"I was raised in an Orthodox Jewish family, and from a very young age I knew two things: that I was gay and that it was going to be a problem. When I came out to my father at the end of my senior year of college, he disowned me on the spot. Things could have spiraled downward, but I remembered that there was a city with a reputation for taking people in like me who needed a fresh start."
"When small businesses struggled to recover after the pandemic, Daniel Lurie and I created the nonprofit Civic Joy Fund to sponsor and organize string lights, night markets, block parties, and community events with the help of hundreds of citizen leaders, artists, drag performers, AV technicians, musicians, and creatives."
"The strength of San Francisco exists not within one person. That strength exists in our collective. When we work together, we can solve any problem in front of us. I don't just believe it. I've seen it."
San Francisco serves as a refuge for those seeking acceptance and community. After being disowned for his sexuality, a man found solace in the city, which offered him a new family and a sense of belonging. Over thirteen years, he contributed to the community by establishing Manny's, a gathering space, and co-founding the Civic Joy Fund to support local businesses post-pandemic. The city's strength lies in its collective efforts, demonstrating that collaboration can address challenges and foster resilience.
Read at San Francisco Bay Times
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]