San Francisco, CA
Incarcerated people forced to wait for trials as San Francisco backlog balloons
Greater than two years because the begin of the Covid-19 pandemic, practically 1 / 4 of incarcerated individuals awaiting their day in courtroom in San Francisco county are being held past their authentic trial deadlines, with some people ready for years for his or her circumstances to be heard.
In June 2020, within the early months of the pandemic, 68 individuals have been incarcerated within the county previous their authentic trial deadlines, in line with information from the general public defender. By January 2022, the most recent information accessible, that quantity had grown to almost 250. Lots of extra are awaiting trial out of custody.
California state legislation stipulates that these accused of crimes are entitled to a speedy trial – 30 to 60 days following their arraignment, relying on the character of the crime. However backlogs within the courtroom system, made worse by the pandemic, have obliterated these deadlines, typically at important value to the psychological well being and wellbeing of these imprisoned, and their family members.
The issue within the county grew to become so extreme that Mano Raju, the San Francisco public defender, filed a lawsuit in September 2021 alleging the town’s superior courtroom is violating individuals’s constitutional proper to a speedy trial.
“These aren’t even individuals who have been convicted of against the law,” Raju stated. “They’re simply awaiting their day in courtroom.”
This disproportionately impacts communities of coloration. Although Black residents comprise 6% of San Francisco’s complete inhabitants, they make up about 45% of the county jail inhabitants.
“Our shoppers are largely poor and from communities of coloration, so when their rights are trampled there isn’t at all times the outcry there could be if this was occurring to individuals from one other group,” stated Raju.
Robert Brewer stated the lengthy wait confirmed the legal justice system’s unfairness. It has taken a toll on his well being and put his life on maintain.
“You’re purported to be harmless till confirmed responsible, however you’re handled as for those who’ve already been sentenced,” he stated.
Brewer was discovered not responsible of a murder cost in Could 2021 following a trial, after being held for greater than 5 months previous his authentic trial date. However since his launch, the expertise of incarceration has continued to have an effect on his psychological well being.
“Being launched will not be as joyful as you would possibly count on,” Brewer stated. “You come out of this gap with little or no human contact. You make it out, however you permit an enormous piece of your self in jail.”
In his lawsuit, Raju factors to the lingering results of case backlogs on people’ psychological well being and the county jail’s remedy of incarcerated individuals throughout Covid-19 lockdowns to argue the courtroom ought to do extra to deal with the backlogs. Some individuals who have been incarcerated informed the Guardian they have been allowed out of their cells for lower than an hour a day throughout outbreaks of the virus.
Brewer stated he was solely allowed to bathe each two to 3 days earlier than returning to his cell, after a cellmate contracted Covid. Solitary confinement and social isolation have been strongly linked to unfavorable impacts on psychological well being, together with a heightened danger of suicide.
The San Francisco sheriff’s division, which manages the jail, stated it adopted practices beneficial by well being officers in conserving custody officers and jail residents protected. The division acknowledged incarcerated individuals have been typically held of their cells for upwards of 23 hours a day, citing a wide range of causes similar to “social distancing protocols, quarantine protocols, isolation protocols, disciplinary motion, administrative segregation, and staffing shortages”.
Raju stated: “Solitary-like circumstances imply you’ll be able to’t depart a cell, typically one the place you’ll be able to attain out your arms and contact the partitions, for multiple hour per day. This could have a robust psychological influence.”
Kwixuan Maloof, a San Francisco deputy public defender, says {that a} trial deadline can function a supply of stability and encourages individuals to withstand the temptation to simply accept a plea discount, which regularly includes pleading responsible and avoiding a trial in trade for the potential for extra lenient sentencing or a cost being downgraded.
However with out that assure, the stress to simply accept a discount goes up, even for individuals who consider they’ve a robust likelihood of being exonerated in courtroom. “It’s very irritating for me, and ten instances extra so for my shoppers, after they ask me when their trial goes to begin and all I can say is ‘I don’t know,’” stated Maloof. “In these circumstances, it turns into very simple to say: ‘You understand what, I’m accomplished. I’m going to take no matter deal they provide me.’”
‘I can hear the sunshine leaving my son’
Previous to the pandemic, courtroom backlogs have been removed from extraordinary within the US. However an August 2021 research by the Thomson Reuters Institute discovered that the pandemic had considerably elevated such backlogs nationwide, as trials have been indefinitely delayed throughout surges of the virus and courts struggled to adapt to digital operations.
In line with the judicial council of California, the clearance fee for legal trials statewide has dropped by round 20% in the course of the pandemic. As restrictions begin to ease, success at assuaging the backlogs has been blended as totally different municipalities experiment with various approaches.
Matt Malone, a public data officer with the Contra Costa county superior courtroom, stated that via numerous initiatives, the courtroom had introduced its case backlog from 104 in March 2021 to 51 in March 2022. If not for the suspension of jury trials in the course of the Omicron surge, Malone notes, the backlog would in all probability have been even decrease.
Malone added the county had taken steps to adapt to social distancing necessities, similar to ensuring distant capabilities have been “tremendously expanded”, staggering jury calls, and putting in air filtration methods in courtrooms.
Rose Marie Sims, a plaintiff within the authorized motion filed by Raju in opposition to the San Francisco superior courtroom, stated her son Christopher had been incarcerated for over two years and nonetheless had not acquired a trial.
“I can’t consider that is America. I like this nation, however the judicial system appears to have misplaced its thoughts,” stated Sims. “How do you retain somebody locked up like that with out giving them their trial? Each time I speak with my son on the cellphone, I can hear the sunshine leaving him.”
Sims stated her son had misplaced his fiancee and job and would want to begin over.
“He’s misplaced every thing,” she stated. “It’s traumatizing as a father or mother.”
The general public defender’s workplace, in addition to the San Francisco district lawyer, have known as on the San Francisco superior courtroom to make extra rooms accessible for legal trials within the civic middle courthouse.
In February of this yr, Raju filed a petition within the California courts of attraction asking that the San Francisco courtroom be pressured to take steps to prioritize legal trials. The Contra Costa county superior courtroom, the place Raju filed his authentic lawsuit in September, had concluded it didn’t have authority over the San Francisco superior courtroom.
A spokesperson for San Francisco superior courtroom stated the courtroom was dedicated to justice and “processing all circumstances as expeditiously as potential underneath the troublesome circumstances offered by the pandemic.”
However Raju disagrees and stated extra wanted to be accomplished to course of circumstances swiftly.
“How lengthy it should take to deal with the backlog is determined by what the courtroom is keen to do,” he stated. “There’s a lack of urgency.”
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SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The Giants are inviting all fans and friends of the late, great Willie Mays to a public celebration of life.
It will be held on Monday, July 8 at 4 p.m. at Oracle Park.
Admission is free and no registration is required.
Fans pay tribute to Willie Mays at San Francisco’s Oracle Park
Fans will enter through the Willie Mays Plaza gates on 3rd and King.
The Giants legend died on June 18 at the age of 93.
Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.
By David Landis, The Gay Gourmet–
First off, it’s great to be back writing this column, with a new bionic knee, no less. Thanks to all the loyal readers who have sent notes of concern and support. The good news is that I’m back in the saddle, doing great, and well on the way to recovery.
Now, to the matter at hand! There’s a lot of talk about Pride this month. But what does Pride really mean? I’m of the opinion, in the spirit of Harvey Milk (who said everyone should come out), that Pride means showing up.
Showing up can express itself in a thousand ways. For me, I’m proud that during my short time on this planet, I’ve: held the hands of dear friends who were dying of AIDS, while I was still in my twenties; been the first to dance at my employer (KPIX TV)’s holiday party in the 1980s with my boyfriend (now husband); delivered thousands of meals over 11 years to people with terminal diseases through Project Open Hand; helped start television’s first AIDS education series on national TV, inviting Elizabeth Taylor to get involved in the cause for the first time (and winning a Peabody award); boldly celebrated my 10th anniversary with my husband in a redneck town in Montana where everyone sang to us in front of the locals; helped a popular on-air anchor come out when you didn’t know if you’d lose your job; joined the throngs of newlyweds at City Hall to get married when Gavin Newsom made same-sex marriage legal; supported ZATA, an organization that helps people with AIDS in Zimbabwe; purposely called my partner “husband” (even though sometimes he cringes), especially in front of those who might call us something else; honored our local and out-of-town drag performers by turning up at just about any drag show I could possibly attend; brought thousands of out-of-towners and locals to AsiaSF to help expose them to what transgender means; gathered openly at that great bar, 440 Castro, with my gay brothers, sisters, and others, to watch the passing parade on Castro Street; and started this column, proudly calling myself “The Gay Gourmet.”
But, like many of you, I’ve only just begun. There is so much more to do. With each day that passes, I fear that, unless we continue the fight, we will lose all the rights and privileges we’ve gained during our lifetimes.
Back to the point. I guess Pride means doing whatever you can do to help celebrate our community in whatever way you can. To that end, I’m proud that our diverse and celebrated restaurant community has joined the month-long observance. Here are just a few ways that they—and you—can continue to exhibit Pride.
Sizzle, San Francisco’s Dinner Drag Show to Kickoff SF Pride Weekend: One Market Restaurant and famed SF Drag Queen Bobby Friday present SIZZLE: San Francisco’s only dinner drag show to kickoff SF Pride Weekend 2024 on Thursday, June 27. Experience eye-popping performances paired with an indulgent 4-course dinner from Chef Mark Dommen, for an unforgettable evening of glamour and entertainment. The dinner is a benefit for LYRIC—a San Francisco LGBTQ+ youth organization.
The Al Hirschfeld Foundation celebrates Pride Month with its latest online exhibition, Hirschfeld’s Drag Show, now live through August 15. The special guest curator for the exhibition is Tony-nominated playwright, actor, director, novelist, and drag legend, Charles Busch. The new exhibition celebrates some of the greatest drag performances of stage and screen, as seen through the eyes of legendary artist Al Hirschfeld. Charles Busch offers his commentary on Hirschfeld art depicting scenes from Broadway and Off-Broadway theater, and film, including Hairspray, Some Like It Hot, Victor/Victoria, Charlie’s Aunt, Tootsie, and Peter Pan, and artists including Julie Andrews, Mary Martin, Harvey Fierstein, Charles Ludlam, José Ferrer, Katharine Hepburn, Raquel Welch, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Dustin Hoffman, BD Wong, Tony Roberts, Robert Morse, and more.
The Madrigal features 3 Pride cocktails inspired by the Beacon of Light, San Francisco’s rainbow light installation that beams with equality and community. These include: Clone Canyon, with gin, pineapple, hibiscus shrub, lime, cilantro, firewater, grapefruit soda, and a pink glowing ice cube; The Ensemble, with Ketel One vodka, pea flower, vanilla, lime, egg white, and club soda; and Mayclem’s Whey, with light rum, Zacapa 23, lemon, orange, pineapple, coriander, cinnamon, green tea, and milk whey.
San Francisco Pride month is in full swing at the Ferry Building. Indulge in Humphry Slocombe’s “Make It Gay” sundae, featuring two scoops of Tahitian vanilla ice cream, house-made pink marshmallow fluff, and Fruit Loops. Savor Acme Bread Company’s “Rainbow Sandwich” all month long with roasted eggplant, house-made romesco, basil, and spicy giardiniera on its Pizza Bianca.
Early To Rise is offering a special “Glitter Doughnut” during the month.
Alora on the Embarcadero is donating proceeds to LYRIC from the sales of its Pride cocktail, “Rosé All Day” and its Pride dessert, “Farmers’ Market Berries.”
Above It All Pride Parade Viewing Party: Join Charmaine’s at The San Francisco Proper Hotel on Sunday, June 30, for a fabulous day filled with celebration, music, and fun. Get ready to watch the vibrant Pride Parade from a prime rooftop spot on Market Street, while enjoying crafted cocktails and delicious bites.
On June 30, The Phoenix Hotel’s iconic Mighty Real Pride Sunday is one of the hottest and most sought-after celebrations in the city. Back this year for another day party by the pool, the event features popping DJ artists, flowing drinks, and Pride vibes galore. Artists include David Harness, Evelyn “Champagne” King, and Tedd Patterson. This event will sell out, so it is highly encouraged to snag a ticket while you can.
Barrio in Ghirardelli Square is celebrating Pride month with a special “Rainbow Margarita,” where a portion of proceeds are donated to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. This upgraded signature margarita features a blend of blue curaçao, cherry, and pineapple juice.
The new Beacon Grand Hotel at Union Square (formerly the Sir Francis Drake Hotel) unveiled a 3,000-square-foot Pride flag down the side of its building in celebration of Pride month. Throughout the month, the historic property will offer a special room package and cocktail in support of SF Pride. Available at the hotel’s bar and restaurant, The Post Room, the “Simply Complicated” cocktail will be served with an oversized Pride cookie from local gay-owned Hot Cookie, and a portion of proceeds will directly support SF Pride. Inspired by a chocolate-dipped strawberry, the “Simply
Complicated” cocktail is made with Pasote Tequila, spiced agave, fresh strawberry purée, and basil.
Starlite, the rooftop bar at the Beacon Grand Hotel, is also honoring LGBTQ+ Pride. Through the end of June, Starlite will be offering the “Little Red Dress,” a delicate cocktail of vodka, blood orange, Meyer lemon, and sparkling wine shaken and served in a coupetini glass with a touch of sparkle. 25% of each cocktail will be donated to Rainbow Honor Walk, the walk of fame installation in the Castro that honors notable LGBTQ+ individuals from around the world who left a lasting mark on society.
The Downtown SF Partnership is producing the return of Drag Me Downtown, a weekly series of pop-up drag performances featuring some of the biggest names in San Francisco drag, every Thursday in June. Performers at this year’s event include Afrika America, Oliver Branch, Tito Soto, Amoura Teese, Tyson Check-in, Kipper Snacks, Mahlae Balenciaga, and Carnie Asada. There will also be two Queer History Bus Tours and a sing-along before the final Drag Me Downtown performance on June 27 from 1–2:30 pm and 3:30–5 pm. Legendary drag queen Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will lead the tour and show attendees the hidden LGBTQ+ past of downtown San Francisco while cruising past lesser-known queer landmarks and singing along to classic pride anthems before the final drag show in the series.
In honor of Pride month, Gentleman Farmer Wines has created a Pride-themed 2021 Red Blend (mostly Merlot) and is donating 5% of the proceeds of the wine to the It Gets Better Project and 5% to LGBTQ Connection.
Ginger’s, San Francisco’s only Financial District LGBTQ+ bar, is reopening June 28, just in time for Pride. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, “Ginger’s will reopen in its home since 2017 at 86 Hardie Place. An opening celebration will include a blessing from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence drag group and a party hosted by Bay Area drag performers Miss Shugana and Madd-Dogg, with special guests Kylie Minono, MGM Grande, Laundra Tyme, and Helixir Jynder Byntwell.”
Kokak Chocolates: This queer-owned Castro chocolatier is offering several Pride specials, including: the Kokak Pride Combo: “Love is chocolate” organic t-shirt and the “Kokak Pride 2024 chocolate collection” (customers can use the code SFBAY15 at checkout to enjoy a discount for the combo). In addition, Kokak has a special Castro Pride chocolate collection with artisanal Pride designs for sale.
Bouchon Bakery, Yountville: Celebrate Pride with Bouchon Bakery’s “Rainbow Cake.” This deliciousness is six layers of almond cake, filled with alternating apricot and raspberry jams, and topped with a dark chocolate glaze and shimmering luster dust. Slices are available for the month of June. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Hetrick Martin Institute to support LGBTQ+ youth.
Pride lasts all month long at St. Helena’s Clif Family Winery. Enjoy a “Rainbow Sprinkle Sugar Cookie” from the Clif Family Bruschetteria Food Truck, where 100% of the proceeds from every cookie sold through June will be donated to LGBTQ Connection Napa. This organization is an initiative fueled by youth and other emerging leadership, and it fosters a healthier, more vibrantly diverse, and inclusive community in Napa and Sonoma counties.
Be Bubbly in Napa features its “Blush and Bubbly” dinner/drag show on June 28. Ava Lashay returns for an encore drag performance and brings her best Pride show to be bubbly. Colorful attire is encouraged.
The New Bar, San Francisco’s new nonalcoholic bar in the Marina, is popping up to support The Phoenix & The Castro Club for their “Sober Pride Party” at Hotel Yotel during the Pride Parade on June 30.
It’s not during June, but Opera Parallèle, in collaboration with The Transgender District, will help launch the first-ever statewide Transgender History Month in August with the third edition of Expansive, an enthusiastic showcase of transgender and nonbinary classical artists in two performances at 7.30 pm on Thursday, August 8, and Friday, August 9, at A.C.T.’s intimate Strand Theater.
Following Pride, Out in the Vineyard’s “Gay Wine Weekend” takes place this year at the Vintner’s Resort in Santa Rosa July 19–21. The weekend-long event is centered on LGBTQ+ community building while enjoying delicious food + wine, and benefits the local HIV/AIDS charity Face to Face.
This June, the Palace Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel in the heart of San Francisco, has planned several Pride events, including: a colorful Pride-themed afternoon tea with rainbow pastries, which benefits the SF LGBT Center; and a Pride hotel package in hotel rooms with guaranteed views of the June 30 SF Pride Parade. Guests who book this limited-time package will also receive a bottle of wine from VOON, a San Francisco based, LGBT-owned wine label focusing on low-intervention, small-production wines and a whimsical aesthetic. The package is valid for stays from June 28–30, using booking code: LVU.
Pomella in Oakland is once again offering its yearly tradition of house-made Pride Rainbow Cookies.
They’re only $8 for a four-pack, you can order online—and oh, they’re so yummy!
Summer Bar & Lounge in Oakland hosts a “Know Your Status” party beginning at 9 pm on June 29. In partnership with Sutter Health, they’re offering free HIV testing and same day Prep, all with free cover.
Launched in 2021, Suncliffe is a botanical gin company founded by business and life partners Ryan Lawrence and Thomas Giddings, in partnership with their Brooklyn-based friend, Clare Byrne. Together, the creative trio have crafted an aromatic gin that utilizes three local junipers, foraged in the high desert of Sedona. Suncliffe’s “Arizona Botanical” signature gin is perfect for mixing or sipping. 10% of Suncliffe sales during June—from online, retail, and restaurant accounts—will go to the ACLU’s LGBTQ rights initiative.
The Academy SF is hosting a “Pretty in Pink” garden party on June 29. According to the social club, guests can “step into a kaleidoscope of love and liberation while indulging in signature cocktails, uplifting beats, and dazzling go-go’s, all amidst a lush garden backdrop. Embrace your own shade of pink, and let your true colors shine as we come together.”
Throughout June, restaurant recommendation site The Infatuation will be partnering with LGBTQ+ and ally bakeries in San Francisco and elsewhere to make one-of-a-kind treats to celebrate Pride. The Infatuation will grant the Queer Food Foundation (QFF) a donation of $50,000 as a part of this campaign. QFF is a collective of queer individuals who work at all intersections of the food system—from food justice, culinary to community organizing, media, hospitality, and more. San Francisco bakeries (all queer-owned or outspoken allies!) selling a bake sale-exclusive Pride-themed treat include: Kokak Chocolates, Chadwick’s, and Dynamo Donut and Coffee.
Nob Hill’s The Summer Place is featuring several Pride-themed cocktails during June. The special drinks include the San Francisco, a frozen drink with Astral tequila, hibiscus, cucumber, rose water, and sparkling rosé; the Key West, with Tito’s vodka, elderflower, dolin blanc, citrus, sparkling wine, and mint; and the Provincetown, with Botanist gin, creme de violet, citrus, and maraschino liqueur. All drinks are created to represent three proud cities, which have a large presence that supports the LGBTQ+ community.
And finally, 13-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani has teamed up with long-time San Francisco drag queen (and my fellow San Francisco Bay Times columnist) Donna Sachet to create limited-edition Rainbow Bagels to celebrate Pride month. Baked daily, the technicolored bagels will be available at Tony’s Dago Bagel in North Beach and for delivery via DoorDash Thursday through Sunday throughout the month of June. Bagels are plain or patrons can order it “Sachet Style,” which comes toasted and topped with sweet confetti cream cheese. All proceeds from the bagels will benefit the Rainbow Honor Walk, which is supported by Donna.
One Market Restaurant:
https://onemarket.com/
The Al Hirschfeld Foundation:
https://bit.ly/3zshiA7
The Madrigal:
https://www.themadrigalsf.com/
The Ferry Building, San Francisco:
https://bit.ly/3XG3mgg
Humphry Slocombe:
https://humphryslocombe.com/
Acme Bread Company:
https://acmebread.com/
Early To Rise:
https://www.earlytorisesf.com/
Alora:
https://visitalora.com/
Charmaine’s:
https://tinyurl.com/yuhwaejm
The Phoenix Hotel:
https://bit.ly/4cBwNEd
Barrio:
https://www.barriosf.com/
The Beacon Grand Hotel:
https://www.beacongrand.com/
Drag Me Downtown:
https://bit.ly/4eGmj8k
Gentleman Farmer Wines:
https://gentlemanfarmerwines.com/
Ginger’s:
https://www.gingers.bar/
Kokak Chocolates:
https://www.kokakchocolates.com/
Bouchon Bakery:
https://bit.ly/3RIVfvt
Clif Family Winery:
https://www.cliffamily.com/
Be Bubbly:
https://www.bebubblynapa.com/
The New Bar:
https://thenewbar.com/
Opera Parallele:
https://operaparallele.org/
Out in the Vineyard, Gay Wine Weekend:
https://tinyurl.com/3dhcmc8z
The Palace Hotel:
https://tinyurl.com/2xmvw8tn
Pomella:
https://www.pomellaoakland.com/
Summer Bar & Lounge:
https://www.thebarsummer.com/
Starlite:
https://tinyurl.com/w7w2vhjv
Suncliffe Gin:
https://www.suncliffegin.com/
The Academy San Francisco:
https://www.academy-sf.com/
The Infatuation:
https://bit.ly/4eDovgY
The Summer Place:
https://thesummerplacesf.com/
Dago Bagel:
https://dagobagel.com/
440 Castro:
http://www.the440.com/
David Landis, aka “The Gay Gourmet,” is a foodie, a freelance writer, and a retired PR maven. Follow him on Instagram @GayGourmetSF or email him at: davidlandissf@gmail.com Or visit him online at: www.gaygourmetsf.com
The Gay Gourmet
Published on June 27, 2024
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