Monday, July 23, 2012

Save the Eagle Tavern

Please join the Milk Club and email these supervisors and mayor.

Use our words or your own. Tell our electeds why this IS OUR SPACE!

MILK CLUB LETTER ON THE EAGLE CLUB’S SALE
It has recently come to our attention that a non-LGBT group of entrepreneurs has entered into a purchase agreement for the former Eagle Tavern. This comes as a shock to many in the LGBT community as there was no outreach done or notice given about this historical community space despite the fact that many LGBT San Franciscans had expressed much interest in the building’s future. Furthermore our community had previously heard that there were queer entrepreneurs in negotiation to take over this space; buyers who intended to return it to a place that would continue to serve as a center to those who previously patronized the Eagle and enjoyed it as a LGBT-friendly space.
This startling change of course has caused great concern within those of us who considered the Eagle as a haven and who still view it as a revered symbol of San Francisco’s continued struggle with the HIV/AIDS epidemic and a critical meeting site for the marginalized queer community. To our dismay, such spaces are becoming scarcer, and our marginalization is becoming more profound. The Eagle is more than a bar and a business, yet current city processes appear to regard it as just another tavern. The Eagle is hallowed ground for us, and we as stakeholders must participate in any decisions about its future through a vigorous community-wide dialogue where all voices can be heard.
We offer here several specific reasons why we consider the Eagle to be a sacred space. They are given so that you can understand and respect our alarm at these developments:

*The ashes of gay men and women who died during the AIDS epidemic are scattered there.
*The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have blessed it as hallowed queer space and have used it to veil many postulants.
*Over its 30 year history over $50 million was raised for charities, particularly HIV/AIDS organizations.
**It was a place that was accessible to the full spectrum of diversity of the LGBT community.
It was our community center.

Given the historical, cultural, and emotional significance of this site we find it just to demand a process where all members of the queer community have an opportunity to participate in decisions regarding its future. We demand that an open meeting be held at the earliest possible date and ask that our elected officials, community representatives, the general public, and all key parties be in attendance. We also believe that the Eagle must be given Historic Landmark status.
South of Market is undergoing a massive shift in its composition and it is important to allow members of the community to speak for themselves before rash decisions about its future are made. We look forward to this discussion.

Your name here!

Jane.Kim@sfgov.org (D6 home of the Eagle)
Scott.Weiner@sfgov.org (D8)
Christina.Olague@sfgov.org (D5 and head of committee reg. liquor license transfer)
David.Chiu@sfgo.org (D3 President of the BOS)
David.Campos@sfgov.org (D9)
John.Avalos@sfgov.org (D11)
Sean.Elsbernd@sfgov.org (D7 on committee for liquor license transfer)
Carmen.Chu@sfgov.org (D4)
Mark.Farrell@sfgov.org (D2)
Malia.Cohen@sfgov.org (D10)
Eric.L.Mar@sfgov.org (D1)
Ed.Lee@sfgov.org (Mayor)

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Gays being Gay in San Francisco

In the past 2 weeks the Gay Community and our Culture has received a sucker punch both in public and in private. 

In a lively debate about astro turf and bright lights at the Beach Chalet, Supervisor Elsburnd asked the question about the safety of children due to gay cruising in the bushes. To this police Chief Gregg Shur replied that he and his manly soccer friends are afraid to go into the bushes; all kidding aside. 

I thought this was an environmental issue being discussed but if it is really a question of getting bright lights so fags don*t cruise in the bushes, don*t bother we have Grinder for that now. As for me being a danger to children I could go into the fact that most pedophiles are straight but refrain from going there. NOT! 

In fact straight people are a generally violent lot compared to the faries and dykes I know. So look in the mirror if you wanna see who is hurting the children. Thats not my big gay culture staring back at you is it. Thats why I could care less about assimilation. I am proud of my culture. Oh and fear not she aint after no chillen! PUH leze!~

I don*t think gay men need to apologize for our behavior either. Just because straight people don*t care to have it around or understand it. It*s was through our generous persecution we ended up in the bushes in the first place.

Then the Eagle tavern liquor license debate. Now I know you can*t tell landlords and business owners what to do but I can ask Mark Rennie why he is working on a deal to oust 3 gay men in negotiations to buy the Eagle in favor of 5 straight men. Could have something to do with the Landlords broker being tied to the building housing Foreign Cinema and one of the new straight investors being part owner of Foreign Cinema. There is a connection but i just can*t quite put my penis... er um finger on it.

In his letter; that I understand was actually written by the 3 queers also having an exclusive deal with the Eagle property broker and a SOMA based liquor license as compared to the one that is on import from the Mission; Mr Rennie notes the sights importance to the Gay community and our historic ties to the space. I may be wrong but I do not think Mr Rennie is a man of the bushes so I question why he speaks for us. 

I*m worried that while we are noshing on our oven fresh pizza on the patio at the economically feasible beer bust we can remember the golden showers of yester year as commemorated by a plaque. This must be what Mr Rennie alludes to in his letter because those are the plans. The real kicker is the clever name of this enterprising group, Double Rainbow.

Personally I would rather we Queers speak for ourselves and own our own cultural institutions. It just gives it that authentic feel. 

Now I have that off my chest I am heading to the mirror to apply my Queer war paint. Lots of work to do in the city these days.