The Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District has passed another milestone, in obtaining its 501(c)3 tax-exemption letter from the IRS.  This means that — among other things — donations to the Cultural District can be tax deductible.

The Cultural District will continue to use SOMArts — another 501(c)3 organization that serves as a cultural hub within our part of the City — as its fiscal agent, safeguarding our funds and administering any grants that we receive from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development or other San Francisco agencies.  But having our own 501(c) status is an important achievement, and will help the organization achieve its goals.

So hurrah!

 

For centuries, South of Market has been a catalyst for radical change and a stronghold for queer and activist organizing. Following Eye Zen’s wildly successful 2019 work-in-progress OUT of Site Queer History Walking Tour, they are seeking performers for a South of Market premiere in April 2020.

The performers will portray SOMA residents throughout SF history including: an indigenous two-spirit guide; a 19th Century transgender journalist; a merchant marine; housing activists and community organizers; an African American cruise ship steward and labor activist, a female-owned auto repair shop owner and employees; leather culture artists and sex club advocates; and Lesbian and Gay business owners and their customers.

They are seeking performers with an ability to flow between genders-trans, genderqueer, trans-masculine, masc presenting. They strongly encourage QTBIPOC* (*Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color) to apply.

Actors must have skill to switch quickly between 4-5 characters. Those with experience working in outdoor theater encouraged to apply.

Please fill out this form to audition & send a head shot and resume to info@eyezen.org

Learn more here.

The Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District’s booth at the Folsom Street Fair on 9/29/2019 was a great hit, visited by hundreds of fairgoers, who received info about the Cultural District while playing games, winning swag, and reminiscing about the places in our District where they had lived, worked, and played.

Our thanks to the volunteers who helped staff the booth, and to the many folks who signed up on our mailing list while there.  Look for an email of welcome in the coming week or so.

The Fair was also an opportunity for the District to show off its new (interim) logo:

Board members explained that the decision was made to use this logo, along with the horizontal version of it, on an interim basis. pending the completion of a full “Marketing and Branding” plan.   Watch this Web site for updates!

The Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District is pleased to welcome our new Cultural District Manager, Beth “Bicoastal” Hunt. Beth is a SOMA resident, performer, host, event planner, and most recently, now a mother. She was 1st Runner up Ms. SF Leather 2013, and Leather Marshal for the 2017 PRIDE parade. Beth is a community activist, and loves to assist her local clubs and organizations. She was a Co-Producer of Leatherwalk for 5 years, and served as a Board Associate for Folsom Street Events. Beth co-founded the volunteer group Haus of Starfish and has worked with the SF Eagle for the last 4 years. She has an M.A. in Expressive Arts Therapy and comes with over 10 years experience working in the non-profit sector, as well as volunteering at community events and fundraising. Beth identifies as a bi/queer woman, and uses the pronouns she/her/hers. You can write to Beth at manager@sflcd.org.