info is in the BAR article here.

Watch for more details soon, and a gala opening in July (conditions permitting).

San Francisco Public Works (SFPW) and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) held a Virtual Open House for the Folsom Streetscape Project on January 28, 2021.  The purpose of this open house was to show the final public realm design for the corridor which includes landscaping, lighting, and cultural features. When completed, the Folsom Streetscape Project will make the South of Market Neighborhood a safer and more inviting place to walk, bike, shop, and take transit.  The Folsom Streetscape Project is scheduled to start construction in 2022. 

Their presentation slides are here.  You will be able to view the recording of their presentation, and learn more about the project, here.