It feels weird to write a story celebrating local arts while ignoring what happened on Tuesday. We knew a Trump presidency was somewhere in the cards, but it’s not something San Francisco nor I will happily accept. And I won’t downplay our collective mood simply because The Bold Italic writes about parks, parties, and concerts.
I got into arts journalism after years of listening to bitchy comments that soared between the cubicles of a Financial District newspaper. My coworkers wanted their paycheck but hated our conservative overlords — a situation not unlike the direction we’re headed nationally. I eventually donned an excessive amount of sequins and guzzled dirty martinis, anything to lighten the mood. Then I made a career out of that.
The need for laughs and celebrating our city never felt more essential than in this moment. I remember eight years ago on the heels of Trump’s first win. Bigots felt emboldened while my progressive friends raged against the world, flooding social media with their opinions and often fighting each other. That reality will inescapably return in some part, but it doesn’t mean we should simply ride the current.
San Francisco remains resilient, irreverent and the most progressive city in our country — not to mention beautiful. I love a fog-draped stroll down Outer Sunset avenues, weaving through the crowds at the Ferry Building, and enjoying everything from queer cabarets in the Castro to browsing vintage finds in Haight-Ashbury.
I love the drum circles in Golden Gate Park, getting lost walking through Mission murals, and sunbathing in Dolores. I love late-night jazz spilling out of North Beach clubs, catching an indie film at the Roxie, getting fresh-baked bread at Tartine, and wandering through Japantown, browsing trinket shops and stopping for matcha ice cream. Most of all I love being myself, a proud queer man who celebrates equality, sexual expression, and nonconforming, outrageous fashion.
None of this changes because of the ballots cast on Tuesday. There is joy in San Francisco that I’ll continue to report on, places to visit, and new businesses to support. I hope you’ll join me.
Saul Sugarman is editor in chief of The Bold Italic.
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