Tag Archives: San Francisco

BATTLE OF THE CROSSWALKS IN SAN FRANCISCO’S GAY CASTRO DISTRICT

The winning crosswalk design for 18th and Castro streets
The winning crosswalk design for 18th and Castro streets

San Francisco, California – There will be plenty of rainbows at the intersection of 18th and Castro streets in the heart of San Francisco’s gay neighborhood, reports the Bay Area Reporter.

On Thursday, March 13, District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener announced the winning design and location for rainbow crosswalks that will be paid for by the Castro Upper Market Community Benefit District. The crosswalks are being incorporated with a sidewalk widening project that will begin construction this month.

Upon hearing of the news, the Westboro Baptist Church sent a proposal to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to repaint the crosswalk at the intersection of Market and Castro Streets. The Topeka, Kansas-based church headed by Fred Phelps offered to fully fund the crosswalk makeover “in the spirit of equality.”  “If the City of San Francisco allowed the re-painting of the crosswalk at 18th and Castro streets, then there is no compelling reason for it to deny our offer, especially because we are paying for it,” Phelps said.

The Westboro Baptist Church is known for its anti-gay agenda, traveling the country to picket parades, festivals and even funerals with signs like “God Hates Fags” and “Thank God for Dead Soldiers.”

Crosswalk design proposed by Westboro Baptist Church
Crosswalk design proposed by Westboro Baptist Church

The Board of Supes has not yet met to consider the church’s offer, but circulated the proposed crosswalk design to its members and the media.  The design is in stark contrast to the rainbow design, featuring black and white crosses painted next to each other.

ARIZONA GOVERNOR JAN BREWER WILL BE GRAND MARSHALL IN SAN FRANCISCO’S 2014 GAY PRIDE PARADE

imageSan Francisco, California – San Francisco’s Gay Pride Parade, the largest such celebration in the world, has just identified its Grand Marshall for 2014. It’s no other than Arizona Governor Jan Brewer.

The SF Pride Committee met in an executive session today following Brewer’s announcement that she was vetoing Arizona’s Senate Bill 1062 which would have legalized discrimination against lgbt people on the grounds of religious rights.

Soon after she vetoed the bill, U.S. media outlets – recovering from a slow news day today – flashed the news report on their websites, news alerts and live broadcasts. The social media also burst with posts, even among self-identified gay men and women, praising Brewer for her act of courage.

The Pride Committee said that no other act by an individual merits the honor of being named Grand Marshall . “We might even double the parade attendance by the potential of Arizona residents coming to San Francisco in June to support their well-loved governor,” the committee said.

Upon hearing about the Pride Committee’s decision, the National Coalition of Gay Immigrant Associations ( NCGIA) annouunced that it will boycott the SF Pride Parade this year, citing Brewer’s anti-immigrant record. She signed into law  Arizona’s SB 1070, the most stringent anti-immigrant law in the country.

CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN WANTS EASTERN SPAN OF BAY BRIDGE NAMED AFTER HIM

Willie Brown (center)
Willie Brown (center)

Sacramento, California – Yesterday, the western span of the Bay Bridge was officially named Willie L. Brown  Jr Bridge in honor of the former San Francisco mayor and speaker of the California State Assembly.

Well, that didn’t sit well with two-time California governor, former state attorney general and former Oakland city mayor Jerry Brown . “I have as many titles attached to my name – not to mention my longevity in public service – as my good friend Willie,” Jerry said, “so why am I not being afforded the same honor, at least as far as the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge is concerned?”

The new eastern span of the Bay Bridge (foreground)
The new eastern span of the Bay Bridge (foreground)

Jerry is reportedly planning a personal visit with Oakland city officials, including incumbent mayor Jean Quan, to lobby for his own bridge of fame.  Quan said that naming the eastern span of the bridge after Jerry Brown makes absolute sense. “If this happens, then people can call the entire bridge, both eastern and western spans, simply ‘the Brown Bridge,’ ”  she added.

In the end, it is the state legislature, not local officials, that will make the decision.

We’d like to get our readers’ comments: Should the eastern span of the Bay Bridge be named after Californa Governor Jerry Brown? .