Watching City Hall #342, 2-12-05
Abraham, Martin, Harvey & Gavin
God truly loves me. I know this because although I knew there was going to be some kind of celebration today to commemorate the 1 year anniversary of Gavin Newsom’s decision to sanction gay marriage in San Francisco … although I knew something was happening, I didn’t know when and thought it would be plastic anyway.
I was going to forgo the shave and shower and just lay around reading old political papers and playing with my computer. But, something told me to go ahead and pretty up. When I dressed, I tossed on my key chain with the press pass attached and as an afterthought pinned a green ‘Baum for Peace’ campaign button over my heavy green sweater. I was looking as good as I look to go across 7th and grab a pint of Ancient Age.
I greeted my way through the lobby and told Reggie, the morning desk clerk that something was happening today because of the anniversary and it might be cool. That’s when I realized I was going to walk over and find out what time the thing started before I even went for the fire water. I’d had the forethought to get good and stoned on some dynamite sativa and I was OK.
Happy birthday Tandewe & Joe
Today isn’t just Lincoln’s birthday. It’s my precious granddaughter, Tandewe Nyandoro’s too. Joe Alioto’s too. And, what a day for San Francisco. As I strolled on the rolling green carpet of Alioto Plaza across from City Hall, through the dazzling sun on the day that was supposed to bring rain, I started to feel the amazing energy radiating from the entire building; all the way from the glowing gold of the Willie dome, to the broad shoulders of each wing. It was almost eery. Dozens of gay couples hurried past the bronze statue of Lincoln who sat smiling down at them in eternal approval. He approved mightily of Gavin’s birthday present. …They rushed toward the wide open doors (they had em all propped open – they never do that) … couples hurrying & smiling with flowers and … like they were hurrying to a wedding in a big church that was spreading its arms to welcome them. Into the gorgeous, massive Romanesque cathedral that rivaled St. Peter’s on this day. Sweeping into the blessed rotunda where Harvey Milk was working the crowd, spreading joy to 4,000 people at once as only the ghost of a great saint can. Then Gavin mounted the marble stairs.
Blessed just to be there, I drank it in. I took the elevator to each of the 4 floors and watched the crowd that was 4 and 5 deep at every inch of the hundreds of yards of rails. The applause and great vibes from the crowd soared to the top of the perfectly symmetrical rotunda and rebounded back into the worshippers where it was multiplied and returned yet again. … What I’m saying here is that the man got a good hand and he deserved it.
I spoke briefly with Tom Hsieh and pushed the Nobel idea again. He said that he thought that Gavin had to be nominated by a legislator from another country or something. I’d read the requirements (one of you sent them to me – I hate research) and didn’t remember that being the case. But, I mean, anyway, do ya think there’s a gay legislator out there in any other country in this big old world? I pushed the same thing at Mike Farrah who’d found a good spot against a wall with a clear view of the Gav. One of my best buddies, Mark Salomon was stading next to him with his husband, George Aluska.
Gavin talked about peace and freedom and discrimination and stuff like that. He led a chant against Bush or Mayor Bloomberg or someone, but I hardly heard him. Most people don’t know it, but I can hardly hear anything anymore. Too much rock & roll, old age. … It didn’t matter here. Mayor Newsom’s presentation has improved over his year in office. He’s learned to use the classic dithyramb mode perfected by black Southern preachers. An alternating cadence and level of volume to capture the crowd. The unifying gesture (Billy Graham always has everyone raise their bible) of a simple chant: “Shame on you! … Shame on you!!! … Shame on YOUUU!!!” the young mayor shouted. (Hitler said: “Sieg Heil! …” etc.) Working a crowd is an art. Gavin’s becoming a real artist. There are basic tried and true rules and he knows them and uses them well. I don’t think a boy as mild as Gavin is ever going to become a demagogue leading a crowd with torches, but he’s doing just fine. The mild leading the meek. I like it.
The event peaked for me when Gavin called Del Martin & Phyllis Lyon, devoted lesbian partners for over a half century to the dais. They were the first couple wed in the ‘Winter of Love’ that Newsom gifted to San Franciscans and the world last year. I stage whispered to Farrah as the crowd went wild: “That’s it! The 3 of them! That’s the combination that should be nominated for the Nobel!!!” Michael just smiled.
Odds and ends & odd ends
The cops did a good job outside and the Sheriff’s deputies (as always) were superb on their turf. I guess handling 4,000 beaming lovers is lots easier than handling a building full of caged criminals. The PD had Polk street blocked off to traffic by the time the event ended which was a great idea and there was no counter-demonstration (the local fundamentalists were busy stoning adulterers somewhere, I guess) … I was amazed and pleased to see a youngish cop in the crosswalk with a holstered police baton (Billy club) that was half as tall as him and twice as old. I used to be a firefighter and venerable equipment that is still serviceable always feels good to me.
Yeah, old things have memories, even if they’ve never had life. Mountains and buildings and wooden fire ladders and Billy clubs. I turned back toward the center of San Francisco government several times as I made my way across Joe’s plaza on his birthday .. The building was glowing. With pride. I never saw a building look so proud. I shook my head and smiled and headed for the pint and the bowl of pot and my computer two blocks down the street. All was right with the world.
Except: Rick Knee wrote this morning to note that the cops pulled the credentials of El Tecolote, the Mission bilingual fortnightly a few weeks ago. He did a “rant” on KQED to no avail. Also, they arrested student photographer Omar Vega of SF State for photographing a crime. These boys don’t like pictures. They blamed the crime on the photographer. These assholes would have blamed Guernica on Picasso.
The boys in blue are getting out of line. Time for St. Gavin to take a certain command staff behind a certain woodshed.
Jens’ idea for the Bulldog’s mission statement:
“We’ll bring you the news BEFORE it happens.”
