New Direction and Adventure!

 I've created a new blog website to encompass this new adventure. Join me as I continue to celebrate a part of my retirement to more traveling and on my own terms. 

Visit my new blog website, appropriately called, Edgar Would Go! https://edgarwouldgo.com/

San Francisco City Hall Pride Weekend

AIDS Walk San Francisco starts up again!

Starts again! 

Please help me raise funds for AIDS Walk San Francisco! This will be the year to break all of previous years of fundraising. This year's goal is a memorable one, $2,025!

https://sf.aidswalk.net/edgar

Sunday, July 20th 
San Francisco, Golden Gate Park 

Who Benefits

Supporting Many Voices: Co-Beneficiary Teams Program 

AIDS Walk San Francisco recognizes that no one organization can meet all the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. That is why the event emphasizes not one voice, but many voices; not just services in one city; but rather the Bay Area wide effort to bring this epidemic to an end. 

Through the Co-Beneficiary Teams Program, AIDS Walk San Francisco makes available the highly successful infrastructure used by its Teams Department to organize corporate and community involvement in the event. These organizations participate as fundraising teams in AIDS Walk San Francisco at no cost to themselves, and they keep a majority of the funds they raise. 

In 2024, through all of the hard work of Walkers like you, 100% of money raised by each of the Co-Beneficiary teams was able to be awarded back. We also were proud to give additional grants to each team as well. We hope, with the dedication and support from all of our participants, we are able to achieve the same success this year.

San Francisco Pride Parade Does Not Disappoint

 After two years of minimal and cautious participation in pride parade, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year's parade was close to full revival. Known as a world famous parade which is held every year in June in San Francisco,  this year was a welcome return to celebrating pride for the LGBTQ+ community. And what a great parade march along Market Street it was!

Marching with the UCSF contingent

Thousands of spectators attended as well as hundreds marched in celebration. As a march participant for my employer, we were at least 200+ strong. It was a bit overwhelming with the crowds cheering all marchers on. Once we march around the corner to head along Market Street, I got comfortable holding our employer banner, UCSF with Pride! It's my second year marching and it felt so gratifying and liberating!

This march was especially important as our transgender community has been under so much attack, it was definitely a reminder we need to be heard and be seen. We can't take anything for granted. We cannot go back in the closet, we've come too far to be put in our place. UCSF t-shirts printed, "PRIDE IS PROTEST". I think many spectators got the message as the cheers were loud and encouraging! I'm proud to be part of this event as we need to all be one when it comes to challenges to our community. All we want is to be accepted and be visible to the community and the world in general. 

Let's hope next year will be a bigger and more positive pride march,  I think it will be! 

https://sfpride.org/

Landmark Supreme Court Ruling on LGBTQ Rights

Today was a historic victory for the LGBTQ community. The United States Supreme Court voted 6-3, ruled that it is illegal for an employer to fire someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

I find it so satisfying on Pride month that this ruling comes through in a  positive light. The last few months have been quite stressful for many of us with the Coronavirus epidemic, economy, and social discord. It's a start to more hopeful things to come. 

Source: CBS News 

Movie Review: Judy

I recently watched the premier movie of Judy, the life of Judy Garland, an American actress and singer. The film starred actress, Renée Zellweger known for her 1990s' movie hit, "Jerry McGuire". 

The film was set in her waning years of her life. The film director, Rupert Goold selects a period in which Garland is in her most fragile and vulnerable. The film shows flashbacks as a child actor to her present day superstar status. Undoubtedly, this side of Garland is closely examined in the film at times unbeknownst to her beloved fans.

The start of the film provided a calming introduction to Judy Garland's current state of mind. She has her children with her and has them be part of her act and see her role as promising and uplifting. The film settles you into the realities of her real life as the film director chooses to change course for a more dark and unsuspecting side of Garland.

I personally thought I would expect a film about the famous Judy Garland to be a more "rags to riches" episode. Sadly, the film takes a more vulnerable route to lead us to the real Judy.  But I think in fairness, understanding the side of Garland was more noteworthy. Actress, Zellweger gives a stellar performance portraying Garland. Coupled with her natural acting abilities, and singing prowess, the “red” shoe fits perfectly for her role of Judy Garland. Of the songs that were sung in the film “Over the Rainbow” was the most touching of all. The song encompassed all of Judy Garland’s overall hopes and dreams clearly addressed in the magical lyrics made for the film, “The Wizard of Oz”.

I don’t know how Judy Garland became a gay icon, but clearly the film lightly presents this in the type of fans she draws. Could it be the untimely death in 1969 in which the Stonewall Inn riots occurred in the same year? This remains to be seen.

Overall, the film was touching, tearful, and memorable. As I exited the theater, I began to hum one of her songs, as I am not a gifted singer, humming was much more respectful.

If you’re in the mood for nostalgia for her signature songs, check it out, it’s worth it to spend “face time” in front of a movie screen, as you place your phone on do not disturb mode.  

Movie trailer: https://binged.it/359K2dq

Oakland. Celebrates. Pride.

On Sunday, September 8, 2018, the city of Oakland celebrated the annual LGBT Pride event small town style.

I've attended this pride event off and on over the years and I have never been disappointed in the vibrancy of the city's attendees, the activities, and intimacy of the pride street venue. Although Oakland's population is over 400,000 people, it seems to embrace and enjoy the added population on the yearly September festival. Normally pride events are held in the month of June. It's so refreshing to have one at the end of summer to ease the arrival of the fall season.

At this year's event, a number of event stages were filled with lots of music, dance, and rallies. Some stages included the Latin and women themed stages. Clearly the diversity of this city and population warranted the stages to be packed with joyful and inspired brothers and sisters of pride.

Every year, I've always taken in at least one pride event for many different reasons. One would be to celebrate our "coming out" in public in a more dignified way. Another would be to recognize that we are allowed to celebrate who we are and who we choose to love. It's a constant reminder that once we leave the pride grounds, we deal with reality of knowing we are still a minority even in 2018. We are not fully recognized; granted we are more visible and are able to "come out" a little more easily, but the nation is yet to fully embrace us, and fully accept us.

Yes, we have same sex marriages, yes, equal rights, civil unions, but clearly these are slow gains towards acceptance that we still need to keep striving. Clearly, pride events are needed to celebrate our community and the gains we've made. I'm very hopeful that each year after coming out of the closet, each of us who battles discrimination on a daily basis, we hope we can say we've finally arrived.

Happy. Pride. LGBT!

Source: Oakland Pride

10,000 people participate in AIDS Walk SF - 2018

Since 1987, ABC7 News has been a proud sponsor of the AIDS Walk.  Members of the ABC7 News team joined 10,000 walkers, special guests and our own Dan Ashley's band participated -- hoping to raise $1.8 million for the cause. - http://abc7news.com/3769280/

Years. Of. Compassion. AIDS Walk San Francisco 2018

AIDS Walk San Francisco beneficiaries 2018

I've been part of this event for a number of years and find this to be one of the most satisfying personal causes in which I've participated in. I hope you will join me on this continued journey in supporting me by making a donation here to AIDS Walk San Francisco. 

AIDS Walk San Francisco recognizes that no one organization can meet all the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. That is why the event emphasizes not one voice, but many voices; not just services in one city; but rather the Bay Area-wide effort to bring this epidemic to an end. 

In my blog, I appreciate your support, and hope you are able to join us at Golden Gate Park for the Walk on Sunday, July 15. 

Mahalo!
(Thank you in Hawaiian) 

Fundraising page: https://sf.aidswalk.net/edgar

Billie Jean King in town for LGBTQ advocacy benefit ~ April 12, 2018

Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco, is looking forward to talking with tennis legend and gay rights activist Billie Jean King.

“I am beyond excited. For the first time in 57 years, I will be able to meet her face-to-face, and I’m sure I’ll gush appropriately like a schoolgirl,” says Kendell, who’s appearing in “Serving Up the Ace,” a benefit for NCLR, a legal LGBTQ advocacy organization, at Brava in The City on Thursday.

The program includes a conversation between King and Kendell and a screening of “Battle of the Sexes,” the 2017 movie with Emma Stone and Steve Carell about the famed 1973 match between World No. 1 tennis star King and ex-champ and hustler Bobby Riggs.

In her talk with King, Kendell says, “I want to find out how she had the fortitude to blaze the path that she did, when really she stood alone. At the time, there were very few other female tennis players beating drum about pay equity.”

Read more in the San Francisco Examiner

Honored to have had April 12, 2018 proclaimed Billie Jean King Day in San Francisco by Mayor @MarkFarrellSF. Thank you to @KateKendell and to all who helped raise funds for @NCLRights last night. #EqualityForAll pic.twitter.com/SRUj3q5jgu

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) April 13, 2018

NOH8 Campaign - Proposition 8 - Photographic. Silent. Protest.

On November 4, 2008 Proposition 8 passed in California, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The defeat provoked a groundswell of initiativee within the GLBT community at a grassroots level, with many new political and protest organizations being formed in response.

The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska (www.adambouska.com) and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with "NOH8" painted on one cheek in protest.

Seven years since its inception, the NOH8 Campaign has grown to over 55,000 faces and continues to grow at an exponential rate. The campaign began with portraits of everyday Californians from all walks of life and soon rose to include politicians, military personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists, celebrities, and many more from across the globe.

Ricky Martin

While inspired by the passage of Prop 8 and the fight for marriage equality, the scope of the NOH8 Campaign has grown to stand against discrimination and bullying of all kinds. The message of 'No Hate' can be interpreted and applied broadly, and everyone can relate to the message of NOH8 in their own way.
The NOH8 Campaign has received overwhelming support from around the world, and has appeared in various local and national news programs and publications. The images are widely used on various social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to proudly show support for equal rights.

Edgar Micua
(Participated in the San Francisco Shoot)

To date, NOH8 Campaign has hosted official photo shoots in 45 of the 50 United States (plus D.C.) and 19 countries around the world. While our work continues here in the US, we must not forget that there are still places around the world where simply being who you are means living in fear for your life every single day. Our mission to promote love, acceptance and respect for all human beings will continue in pursuit of #NOH8Worldwide.

Liza Minnelli

Dining Out. To. Save Lives!

I'm making it a point to help where I can!



Enjoy a night out at a participating Dining Out For Life restaurant on Tuesday, April 24 and you automatically support San Francisco AIDS Foundation! It's a win-win!

Double your impact and get a chance to win big through the Dining Out For Life sweepstakes! This year's packages include a VIP trip to Las Vegas, a week stay in the Russian River Wine Valley, four nights in Palm Springs, club-level tickets to a Giants game, and more!


There are two ways to get in on the fun:


• Visit a participating Dining Out For Life restaurant on Tuesday, April 24 and ask the Dining Out For Life Ambassador at that location to accept your sweepstakes entry.
• Enter online at doflsf.org, select an ambassador to support or donate directly to Dining Out For Life. Ambassador: Edgar Micua


Take your impact even further: Make a donation of any amount and our partner Tito's Handmade Vodka will contribute the same amount, up to a total of $10,000!


ENTER SWEEPSTAKES


Amici's East Coast Pizzeria Marina
Bistro Boudin
Chouquet's
Curbside Cafe
Parigo
PASTA POP-UP
Precita Park Cafe
Stock in Trade
The Castro Fountain

Coco Movie Review - Delightful. Hopeful. Entertaining.

The university I work for featured a free screening of Disney's critically-acclaimed and 2018 Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Feature & Best Song: COCO

This screening was sponsored by UCSF's CLCA (Chicano Latino Campus Association), CHE (Chicanos/Latinos in Health Education), LMSA (Latino Medical Student Association), HSDA (Hispanic Dental Student Association), LAPS (Latino Association of Pharmacy Students), Voces Latinas Nursing Student Association, SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science), LGBT Resource Center, Multicultural Resource Center and Family Services.

I thought, why not, a free screening, I didn't really know anything about the film, but when the lights went out and the movie started, wow, it's been awhile since a film really "moved" me to tears. 

The film was about a young Latino boy named Miguel who has a secret desire to be a musician despite his family's efforts to erase any inclination of any enjoymement of music. The movie quickly sets a tone of what this young boy's expectations are and that no desire for music is part of it.

As the story develops, the protagonist desire strengthens to go against the wishes of his family. Morals sets in from "should I do it" or "follow my family's expectations of me". We all go through some type of pressure to follow what's expected versus to follow our true desires in life. In Miguel's case, music. He secretly honors his hero, Ernesto de la Cruz who was the most famous musician in all of Mexico.
In Miguel's desire to follow his dreams, he learns more about his family, his hero, and his own capabilities. 

Thoroughly entertaining film for both young and old, it gives the viewer their own opportunity to reflect on a passing of a loved one and embrace who they currently have. 

Kudos to Disney and Pixar to bring on the big screen a hopeful and at the same time a delightful story. 

More Coco info click on image

Twice. Ran. Secretary Clinton Committed.

I've seen this woman over the years as a state First Lady, to a very well respected Secretary of State, and eventually a nominated President in national political party. Nominated as a President for any political party as a first for a candidate who happened to be a woman.


She's not perfect, but totally qualified in all the positions she's held. This book to me was an honest, touching, and very fair assessment of her loss in the 2016 presidential election.


I appreciate her candor, reading about her upbringing, and understanding her path to where she is today is amazing. She may think it's privilege, but the bottom line is you have to do the work in the end. No matter who you are, she truly believes you can accomplish anything. Just as she has. Despite my own opinion that Donald Trump had no business applying for this job to run the country. He speed bumped into a lane really wasn't his path. But he did and his candidacy added another layer to Hillary's added challenges. It doesn't really seem to stop. But she presses forward.


I had an opportunity to meet and shake hands with my hero, at a San Francisco book signing event the following year. There were hundreds of us waiting in line for hours to get a glimpse of this amazing woman, president or not, she has character. When I shook hands with her, I was star struck and asked her a really dumb question due to my nerves and all those hours thinking of what to say to her when I met her. It was all based on a t-shirt a wore that day, it said, CHOOSE YOUR PARTY, and below were 3 boxes to Democratic party, Republic party, and Cocktail party being the one checked. I asked her what was her favorite cocktail and she obviously has had her head down for hours just signing hundreds of books and never really saw my t-shirt. She threw back my question and asked me what was my favorite cocktail, I was stumped. We barely were allowed to small talk or take selfies it was very restricted, but in the end even though it was surreal and a blur, it was all worth it.

So, goes this book about the 2016 elections and what happened, it was so surreal and a blur to this day, that I really thought it was a slam dunk and we would be grilling a Madam President who would hold press conferences on a regular basis, unlike our current president, I hear nothing really significant that would contribute to change for all Americans. What did the other half of the country really thought when they choose him to run our country?


In her last sentence in her book, she asks the question, "What do we do now?" I said. There was only one answer: "Keep going."


I couldn't agree more.

Disruptive. Political. Climate.

February is upon us and we are well into 2017 and yet there is still some unsettling energy in the American air. What is it? Obviously it's our recent election result that has dramatically changed the politic climate in our country.  No sooner have our newly elected president, Donald J. Trump arrival to the White House, executive orders are signed, new inexperienced staff members are in place, and a brash and combative White House Press Secretary takes the podium.

Personally, I have yet to fully recover from the election results; I've gotten over hang overs much more quickly than this situation and still find it still unsettling. With no time to digest these sudden and intrusive political announcements have I had a chance to really recover. It has been clearly disruptive. It's clearly not your politics as usual.  To get my bearings, I begin to try to combat this direct hit to help soothe the pain of political jolt.

I participated in a recent Women's March in San Francisco that drew thousands in the pouring winter rain in the city. But not one person flinched, many carried on in protest to our new President's policy announcement changes. Many marched for various reasons, dissent to resistance to government or specific issues that are at stake affecting their lives. For example, women's health, health funding cuts, gay and lesbian rights, and supreme court rulings that can be reversed like Roe v. Wade, a ruling that has held for decades for women having the right to have an abortion. I participated because of my own dissent, disappointment, and anger in some ways on American civil rights in general.

Women's March - San Francisco, CA
One of many protest signs

Women's March - San Francisco, CA
Started at City Hall, and ended at the Ferry Building

It felt liberating, celebratory, and at the same time civil. Seeing other protesters marching in peace and carrying signs that are thought provoking and resonate clarity of the sign holders thoughts about our new leader in office.


The climate has surely changed for many Americans, somehow though, middle America sees things differently. Living in San Francisco, California is clearly different in social, economic, and job opportunities compared to states say, in Arkansas or South Dakota. I should remind myself that those regions of our country are different and their thoughts and ideas are not as one with Americans to the west or east. I get that, but when I voted for our next President, I honestly had them in mind, and hoped they had the same thoughts, clearly this was not the case.

I'm hopeful that in 2017, we will be able to do a restart, reset, or start a dialogue that allows all Americans to meet in the middle. We need this to happen. Always the optimist. Let's see where we go as we head into spring.  

Stunned. Sad. Setback.

Two days after learning that Hillary Rodham Clinton will not be our 45th American President became a reality. I was stunned.

I went to work stoic, no emotion, it was surreal. I wanted to get through the day in order to just retreat. I immediately took down all of HRC's campaign flyers, buttons anything that would remind me of this unexpected election loss. I was emotionally, socially, and economically invested in the last year in hoping and expecting her to become our President. It saddened me to know this was not the case.

I had no intention of finding out why or what happened. Political TV News was turned off; I continued to remove myself from the energy of the election buzz.

Soon after coming off of the setback, I came out; took my dog for a nice walk around the neighborhood. Outside of our doors, I was not the only one who encountered this surreal experience of an election loss. I walked towards the Castro district and saw hundreds of people gathered on Castro and Market Streets. Sequestered by police officers and traffic officials as people appeared to meet to huddle on what happened. The smell of burning sage was in the air, my guess is to cleanse the election, lit candles as a vigil. The gathering turned out to be one of unity, rejection, and goals of making the decision go in the right. But, with what's been decided, personally, I thought it was moot to try.  

Just off to the side of the rally, or gathering, someone sprayed on the ground, "10% of SF voted for Trump". No need to fact check, but it may be true. Most of the SF bay area was Pro-Clinton supporters.

So this leads me to slowly understand what this means to our LGBT community in terms of rights and services. If what Trump campaign promises holds true, San Francisco city and some of its health and social issues may be cut. I don't know the exact specifics, but I'm sure it will be significant. The recipients of these services will not have any back up plans. For many others, this will be only the beginning.

I've gotten through most of the phases of this election outcome, stunned, sad, and dealt with a setback. But what other phases will I encounter?

Let's hope its positive and an inclusive one.

First. They. Came.

Donald Trump, the leading republican presidential candidate seems to have your attention; what and how he says things is another story.

SOURCE: New York Magazine

His most recent proposal without any specifics entails the following statement; "Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on".

There has been other comments or rhetoric that Trump has amp up as more noise, and in most cases generally humorous and ridiculous.

Lately however, I've been sitting on the sidelines quietly disagreeing with this individual. Initially, it didn't bother me because I imagined it was mere entertainment not real politics where our livelihood would be at stake. Now, I've come to realize this is no longer a joke.

I needed to learn more about this individual. I've paid more attention to most all of the news outlets, many liberal or mainstream. At times, I give it some balance by watching other moderate and conservative news stations.

Politics can be a strange process; usually at the end of a candidate's campaign everything makes sense. We move on to the fact that what was decided is set and we adjust, adapt, and move on.

But there is a danger here. We as a society can become very passive and hope things will shake out to our own "safe" expectation. Think twice.

Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.

Niemöller is perhaps best remembered for the quotation:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.


CREDIT: US Holocaust Memorial Museum

"there was no one left to speak for me" A haunting phrase that clearly resonates with today's current "politician", Donald J. Trump. In my life so far, I've seen remnants of the effects of dangerous rhetoric against Jews, Japanese-Americans, Asians, women, undocumented immigrants, and gays and lesbians. Do I need to go on?

As we close 2015, we should pay close attention to the new election year; reach out to be aware of your choice of candidate that will ensure equality for all. That's an American ideal. Make sure your registered to vote; and vote please. https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote

Make your vote and voice count. If not, who will speak for you?

Oh. Happy. Day.

It's official.

After all these years of false starts and renewed hope, the United States of America [USA] Supreme Court finally ruled that same-sex couples can marry nationwide, establishing a new civil right and handing gay rights advocates a historic victory.

Close to nearly half a century ago, "after a riot at New York's Stonewall Inn ushered in the modern gay rights movement, the decision could settle one of the major civil rights fights of this era." CNN source

Who would have thought? As a young man, coming right of high school would I never have encountered the magnitude of this decision by the supreme court. It amazes me on how our lives will change in this regard. Very few ever dreamed a day like this would ever exist much less become a reality to many.

This is a moment to celebrate again, but unfortunately, with vigilance as for some who are not for this ruling [i.e. FOX "News"] will be quick to denounce, engage in hate [what's new?], and attempt to deem it to be immoral and not right.

However, at the end of this day, only America and their role to pursue life, liberty and happiness can be savored. I will. Join me and celebrating this momentous time in our lives. Be it for or against this right. Today, we have a right to be one and be "marry".

Photo: CNN



A blog writer based in San Francisco, California providing spontaneous thoughts, and comments on local, national, and international news that is note worthy -- relating to gay and lesbians in the areas of politics, entertainment, media, world, sports, art, and life.