Today I feel like Courtney looks...

I was not there for the duration of the event, but I have heard first-hand accounts of just how chaotic things became.


I was told that protestors attempted to gain access the 4th floor where Gavin would be speaking (many were escorted out of the building), however some gained access to the 3rd floor and settled on hanging a banner out of a window. I was told protestors climbed on the roof of an adjacent building and hung a banner from the 4th floor terrace. I was told that Gavin’s wife (who was the DA on the Dog Mauling trial); while attempting to enter the backdoor, was slammed against it and repeatedly hit until police came to her rescue. I was told that The Center representatives were outside and attempting to calm the protestors, but had no effect. I was told that one protestor continued to throw his body into the police line- until (after the police warned “we WILL hit you”) the police responded with physical force. I was told that both Center representatives were “in shock” at what they were seeing in front of their face and pounded on the building doors until they were allowed access in order to escape the chaos.

I am all for protesting- I used to be involved in “direct actions” with the Lesbian Avengers, however when the protest involves physical assault, I am repulsed.

Friday, 7th February 2003



ARIES
(Mar 21 - Apr 20)
We interrupt this forecast to bring you an urgent news flash... Jimbo the gorilla has just escaped. He was last seen in your street. Do not answer the door to anyone taller than seven foot – and remember, please, to carry a bunch of bananas with you whenever you leave the house. And now , we return you to your scheduled prediction… So watch out, please, this weekend for false alarms and ridiculous suggestions. Certain people are dangerously deluded yet they are speaking with great authority – be careful not to trust their every… LOOK OUT, the gorilla is

Tonight in front of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center in the Castro police attacked 40 members of the radical anti-capitalist queer group Gay Shame that gathered to protest the policies of Supervisor Gavin Newsom. Two lesbian were visibly bleeding from the mouth after being beaten by the San Francisco Police Department. A Indymedia correpsondent was on the scene and witnessed the events. Gavin Newsome was ushered in the doors of the center by Police escort. Gays then tried to enter their own center to voice their opposition to Gavin's policies. The police began beating back and blocking the door to the activists. Police pushed the activists into the oncoming traffic on Market Street and began aggressively hitting the queer activists some of whom were dressed in drag.
This is situation is unacceptable for a tolerant city such as San Francisco. Four members of Gay Shame were arrested in the streets. Activists then surrounded the police van in an attempt to block the van from leaving. More police arrived and continued striking Queer activists in the street eventually the situation calmed down and the activists continued to protest the policies of Gavin Newsom, who has ushered in an era in San Francisco which has declared open warfare on the homeless, and has now manifested itself in hate crimes conducted under the cover of the badge. Recently, the SFPD was cited by civilian review boards for targeting African Americans in the Bayview area. Now it seems that queers are not safe for entering their own community center. Activists reminded the police that Harvey Milk was shot dead by similiar interests in the city some years ago and view this as just another manifestation of the war against the poor.


GAY SHAME is the radical alternative to consumerist "pride" crap. We are committed to a queer extravaganza that brings direct action to astounding levels of theatricality in order to expose the evildoers who use the sham of gay "pride" as a cover-up for their greed and misdeeds. We seek nothing less than a new queer activism that addresses issues of race, class, gender and sexuality, to counter the self-serving "values" of the gay mainstream. We are dedicated to fighting the rabid assimilationist monster of corporate gay "pride" with a devastating mobilization of queer brilliance. GAY SHAME is a celebration of resistance: all are welcome.

My girlfriend sent me this email in response to discrimination.
For me, it sums it up.

i know people will look at things from their own perspective, and their individual experiences will
color what they see, but when it comes to matters of discrimination, how can you focus on one without
thinking about the rest? i always try to figure that out. like for me, i experienced classism, racism,
sexism, and now homophobia. all those together shape my psyche. and the same is true for the rest of the
world. all of these issues needed to be addressed together, otherwise, discrimination will still
exist, in some form.

You know what's not funny? Homophoia, and homophobic comments...even if they are "jokes"-they are not funny...and those that laugh along are not helping..

I understand people debating the economy, poverty, and race..but what of sexuality?? People KILL homosexuals-they hate the homeless, or those who are more economically challenged, but they kill "homo's". Not even to mention the discrimination homosexuals face from their OWN families and from potential employers.

This continues to piss me off, as it seems others overlook the hardship homosexuals STILL face. Society may be a little more "used to" gay people (because Will and Grace make them laugh), but they are not accepting of them.

Why is it acceptable to make a comment about a "gay" "lesbo" or "fag" but not about a homeless person or someone who is not "lucky enough" to be a White male in this society?

It's still discrimination.

Last night in my dream I was an accordion player and had to lug it around with me everywhere I went. Big and cumbersome to carry it wore me out …as well as the stress of everyone approaching me asking me to play…

Aries Horoscope for week of February 6, 2003

Aries Actress Lara Flynn Boyle was a presenter at the Golden Globes Awards ceremony on January 19. She wore a pink ballerina outfit, complete with a poofy tutu, that was appropriate for an eight-year-old girl doing a dance recital. Despite her outrageously comical get-up, Boyle never cracked a hint of a playful smile while on camera. Her expression was at best piercing, at worst glowering. There was, in other words, a huge discrepancy between her apparent desire to have fun, as suggested by her costume, and her almost scary intensity. In contrast to Boyle's inability to synthesize the two sides of her Aries nature, I hope you will find the perfect blend of ferocious concentration and cheerful friskiness in the coming week.

He FINALLY appeared in my dream!!!

He even gave me a kiss...but didn't ask me to move in...
damn!