Flying the blue, pink, and white flag while chanting and cheering, members of the Bay Area LGBTQ+ community and their supporters marched Saturday to protest anti-drag and anti-trans legislation nationwide.
The "Drag Up! Fight Back!" rally and march began at 11 a.m. at San Francisco City Hall, ending up at Union Square for performances and a drag story hour.
"There has been so much anti-trans, anti-drag legislation passed," said Joanie Juster, one of the event's organizers, in a telephone interview Saturday morning. "It's creating a dangerous atmosphere of hate and potential violence."
Anti-trans legislation is making rounds across the U.S. In just this year, legislators in 33 states introduced over 300 bills that put trans rights, such as banning gender-affirming care, at risk. There are also efforts in three states to ban drag shows.
"I don't think these laws reflect the will of the people," said one attendee. "And it's the lawmakers who we are raising our voices against."
"Our community is under attack," organizers posted on social media Friday. "Legislation has been proposed and passed in states nationwide, targeting gender-affirming care, drag performers, and queer culture. Our stories are being banned from public libraries, our trans kids and their parents are being criminalized."
Juster, a straight white woman who describes herself as an ally, said it's important for allies to show their support for LGBTQ+ people.
"They are living their own lives with joy and peace and there's nothing to fear," said Juster.
The day before the demonstration, organizers posted on Facebook, "Let's do this San Francisco style. Feel free to express yourself in your most authentic way. Drag is encouraged but not required. Make signs. Wear comfortable shoes. Make some noise and be joyous! Let's show the world who we are."
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Saturday's march was especially poignant given the sudden death of longtime San Francisco icon and drag performer Heklina, 55, whose death in London, England was first reported on social media late Monday.
Appearing in film and TV, Heklina, whose legal name was Stefan Grygelko, also opened Oasis Nightclub in San Francisco.
"We will be honoring Heklina today," said Juster. "Heklina will be very much present at our event."
The protest was organized by The People's March and the San Francisco Democratic Party along with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, which is a non-profit that uses drag and religious imagery to draw attention to religious intolerance.
"I am here because drag is not a crime, and trans rights are human rights, and the LGBTQ community will not be silenced," said Sister Roma, a member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. "We will not be erased, and we will not be criminalized."
