Now on the precipice of San Francisco Pride’s digital celebration this weekend, it’s as good a time as any to reflect on not just how far we’ve come on its Golden Anniversary… but, also, why there’s still work left to do.
On June 5th, 1970, less than three dozen San Franciscans walked down Polk Street — which, at that time, was SF’s touchstone for queer culture — in the first-ever Gay Freedom Day, cementing the tradition of SF Pride as we know it today. Over the years, this parade of humanity (populated by all shapes and sizes, sexualities, and sensations) ballooned to now include literally hundreds of thousands of queerdos and allies who march down Market Street every June.
That is, except for this year.
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The Covid-19 pandemic has dealt an ostensibly insurmountable blow to the city’s queer culture. Gay nightlife venues continue to struggle en masse; many LGBTQ-owned restaurants and bars now sit on the cusp of collapsing; renowned events like Folsom Street Fair and, of course, San Francisco Pride have moved to virtual platforms. But much like the landmark gay rights pioneers of yesteryear: We’ll persist, move forward, and continue to grow in grace.
(It, too, is fairly fitting that this year’s theme for San Francisco pride is “Generations of Hope,” helping those notions resonate even more.)
To help commemorate this year’s historic San Francisco Pride weekend, we caught up with Juanita MORE!, arguably the city’s most philanthropic and multi-hyphenated drag queen — who, herself, is a prolific self-publishing Medium writer — on how she’s planning to celebrate SF Pride 2020, what she’s been up to since the pandemic began, and how we can each do our part in pushing the needle forward.
Matt Charnock for The Bold Italic: How’re you getting ready for Pride this year?
Juanita MORE!: I’ve already had a huge month, and now I’ve been really busy planning and making sure my People’s March & Rally will go off without a hiccup. I’m also finalizing my look for it, which I’m excited for people to see. I’ve also used this current time to expand my creativity and make unique face covers — and I’ve found some real joy in letting my mind and sowing go wild piecing them together. You can bet I’ll have a cocktail or two this weekend to cheers to SF Pride, for sure.
What tips do you have for celebrating Pride both inside and outside this year as things start opening up?
JM: If you’re out in public, be it getting a drink at the Lookout or at my rally Sunday, wear a mask and practice social distancing. If people are chanting next to you, it’s not rude to move around and ask for some space. The same goes for if someone gets too close to you while you’re sipping a cocktail, curbside. We’re seeing huge spikes in Covid-19 cases, not only across the country but here in California too. And, sure, San Francisco isn’t nearly as bad as other parts of the United States, but now’s not the time to be complacent. Like I’ve said in past posts on Medium: Wear a mask or just stay the fuck home.
How can we use this moment in time to stand in solidarity with each other?
JM: By showing up and letting your voice be known, it’s as simple as that. Don’t let people walk over you, and, if you see someone doing that to another person, it’s your responsibility to stick up for that person and help them. Virtually speaking, you can donate and help out our queer elders and, if you have the funds, contribute to the San Francisco Queer Nightlife Fund, which aims to help our city’s nightlife workers and entertainers through the pandemic. Don’t forget to make sure you let our straight allies know they’re appreciated, but also don’t be shy about pointing them to more resources and stories they can learn and listen from.
What does celebrating Pride mean to you?
JM: Pride continues to be time to celebrate and reflect on our triumphs and struggles as a community. The fight isn’t over — never, ever forget that.
What makes San Francisco’s LGBTQ community so special?
JM: San Francisco is home to me. I care about the people that live here and the community that has been built in this city, which is unlike anything anywhere in the world. It’s a city filled with a bunch of creatives, queers, and troublemakers wanting to make the world a better place. It’s always been a place to run away to be your true self. And there’s no other place where I feel more like myself than right here.
For more information on Juanita MORE!’s endeavors — from her NSFW podcasts to her murals — visit juanitamore.com; more information on how you can participate in her People’s March & Rally — Unite to Fight! can be found here.
