The fashion of Mr. David Couture and the fashion icon Juanita MORE! will hold a free fundraiser for LYRIC this Friday at SF’s Saks Fifth Avenue, as Juanita has now raised a staggering $1 million for local charities over the last 30 years.
Very few individual San Franciscans’ names are more synonymous with SF Pride than that of local drag legend and former Empress of San Francisco, Juanita MORE!. The famed Juanita MORE! Pride Party is now celebrating its 20th year, and this year will be on Sunday, June 30 at 620 Jones. She also co-founded the People's March and Rally, a social justice alternative to the highly commodified Pride Parade, though this year's fifth annual People's March and Rally has been moved to the Sunday before the parade (June 23).
What has gotten less attention is that Juanita MORE! has now raised more than $1 million for local charities over the last 30 years. And she’ll add a few more dollars to that total at this Friday’s Saks Fifth Avenue and Juanita MORE! Celebrate Pride Month event from 5-7 pm at Saks Fifth Avenue (384 Post Street).
Admission is free, and there will be a fashion exhibit by Mr. David Couture. There’s also a "Beauty Contest" to win a Saks Beauty gift bag, a hosted bar by Beaux, and “lite bites” by chef Cory Armenta of MOREfood. The event is a benefit for the LGBTQQ+ youth nonprofit LYRIC.
“I know my name is all over this event with Saks Fifth Avenue, but I am thrilled to see Mr. David's fashion celebrated,” Juanita MORE! tells SFist. “For the last 31 years, Mr. David has made everything I've worn. And while making my dresses, he was making a dress for someone else. Mr. David and I spend much of each day creatively scheming new ideas and trends and executing these crazy concepts into our lives. His creativity is unlimited, and many breathtaking pieces will be on display.”
LYRIC (Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center) is Juanita’s Pride party beneficiary this year, and she’ll also be doing a benefit for them the following Saturday, June 8, at People’s Barbershop. This is the same LYRIC that’s been targeted by multiple bomb threats in the current environment of harassment of trans youth. Saks Fifth Avenue will be donating 10% of sales up to $2,500 at the event to LYRIC.
“I have an immense amount of respect for our queer elders and a responsibility to empower our queer youth,” MORE! tells us. “Our community has thrived because of the brave generations before us; those legends planted the seeds of love, compassion, strength, and resilience. My duty as a community leader is to keep those planted seeds alive. I want to keep building our future by supporting our queer youth in their quest to carry on the legacy of our queer elders.”
Juanita has plenty more up her powerblouse for Pride Month, including a Tuesday, June 18th collaboration with the restaurant Merkado for their unique 'Stories from Home' dinner gatherings.
“I'll also join Peaches Christ and Sister Roma for Pride Day with the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Saturday, June 15th,” she adds. “The drag brunch includes complimentary food and beverages, performances, and partial proceeds from each special event ticket to benefit local organizations within the LGBTQIA+ community.”
And as you know, the 20th anniversary Juanita MORE! Pride Party is the Sunday of Pride Weekend.
“Of course, you must celebrate the 20th year of my annual Pride Party,” Juanita tells SFist. “Each year, I have taken great pleasure in seeking out some of our community's most impactful organizations as beneficiaries. The community has helped raise over $1 million for local charities by supporting events I have organized over the past three decades. I cannot thank everyone enough for all your contributions over those years.”
Saks Fifth Avenue and Juanita MORE! Celebrate Pride Month is Friday, June 7 from 5-7 pm at Saks Fifth Avenue (384 Post Street). Admission is free
Image: Juanita More via Facebook
