SCENE QUEEN – Out Front Magazine’s Queer Scene Report is Finally Here!

Welcome to SCENE QUEEN, Out Front Magazine‘s west coast queer scene report highlighting all the noteworthy and fabulous LGBTQIA events happening in the city of San Francisco, and beyond!

Queer LifeSpace Gala at 620 Jones

For this inaugural issue, we delve into two parties packed full of the city’s LGBTQAI elite, showcasing the important community based services of local non-profit Queer LifeSpace, and a very special private showing of the works of legendary leather scene photographer, Jim Wigler.

“Truth in Pink” was the theme of the 2023 Queer LifeSpace Gala held on the rooftop of 620 Jones, located in downtown San Francisco.

According to their website, “Founded in 2011, Queer LifeSpace (QLS) is a nonprofit counseling agency that provides affordable, evidence-based mental health and substance abuse services to the LGBTQIA+ community in the Bay Area. We also run an internationally-recognized clinical training program for the next generation of queer-affirming therapists.

At Queer LifeSpace, we strive to serve the underserved and are passionate about providing services to clients from all walks of life regardless of their ability to pay. Above all, we make it our priority to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for fellow members of the queer community.”

Invited guests were asked to dress to impress in the color pink to help raise funds for one of San Francisco’s most important resources for low and no-cost queer mental health care services.

Familiar faces abounded with appearances by members of the San Francisco Ducal Court, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Academy SF, San Francisco PRIDE, as well as many noteworthy LGBTQAI community leaders, business owners, thought leaders, artists, and entertainers.

Guests enjoyed an opulent three course luncheon at the mid-day event while being entertained by the powerhouse vocals of local poet and performing artist Lambchop, among other noteworthy drag queens, speakers, and entertainers.

This was followed by Queer LifeSpace executive director Ryan MacCarrigan’s moving and impactful speech, thanking the donors and attendees whilst providing important context on why organizations offering queer mental health services free of charge are critical to our community.

Post program, the guests enjoyed additional fellowshipping and socializing with cocktails courtesy of Olga Vodka.

Click here to donate to Queer LifeSpace, and here to learn more about their core services.

Jim Wigler Solo Exhibition at The Academy SF

Next, did y’all know that the only LGBTQIA-centric membership social club in the world is located right here in the Bay Area? Referred to by insiders as “San Francisco’s SoHo House,” The Academy SF is an inclusive, community third space located at the intersection of the historic Castro District and Duboce Triangle neighborhoods, where all are safe and welcome regardless of race, gender, or orientation.

Recently, during Dore Alley weekend (now known as Up Your Alley! Street Fair) Academy club members as well as folks from all over the local LGBTQAI and leather communities came together to preview a very special, one night only, pop up solo exhibit from the vaults of legendary queer photographer Jim Wigler, best known from his work in Drummer Magazine.

The event included a reception, silent auction, and art showcase, which included photos taken by Wigler at The Academy building location in the 1980s.

From The Academy’s website:

“2166 Market Street has deep historical roots within the Upper Market LGBTQ+ community. In the mid-1970s, it operated as a restaurant/bar called Cardi’s, catering to San Francisco’s growing gay clientele. 

​In 1977, it became the Balcony (or “Balony” to familiar patrons after the”c” fell off the sign), a gay leather bar. In the mid-1980s during the notorious sex club era, it was known as the Academy.”

The proceeds from the auction benefited two nonprofit organizations who work to preserve and strengthen the communities which Jim’s work featured for decades: the San Francisco Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District, and the Leather Archives & Museum.

All images in the show were courtesy of the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago. The Academy SF was founded in 2017 by co-founders Paul Miller and Nate Bourg.

The local leather clubs also turned up to show their support, with many members and various representatives of organizations like The 15, Onyx North West, Dykes on Bikes, The San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance, and the LGBTQ & Leather Cultural District attending the exhibit.

The centerpiece of the exhibit were selections from Cigar Studs, published in Drummer Magazine in May 1984. Known affectionately as the “Red Dog Saloon” series, it was shot in The Academy building just before San Francisco health officials ordered the closure of bathhouses and public sex venues.

According to Bay Area Reporter, October 18, 1984, The Academy was closed that year along with Animals, the Boot Camp, the Club Baths, Jack’s Turkish Baths, the Slot, among other notorious venues.

Fast forward to 2023, and The Academy is now a vibrant, thriving third space for the creme de la creme of queer society to socialize, network, celebrate, relax, and decompress.

The club features an in-house spa, barber shop, speakeasy saloon, monthly curated art shows, daytime co-working space, yoga classes, sound bath healing sessions, and seasonal catered banquets. Also: music, drag, dance, and theatre, a piano bar, custom-landscaped terrace with fire pits, a wine club, book club, writer’s group, plus queer men’s and womxn’s groups.

This is all on top of their fabulous and stylish weekly parties, and much more. Special rates for members under the age of 27 years old are also available in their historical, fully restored, Edwardian style building with secret, hidden passageways.

“We seek to build a community of dynamic individuals focused on promoting genuine social interaction, contributing to our society, and uniting through shared experiences.” – Nate Bourg, co-owner, The Academy SF.

​To learn more about The Academy SF, including membership info, please visit their website here.

Whew! Well folks, that’s all for our first edition of SCENE QUEEN! If you have an event located within the SF Bay Area you’d like Out Front Magazine to cover, please contact me here.

To find out more about or support any of the incredible non-profit organizations mentioned in this article, please visit their websites.

And always remember: give folks their flowers while they’re still alive.

All photos in this article by Rose Eden, and Photos by Gooch.