Lewd & Lascivious Documentary Screening & Panel

In recognition of LGBTQ+ History Month and the central role the Tenderloin has played in LGBTQ+ History, the Tenderloin Museum and Faithful&Fabulous of San Francisco Night Ministry co-present a screening of Jallen Rix’s 2012 documentary Lewd & Lascivious. Following the screening, John M. Brett, Faithful&Fabulous Minister with the San Francisco Night Ministry, will host a panel featuring Ms. Joanne Chadwick, Executive Director Emeritus for the Commission for Women (ELCA) and the Rev. Charles Lewis, San Francisco Night Minister Emeritus.

The film recounts the now infamous 1965 police raid on California Hall, the aftermath of which crystallized an interfaith alliance to combat discriminatory police harassment. Despite laws against cross-dressing, the “New Year’s Mardi Gras Ball” was conceived as a private party featuring drag that would be a fundraiser for the newly organized Council on Religion and the Homosexual. In spite of previous organizing work by Protestant clergy with the San Francisco Police Department to ensure attendee safety, the SFPD severely harassed dance-goers and eventually arrested six people: three attorneys for moral turpitude, a straight married woman for interfering with police, and two gay men for “lewd and lascivious” conduct. The resulting court trial and its findings forever changed the police response to the emerging lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. In the pre-Stonewall era, it marked early efforts toward the recognition, acceptance, and full participation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the life of the Christian church, in San Francisco and beyond.

Ms. Chadwick and Rev. Lewis, the panelists for the post-screening discussion, helped organize and were present at the New Year’s Ball, and both are featured prominently in the film. Ms. Chadwick and Rev. Lewis have long worked together advancing inclusion for LGBTQ+ communities in church and society. Reconciling Works for Full Participation has named its lifetime achievement award after Rev. Lewis, which recognizes "a member of the LGBT community who has been a pivotal example of moving the pendulum of justice forward for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions." More information on the San Francisco Night Ministry and its history of accompaniment of LGBTQ+ communities in San Francisco may be found at https://sfnightministry.org/faithful-fabulous/

Proof of vaccination (with corresponding ID) is required to attend this screening! You can show your Vaccination Record Card (CRC) from the CDC. Or you can show an image of the card, if you have a picture on your phone. Or you can use a digital COVID-19 vaccine record issued by the State of California. You can also use an approved private app to verify your vaccination status.

Host or Publisher Tenderloin Museum