During Pride month, our local Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, the Oakland Athletics (A’s) and the San Francisco Giants, hosted their Pride Day at their respective ballparks in celebration of LGBTQ+ visibility and equality for all marginalized peoples. Since the A’s have a foot out of the Bay Area, I thought it would be sentimental to attend the more likely than not final Pride Day for the last remaining professional sports team based in Oakland. It is very unfortunate and disappointing that, despite all the rich history as an integral part of Oakland, winning pedigree, and tremendous fan support, the A’s organization felt they needed to move to Las Vegas just like the Raiders.
Like many Bay Area baseball fans, I am thankful we will still have the Giants for years to come. So, I did a true daily double (for you Jeopardy! fans) and also partook in the Pride Day across the bridge at Oracle Park. Despite a challenging start to the 2024 season, the Giants are in strong contention for a coveted playoff spot so every game counts. The team needs our unwavering support more than ever!
Photos courtesy of John Chen
Queer community organizations displayed a unique SF Giants Pride flag at Oracle Park
Over the years, I’ve attended many professional and college baseball, football, and basketball games. In my opinion, there is a certain rarified air beaming with excitement and anticipation the moment we entered the gates on Pride Day. The sky looks clearer and bluer. The smell and sight of hot dogs entice your tastebuds like no other. Everywhere you look, there are signs, billboards, and flags offering and symbolizing positive and supportive messages of love, pride, acceptance, inclusion and equality.
On Pride Day, milling about the stands, the walkways, and the aisles, there is gay, lesbian, bisexual, straight, non-binary, trans, queer, and any and all self-identification proudly sporting a plethora of rainbow colors and expressive patterns. But beyond the differences, there’s us: a collective of human beings cheering together, clutching our pearls together, eating, drinking, and laughing together, cursing together, and most importantly, celebrating together.
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Although Pride Day 2024 at the ballpark took place last month, you can always plan ahead for 2025 or partake in the many upcoming themed or special giveaway events celebrating our multi-cultural heritage, catering to our superhero (Marvel) and childhood (Mickey Mouse) obsessions, and honoring true heroes such as those serving in the military, those who protect us (police officers and firefighters), and those who nurture and care for us (teachers and nurses). And just maybe, in a few years, another MLB team will want to call Oakland or even San Jose home. Then, we will once again have two Pride Days at the ballpark.
Oakland A’s Glenn Burke Pride Day
At the entry gate, we received an authentic Oakland A’s Pride Jersey and a rainbow belt fanny pack. Although they were a tad tight and nearly cut off our life-supporting blood flow, the jerseys we received were proudly worn throughout the unfortunate losing effort from the home team. It was a relief to see a handful of fans also nearly popping a few jersey buttons as they breathed out. We are not alone!
The A’s honored and paid tribute to one of their own, Glenn Burke, a former player in the late 70s who was the first professional baseball player to come out, but only after he retired. Burke was famously credited with the invention of the high five with teammate Dusty Baker in 1977 when he was a Los Angeles Dodger. After being traded to the A’s, unfortunately, at the time, the team and its management did little to welcome and support a player who was known to be gay. In fact, the A’s leadership systematically discriminated against Burke until he retired at the young age of 27 due to emotional and psychological stress. One of the most memorable quotes from Burke was, “They can’t ever say now a gay man can’t play in the majors, because I am gay, and I made it.”
Oakland A’s fans cheered a good defensive play during Pride Day
Burke continued to compete in different sports as an amateur after his retirement and was a proud member of the San Francisco Gay Softball League (SFGSL) for many years. In 2013, Burke was inducted as one of the first members into the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame.
After the tribute, the Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus sang harmoniously both the Canadian (because the A’s opponent was the Toronto Blue Jays) and the American
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Anthems. Then, it was time to play ball!
San Francisco Giants Pride Day
Upon entering the gate, we received a Giants long-sleeved Pride Hoodie, which was even tighter than the A’s Pride Jersey, if that’s even possible. The mostly rainbow-wearing and supporting crowd of 40,000+ buzzed with excitement in celebrating the city’s tireless trailblazing and championing efforts on LGBTQ+ issues, rights, and equality. We sat with members of SFGSL who were not just invested in the festivities but are also die-hard Giants fans.
Giants Pride Day began with a historical video montage on the Jumbotron of San Francisco and the LGBTQ+ community, followed by representatives of various queer community groups carrying and displaying a giant Giants LGBTQ+ flag on the field honoring the fight for acceptance, inclusion, love, and equality.
Then, in celebrating the 20th year anniversary of the monumental decision by then Mayor Gavin Newsom to issue gay marriage licenses in the City of San Francisco, eight LGBTQ+ couples either renewed their vows or actually got married for the first time next to home plate. The pre-game Pride celebration ended with Jason Brock, an X Factor finalist, belting out the national anthem putting extra emphasis on the word “proudly.” After a standing ovation, it was time to play ball!
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We had a great time at both games. Standing tall and proud. Cheering extra loudly and booing with added gusto. And eating way more than we should, stretching the jersey and hoodie to their absolute limits. Although both of the home teams lost on Pride Day, my good friend Abel Reyna summed up the celebrations perfectly: “We lost the games, but won the day!”
John Chen, a UCLA alumnus and an avid sports fan, has competed as well as coached tennis, volleyball, softball, and football teams.
Daylight saving time is here, and San Francisco residents have ample opportunities to take advantage of the extended sunlight.
Here are some of the top events to check out this week in The City.
San Francisco Camerata concert (Monday)
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The San Francisco chamber orchestra comes to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church at 1111 O’Farrell St. for a night featuring violinist Eric Silberger and other Bay Area musicians. They will play “Serenade for Strings” by Antonin Dvorak and Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1.
An evening with Marc Teicholz and Eric Zivian (Monday)
Guitarist Marc Teicholz perform preludes by Frederic Chopin and Sergio Assad with help from guitarist Eric Zivian.
Marta Lindsey chats with Nancy Botkin (Tuesday)
Local park experts and San Francisco residents Marta Lindsey and Nancy Botkin will stop by Bookshop’s West Portal location to chat about “Discovering Golden Gate Park: A Local’s Guide.” Written by the pair, the 210-page book gives readers recommendations on how to best spend their days at the urban attraction.
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Author Marta Lindsey’s 210-page book “Discovering Golden Gate Park: A Local’s Guide” features contributions from walking and biking tour designer Nancy Botkin.
Courtesy Marta Lindsey
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Cindy Cohn chats with Cory Doctorow (Tuesday)
Electronic Frontier Foundation Executive Director Cindy Cohn talks with journalist Cory Doctorow about the former’s new book, “Privacy’s Defender: My Thirty-Year Fight Against Digital Surveillance.” Releasing Tuesday, the book documents three legal privacy battles that Cohn helped oversee throughout her career.
The sold-out conversation will take place at City Lights Booksellers, and it will also be broadcast on Zoom. It starts at 7 p.m.
Ukrainian Games Festival (Tuesday-Wednesday)
This two-day pop-up will bring cultural dishes, a charity auction and photo opportunities celebrating Ukrainian heritage to the Consulate General of Ukraine. Attendees will also be able to try demonstrations of upcoming games made by Ukrainian developers, such as the stock market simulation-game “Stonks-9800” and the point-and-click puzzle adventure game “Tukoni.”
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‘Moving San Francisco Lunchtime Talks’ (Wednesday)
Held by the San Francisco Arts Commission on the second Wednesday of every month through June, this event brings Muni historians, operators, riders, artists and other artists for conversations exploring the different themes of “Moving San Francisco: Views from the SFMTA Photo Archive 1903-Now.” On display at City Hall, the exhibition chronicles more than 120 years of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s history.
Guests will meet in the North Light Court of City Hall at noon, with this month’s edition centered on cable cars.
Free art workshop (Wednesday)
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts invites participants to explore lines, color and artworks’ compositions by painting miniature rocks. The workshop is inspired by “Double Horizon,” Sarah Sze’s public sculpture in the Yerba Buena Gardens.
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Yerba Buena Center for the Arts’ latest workship is inspired by “Double Horizon,” Sarah Sze’s public sculpture in the Yerba Buena Gardens.
Courtesy Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
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Participants can register online, and they will get to take their creations home. All materials will be provided for the session, which runs from 2 to 4 p.m.
‘Nintendo in Concert’ (Wednesday)
The Sixth Station Trio, a group of local San Francisco musicians, will perform musical scores from some of the Japanese game publisher’s famous franchises including “Animal Crossing,” “The Legend of Zelda” and “Super Smash Bros.” Held at Grace Cathedral, the pieces have been arranged for cello, piano and violin, with the performers sharing personal anecdotes about gaming in between songs.
‘Flourish: Art of Abundance’ (Thursday)
Root Division’s annual fundraiser will bring ready-to-buy artworks, panel discussions and other conversations to the arts organization’s Mission Street headquarters. An after party features music by DJ Umami, drinks by the Stud Bar and light bites from the Pawn Shop.
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“It’s so rare to have such a long-standing, unique partnership,” ballet director Tamara Rojo said. “It deserves to be celebrated”
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Mayor and Board of Supervisors president want voters to reform City Charter to centralize authority, make it harder to qualify ballot measures
The nets were installed in 2024 as a suicide prevention measure after advocacy from survivors like Kevin Hines, who is producing a new documentary about them
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‘The MIX Indie Games Gallery’ (Thursday-Friday)
SFMOMA is teaming up with the Media Indie Exchange to turn the museum’s Gina and Stuart Peterson White Box into a pop-up featuring game developers who focus on innovative gameplay and diverse representation with their content. The event is free with museum admission.
SFMOMA’s pop-up games gallery is located inside the Gina and Stuart Peterson White Box on the museum’s fourth floor.
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Courtesy Myleen Hollero
SFMOMA’s pop-up is located on the museum’s fourth floor. It is open on Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Luther S. Allison’s residency (Thursday-Sunday)
The singer-songwriter and guitarist will play a four-day residency at the Black Cat Jazz Supper Club. The North Carolina musician is known for blending blues and gospel music with the bebop and soul genres.
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Tickets are available online, ranging in price from $20 to $50. The supper club is located at 400 Eddy St., with early and late shows taking place.
‘Pearls of Sorrow’ (Friday)
Members of the San Francisco Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale return to Herbst Theatre for a performance that pairs 17th- and 18th-century African American and European spiritual hymns. The program features conductor Christine Brandes and countertenor Reginald Mobley.
‘Rogue Gestures/Foreign Bodies’ (Friday)
Based in San Francisco, members of the Nava Dance Theatre will perform a piece inspired by the oral histories of Indian nurses who came to the United States as a result of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act. The performance combines live music and experimental movement with bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance.
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Tickets are available online, ranging from $27.45 to $40. The 90-minute show, which starts at 8 p.m., takes place at Dance Mission Theater.
‘A View from the Throne: Gina Schock — Inside The Go-Go’s’ (Saturday)
The Haight Street Art Center will examine one of rock music’s most famous all-female bands by highlighting archival materials, posters, photography and other rare ephemera from Gina Schock, the group’s drummer and a songwriter. Displayed items incude costumes, personal letters, Schock’s drum kit and band memorabilia.
The exhibition’s opening party runs from 5 to 9 p.m. The art center is located at 215 Haight St.
San Francisco Giants Fan Fest Tour (Saturday)
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Oracle Park’s doors will open to baseball fans for an afternoon of autographs, player meet-and-greets, stadium tours and photo opportunities with the team’s three World Series trophies. The team’s spring-training game taking place that day in Arizona will also be broadcast at the stadium.
San Francisco Greek Film Festival opening night (Saturday)
The 23rd edition of the showcase will come to the Delancey Street Foundation’s Embarcadero screening room for eight days of in-person events. More than 30 films will be screened, with presentations spanning documentaries, narrative features and short narrative films.
Tickets will go on sale soon, with opening night featuring “Broken Vein” by director Yannis Economides and “Nikh or the Impossible Hope of Trying” by Savvas Stavrou. Screenings start at 6 p.m., followed by a reception.
Oscars viewing party (Sunday)
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Small Car, Big Time Tours founder Reed Kirk-Rahlmann will host the Balboa Theater’s official viewing party for this year’s Academy Awards. Guests can expect prizes and trivia throughout the broadcast, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s annual gala (Sunday)
The 17th Street nonprofit will bring its 32nd annual gala to the San Francisco Design Center Galleria. Attendees will enjoy silent and live auctions, a seated dinner, a cocktail reception and a performance by ballet performers.
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The Smuin company in the world premiere of Jennifer Archibald’s “ByCHANCE” in October 2024.
Courtesy Chris Hardy
Tickets are available online. Guests are encouraged to dress in festive cocktail attire. The event starts at 5 p.m. takes place at 101 Henry Adams St.
People came out to speak out and speak up in San Francisco on International Women’s Day.
In San Francisco, demonstrators rallied and marched through Union Square, calling for not only the protection of women’s rights, but opposition to federal actions.
“I’m out here today for women’s rights, for all human rights,” Lacey, from the East Bay, said.
For over 100 years, people have recognized March 8 as International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
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The day also marks a call to action for gender equality. This year’s message varied, with some carrying signs calling for reproductive justice, women for peace not war and no war on Iran.
“We’re here today because the Trump regime’s attack on women and women’s rights is unacceptable and we have to rise of our millions we have to encourage that rising in our millions to defeat this,” Sully with Refuse Fascism said.
Sully was one of the speakers at the rally.
“We are going to be vehemently opposing the Trump regimes attack on Iran,” she said.
Meantime, Deborah and Paige who had their own take on the day.
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“We had the idea of dressing up like suffragettes to pay homage to our foremothers who led this very brave protest movement,” Deborah said.
They came with a reminder of their own.
“We want to remind people that protest movements do work,” Deborah said.
“Particularly, now that voting is really coming under attack with the Save Act,” Paige added.
After rallying, many in the group marched, vowing to keep speaking up.
San Francisco rang in the Year of the Fire Horse with its annual Chinese New Year parade Saturday evening, with thousands of revelers cheering on hometown hero and Olympic champion Eileen Gu as its grand marshal.
The procession featured drums, dancing and floats celebrating the vibrancy of the Chinese American community in the oldest celebration of its kind outside Asia and one of the largest.
Civic leaders and performers paraded from downtown to Chinatown through popping firecrackers. Children marched wearing inflatable horses while lion dancers and martial artists waved to the crowd.
The parade was first organized in the 1860s by Chinese immigrants who came to work during the California Gold Rush and wanted to share their culture through a “favorite American tradition,” the parade, according to the event website.
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While the celebration always draws massive crowds, attendees were especially excited for Gu, who drew loud cheers.
Vanessa Chan of neighboring South San Francisco said she represents “cultural infusion.”
“She’s really wonderful. … She’s funny, sunny, and she represents positivity,” Chan said.
Gu appeared partway through the parade in a red dress, sitting in a red convertible adorned with flowers. The color is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity for the Chinese holiday.
Parade organizer Wiliam Gee said Gu was picked for the role by the middle of last year — before she competed in the 2025 Milan-Cortino Winter Games, where she won two silver medals and one gold, making her the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history.
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“The year of the horse brings a lot of new life and energy,” Gee said. “She definitely represents Chinese heritage and definitely is an icon.”
Gu has come under scrutiny for her decision to represent China in competition, and Megan Chin, also of South San Francisco, said she felt the Olympian was attacked unfairly.
“When you’re multicultural and you want to celebrate both heritages, it’s great to be happy for someone if they want to celebrate their other heritage as well,” Chin said. “I am proud of her.”
Calvin Lui, who attended with his young son, said he loved Gu’s representation of the city where she was born and raised as well as her Chinese heritage.
“That’s her identity, both countries — so she gets the best of both worlds,” Lui said.
