Since 2016, UC Berkeley professor Juana María Rodríguez has been assigning her students the task of creating and updating over 300,000 Wikipedia entries, with the goal of preserving queer and trans history and celebrating the intersectionality of the BIPOC LGBTQ+ community.

As the Daily Californian reports, Juana María Rodríguez, an ethnic studies, gender and women’s studies, and performance studies professor at the University of California Berkeley, began the project in 2016 with the support of the local nonprofit Wiki Education, which aims to fill knowledge gaps on the site around gender, racial, and ethnic diversity. Per the Daily Cal, Rodríguez’s students have made over 300,000 updates and 3,000 citations to Wikipedia to date — totaling more than 96 million views, while spotlighting in particular the lives of queer and trans Black, Indigenous, and other people of color.

“I want my students to think of themselves as not just consumers of knowledge but as being able to produce knowledge as well,” Rodríguez told the Daily Cal.

Per the Daily Cal, some of the people Rodríguez’s students have highlighted include Indigenous drag queens, transgender activists Adela Vázquez and Karla Avelar and Oakland gay landmark, the White Horse Bar.

As the site Them reports, students have also documented LGBTQ history in Chinatown and international sex worker movements.

“It becomes particularly important to document these subcultures within these communities,” Rodríguez told Them. “Because it’s not just queer Latinas — it’s queer goth Latinas, it’s queer comics of color, it’s African American slaying, right?”

“It’s very specific topics that might really vary by region, by historical moment, and of course at different places around the world,” Rodríguez continued, per Them. Those topics, in Wikipedia and in real life, remain really under-studied and really under-researched.”

Per Them, preserving BIPOC and LGBTQ+ history is now more important than ever as the federal government moves to erase queer and transgender people from its historical programs and websites, including the stripping of Harvey Milk's name from a US Navy ship last June, as reported by SFist.

“Right now, the Trump administration is trying to erase the very existence of transgender people, so having information about those histories, as well as present challenges facing queer and trans communities, is particularly urgent,” Rodríguez continued, per the Daily Cal. “Queer and trans people have always been here, and adding that information to the world’s largest open access encyclopedia is one way to make sure that these stories remain available.”

Image: Landa Lakes, SF-based Indigenous drag queen/Facebook

A once-forgotten 1970 queer film, The Meatrack, has returned to the screen after a partial print was rescued from the trash. The film was directed by Mike Thomas, who ran several local theaters at the time — including the Presidio Theater and North Beach Movie. Often described as a San Francisco take on Midnight Cowboy, the gritty feature follows a bisexual hustler navigating life and love in the city’s underground scene.

Restored by Vinegar Syndrome and distributed by Muscle Distribution, the film captures long-gone landmarks like the Tom Kat Theatre and features local drag legends such as Vicki Marlane. — SFGate

Amy Tan finds truth and solace in birdwatching and journaling

Bay Area native and acclaimed author Amy Tan began nature journaling in 2016 to cope with the stress brought on by escalating social and political tensions. Watching and drawing backyard birds, she discovered profound mysteries and connections in the natural world, inspiring both her art and writing.

Her observations and stories are collected in The Backyard Bird Chronicles, a new book blending nature, memory, and creativity. For Tan, observing the small, intricate behaviors of birds sharpened her understanding of character and morality in fiction, while journaling became a personal act of meaning and emotional truth. — Alta Journal

Bay Area artists paid to advocate for arts community

A new initiative from Vital Arts is paying seven Bay Area artists $1,000 a month for 18 months to collect data from the arts community, host events, and advocate for housing, health care, and fair wages. Formed after the Ghost Ship fire, the nonprofit aims to center artists in policymaking. Application deadline is July 23. — KQED

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vital Arts (@vitalartsorg)

Art, beer, and community bring new life to San Jose’s Creekside

San Jose’s Creekside area is finding new life with a vibrant art corridor and spacious beer garden from a local brewery — filling the void left by Google’s scaled-back plans for the neighborhood. The installations celebrate everything from native plants and birds to San Jose’s cultural landmarks and tech heritage.

With food vendors and creative spaces nearby, the neighborhood is reaching its goal of serving as a relaxed gathering spot that blends art, nature, and neighborhood pride. — Bay Area News Group

Steelhead and salmon set to return to Alameda Creek after decades

For the past several decades, steelhead trout and Chinook salmon were blocked from their spawning grounds in Sunol’s Alameda Creek. Now, with help from a small army of biologists and a big dig to reroute a PG&E gas line, the fish are getting their creek back.

The $80 million effort — part infrastructure project, part ecological repair — is racing to finish before migration season. If all goes to plan, salmon could swim freely here for the first time since the 1970s. — Bay Area News Group

Devil’s Slide reimagined as a scenic coastal trail

Just south of SF between Pacifica and Montera, Devil’s Slide is a cliffside trail with stunning ocean views and a dramatic backstory. Once a railroad, then a stretch of Highway 1 notorious for landslides, it was finally converted into a pedestrian and bike path in 2013. The 1.3-mile trail now offers views of whales, dolphins, seals, and nesting seabirds, plus WWII-era bunkers perched above the sea.

Note: As fate would have it, this blurb was written prior to reading about the two recent incidents that occurred in the Devil’s Slide area on Thursday. Enter at your own risk — it is called Devil’s Slide after all. — Secret San Francisco

Pop star Miist finds her voice in Marin

Early in the pandemic, Tiburon resident Miist decided to give songwriting a try when she picked up learning the piano to accompany her soprano singing voice — after persistent nudging from her husband who saw her innate talent. Before she knew it, she was collaborating with Grammy-winning producer Narada Michael Walden, landing Billboard-charting singles, and starring in music videos with millions of views.

Now, with her husband as her full-time manager, she’s using her platform to launch a global kindness movement through music, a podcast, and a new nonprofit dedicated to empathy and connection. — Marin Independent Journal

A taste of Senegal at Embarcadero

Nafy Flatley’s Teranga brings the warmth of Senegalese hospitality to San Francisco’s Embarcadero Center, offering hearty dishes and vibrant drinks inspired by her heritage. What began as a college project blossomed into a thriving restaurant, overcoming early hurdles and pandemic challenges.

With support from SF’s Vacant to Vibrant program, Teranga secured a prime downtown location and continues to grow its loyal customer base. Despite rising import costs and fluctuating foot traffic, Flatley remains optimistic and inspires others to chase their dreams with courage and passion. — The Frisc

Top image: Frameline Film Festival

Previously: Field Notes: Pupusas in the Tenderloin, Trans Quilts, a Band of Librarians, and Award-Winning Beans

It's about time, and maybe it's just a sign of the times that the very queer-friendly and fluid younger generation demands such spaces everywhere, but Outside Lands will, for the first time in its history, feature a queer dance space this year hosted by Hard French, Oasis, and FAKE and GAY.

Today's the day that all the set times were released for Outside Lands 2023 — you can see them here or on the Outside Lands app. And yes, Janelle Monae's set partly conflicts with WILLOW's, and on Sunday you will have to choose between ODESZA and The 1975.

But an intriguing new venue appears on the schedule this year, and it's called Dolores' — I guess in a nod to that other park? It's located on the Polo Field opposite the main Lands End stage, in the corner where there's been a Heineken-sponsored stage in the past. (This year, Heineken Silver is sponsoring a beer garden nearby.)

Organizers of the fest say it's a "new open-air dance space," and each day it's being hosted by a different local LGBTQ club. Dolores' will be "celebrating the queer and trans communities and the DIY spaces so vital to San Francisco nightlife!", the organizers say, and the lineups are curated by FAKE and GAY (Friday), Oasis (Saturday), and Hard French (Sunday), featuring artists, DJs and drag performances.

Among the highlights scheduled at Dolores' will be Latina pop twins Nina Sky doing a DJ set at 3 p.m. Friday; FAKE and GAY DJ Beverly Chills at 7:30 p.m. Friday; Oasis's Reparations drag show on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.; Rupaul queen Adore Delano headlining a Princess drag show starting at 6:15 on Saturday; and the Hard French crew featuring Brown Amy, CarrieOnDisco, and Oscar on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Separate, dedicated dance spaces have generally been very in-demand at Outside Lands — the SOMA dance tent was only added in 2021 and was immediately jam-packed most days at the last two festivals, leading to a long line to get in.

Having a second dance space, this one open-air and queer-focused, is a smart move, and no doubt Dolores' will attract a line to get in as well.

The programming at Dolores' ends early each day in deference to the main-stage act — the latest set is Beverly Chills on Friday, who will end her DJ set at 8:30 p.m. And it's likely you'll need to commit early and stay put if you want to see those drag shows on Saturday, given it will be limited capacity in there.

Other changes to the festival map this year includes the combining of the former GastroMagic stage with the Cocktail Magic area — it's all just called Cocktail Magic, and it will be located over near the main entrance gate. Also over there will be the new GA+ bathroom/lounge area — this year's ticket tiers included this extra tier of not-quite-VIP.

The Wine Lands tent will move this year to the wooded area where Cocktail Magic typically has been stationed. See this year's festival map here, and below.

Top image: @sadgayboi/FAKE and GAY

San Francisco State just welcomed back the first gay fraternity on campus in almost a quarter of a century. The fraternity, Delta Lambda Phi, is a national organization founded by gay men in 1987, but has not had a chapter at SF State since 1992.

“Essentially our goal is to create a brotherhood like all the other fraternities, but we really feel like creating a home for the large queer male population at SF State,” Kyle Mears, president of Delta Lambda Phi, told the Golden Gate Xpress.

The new chapter became official in December, and its members spoke with the paper about their intentions on the campus of almost 30,000 students.

“We're kind of redefining Greek life in a way,” one member of the fraternity, Austin Farley, explained. “We’re just a group of diverse queer people standing at a table willing to welcome anybody. For those people who can't go out and experience queer life in San Francisco, it’s really important for them to feel welcomed and at home at SF State," he added.

And while Delta Lambda Phi is definitely a gay frat, students don't need to be queer to join — Xpress reports that the only qualifier is that the pledge must identify as male.

The fraternity was founded in 1987 by Vernon L. Strickland III in Washington DC, and the first pledge party drew 150 people.

Related: Cleve Jones: We Have To Preserve Gayborhoods Because They Save Lives

Over the weekend, a smattering of gays held a protest in front of Foreign Cinema to rally against the loss of LGBT spaces (read: bars, clubs) in San Francisco — specifically in South of Market. According to the group of protesters, someone affiliated with FC was involved with obtaining the Eagle from a group of gay business owners just before the contract was signed. And can you blame them? The venue is ideal and Foreign Cinema knows how to draw a crowd. Can you blame then? Anyway, it got us wondering: what are some of best, albeit dwindling, queer venues left in SoMa?

After all, SoMa used to be a hotbed of bathhouses, leather, and lube. Sure, a few ramaining area bars tip their hats to the days of yore. Kok hasn't lived up to expectations. The bar, formerly Chaps II, seemed just to have a name change, rebrand as it were, but changed nothing else and did little or no promotion outside of Gloss Magazine. They hoped the gays would come en masse, but that has not happened. (Instead of trying to block straight dudes from purchasing retail spaces — where would the gays get their beer! — we could work on making the few spaces we have better?) Same could be said for nearby Raven, a more upscale joint that we actually dig, though it could use a thicker crowd.

And with that, let's go down the list of the top 5 remaining gay venues in SoMa.

5. Blow Buddies
If you fancy anonymous fellatio and don't wear cologne, by golly this is the place for you. We're sticking it on the list since it's one of only two (?) remaining sex clubs in SoMa. And from what we're told, the place is big on large penises but not cool with gays who sport eau de toilette. (The latter infraction could get you banned for the night. Leave the Tom Ford Tuscan Leather at home.)

4. The Stud
Oh daisy, we haven't been to the Stud in eons. But from what our colleagues tell us, it's still just as crowded and crazy, at least on some weekends. Some Thing has taken the place of iconic club night Trannyshack. You can quench your high-concept drag appetite on Fridays.

3. Lone Star
Ah, Lone Star. A smashing watering hole with a private bathroom and a beautifully license plate-adorned patio space. The Harrison Street bar has taken up a lot of the Eagle slack, and their backyard is kind of nice, though not as nice as the Eagle's. They do Sunday beer busts with cheap pitchers, so it's a must for those who pine for the lazy, hazy days of joint-smoking and suds-swilling. (It's also one of those "ripe pit" places that straight-acting and -appearing gays seems to love so much. If free floating B.O. is your thing, the Lone Star on a Sunday is a sure thing.)

2. Beatbox
Beatbox is predominantly gay and new. It's a dance club, so that's nice. It also boats a gorgeous mural outside. That's also nice. A nice drop of gay on a street (11th) next to DNA Lounge, Bar Agricole, and your newly favorite babbling homeless guy.

1. Powerhouse
Affectionately nicknamed the Powerblouse by your editor, the little bar that could on Folsom maintains a hardcore gay vibe with—what else?—screenings of hardcore gay porn on the TV screens. But make no mistake, fellas. This isn't just about sex. Everyone from doctors to coked-out twinks and Walnut Creek lawyers to tipsy otters call this place their home away from home. Top-notch DJs, cheep drinks, and a mellow vibe (depending on the night, that is) pair well with a seedy smoking area in the back, which, really, should be tagged by the San Francisco Historical Preservation Society. It's that noteworthy, folks. SoMa doesn't get anymore SoMa-ier than the Powerhouse.

Honorable mention: Hole in the Wall

In a continuing tactic used against anyone who goes against the religious right's attempts to harm and degrade the queer community -- which involves intentionally abusing the term "beliefs" -- they recently used Godwin's Law to slam the SF Board of Supervisors for condemning the Vatican's policy on same-sex adoptions. (Because the Vatican has absolutely no history of questionable sympathy for the Third Reich.) Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Law Center for Hate, used the term to describe the Board of Supes.

It is not a stretch to compare the San Francisco board's actions to that of the Nazi Germany policy of Gleichschaltung, vilifying Jews as an auxiliary to and laying the groundwork for more repressive policies, including the final solution of extermination.

Yeah. Nice try. But no.

Our favorite part of the article, however, was the image used to accompany to the story on SFGate. Through it has since been removed, Greg Dewar grabbed it for us so that we could share it with you. This image of Chinese American supes, at right, was a bizarre choice when posting an article blaring a headline about them being called Nazis. Communists? Sure, because that's funny. But Nazis? Well, that's downright strange.

Some sad news, folks. Lesbian rights activist Del Martin -- who married her wife Phyllis Lyon at City Hall this past June on the first day that same-sex couples gained the right -- died this morning at a San Francisco hospital. She as 87. (Read more about her legacy and recent passing here.)

Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, if you recall, were the first queer couple to get married at City Hall. Mayor Gavin Newsom officiated the ceremony. Martin founded the Daughters of Bilitis, the country's first lesbian advocacy group, back in 1955. 1955, people!

(Oh, and one way to honor Martin's tireless work and lasting activism would be to Stop8.org to find out how you too can stop the ban on same-sex marriage.)

Image: Del and Phyllis back then.

Taken by Jim Herd at Saturday's Pink Triangle party (always celebrated the day before Queer Pride Parade), a "newly sober" Mayor Gavin Newsom rips into a bottle of bubbly. How adorable!

Also, he might be packing heat. That is to say, his penis might be large. What say you?

Heads have been exploding throughout California ever since this morning's delightful news about same-sex marriage was announced. City Attorney Dennis Herrera, in particular, is beaming--at least according to a press released sent out an hour after the ruling was announced.

"I am profoundly grateful, not only for a decision that will end marriage discrimination for gay and lesbian partners in California, but for the Court's eloquence in stating its conclusion," said Herrera. "Our democratic system was founded on the notion that the courts should not be swayed by public opinion when it comes to protecting our most cherished rights. I'm proud that our state's highest court has taken its role seriously. Today's majority has affirmed our Constitution's promise of equality for millions of Californians and their families."

But are there Bay Area folk who--gasp!--oppose today's ruling? SFist is thrilled that the gays might be able to love legally. But even we have a smattering of die-hard liberal friends and associates who secretly loathe gay marriage (and you know who you are.) For the sake of fair-and-balanced coverage, readers, are there any folks out there who cannot stand the thought of attending a tasteful yet lavish wedding ceremony for Adam and Steve? Can you tell us why? Let us know in the comments section.

Your secret will be safe with us.

(For Herrera 's full press release, follow the jump.)

Gay mafia don, Marke B., has word that the Powerblouse (TM 71Miles) is hosting a prom night for all of you homosexuals who weren't able to attend your senior prom. The theme is "Leather & Lace." Steamy.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, we should mention, are hosting this night under to remember. Proceeds from the night go to raise funds to fight the proposed butterfly-killing spray that will soon blanket San Francisco, or whatever it is that people are currently wringing their hands hysterically.

Anyway, it will be a fun night of getting dolled up, getting smashed, and avoiding/trespassing the Powerhouse's notorious back room. Dress to the nines and strap on your boot flasks, kids. See you at the prom.

What: Queer Prom
Where: Powerhouse
When: Saturday, April 19
Time: 9 p.m.