2018 was a rough year for almost everyone I know, even if there were hopeful moments sprinkled along the way. To date, there are still over 12,000 migrant children in federal shelter systems, ongoing acts of violence committed against people of color, epidemic numbers of deadly assaults against transgender Americans, and an abundant lack of compassion that threatens any effort to fix the status quo.
With new tools on the horizon since passing Prop C, San Francisco remains in a dire state of affairs with the highest rate of street homelessness in the country.
That said, if you followed my voting guide this past November, you might have noticed that we had an overwhelming number of success stories, too. In fact, thanks to you for following my guide, we won almost everything we wanted on the ballot this year.
Nationally, things are looking up, too. The "blue wave" was more of a slow tide, but it was enormous. Republicans and conservative Democrats are finally being held accountable for the consequences of decades of deregulation, corruption, and deference to big business. It's looking more and more like Congresswoman Pelosi will return to her role as Speaker of the House, and that's largely owed to her deft maneuvering to create space for the new class of young, progressive women of color who will lead our country for decades to come.
In the midst of these dark times, there are signs of hope ahead.
On a more personal level, I've finally come up for a bit of air after taking over the restaurant at Jones this past August. Those first few months were -ahem- challenging, to say the least.
Weeks would go by without a day off, and I spent more than a few busy days burning things in the kitchen. But trust me, I've got all of that under control now.
The food is great. There are things on the menu you crave and want to come back for. Sunday morning Hangovah Pizza, the MORE!burger, my delicious meatballs - oh my... I'm so proud of what is happening there now. Even in my motherly years, I've learned a lot about how to run a business and how rewarding it is to put my time into something I truly love doing. I love to cook, and I want to feed you. It's that simple, and as long as you keep coming back, we all win.
That brings us to 2019, and you're damn right I'm looking forward to some new risks and challenges. I have some close friends urging me to run for Empress in 2019, and I'm more than just tickled by the suggestion. The ideals that Jose Sarria laid down over 50 years ago are still going strong.
The Absolute Empress I, The Widow Norton, advocated for the community in the truest sense - sticking together lest the powers that be divide us and pick us off one by one.
While I've watched much of the gay community assimilate over the past decade and forget our collective history of persecution, it's obvious that not all of our siblings have enjoyed such privilege. I don't know if I'm the right person to beat this particular drum, but I am committed to beating my own and will keep encouraging you to march with me.
Of course, Jose Sarria was also the first openly gay candidate for elected office in the United States, which lends itself to even loftier ambitions. To put it bluntly, someone needs to challenge Mayor Breed in 2019. Not just because she was on the wrong side of history failing to support the most transformative and progressive tax on big business to fund services for the homeless and marginally housed but for a reason much more simple: Our whole system of democracy benefits from having a choice.
We deserve a debate about what matters most in our society, and some of the most important issues confronting us are right here in San Francisco. So, Madam Mayor MORE!?
Despite everything that was thrown at us in 2018, we are still here. And if there's one thing that 2018 taught me, it's that you can't sit on your hands waiting for someone else to make the change you want to see in the world.
Time will only tell what 2019 has planned for us, but in the meantime, I'm sure as hell making plans for 2019.
Onward, my dears.